ALLIE + MIKE | GREAT OAKS WEDDING

Southeast Michigan wedding photography at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lake Orion and Great Oaks Country Club provided by Kellie Saunders photography team.

A long time ago in a land (not so far away), back in 2008 Allie met Mike while attending Central Michigan University. They quickly fell in long and fast forward six years to 2014, and Mike was proposing to Allie on the bridge over the paint creek trail in downtown Rochester, where the pair grew up. Fast forward two more years, and I was meeting Allie on her wedding day at the Royal Park Hotel. Outside her window was the very spot Mike proposed. That kind of gets me feeling all sentimental and emotional. I'm just that kind of girl I suppose. 

Allie was all smiles all day long on her wedding day. From the moment I knocked on the door, she was relaxed and ready to see her groom. She might have been nervous, but I couldn't tell and I can usually sniff out nerves from miles away. Her mom and bridesmaids helped her into her gown (stunning by the way), and soon she was on her way to St. Josephs where they would have a traditional Catholic mass.

St. Josephs is one of the prettiest catholic churches in the area. It's really beautiful and jaw dropping to be honest. Had I known about this parish when I was married I might have put in on my short list. That's how much I loved it! When Allie made her entrance into the sanctuary there wasn't many dry eyes, and Mike gave me one of the photos I love capturing. I never can ask for this image - but when it happens it's so beautiful! Look below, you will see what I'm writing about. That is one of my all time favorite images.

Mike is one of the friendliest, fun and in LOVE grooms I've ever worked with. He is absolutely one hundred percent in love with Allie and he didn't need or want to hide that on his wedding day. That's all a photographer needs to know and the rest is magic.

After the ceremony we headed back to the very spot where Mike proposed by the Royal Park Hotel in Downtown Rochester for their bridal portraits. The entire bridal party was a blast to work with and they all did a great job! One of the things I ask my couples when I meet them is if they've been in a wedding before. Nine times out of ten they have, and then I follow up with asking them how their experiences have been with other wedding photographers. I really listen to the feedback and learn from it. One of the things I've heard over the years the most is that when photographers are posing bridal parties, the bridal party feels lost. They feel unguided and don't know what to do or how to stand so it's the most flattering for their body type. I really try to take my time with my bridal parties (given I have a little extra time that is) to talk to them about posture and how to position their body in front of a camera so they look their absolute best. Even though yes, the pictures are for my brides and grooms, I still want the bridal party to have a good experience and love how they look as well.

Once the portraits finished we were on our way to Great Oaks for a fun night of good food, live music, lively dancing and laughter! Of course we started the night with a ride on a golf cart and took some fantastic images on the course. Thanks to Great Oaks for letting their couples out on the course for photos. Not every golf club let's you do this, so kudos to their venue! Also their staff was lovely and attentive to Allie and Mike's family and friends. What a wonderful night that was had by all! Congrats - Allie and Mike!!! Hope you love your preview!

Michigan wedding photography by Kellie Saunders, Detroit Michigan wedding photographers. Kellie Saunders is one of the best Metro Detroit Wedding photographers around. She is a professional artistic wedding photographer located in Birmingham, Michigan. Her work has been published both locally and nationally in print and online. Her studio serves the entire metro Detroit area and offers wedding photography at it's best. Each wedding is treated with love, creativity and care not found in larger studios. She has an authentic documentary style and specialized in creating sophisticated and timeless wedding portraits.