Emily + Chris

Wedding photography services at the The Country Club of Detroit and Grosse Pointe's St. Paul on the Lake Catholic Church was provided by Detroit wedding photographer Kellie Saunders and her team.

Emily and Chris met at a new member mixer at the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, where they both joined that same year. Chris fondly remembers when he first saw Emily in her long red jacket walking into the mixer. They hit it off but didn't go on their first date until a few months later. Unfortunately Emily wasn't feeling well, so Chris thought "she just wasn't that into him". Fortunately for both of them, they reconnected a few months later and realized that they were into each other. In a big way!

They dated for a year and with Chris being Italian, and Venice being Emily's favorite place on the planet decided there wasn't a better destination for a summer vacation. Loving the water like they do, Chris arrangeed for a priavte boat ride and when they got back to the dock Chris wanted to make their dating relationship official and pop the question at the Gritti Palace. Emily was filled with emotion as all the people surrounding them cheered and clapped for the couple. It was nothing short of magical.

Adventurous. Fun. Free. Kind. Loving. Generous.

Those are words I think of when I think of Emily and Chris. I actually met Emily on the phone, as the couple was living in California at the time they were wedding photographer shopping. She learned of me from a friend who's wedding I shot and thought I might be a good fit for them. I am often hired over the phone over a quick chat. While I love meeting people in person and understand the importance of making a personal connection, it can be done over the phone if both the vendor and the couple ask the right questions and make sure you both understand expectations and vendors are honest about what they can and can't deliver. Emily asked all the right questions, we talked about her vision, how she and Chris met, what was important to them on their wedding day and how she wanted it photographed.

Since I hadn't met Emily in person, on the day of her wedding I had to make sure I tried my best to personally connect with not only her but Chris too. I had to connect with them very quickly and learn to read them and they way they interacted with each other so I could photograph them in the most authentic and non-intrusive way possible. It wasn't hard to warm up to Emily, Chris and their friends and families. I felt welcomed and honestly like I was part of their inner circle almost immediately. Even though this was such a beautiful, elegant and upscale event, these were some of the most down to earth fun people I've ever had the pleasure to photograph!

I work at St. Paul on the Lake quite often. Do a search on my blog and you will see. The church coordinator probably knows me by name, and that's okay because she likes me. (Sometimes church coordinators aren't too fond of wedding photographers... but I always win them over because I follow their rules). Emily and Chris had the most beautiful wedding ceremony at St. Paul on the Lake in Grosse Pointe and even though we had to leave the grounds rather quickly because of the mass following their ceremony, we were able to grab some lovely photos of the couple and their bridal party.

Their reception celebration was held at The Country Club of Detroit which is an elegant golf club located in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI. Their day was set to a nautical theme which kept in the spirit of how they met and how their love story transpired. You can see with their wedding details in the photos below, little touches of the nautical themed wedding. It was done tastefully and so classic. If you are going to do nautical, let Emily and Chris show you how it's done.

The highlight of the day for me (besides when they exchanged their vows) was being able to watch the most unique wedding band ever. Emily told me briefly that they were flying in a wedding band from California who specialized in yacht rock. I had no idea what the heck yacht rock was, but apparently it really is a thing. Well, I LOVE yacht rock! Their guests dance and celebrated with Emily and Chris to tunes from the 70's and early 80's - smooth yacht rock! Google it - you will want to create a yacht rock playlist too. I promise!

Please join me in wishing them happiness, fun and a lifetime of adventures!

Country Club of Detroit wedding photos and wedding ceremony pictures at St. Paul on the Lake Catholica Church taken by Michigan wedding photographer Kellie Saunders and her team of Detroit Michigan wedding photographers. Kellie Saunders is one of the most favorite Detroit Wedding photographers. 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 affordable wedding photography in Michigan at it's best. Each wedding is treated with more love, creativity and care that's not found in larger studios. She has an authentic documentary style and specializes in creating sophisticated and timeless wedding portraits.