Derek, the manager at the International Banquet Center inside the Atheneum hotel in Greektown Detroit said it best when he told me that "Hands down this is the BEST wedding venue in the city of Detroit for a wedding. We offer impecible service, good helpful attitudes, and our couples and their guests have a great time!" Derek, you are right! You rock and so does your staff! I absolutely love this wedding venue and I adore the staff as well. I will post another blog soon on why I love working at the Atheneum hotel and why you should consider having your wedding there - but for purposes of Stephanie and Zach's story, the staff helped make their day perfect! I have no idea how they flip a room so fast, but it's with lightening speed and precision. Making the decision to get married in January is a decision best left to couples who are made a little tougher on the inside. It's typically cold, perhaps snowy, maybe icy, and who knows - it could be really windy too. On this day in January we had all of the above, but Stephanie and Zach, just wanted to get married. It didn't matter if the world fell down around them as long as they were together. That is the stuff real love is made out of folks! Right there! Let's go back a bit, shall we? Stephanie and Zach actually met when they were 22 years old. They had more than a couple of things in common, but here are the two I remember the most. They loved the city of Detroit and they both love Stevie Wonder! I actually think Zach loves Stevie Wonder more than me, and I had NO idea that was possible! I am a motown girl all the way! Okay back to the story. They didn't hit it off right away because Zach was moving out of state, so they just parted as friends, not knowing what the future would hold for them. Five years later Zach moved back to Michigan and asked Stephanie out to dinner to catch up. It didn't take long for the couple to catch up and fall in love! Zach surprised Stephanie with his proposal on the way to a Stevie Wonder concert in the D! Making the decision to celebrate their wedding with friends and family in the city was only fitting, don't you think? Their wedding day was just about as perfect as any wedding day in January can be. We had icky weather (it is Michigan after all people), but the worst of it came at the best times throughout the day, so it worked out perfectly! As far as Jewish wedding traditions go, Stephanie and Zach celebrated with all the standards, and love was alive as we Mazel'd in the D that day! One of the highlights for me was the ketubah. It was absolutely beautiful and ornate. I see many ketubah's in my line of work and this one was very original and lovely. Check it out below. One of my favorite moments of the day was right after their first look Stephanie and Zach decided to live on the edge and go on the roof with me. With the windchill that day reading negative 15 degrees, we only lasted about 45 seconds before my fingers froze to my metal camera body and Stephanie and Zach were shivering, but it was worth it. I really adore this couple and their fun free spirit! They love their friends and family, but most importantly they love one another. I could feel their energy and you'll be able to as well as you scroll through some of my favorite memories from their wedding day. Congrats Stephanie and Zach!!!

Wedding photography services at MacRay Harbor and Heritage Gardens was provided by Detroit Michigan wedding photographer Kellie Saunders and her team. See their engagement photos HERE Sometimes couples have fireworks following them around everywhere they go. They spark when they are together and ignite an energy in the air. That's how I would describe Jessica and Camron. I see things through my lens, the innerworkings of relationships. That's one of my favorite things about working weddings. I have a chance to draw pictures of how people feel. It's brilliant and beautiful! Jessica could give Camron a quick glance and he knew just what she was thinking. But it wasn't always that way. I giggle when I think of how their love story came to be. Camron was an alter server at the church Jessica attended. She had been admiring him from afar for years before they officially met. She would refer to him as the "hot sexy alter boy" when talking to her friends, because she didn't even know his name. Even though they attended the same church for their entire childhood, she just couldn't muster enough courage to talk to him, let alone find out his name. Lucky for the two of them, Jessica's mom knew of her daughter's crush and decided that since divine intervention wasn't working, she would get the job done. One one hot summer day when the church held an outdoor mass, her mom struck up a conversation with Cameron's family and the rest of the story can be seen in the photo's on this blog post. Their wedding day was fun, fantastic and full of love! After their traditional catholic mass at St. Clement in Romeo, we headed to a special location that I didn't even know existed. The Romeo Rock! I didn't know that this was a "thing" but there's a large boulder in Romeo that people paint for special occasions. Someone painted the Rock in Romeo in honor of Camron and Jessica's wedding day. We stopped there for a quick photo and then went to Heritage Gardens in Shelby to take their offical wedding portraits. I love Heritage Gardens because the light is lovely and a photographer can make it look almost tropical if it's the right time of day. Another bonus is that couples can rent the space and no one else can use it during that time. That's really fantastic because we can work faster and be more creative without any interference. Check out some of their wedding photos at Heritage Gardens in Shelby Twp. below. After the wedding portraits we landed at our final destination, MacRay Harbor, for an elegant and fun wedding reception! MacRays is always a welcoming and fun place to work. Congratulations to Jessica and Camron! I hope every day is as happy as your wedding day was!

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!

Wedding photography services at the historic Belle Isle Casino and Grosse Pointe's St. Paul on the Lake Catholic Church was provided by Detroit wedding photographer Kellie Saunders and her team.  Even though so much time has passed since their wedding day, I can still feel the electricity sparking between Erin and Stefan. They have a captive energy that is so rare to find with couples. Erin and Stefan can speak to each other without saying a word. I could see it in their small glances that they stole with one another so often. One of my favorite parts of their wedding day was just after their first dance as husband and wife. Erin's dad was stepping in to take over for the father/daughter dance but Erin and Stefan didn't even realize the music had ended. The room was silent, but they held each other close, closed their eyes and continued to dance. Their day started out at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. I just love the hotel and staff there. I don't think I've ever worked a wedding where the manager didn't leave a nice note and treat for the bride and groom - even when the wedding is held elsewhere. They are just so kind and considerate to their guests. While Erin and Stefan didn't have a first look, the Marriott provides a gorgeous backdrop for first looks since it's right on the river and in the heart of downtown Detroit. After Erin's dressed and had a few quiet moments with her parents, it was time to head to St. Paul on the Lake for the ceremony. St. Paul is a gorgeous church and I love shooting there. Stefan could not hold his smile back when he saw Erin coming towards him down the aisle. I always love capturing grooms first expressions when they see their bride. It's one of my favorite moments at all weddings! This day was no exception! What I love the most about Erin and Stefan was how much they love their dog!!!! The day would not have been a success without taking some wedding photos with their first born baby pup! (Well maybe not quite a pup, but still their baby just the same). After a few portraits with the pup and bridal party, we headed to the Belle Isle Casino where the Rare Blend Band took over and entertained the guests all night. It was the perfect day and the perfect couple!!!

Southeast Michigan wedding photography at Waldenwoods provided by Kellie Saunders and Leah Moss, two favorite Detroit Michigan wedding photographers. If you are considering a wedding at Waldenwoods, you will love this venue! Kathryn and Mark's Waldenwoods wedding was every bit as amazing as it looks. I absolutely adore shooting weddings at Waldenwoods because it's the most beautiful venue at all times of the year. Spring, summer, fall and winter - it doesn't matter. It's gorgeous all the time. Kathryn and Mark were married in late fall and even though it was cold and a wee bit rainy - they were able to rock it out and their images really shined! The day started with a first look at Waldenwoods where Kathryn and Mark enjoyed a few quiet moments together before starting their day. We soon headed over to the Hartland Music Hall for a lovely ceremony that was officiated by a close friend of the couple. Kathryn and Mark's family and friends enjoyed the ceremony and hardly a dry eye was found. One of my favorite parts of their ceremony was when Kathryn and Mark gave each other a ceremonial high five! So much FUN! After family formal portraits on the porch of Hartland Music Hall, we went back to Waldenwoods for an evening reception filled with delicious food, fun, dancing, and laughter! Kathryn and Mark told me they had choreographed their first dance. When they told me this I thought it would be like most of the choregoraphed dances I have witnessed in all my years photographing weddings. However, this dance was MUCH different. It was so lively, so much fun and so original! I wanted to jump up and dance with them - that's how fantastic their first dance was. A good time was had by all that night! I wish Kathryn and Mark nothing but happiness and fun for the rest of their lives!