Metro Detroit Michigan wedding photography at the elegant Planterra provided by Kellie Saunders and her team of creative Detroit, MI wedding photographers. Planterra, Planterra, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways... I love, love, love this venue! Planterra is perfect for every season and every bride. Almost every couple of mine asks me what they should do if it rains on their wedding day. Well, as much as I hate to say this, I really don't know. I don't meant that in a bad way, but the thing is, unless you've rented a venue that has an indoor shooting option, you really have limited options in the event of bad weather. It's just the way it is and the gamble we take. Working with a venue like Planterra, I know there is ALWAYS a plan B. Well, let's be honest, Planterra is pretty swanky so it's definitely not second place to plan B - it can hold it's own on the A plan too. But for the bride who is worried about weather and doesn't want to take the risk - this is definitely the place for you! On the other hand, even if you don't care about the weather, this place is gorgeous and I love working there.  I didn't know a lot about Amanda and Seth before their wedding day. Amanda hired me long before the wedding and since they live out of town I wasn't able to do an engagement session, so going into the wedding day I didn't know what to expect working with the two of them. In fact I just met Seth for the first time right before the first look. Oh my gosh - I was not disappointed to say the least. They were both so full of love and emotion that I couldn't help but love this wedding to the moon and back. Amanda and Seth cried, their parents cried, their siblings cried, the kids cried - everything and everyone overflowed with emotions. As a photographer it made my heart smile. These people, the love the felt for each other and their family - it's the stuff that real life is made of. It's the stuff that keeps us going. It's the stuff we hope to find in a partner to spend the rest of our lives with. That's good stuff!  Let's talk about Amanda's dress for a second, can we? My mouth hit the floor with this unique asyemmetrical bridal gown. If I had the body I would wear this gown everywhere, whether it was my wedding day or not. I'd wear it out to dinner, to pick up the dry cleaning, grocery shopping - everywhere people! Her gown coupled with the gorgeous veil was stunning. Now Seth was handsome as could be himself, but you know how it is when you compare the guys to the girls - girls usually win this race since they spend thousands on their dress, hair and makeup. (Sorry guys... it's just the way it is). Anyway, take a look at this gown - do you not just love it?  Planterra's decor was fabulous as always. The color scheme was jewel tones. The tables were elegantly decorated and finished with chargers garnished with rosmary sprigs. Amanda and Seth's wedding cake was really a win too, I love that the base looked like a tree with their initials carved into it. The use of succulents lightly spread around the venue was a nice touch. Bravo! The room was a total hands down win! Amanda and Seth - congrats to you and thank you so much for trusting me with your wedding day photography! Amada and Seth's wedding was published in the 2015 Winter issue of Metro Detroit Bride - an Hour Detroit publication. 

Southeast Michigan wedding photography at Wellers in the Ann Arbor / Saline area provided by Kellie Saunders, a favorite Detroit wedding and engagement photographer. View Kaitlyn and Justin's engagement pictures here: E-Session Kaitlyn + Justin = chemistry. This couple was just such a pleasure to photograph. They not only made my job easy, but they made it FUN. Kaitlyn and Justin have the kind of connection that just rocks when put in front of the camera. Their emotions, their love, their expressions - they never held anything back. I love this because when my couples feel free to express their love and emotions for each other magic can happen. See for yourself below. Kaitlyn and Justin decided to have a first look at Wellers before their ceremony. I always talk about first looks with my couples at our consults because sometimes it's just necessary if they want a certain type of portrait. There are pro's and con's to having a first look but ultimately it's a very personal and intimate decision my couples make and one that I always respect. The thing for Kaitlyn and Justin was that they wanted to be free to enjoy themselves and party the night away after their ceremony. They wanted to have time with their guests and time to just have fun. Plus, they wanted time to make beautiful wedding pictures without extending their cocktail hour. I'm very happy that they made this decision. Some couples worry that seeing each other before the ceremony will take away from the emotion and anticipation that happens naturally as a bride enters the ceremony site and see's her groom for the first time. From all of my years experience with first looks, I can tell you I've never had a couple tell me they were unhappy that they had a first look. I want to say that 90 percent of my couples still cry when they see each other for the first time walking down the aisle, regardless if they had a first look. So clearly, some emotions are still at play. It's a very personal decision, but if you are considering a first look take a look at how Kaitlyn and Justin's day went. It did not in any way take away from the emotion of their day. I think it added to it, and also helped make sure we captured some rocking portraits. Join me in congratulating Kaitlyn and Justin and wishing them the most happiness and love in the world! 

Wedding photography for this ultra gorgeous wedding at Planterra was provided by Kellie Saunders and Dionne Haglund, one of the best wedding photography teams in Michigan. You can view Dionne's work on her website in the vendor link below. A special thank you to Dionne who worked so hard and is such a talented photographer and great person. Some of my favorite shots of the day were taken by Dionne. I just love her and if you are reading this and looking for a wedding photographer, check her out - you will love her too.  I always tell my couples that I want them to have fun on their wedding day. My motto is, go with the flow and let my team capture the moments and memories. My couples should have no worries, just enjoy their day. Well, I didn't have to tell this twice to Danielle and Colin. Let me tell you internet people of the world - when I think of FUN couples and FUN bridal parties - I will ALWAYS be thinking of Danielle, Colin and their friends. Now, truth be told, if I were to get married again (which no - that will never happen in real life), but if I did - I would want Danielle and her girls as my bridesmaids. Hands down these girls can hang. There are things I can't write about in this blog post and even a couple of photos I can't share, but let's just say this, ladies - you really rocked!  What I loved the most about this wedding (other than everyone's personalities) was that it was IRISH!!! I've been to Ireland a couple of times, so anytime there's a little green at a wedding I get all giddy and excited. You can see with their details below the little splashes of Ireland that they included in their day. Planterra was beautiful as ever and their staff attentive and helpful like they always are. The flowers were stunning and Danielle's bouquet - to die for. I don't know what those little hanging things are (sorry flower lovers - you can email me with the name), but they were perfect. It was snowing on their wedding day, so Planterra was the most perfect venue because we were able to get lovely portraits regardless of the weather.  After the ceremony friends and family danced and danced and had the best time. I loved photographing on the dance floor. Great, great crowd! I wish I could share every single photo from this wedding, but I'm limited on a blog. Here are some of my faves - so enjoy! Please join me in congratulating Danielle and Colin and wishing them all the very BEST! 

Wedding photography for this traditional Jewish wedding at Tam-o-Shanter Country Club was provided by Kellie Saunders and Aaron Fortin, one of the best wedding photography teams in Michigan. It's no secret that I love a good Jewish wedding. I am half Jewish after all, but I was raised primarily in a Christian home. My grandparents did not observe any jewish traditions at all, so other than the occasional funeral and family gathering, I wasn't afforded the opportunity to learn about my heritage. I wasn't given the choice to either follow what I was born into or another path. Most of my Jewish aunts, uncles and cousins who observe traditions have moved far away. That's where my business comes in. Not that I'm going to make this post all about me, my point is that I have learned so much about my people and my heritage because I started a wedding photography business. It's a blessing to me to be able to share in these traditions with my couples and I always learn a little bit about myself in the process. So, to all of my Jewish clients - I want to give a big heartfelt thank you! You teach me about myself. I am a firm believer in things happening for a reason. People don't just show up in your life unless they are meant to. I feel the same way about my clients. They are supposed to be my clients, and eventually and usually they become my friends. Natalie and Daniel were such fun to work with. I try to see beyond what people want me to see when working with them. I have to, because after all, I need to get to the heart of who they are. When I first met Natalie I said, "This girl is one tough cookie." But I also saw that she has many layers, much like myself. I really saw myself in her. When I saw the way Daniel could bring out her sensitive side with just the touch of his hand, I immediately felt that this couple was meant to be. It truly was beshert! Their wedding, their friend and family - everyone couldn't have been nicer to work with and be around. One of my favorite moments was when they signed the ketubah - I could feel the energy suddenly change in the room and when I looked almost everyone was in tears. What a lovely, lovely moment for them. I snapped a photo of them under their chuppah that has become one of my all time favorites. The moon was rising, the sky was still blue and everything was still and quiet. Congratulations to Natalie and Daniel! I wish you all the best and a lifetime of happiness, love and laughter! Mazel Tov!

Ann Arbor, MI engagement photography session at the Arb (Nichols Arboretum) provided by Kellie Saunders, a favorite Ann Arbor wedding and engagement photographer. If there is only one thing I hope all of my clients do when they work with me - that is have FUN! When I first met Jenny and Erich, Erich was pretty up front about his expectations. He said to me, and I repeat exactly, "My motto with all of this is, More Party, Less Bullshit." I asked Erich immediately to sign me up, because I just HAD to be their wedding photographer! That was definitely a no brainer. They are getting married at the Detroit Institute of Arts and I am over the moon for this wedding venue choice. Now, before you go and think - DIA - this must be a swanky high-falooting couple, I can tell you that you couldn't be more wrong. Jenny and Erich are one of the most down to earth and FUN couples I've had the pleasure of working with. When he said more party, less bullshit, he meant it! We had so much FUN with their engagement session in Ann Arbor. We only shot at the Arb (Nichols Arboretum). I really enjoyed it because I don't get out to Ann Arbor as much as I would like because I'm based in Birmingham. Lucky for us the park was just about empty and we had the opportunity to just wander, witness some possible illegal activities, talk laugh and have a good time! I don't think there was a series of photos where this couple wasn't laughing or poking fun at each other. My cheeks hurt on my drive home because they had almost to the point of crying I was laughing so hard. Yes - I believe there will be a fantastic party on their wedding day and I can't WAIT to photograph it. Thanks for picking me guys! I can't wait!