Metro Detroit Michigan wedding photography in Birmingham, Michigan provided by Kellie Saunders and her team of creative Detroit, Michigan wedding photographers. Birmingham, Michigan wedding planning / day of event coordination services provided by Nicola at Simply Brilliant Events. I met Meg and Josh for the first time in person on their wedding day. Believe it or not, this happens a lot in my line of work. Most of the time it's business as usual. Weddings, as unpredictable as they are have become pretty predictable to me. But this time was different. My eyes lit up as soon as I met Meg's bridesmaids. These were my people! Every single one of them. Meg, Josh, the bridesmaids, the groomsmen, their parents, their friends and all of their family. My people! Because of this I knew no matter what the day brought Meg and Josh would make great pictures! They were all relaxed, lovely, fun, silly, emotional and kind all wrapped up in a pretty package. I absolutely loved this wedding. Hands down LOVED it! You may be wondering just what I loved about it.  Although I have only known Meg and Josh for about 9 hours, I could tell immediately that they were in love with each other. Their love is an old school kind of love, comfortable and free. I don't see this kind of love often, even being a wedding photographer. It was like they have known each other for a hundred years already, yet  were so comfortable with each other and had no fear of wedding day emotions. Lovely, simply lovely!  We started the day at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, where Meg and Josh prepped for the first look. As well planned as our plans were, we soon found many challenges ahead of us. We planned on having the first look at the hotel, but upon arrival discovered a tea party in the very spot we needed to use. We looked outside for a suitable place for the first look and portraits and discovered a street fair with bystanders, pedestrians, vendors and vehicles in every direction. I don't know if Meg remembers her reaction and what she said, but I do. Meg kept her cool and just smiled and said, "I just want to see Josh. It doesn't matter. I just want to see Josh." And so it went. It was go time.  We fought the crowds and were able to sneak a few moments alone for their first look. We stood back like we always do and quietly observed, recording every raw emotion as Meg walked to Josh. She tapped on his shoulder and he turned around to see her for the first time in her wedding gown and his reaction was probably one of the best reactions I've photographed. I'm not even going to explain it - take a look for yourself below. After a couple of bridal party photos we made our way to The Bird & the Bread in downtown Birmingham where Nicola (one of my favorite wedding planners) was waiting. This was the first time I've photographed a wedding at The Bird & the Bread and it did not disappoint. The candlelit ceremony was elegant and intimate. The venue staff worked so hard and efficiently making sure all of Meg and Josh's guests were taken care of. The food was nothing short of AMAZING! (Thanks to Meg and Josh for inviting my team to dine because it was really a treat!).  After the nuptials and dinner guests danced the night away to Bob Mervak's band. It's an absolute treat to hear Bob play and Meg and Josh danced and danced! Please join me in wishing Meg and Josh all the happiness, laughter and love in the world! They certainly deserve it!  

Southeast Michigan wedding photographs at Bay Pointe Golf Club in West Bloomfield, MI was provided by Kellie Saunders and her team of the very best wedding photographers in Michigan. I have to tell you, dear blog post readers, that I fell head over heels in love with Alisha and John on their wedding day! Yes - this post is all about me and my love for them. :-) No - I won't do that to you. I know you want to hear all about Alisha and John and what happened behind the scenes so here goes. I may sprinkle a few visions of sugarplums and such here and there throughout this post because this couple is just too adorable and I want the world to know it!  The day was absolutely gorgeous! We worried about rain just a tad because the days before the wedding were a bit "iffy" - but the day of was just gorgeous. I arrived early and met up with Jen House and her team who were working super hard transforming Bay Pointe's ballroom into everything Alisha dreamed of on her big day. Alisha was full of laughter and smiles. If she was nervous it didn't show. What I saw was excitement for her to see John. John was across the hall hidden away in the mens locker room waiting for us to take him to see his bride. We decided to do the first look by the lake. It had the best light at that time of the day and would allow John and Alisha a little alone time. It was perfect. I talked to John a bit as her nervously awaited his bride. He told me how much he loved Alisha and how he couldn't wait to see her. He didn't realize that she was walking to him. When she gently tapped his shoulder and he turned around neither of them could hold their emotions back. It was a lovely moment. We stood back to let them have their moment and photographed it from afar. I always tell my clients that this is the time I don't want to interrupt them - I want them to experience this moment together - in real time without distractions. Afterwards we headed around Bay Pointe's grounds and took some traditional and fun bridal portraits. Alisha and John had a fun and highly spirited group of friends that I LOVED working with! We met up with their immediate family for a few shots and then it was time to get Alisha down that aisle. Once the nuptials were said it was time for reception fun! Join me in wishing Alisha and John the happiest life together! They are a special couple and I will forever be greatful that they allowed me to spend their wedding day with them!

Detroit engagement photography around the city provided by Kellie Saunders, a top Detroit wedding and engagement photographer. Kristen and Ryan are leaving Detroit soon. Now don't worry, it's not a sad move, it's a very good thing. Kristen is beginning her life as a Doctor in Houston and Ryan snagged a great engineering job there as well. When they hired me as their wedding photographer, they stressed how important it is to them to capture their love for each other along with their love for their city. They live right dab smack downtown and before they started packing up their lives for Houston, they spent an afternoon with me in the city that they love. We had a few hiccups and when I say a few - I mean a ton. You see, Detroit wedding and engagement photography isn't always easy. This spring and summer the entire city is pretty much under construction. Woodward is torn up for the rail project and orange barrels are everywhere else in the city. The beautiful grass that I so love in front of the old train station has been cut down to nothing and the Town Pump vinery on the front of the building is covered with scaffolding. To top it off, at the time of their session Belle Isle was being set up for the Grand Prix so there were grandstands and barrels everywhere! What started out as a one hour session turned into a four hour tour of the city. I have to tell you though, I had the absolute BEST time with these two! When I think of a couple who can roll with the punches I am thinking of Kristen and Ryan. It didn't matter how many orange barrels we ran into or how many locations were baracaded off - they just smiled and said - oh well - let's just have fun! And you know what - that's what we did. We ended up still hitting the main spots - but we just took a different view photographically speaking. I still shot awhere I normally do - but because of the obstacles I was forced to really think about the light and think about the connection between Kristen and Ryan. Because of that I think we were able to get a bit more artistic than I usually have time for. The construction slowed us down in a good way! Join me in congratulating Kristen and Ryan on their engagement and wishing them safe travels to Houston. I am so excited for their wedding next year!

Michigan wedding photography at the elegant Pine Knob Mansion provided by Kellie Saunders and her team of creative MI wedding photographers. What I love best about photographing weddings at Pine Knob Mansion is just that - photographing weddings at Pine Knob Mansion. It doesn't get any better than this venue. What an aboslutely stunning backdrop to commit to one another against. Had I realized the gorgeous splendor of this estate years ago when I was planning my own wedding, I may have had my wedding here as well. This was one of my most memorable weddings of all times. Natalia and Pete are an adorable couple originally from Michigan but living out of state. If you know Italian weddings, you know they are full of love, full of laughter and full of about six hundred family and friends! Well maybe not six hundred, but gosh my Italian weddings are usually very big. Well, Natlia and Pete chose Pine Knob and I'm so glad they did because it is a grand venue and one of my favorites. The ceremony was outdoors on a beautiful day with blue skies and summer sunshine. They were married under the gazebo which set a beautiful scene for their vows. The grounds are gorgeous and well kept so I was able to capture beautiful portraits of the couple and their bridal party. One of the best things about Pine Knob is the outdoor area for dancing under the stars at night. Natalia and Pete's band was set up outside so after dinner there was fun and dancing until the wee hours. This was a beautiful wedding, one that goes down in my memory as a favorite. I highly recommend Pine Knob Mansion for your wedding venue. The staff and food are amazing and the grounds lovely. The manionsion itself is grand and historic.

Wellers is one of my most favorite wedding ceremony and reception venues in Southeast Michigan! As a wedding photographer I appreciate it's historic beauty and charm. From the magical tree lined aisles to the gorgeous pergolas and the elegant reception rooms, this place has it all. Over the years I've photographed many weddings here and I've never been disappointed. Rain or shine I've always been able to capture great images. They have an off site home where brides and grooms can prepare and dress for their big day. Afterwards they can head over to the venue where the grounds are always well maintained with lush and gorgeous foilage is all around. There are beautiful trees, seasonal flowers, tranquil fountains and stone walkways. I love their carriage house especially for receptions and if the weather is right - you can dance the night away under the stars outside. The food is delicious and the staff more than accomodating. Tell Wellers I sent you - I know you will love this place!