I’ve been SO dang excited to show you these!!!! As a matter of fact, I don’t think I can pick a favorite because I love them all equally!
Oh, and yes… this IS that couple. You know, the one where the guy proposed to the girl and we got to photograph the whole thing? Yeah… THAT one! Bryan, you were MADE to wear a bow tie!
are you KIDDING me with this gorgeousness?!
I know you probably can’t read this…. but it made me laugh so I had to post it. Mae’s parents have been driving an Chevy Astro Van for, well… ever (I can’t exactly remember…). I think it has like 300k miles on it? I’ll put it to you this way, when Mae was a teenager, the family road-tripped from Traverse City, Mich to The Grand Canyon in said Astro (four THOUSAND miles round trip!!!). They lovingly refer to the car as the “Bad Astro”
It was only fitting for Mae to have been driven to the church in the Bad Astro. While en route to the church Mae’s mom Diane sent a text to one of her sons, Garrett, “We’re taking Mae to church in the Astro van! The bride is in the Astro!” Garrett’s text response…. “A noble steed she is!” HAHAHAHHAAAA!
…maybe you had to be there, I assure you… it was hilarious!
Mae and Bryan chose to have a first sight. Then it was portrait time
As soon as Bryan said there was a parking garage nearby and…. well… I couldn’t resist!
Just as a quick reminder, they also happen to be INCREDIBLE wedding photographers…
…then the wedding party came out to join us.
I love everything about this image! By the way, notice Bryan’s gray suit? Future grooms… take note!
Then it was getting married time!
I always have the best view in the house.It’s my favorite part about being a wedding photographer.
Bryan, I adore you. I love how much you love Mae.
In a Greek Orthodox wedding there is something called the “Crowning Ceremony” and it is gorgeous to witness.
Boom!Mike’s view on the left. Mine on the right.Right as they kissed I got a little emotional. And by a little emotional I really mean… big stupid tears running down my face. It dawned on me right then and there that I’d just witnessed/had the honor of photographing two of the biggest moments, up to that point, in their lives. Whew… I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it. Mae, someday… when you two decide to have children… and you go into labor… do me a favor? Call your mom, call sister-in-law Sarah, and then call us… we’ll be on our way!After all, now it’s a tradition for us to be there for all of your biggest moments!
And thennnnn, right before they arrived to their reception… DOWNPOURRRRRR!!!!!!!
The electricity went out soon after we took this image. Read more about it in Mae’s comment section below. I’ll sum it up in my wayThe first half of the reception was lit by candles. The second half was powered by generators that family members went and bought right then and there. I’m telling you, Mae and Bryan are surrounded by some of the most incredible people… from their families to all of their crazy friends… those two are a lucky duo.
Their rings are pieces of wood custom made to fit oh so perfectly.
Are you KIDDING me with how gorgeous Mae is?! No really… Holy shitake mushrooms…. GORGEOUS! Wow. When I took that photo I think I started jumping up and down because I just knew that I had captured her beauty perfectly. Man oh man what an attractive couple!
If I had to pick just one photo that represented their entire day… this one would be it.
This party could DANCE!
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Grand Rapids, Mich.
hair • Kayley Herringa
makeup • Mary, The Leslie Studio
florist • The Flower Garden
invitation & program designer • Megan Gilger of Hitch Design
church • St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church
reception venue • Johnson Park
cocktail band • The Crane Wives
dinner musicians • Garrett Stier and Jack Droppers of Stationary Travelers
& Katie Schell and Eric Michaels of Paper Thick Walls
dj • Alex Kontras
desserts • Wednesday Evening Cookies
caterer • Marie Catrib’s
beer • Founder’s Brewery Grand Rapids
wine • Leelanau Cellars
hard cider • Tandem Ciders
dress • Watters
bridesmaid dresses • Lulu’s
suit • Topman
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their songs
first dance • “Can’t Help Falling In Love” –Ingrid Michaelson
father/daughter • “The Way you Look” –Steve Tyrell
mother/son • “What a Wonderful World” –Louis Armstrong
last dance • “First Day of My Life” –Bright Eyes
mae+bryan
What was the most memorable moment of your day?
mae: So much of the day was memorable! I can honestly (and gladly) say that the day seemed to pass at the perfect pace, giving me many moments to just sit back and soak everything in. I loved getting ready with my girlfriends and my mom, loved seeing Bryan for the first time during our first look, loved our portrait time. Walking down the aisle and seeing Bryan crying at the end was a moment I know I will never forget, as was being announced husband and wife. I loved arriving at our reception site in a huge downpour, seeing all of our friends and family partying on the porch of the lodge, dancing to The Crane Wives. We had hoped for months for clear skies during our cocktail hour but alas, it rained and somehow was even better for that. Waltzing through the crowd on the porch, with the rain pounding on the roof was such a beautiful, memorable time. The power going out because of the rain was QUITE memorable and I am humbled by the ways our friends and family rallied together to supply us (immediately, it seemed) with hundreds of candles to light the tables, as well as generators to get the PA up and running for our dinner musicians to play. Honestly, if we could do it again I would almost ask that the power go out because it created such a cozy feel and really highlighted the beauty of the people who surround us. Oh, and beyond all those moments that I remember so well (I warned you…so much of the day sticks out so clearly in my mind), our first dance was beautiful, dancing with my dad was so meaningful and our last dance, surrounded by our friends and family to one of our favorite songs makes me tear up just to remember. And then, TRULY the most memorable part of the day (this was what you REALLY asked for, wasn’t it?) was running out through the sparklers at the end and standing by our car watching as our guests ran around and danced on the lawn. Bryan and I just stood there leaning against each other, watching all the people so dear to our hearts have a blast and it was completely perfect.
bryan: Well, now that Mae just about covered it, can I second everything she said? I’ll share my two favorite memories: seeing her walk down the aisle and watching our friends dance like crazy on the lawn with the sparklers. I guess I could add the dancing in general. We wanted to throw a great dance party and I’m proud we were successful. We had folks doing the worm, backflips, and I hear that Mae’s dad even did the splits. So, so good.
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Any advice for future bride/grooms?
mae+bryan: Relax, have fun, and throw a party that is uniquely you. And when things go wrong, watch the ways that they resolve themselves or the ways that your friends and family make it work. It is so wonderful. Also, be sure to take the time, even if it is just for a moment, to stand back and watch your guests have a blast. It is a beautiful thing to realize that all of those people are having such a good time because they are celebrating your love and supporting this next step of your life.
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Funniest memory from your wedding day?
bryan: Shoving cake in Mae’s face (and up her nose) and Bobbi [knowing that their plan was to shove cake in each other's faces] in the background saying [as they held up their cupcakes ready to lodge them], “I just want you to know that I do not approve of this idea…”
Bryan, don’t you give me that look!
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Where did you go on your honeymoon?
We went to the Smokey Mountains in Tennessee and then to Asheville, North Carolina for a few nights.
mike+bobbi+bryan+mae. Oh! And to Kristen… you drive a hard bargain but I promised, with an official hand shake, a photobooth blog entry (which I rarely blog)… and I’m sticking to my word! So next up on the blog… Bryan and Mae’s Unboxed Photobooth!
If photos could talk! I look I’m about to put his butt in the corner for back talking while he thinks it’s funny to get in trouble. Oh Bryan, I know your type!And Mae… she’s the goody two shoes who doesn’t understand why Bryan is always getting in trouble…
By the way, I assure you, I’m not mean… Mike just likes to snap photos of me looking mean.
I really do wish I could remember what was happening here… Bryan? Mae? Do either of you two remember?
Much love friends!
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