A week before Dorothy and Eric’s springtime wedding at Castle Farms in northern Michigan, we got doused with about 2 feet of unexpected snow, hail, and winds that blanketed our emerging leaves and grass with enough of this “frozen goodness” to delay spring by a good few weeks. Fast forward seven days and we – crazily so – STILL had snow on the ground!! Who would have thought for a intimate wedding at the end of April, we’d be standing outside in snow. Ahhhh, the lovely mysteries of getting married in northern Michigan! But this only sets the scene for how incredible of a woman, Dorothy truly is. On her wedding day, Dorothy was a mixture of smiles, emotion, silent tears of joy, and laughter in between. I knew the moment I “met” over on our first skype date, that we would instantly get along. I mean, we share a deep love for comfy clothes and robes…what friendship can’t be started when it has a foundational love for robes??!!

Anyho, as the last finishing touches of her dress where being buttoned, and the custom hand-sewn jewels on her lace gown where being settled into  place, Dorothy lifted her drop dead gorgeous baby blues up to mine, her voice slightly quivering, eyes glistening in the shimmering window light as she whispered, “I’m ready.” It was time. And boy, was this wedding photographer excited!! The First Look is one of my favorites moments on a wedding day. And even though we had .5 seconds to experience this, Dorothy and Eric were a vision, in all sense of the word. Eric turned around to see his bride walk towards him, his face haloed by the sun, but his smile the true illuminator of this moment. There is no other word to describe this but pure magic.

Their ceremony was intimate, peaceful, and even comical at some parts – which is the perfect recipe for a truly memorable ceremony. Before I could even press pause, we were already having a blast dashing in and outdoors, trying to beat the cold as we photographed the bridal portraits and wedding party portraits. These guys were true Michiganders today as they braved the elements, but we all couldn’t help but laugh as we battled snow, direct sun, and winds that howled in the empty corners of the stone architecture. But every moment was magic. Every smile brilliant. I couldn’t think of a better wedding to kick off my wedding season for the summer of 2018!!

To Dorothy & Eric: Guys!! Seriously. What else can I say except proclaim how much I simply LOVE you guys!! I have so much respect and awe for how much energy and happiness you guys expressed throughout our time together, despite battling some really tough weather that day! It truly speaks so much to your character and your relationship that even when standing in freezing snow, on a 40 degree day with 20 mph winds, that your smiles were all that I could see. Dorothy, girl, you are BEAUTIFUL. I can’t say that enough!! I am so humbled to be your wedding photographer and now, your friend!! Love to you both, so much!!!