tyler + rachelle | wedding | crystal mountain, michigan

the distance from here to chicago is seeming shorter and shorter every day.  and these two have a great deal to do with that growing feeling that chicago becoming a welcoming backyard. rachelle and tyler have been together for some time...just ask any one of their seemingly endless number of friends and you will quickly learn that this wedding day was an exciting point on the horizon for so so many. and to think that they allowed me to share it with them is quite amazing...a stranger, from michigan, little old nathan.  but truly, these two exude a deep love for those in their lives and a sincere willingness to welcome newcomers into the fold. and welcomed i felt!

t&r - thank you for your friendship. you two were absolutely stunning on your wedding day. what a fabulous celebration! i couldn't help but dance*

- npe

ben + jennifer | wedding | grand rapids, michigan

the day was certainly savored! more than a year ago, i had the privilege to sit down with ben and jen over drafts at founders, and begin the excitement of planning for wedding. their humor is perfect, their adoration for each over very evident, and their warm spirits led me to understand that i was going to be part of something special! fast forward a year, and just this past saturday...these two said 'i do' and vowed their lives to one another.  thank you j&b for inviting me in. for trusting my vision. for your incredible joy. for encouraging me on the dance floor, haha. for making some pretty awesome memories for me to witness*

blessings to you two - much love!

- npe

brandon + katie | wedding | blue dress barn | benton harbor, michigan

with both katie and brandon living out of the state, i didn't have the chance to meet them in person before their wedding this past sunday...and to be honest, it made me a bit nervous* i have always felt that the relational connection between a couple and their photographer is just as important as the artistry and images that the photographer can capture - and having a chance to confirm that connection before the wedding day is so very helpful.

but with that being said, i could not have hoped for a more wonderful couple to meet in such a beautiful moment, amid the detailed charm of the blue dress barn in benton harbor. both katie and brandon were immediately welcoming and made me feel as if i were part of their very family. and that was truly the theme of the day...an aura of gratitude among these two for their families that had surrounded them, supported and loved them..and ultimately were there to celebrate with them.

beauty was everywhere...in conversations, embraces, dresses, flowers, speeches. it seemed as though i just happened upon a taste of heaven's wedding feast...what an honor!

thank you b&k - your gracious words and character were a precious gift. blessings my friends!

-npe

trent + morgan | wedding | grand rapids, michigan

i cannot say enough about how wonderful this day was. trent and morgan are kind, compassionate, genuine, stunning, and a joy to be around. ask anyone at their wedding and i am confident they would say the same. even in their engagement session, i could tell that these two would be something special to photograph.  their relationship is so very full of endearment for one another and it shows in the subtlest and most beautiful of ways. their comfort in front of the lens made my day simple and riveting...just trying to ready for the next incredible moment i was going to witness.

with an incredible wedding party and the love and trust of their families, these two became one on saturday. and it was an honor to be there.

m & t - grace and peace to you two. may our God richly bless your marriage!

- npe

chad+amy wedding {miss.michigan.&.the.southern.gent}

we had chad and amy's engagement session on last tuesday...and on saturday, they were married! thats quite a few photos being snapped in such a short period of time, but these two, well...they were awesome* amy reminded me time and time again how her and chad were probably the best people i've ever taken photos of, haha..i love it! and chad...well look for it, he slipped his trade-mark thumbs up into pictures at any chance he could get! we had a blast as michigan and louisiana cultures collided and a beautiful wedding and party commenced!

blessings in your new life together dr. and dr. - remind me to swing by and visit next time i'm in tennessee!

much love,

npe

neil+tara wedding {captain.sundae.&.his.bride}

it was only fitting that we stopped off at captain sundae in holland for some ice cream.  that being where neil and tara met and all!  two holland sweethearts with a love for sailing, sunshine, and the embrace of only each other.

we could not have asked for a more beautiful day on the lakeshore! it was truly a splendid way to kick off my june weddings, and with two incredible people.  neil and tara may not always love the spotlight, but on their wedding day, they surely shown bright and beautiful*

congratulations you two! enjoy the finer things of hawaii, and may God bless you and keep you in your marriage.

-npe

jay+jennie wedding {a.final.tour.of.duty}

i met jennie almost two years ago at a bridal show in grand rapids. it is always a humbling moment to have someone ask you to photograph their wedding, especially in such a spontaneous fashion! she walked away from my booth that day with us both planning on a wedding that seemed still a long way off. jay served four tours of duty for his country. it was acknowledged at the reception - his bravery, commitment, dedication, and strength. and as his new father in law raised a glass to honor his service, i watched the eyes of his new bride.  no one else in that whole room was more overjoyed to have him home. for good. and now, the tour of duty is no longer on foreign soil, but at home, in dedication to her.

the day finally arrived, and a man who had given his all to his country, stood, promising his life to his beautiful bride.  and that girl i met at the bridal show, so many months before, was dressed in white and living her moment, a wedding day that finally came, and came with much splendor.

congratulations j&j - blessings to you both

-npe

mark+lauren {in.love.&.white.wonder}

2013 marks the start of my sixth year photographing weddings.  six years of experiencing a learning curve that truly is never ending and endlessly rewarding.  i had the great privilege of shooting the wedding of david and mindi haskin a few years ago...and low and behold..david's brother mark, along with his fiancée lauren, asked if i might also come along for their wedding day celebration and take a few pictures.   february in michigan is about as unpredictable as they come, and on saturday, michigan delivered a captivating and beautiful winter day for these two best friends.  mark and lauren were a true blessing to me.  their joy and appreciation for each other was an inspiration and a testament to a love built on the foundation of Jesus. 

you two are beautiful, inside and out, and make my job perhaps a little too easy, haha.  

blessings to you mark and lauren, it was my honor*

ryan+ali {fabulous.final.curtain}

ali and ryan...my final wedding of 2012...and what a wedding! after quite a bit of rain in october, you could not have planned for a more perfect day this past saturday...gorgeous blue skies, crisp fall air, glowing sun, best friends saying i do...it was all pretty amazing!

and even at the end of the night, as sometimes i have a tendency to do..i found my way to the dance floor for a few numbers, and man...this crowd knew how to break it down!

r & a ...thank you so very much for putting your trust in me and bringing me along for the ride...i could not have asked for a better closing curtain to my 2012 weddings*

cheers, and blessings,

- npe

spanky+jennifer {love.down.a.country.road}

my third week in a row heading north..and once again michigan delivered! beautiful colors and an even more beautiful bride and groom! spanky and jennifer were so so ready! i could tell from the moment i arrived, that this was going to be their perfect day, because they purposed to live every moment, in the moment, and take the day as it came with joy and appreciation.

with two infectious smiles, jenn and spank won my heart as i watched their overwhelming love for each other play out in such a joyous celebration - you two love life, a lot! what an honor and privilege it was for me to be with you on your wedding day.

peace and blessings my friends*

-npe