pj + elizabeth | wedding | st. joseph, mi

for a photographer shooting a wedding...i have to say, there is no better feeling that to have your clients just as excited to see you, as you are to see them! when i opened up the door of elizabeth's suite at the hotel this past saturday, her infectious smile and joyful hug reminded me why i do what i do...its all about the people. i felt like i had my own little cheering squad all day, and that cheer section was the bride and groom themselves.  i could not have imagined a better compliment than pj telling me that if elizabeth got stressed out about the planning process for her wedding, she would go to my blog and remind herself - 'at least the photos will be great!'

are you kidding me! i am so very honored and humbled to have the chance to do what i do*

and trust me elizabeth, if these photos are beautiful, it is because and and pj are beautiful, and your wedding day was one for the books. st. joseph hosted quite the celebration on saturday..and yes...i got to be there!

- npe

drew + katie | wedding | gull lake country club | richland, mi

it was an absolutely perfect september day. crisp morning. clear blue skies. the ceremony on the edge of the lake. it was one of those days that has the ability to stop you just admire it's beauty and serenity. and the funny thing was, it rained for their engagement session. but that didn't stop drew and katie then. we used the rain as a character in their story...but that character was far from returning as saturday showed not a cloud in sight!

i cannot say enough about these two friends and their incredible trust in me as an artist. i felt like just another member of the wedding party, with drew and katie up for any of my sometimes crazy ideas.  and for that, I am truly grateful! once again, it was an honor to be a part of this incredible chapter in a couple's life.

from our meetings at vivant and engagement session in the rain, to the last dance on the rocking dance floor - it has been a privilege d&k. thank you. rich blessings to you two.

- npe

patrick + lizzie | wedding | the homestead | glen arbor, mi

it is certainly a privilege to journey with couples...to have the opportunity to join in the adventure of a 'destination' wedding and witness vows beneath new breathtaking sky tapestries. saturday led me to the homestead resort in glen arbor, mi. with stunning views of lake michigan and the warm invitation of a charming resort village, the homestead offered the perfect backdrop for patrick and lizzie. from their home among the skyscrapers of chicago, these two ventured around the lake to northern michigan to promise their lives to each other. it was a day full of vibrant joy and honest emotion...as pat and liz did an amazing job of living completely in the moment and taking in their wedding day, for all the beauty that it was.

and there was i, a humble but thankful guest at the table of a jubilant celebration. i have so much sincere gratitude for the work i am given.

p&l, you were beyond gracious and generous, offering me the very best compliment i could have asked for. blessings to you two. always strive to love each other more than yourselves. you have reminded me once again why i love what i do.

-npe

matt + andrea | wedding | blythefield country club | belmont, mi

this past march, andrea and her mom were in west michigan for a brief stay, and just happened to stop by the Amway Grand Hotel for the annual bridal show...and boy, am i so very glad they did! it was at this show that i had the fortunate privilege of running into them and starting a conversation that would eventually lead to the amazing opportunity of photographing their wedding! this past saturday at blythefield country club could not have been a more beautiful day* the clouds hung on in the morning long enough to keep it from getting too hot, and the sun peaked out in the midst of the ceremony to shine down on two incredible people.

both andrea and matt were a blessing to spend the day with.  They were grateful and aware of the moments happening around them, fully immersed in the joys and love surrounding them on their wedding day...and it was a breath of fresh air for me to witness it.

m&a, thank you for choosing me. i don't believe it was just by chance that we met, and i truly hope these images capture all the beauty you remember from such a wonderful day!

-npe

john + kelsey | wedding | orchard ridge farms | rockton, il

i often feel my relationships that blossom out of shooting couple's wedding days easily step into deeper levels of friendship right off the bat...even if for the only reason of sharing a single day, vibrant and bursting with life-changing moments. add to that the fact that for some of my clients, we are dear friends even before the thoughts of wedding bells or photography are even on the horizon....and you have a uniquely profound intimacy and camaraderie hard to match.

this is the very story of my day this past friday in rural rockton, illinois. john and kelsey, beloved by many and cherished friends at our church in grand rapids, were surrounded by their family and loved ones, preparing to embark on a brand new journey together. and my role as photographer was an honored gift i was given. these two are beautiful, inside and out, and it was far from work to spend the day with them, their wedding party, family, and friends. i hope you enjoy these moments from their day as much as i did...

j&k, jana and i love you, and are so very excited for the work God is doing in your lives. may He bless you in this new chapter. and the great news? it just keeps getting better!

-npe

rob + kristen | wedding | ada, mi

i was thinking it right from the beginning....these two are models right? rob and kristen described it probably the best - 'we can be weird together, and we love it!'  it was a true honor to spend this past saturday with kristen and rob, and watch the joy and excitement they both shared in becoming husband and wife.

for me, there is nothing more powerful on a wedding day, than watching a groom's eyes tear up as he watches his bride walk down that long aisle to him, and for rob, it was no different!

and it has been a while since i have laughed that much on a wedding day - r&k, thanks for keeping me on my toes, for letting me join the party, and giving j-crew a run for their money, love you guys!

-npe

andrew + nichole | wedding | traverse city, mi

if you have never been to the northern reaches of michigan during the beauty of summer and fall, it should be on your list. couple that with an amazing couple madly in love with each other, and you have a pure michigan that tim allen's voice would resound perfectly with*

andrew and nichole met at the very same small bible college where i met my wife. so perfect. hearing their story reminded me of the seasons i shared with jana on that campus, and it was so very special to almost step back in time, as i witnessed their marriage this past friday.

seeing andrew's honest tears of amazement as he watched his bride walk down the aisle reminded me of something that i think is pretty profound - what better time is there for a man to cry tears of joy? when you watch this stunningly beautiful woman walk towards you in that moment...saying with all her soul and strength, that she chooses you...yeah, thats big!

thank you a&n, it was so very good for my heart and soul to share in your day*

- npe

tim + jess | wedding | byron center, mi

i have to often stop myself and take notice of what surrounds me. however simple and repetitive it may seem, weekend after weekend in the summer i am given a gift. it has kind of been a personal motto for me, and i still firmly believe that it is an incredible honor and privilege to be invited into a wedding celebration as the photographer, documenting these life-changing moments. and that privilege was supremely felt this past saturday, as i witnessed jess and tim promise their lives to one another, becoming one and beginning a new and beautiful chapter in their lives. it was a true gift, to watch the day unveil an incredible amount of love and support that surrounds these two. from the families and close friends, to the staff at the church they work at, and all the lives they have so intimately touched..it was powerful.

j & t, you know you are loved by many, and i am grateful to be counted as part of that crowd. you two are beautiful and are truly grasping life to the fullest as John 10:10 speaks of. may our good God richly bless you two.

much love, my friends -

-npe

ross + kate | wedding | grand rapids, mi

back in may, i was a groomsman in the wedding of a dear friend of mine. a fabulous day with a lot of fabulous people...some i knew, some i did not.  through some simple conversation, i learned that the bridesmaid that i was escorting down the aisle was getting married herself in just a few short months! i also had the privilege of meeting her dashing, and incredibly funny fiancé ross. debonaire indeed. ...fast forward a few months....

here i am, standing at a distance as i witness these two seeing each for the very first time on their wedding day.  they slow for a few moments to pray together, and i am overjoyed. i am so very thankful for the work i am able to do. the place of honor i am given. the friendships i am invited into.

even if it may seem to some as a bit of a last minute hire, i would not have had it any other way for ross and kate.  i think both parities were ecstatic at the providence of how it all worked out. such a wonderful day. a holy ceremony. a mighty love. a beautiful romance.

r&k, thank you so very much. it was a privilege to watch you two on such a day!

- npe

greg + nancy | wedding | east lansing, mi

these two shared a last name long before they ever met, but it wasn't until this past weekend that their last names truly became one. mr. & mrs. boyd.

what a wonderful day in east lansing! as spartan alumni, i could not have imagined a more fitting venue and town for greg and nancy's wedding. and these two, with all their combined love for swimming, biking, running, hiking...really anything outdoors, were glowing all day, knowing what July 20th held.

it never gets old just moments after the wedding, to mention to the groom 'hey, scoot in closer to your WIFE for this shot!'...haha, so awesome!

and so it is with great joy that i share these moments from their day.  and yes, as i am sure you will notice..there are a lot of dancing photos. thats required when the party is this good! ;)

blessings to you g&n!!

-npe