Paul & Kim Wedding - Mackinac Island, Michigan

there is a first time for everything - and this past weekend saw two for me! since moving to michigan i had never visited mackinac island, but on friday and saturday i did just that, and for a very good reason too! paul and kim, one of my dear couples from chicago, were getting married on the island, and i had the unique privilege of documenting their wedding! so not only was it the first time visiting the picturesque destination, but it was also my first wedding on the island, what a treat*

the wedding took place at the mission point resort, a sprawling estate resort that offered charm and beauty, a perfect backdrop for these two.  friday evening was full of wedding party fun with a bicycle rally along with the rehearsal and dinner right on the water downtown. and saturday could not have been more beautiful - clear skies, blue water, cooling breeze, and a gathering of friends and family!

p&k, thank you so much for the honor of choosing me to share in your celebration. i cannot think of a better couple to share my first mackinac island experience with. blessings to you two in your marriage - i wish you all the best!

much love,

-npe

john + vicki | wedding | the centennial barn | wayland, mi

these two hold a special place in my heart for sure. john helped see me through my years of undergrad with plenty of stories to tell along the way. and vicki and her family have always been part of my history, from my younger days on the west coast, high in the mountains of washington. so when they asked if i might have a thursday in june open to spend the day with them, there was no question!

it was my first chance to shoot at the beautiful centennial barn in wayland, a venue fairly new to the landscape of west michigan locations, and it was perfect for these two! with the rain keeping the ceremony inside the restored, rustic barn...and the wedding preparations and details happening in the cultured farmhouse next door, there were plenty of beautiful corners to discover. i was walking down memory lane all day with all the friends and families at this wedding being my own friends and church family from my past. it truly was an honor to be witness to this day.

j&v, i love you guys! what a day of pure joy and lovely tears. thank you for allowing me to follow along with my cameras. i wish you two the very best and pray that God would continue to bless you in your marriage and ministry!

- npe

james + shannon | wedding | the homestead | glen arbor, mi

it was over a few IPAs at founders that i first met shannon and james. just a girl from chicago and a guy from northampton, england...your average love story right, haha! i knew right away that if i had the chance to photograph their wedding, it would certainly be a privilege! when i got the email asking if i would indeed be a part of their celebration, i was thrilled - we planned for their engagement session to be up at sleeping bear dunes, with their wedding following not far behind with a ceremony at the stunning homestead resort in glen arbor.

last sunday was filled with intimate details, close family and friends, and a couple who couldn't wait to say 'i do.' needless to say, i laughed a lot with this wedding party and made the very most of a day that saw a picturesque fog join us on top of the mountain for the ceremony. i always love returning to the homestead, and this past weekend was no exception.

j&s, thank you so much for your generosity and welcoming spirits. i absolutely loved our time together and hope to see you two again soon, perhaps across the pond sooner than later! i wish you two the very best and am so grateful that i was able to spend such an amazing day with you two!

blessings,

-npe

brian + katie | wedding | crystal mountain, mi

this past weekend took me north to crystal mountain and the homestead resort, two of my favorite wedding destinations in northern michigan. on saturday i joined katie and brian at their wedding celebration and enjoyed a truly wonderful day with the bride and groom and their wedding party. as we overlooked miles of stunning michigan greenery from their mountaintop ceremony site, brian and katie pledged their lives to one another, just beating the rain by a few minutes. but even the clouds and soaked clothes couldn't dampen this party as friends and family danced the night away as day turned to night.

thank you brian and katie for welcoming me into your wedding party, as i felt like just another dear friend, present to witness your vows and help cheer on the start of your married lives together. it was an honor and i hope you enjoy this sneak peak of your gorgeous wedding day, and all the memories that hopefully will come flooding back for years to come!

blessings,

-npe

alex + ashleigh | wedding | spring lake country club | spring lake, mi

sandwiched between grey days on friday and sunday, i had the privilege this past saturday to make my way over to the lakeshore for ashleigh and alex's country club wedding. i've shot at spring lake country club before, but the ceremony location right on the water is always as stunning as ever. under the picturesque hanging branches of a giant willow tree, these two got married with friends and family looking on with love and support.

saturday had all sorts of fun including a little wedding party getaway after the ceremony on the boat alex helps charter out of grand haven. these two love their boats, and love to fish, and we tried to incorporate that theme of classic nautical accents throughout the day. after their engagement session in the fall, i knew they would be wonderful to work with, and the wedding day was no different. its always great when the 'work' melts into just having fun with the wedding party!

a&a, you two looked fabulous on your wedding day and i am so excited to watch you grow closer together over the years. thank you for the honor of joining in the celebration and God's blessings on you two as you jump into the deep end of such a rich and rewarding endeavor as being husband and wife!

love you guys*

- npe

zach + liz | wedding | the goei center | grand rapids, mi

this past thursday in grand rapids was such a perfect day! gorgeous weather, blue skies, warm temps, and two best friends getting married...what could be better!?

liz and zach's wedding here in the city was such a wonderful day for me. right away i felt welcomed as family, and with a wedding party as fun as those gathered around the couple, how could you not have a blast? we even made a stop at dairy queen, which made for some great images but also just simply a refreshing treat! the ceremony and reception were both at the goei center, a stunning refurbished warehouse here in grand rapids, out of which eastern floral operates. it is always a treat to come back to shoot there, as the character of the space only adds to the richness of each couple's love story.

z&l, congratulations again on your wedding. it was an honor to spend the day with you. blessings in the many years to come of your marriage! much love,

- npe

Nick & Michele Wedding - Three Oaks, mi

meeting new friends and couples from chicago is always a treat! last year michele and nick reached out to me as they began the process of planning their wedding in southern michigan, asking if i would want to come to the windy city for their engagement session as well. i have to say, any chance i get to photograph in chicago is awesome, and add into the mix how great these two are and i could tell the photographer/couple dynamic was going to be stellar.

even with rain in the forecast for this past saturday's celebrations, the entire wedding party didn't slow down from making sure it was a day to remember. and n&m's relaxed attitudes and infectious smiles helped to remind all of us there why we had truly gathered...to witness this blessed marriage and surround michele and nick with love and support...not to mention a lot of laughter and awesome dance moves.

the vineyard itself felt like it transplanted us to tuscany, with such character and charm that i was in photographer heaven! even with the outside ceremony being moved in under the tent, a sense of romance and elegance was not lost, but only heightened. all in all, a spectacularly beautiful day for two lovely people.

n&m, thank you for inviting me along for the ride and trusting me with the rain. God bless you in many more years of joyful marriage to come. love you guys!

-npe

chris + katie | wedding | hydrangea blu barn | rockford, mi

i had known chris and katie for quite some time from a distance. we attend the same church and have many friends in common..but it was certainly a surprise and honor to get the call from them asking if i would want to document their wedding day.

these two truly are the essence of honesty in their love for one another, both beaming all day as the memories were being made one by one. the joy on his face when chris saw his bride for the first time was undeniable! and when you are around both of them, their happiness and perspective on life is infectious. even with rain having to move the ceremony indoors, katie's demeanor never changed and her appreciation for every moment of her wedding day was so evident.

set against the backdrop of the lovely hydrangea blu barn in rockford, mi - katie and chris didn't let the rain stop them from saying their vows and making the very most of a celebration that brought together their closest friends and family.

thank you both for the privilege of joining you last friday for a wonderful day. it was such a blast! i hope you enjoy your wedding preview*

-npe

derek + amanda | wedding | amway grand hotel | grand rapids, mi

so i shot a celebrity wedding this past weekend...

well, if you ask derek and amanda, they may not agree..but i know the truth! i even told amanda "hey, i didn't know i was shooting the wedding of two celebrities!" when your bride is often on tv sharing her abundance of knowledge in the health and wellness field, and your groom seems to have constant VIP access to some of the biggest shows in the music and entertainment industry, that has the makings of a power couple for sure, haha.

but all kidding aside, these two were so much fun! against the backdrop of the elegant amway grand plaza hotel in grand rapids, a stunning day unfolded with all the details and joy a photographer could hope for. surrounded by beloved friends and family, derek and amanda committed their lives to one another, and i had the honor of witnessing it. what a privilege it is to do this job!

d&a, thank you so very much for the gift of your trust all day. it was such a great day and to share it with you was an honor! blessings to you guys in your marriage*

- npe

caleb + jessica | wedding | air zoo | kalamazoo, mi

part of the joy of photographing weddings is witnessing couples find their stride when it comes to having their picture taken. i often share with couples that my job, among many things, is to foster a relationship between us that allows them to feel at ease in front of some intimidating lenses.

when i first met with jessica and caleb, they both mentioned how getting his photo taken was not high on the list of things caleb loved to do, haha...but i have to say, when the true emotion and bliss of their wedding day arrived, these two owned it and their love for one another showed time and time again in the photos of the day. no amount of camera intimidation prior to last saturday would keep j&c from expressing their captivation for one another and a wonderful sense of appreciation for every moment of the day.

and to top of a day full of laughter and joy, in the spirit of flight (as jessica is a pilot!) the party truly started once we arrived at the air zoo in kalamazoo for a reception to remember.  its not every weekend that you get to not only photograph in such a unique and stunning venue, but also enjoy the childlike thrill of doing barrel roll after barrel roll in a flight simulator like you actually know how to fly!

j&c, thank you so very much for an incredible day...for taking the time to make me feel truly welcomed into your families and into your lives. it was a privilege to take your trust and guide you through photos that i pray will remind you year after year, of the vows you made. many blessings my friends!

- npe