I met Eric & Kris at Eric’s sister’s wedding (remember Issa & Jaime from last year) and was super excited when they contacted me to photograph their celebration at Bells Brewery in Kalamazoo. What made this wedding even more incredible than it was already planned to be was that the ban on gay marriage lifted the day prior and Eric & Kris were the first gay couple in the state of Michigan to legally tie the knot. 

This is the second wedding I have shot for the Braman family and I am 100% convinced that they are magic. I have fallen totally in love with their closeness, the love that they have for each other, their endless casual family choreographed dances, and the work that they do with LGBT youth. Being a witness to their stories has been an honor and a blessing. 

"We are people who believe every child is entitled to life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness. There is so much more work to be done to extend the full promise of America to every American. But today, we can say in no uncertain terms that we’ve made our union a little more perfect. That’s the consequence of a decision from the Supreme Court, but more importantly, it is a consequence of the countless small acts of courage of millions of people across decades who stood up, who came out, talked to parents, parents who loved their children no matter what, folks who were willing to endure bullying and taunts, and stayed strong, and came to believe in themselves and who they were.

And slowly made an entire country realize that love is love.” -President Barack Obama

Paul and Kayliegh were one of the first ten couples to ever book with me. I remember walking into their consultation absolutely terrified. This was when it got REAL. I wasn't just photographing for friends and family anymore, I had utterly no idea who these people were. I remember literally doing a half awkward jumping jack when I received the call that they were ready to book. Over the last year and a half Kayliegh and I corresponded probably too regularly about either serious business stuff or ridiculous examples of what we were NOT going to create on her wedding day. It went from utterly not knowing these people, to feeling a sense of emptiness after it was all over. Before I left the wedding I said to them, "We need a new project, it can't end like this."

That ending is just the beginning for this beautiful couple and their life together. While the wedding was an absolute blast, I know that they will continue to create amazing memories together. The best part about their wedding day was that it rained. And by rain, I mean monsooned. When you work with people like Paul and Kayliegh you simply run through the rain and drench your wedding dress. Walk down the isle barefoot? Why not. Plans may have shifted a bit for their outdoor wedding at the Rattlesnake Club in Detroit, MI, but this day was still perfect. 

Thinking about putting together this post absolutely overwhelms me. Overwhelming like "holy shit this was the most incredible year ever." When I first picked up a camera two years ago I had utterly no idea that it would turn into this. This crazy excited obsession that inspires me every single day. I feel so blessed for all of the opportunities that have presented themselves over the past twelve months. So thankful for every single person that believed in me enough to hire me to document the most important day of their lives. 

I still have so much to learn, so many areas to seek growth, but looking back over this year I feel very proud of how MeliaBelle has evolved, and how I have developed as an artist. There is not a single day that passes that my mind is not totally blown. Every inquiry, all of the kind words, getting used to having to tell people that I am actually a photographer (it still feels weird and not real). 

I cannot begin to express my gratitude. I am sending the biggest hugs and high fives to every person that has guided me over the last year, every person that has encouraged me, every person that has gone out of their way to tell me that they love my work, and every single person that got in front of the camera for me. You all rock times one million. I could have never imagined how head over heels in love I would fall with taking pictures, or how amazing the friendships created would be. 

2014 was ridiculously awesome. 2015 will be out of this world. Thank you for being apart of the journey. 

Much love, forever and always, Meghan.