I had been looking forward to Will + Simone’s wedding day for some time. Partly because I would get to visit Mackinac Island, and mostly because they were just such an awesome couple. One of the first things Simone said to me when I asked her about her relationship with Will was “Our weirds match.” And they totally 100% did. These guys were amazingly beautiful and quirky and fit each other so perfectly. 

Will + Simone reside in Portland, Oregon, but due to some very strong family ties back in Michigan they held their celebration at Mission Pointe on Mackinac Island. Will is a brewer, and actually brewed all of the beer that was served to guests. Friends and family traveled from all over the states, and even all the way from Paris to join in this ridiculously fun affair. 

I always have my eyes on a couple throughout the wedding day and I often observed Simone taking it all in. She would take deep breathes and look all around her, sometimes her hand on her chest. Absorbing all of the love and energy that surrounded them both. The rain caused the outdoor ceremony to be moved inside, but I am not sure anyone noticed, a light continued to radiate around a cappella performances and individually written vows.

Towards the end of the evening the rain subsided and we raced back outside for a few more portraits. I hesitantly pointed to a field quite a distance away asking if we could trudge out there. Simone and Will both shrugged their shoulders and replied “Let’s go!” Only to take off at a full howling sprint across the lawn. HEART EXPLODING. 

Congratulations Will + Simone, it was such an honor to be a part of this day. I will never forget your wild spirits and beautiful love for one another. 

Francisco + Sarah met ten years ago when Francisco first moved to the states from Mexico. When I met with them I asked Francisco how long he had been planning to propose. He replied, “Well, about ten years.” He knew from the very start that Sarah was the woman he wanted to spend his life with, and I am so very thankful to have been invited to this long awaited, very special celebration. 

Almost all of Francisco’s family traveled from Mexico up to Ann Arbor, Michigan for the weekend. Wedding guests kept trying to correspond with me in Spanish, of which I speak none, but tequila is a universal language. 

Francisco + Sarah held their ceremony and o'dourves at the Ladies Literacy Club in Ypsilanti, Michigan and then carried over to dinner and dancing at the Gandy Dancer in Ann Arbor. The details of the day of course represented a Mexican theme, with specialized candies and golden burro name tags and the guests were all serenaded by Sarah’s father’s acapella group. All in all, this day made ten years of waiting totally worth it. Congratulations Francisco + Sarah you are both as lovely on the inside as you are on the out. Thank you for sharing these moments with me. 

Cierra + Erica share one of the most beautiful love stories I have had the honor of being a part of. When Cierra and I first sat down to discuss the possibility of working together I knew that these ladies would leave an large impact on my heart. When Cierra + Erica first started dating, getting married wasn’t an option. They didn’t have that choice, so it wasn’t something that had been thoroughly discussed. When the equal marriage laws did pass, Erica began to prepare a proposal. For one thousand days EVERY single day, Erica would send Cierra notes beginning with “I Love You Because…” One thousand love letters, that she then incorporated into her proposal. She had family and friends come to their home to read these letters to Cierra, even those from out of state read their part over Skype. 

These women have a love that will move mountains. A bond and a friendship stronger than I have ever witnessed. They truly adore each other and have continuously supported one another through school and careers and hardships. Their wedding day was living proof of that love and how it had inspired all of those in attendance. One of my many favorite parts of their wedding day was that they wrote personalized notes to each and every guest at their reception. After dinner everyone opened their special letters and read about how they had individually touched the brides’ lives. 

Cierra + Erica’s wedding day was in a complete 1920’s theme. Even the vendors had dressed the part. After getting ready and an emotional first look at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center in Downtown Detroit, we made our way up to New Center for some artsy fun and then finally to Cliff Bells, the well known historic jazz club for the ceremony and reception. 

I am excited to finally be able to share the images from this wedding, and grateful that these women have and will remain my friends. I look forward to watching their love and family grow and be present for more beautiful moments. Congratulations Cierra + Erica, so thankful that you choose to celebrate these days with me.