Alyona & Michael Wedding

It's always fun experiencing something new at a wedding and Alyona and Michael's celebration didn't disappoint. There's a Russian wedding tradition where the groom must pay a ransom, or vikup, to the bride's family before their wedding. Sometimes it involves a test of wit or strength through riddles and games. It's meant to be fun for everyone and perhaps a little embarrassing for the groom, as he needs to prove his love and worthiness to secure his bride. Alyona's maid of honor put Michael through his paces before he could see her for the first look. He was a good sport and passed with flying colors! Their wedding was a small gathering of family and friends in Los Angeles, a warm and intimate celebration. Congratulations Michael on securing your bride and best wishes to you both!

 

 

Mara & RJ Wedding

"Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart." - William Wordsworth

When JJ & I walked into the bridal suite the morning of Mara & RJ’s wedding, Mara was seated at a table writing in the last few pages of a book. I sometimes see brides and grooms writing notes to one another on their wedding day and it’s an incredibly touching gesture. To take the time to be still and to channel one’s thoughts and feelings into words for another is quite a gift and in this case, one that can only be created at a very specific and special moment in their lives.

Mara explained how she bought the leather-bound book in which she was writing after RJ asked her to marry him, just over nine months ago. She wrote in it every day of their engagement, including the last entry at the end of the book on the morning of their wedding. She presented the book to him during their first look. 

I'd love to see this become a new wedding tradition.

- Stephanie

 

Venue >< The Greenhouse at Driftwood

Planning >< The Fairytale Effect

Catering >< Slab BBQ

Hair & Makeup >< Erica Gray Beauty

Florist >< Central Market

Dress >< BHLDN

Suit >< Hugo Boss

Rings >< Kruger's

Nick & Nick Engagement Shoot

One of great things about engagement shoots is getting to know the couples better. First during the actual shoot and secondly during the editing sessions where the interaction is one-way but still very much alive and intimate.

Nick & Nick were great subjects and what better backdrops than the iconic Michigan Central Station (which also happens to be their backyard and Nugget the dog's walking route), Downtown Detroit, Dequindre Cut and beautiful Belle Isle. 

As always, the engagement shoot has given us even more appreciation for, and understanding of, our clients and stoked our excitement for the nuptials. Bring it on! 

 

Katie & Tom's Engagement Shoot

"The sole cause of man's unhappiness is that he does not know how to stay quietly in his room." - Alain de Botton, The Art of Travel.

And so off we went to Wyandotte, Michigan, an 11 mile drive through the eye-watering grime of Zug Island, past Ford Motor Company's gigantic River Rouge megaplant and beyond the belching necessity that is the Marathon oil refinery.

Having always passed by the 'downriver' towns en route to Ohio (and then quickly on to the rest of country!) it was our first time in Wyandotte. Perched, as it is, on the edge of a gray, industrial zone only serves to magnify the green and gold shimmering tree-lined streets dutifully returning some oxygen into the air. It's almost an impossibly Rockwellian place, devoid of any pretension or airs. A one-corporation town (BASF have a large facility there), a picturesque waterfront along which curves the main thoroughfare and street after street of picture-perfect houses. It's on one of these streets that Katie and Tom have decided to set down roots, buying their first home as they embark on their life as husband and wife (to be!). Meeting new people and discovering new places is one of the perks of our job, whether we travel 11 miles or 1,100.