Kalamazoo Michigan Wedding
Let me happily introduce you to these literal high school sweethearts! What started from a simple text message from Eric to Rebecca, asking her out then onto a surprise during a family vacation, to their unique wedding day, I’m so excited to share their Kalamazoo Wedding day!
We began the day at Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Church right near one of my favorite coffee shops (shout out Waterstreet!). It was there that I was guided into the ladies’ getting ready space and Becca was getting her hair done by Styles Unveiled by Kate and makeup done by Beauty by Logan. I felt like I was entering a room of brand new friends as I met the vendors and her bridesmaids and if you know Becca, it’s because that’s just the way she is! She brings people along who are so easy to get along with!
As the hustle and bustle of the wedding day got underway, you could tell that Eric was a bit nervous, all of the parents were beaming with pride, the cousins, the aunts, the uncles and everyone else were feeling the excitement in the sanctuary just before their Catholic ceremony.
I watched Eric’s face as Rebecca and her parents turned the corner at the end of the aisle. You could tell that he was on the verge of tears but he also seemed to have this sense of “finally, we’re here!” Hopefully, that makes sense! He looked relieved to have his best friend there with him, they both looked excited to hear the readings, the songs, and say their vows to one another. It was really a moment where time stood still for just the two of them.
Afterward, we had more family photos than I’m used to and while I’m not sharing a lot of them here (because of space), I think you’ll all be very happy with them! I love when a church creates such a beautiful backdrop for us and everyone is more than happy to shout out “M&Ms” as it was one of the kid’s favorite words to say! This is how you make that many family photos happen!
When we finished with the formalities, it was time for a bit of fun with the wedding party photos in the gardens around the church and then at Celery Flats. This group was so much fun to work with and had one of the best reactions to a champagne toast I’ve ever seen!
My second shooter, Megan, and I were obsessed with Becca’s Cathedral length veil and used it quite a bit to create some intimate, romantic, and dare I say epic portraits of the newlyweds! Honestly, I’m a bit glad I’m only a photographer because I’m pretty sure I squealed a bit in excitement as I captured those portraits!
Next was the part that I knew would be the most unique, their reception at Wings Event Center. A place that allowed for big open spaces, actual games that included cornhole, basketball, and floor hockey, a jumbotron that could display their photos plus a disco ball for the dancing, a party that would be kept wouldn’t stop thanks to Luxx Entertainments DJ-ing, and a cake with a surprise puppy on it!
It was SO MUCH FUN! It had the right amount of thoughtful stories from parents, a great speech from the best man, a storybook toast from the maid of honor, and a surprise cake smashing which Megan totally called, Becca of course making that dance floor rock! It seemed to be a whirl of happy tears, big laughs, goofy dance moves, twirls, fist-pumping, hugs, and JOY.
I’ll leave you with this before you start your scrolling; I realize I’m talking to much here but hopefully you get a sense for how great of a wedding day this was, you’ll check out the vendors at the end, and you’ll wish these two congratulations after you enjoy their photos!
Congrats you two!
Vendors
Church | Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Church
Reception | Wings Event Center
Main Photographer | Stephanie Parshall Photography, LLC
DJ | Luxx Entertainment
Hair | Styles Unveiled by Kate
Makeup | Beauty By Logan
Flowers | Rosesanddreams
Second Photographer | Megan Graham Photography
Wedding Dress | Blue House Bridal
Cake | Boonzaaijer Bakery
Donuts | Sweetwater’s Donut Mill
Engagement Ring | Jensen Jewelers
Suits | Men’s Wearhouse
Limo | Limo by Affordable Limo GR
[…] These two were all giggles and cuteness and I know that they will have one of the most unique weddings I’ll ever photograph because their reception space is one of a kind! You can see it all by clicking here! […]