The High Five GR Wedding | Kristin & Zach - Stephanie Parshall Photography

A High Five Grand Rapids Wedding

Kristin and Zach’s wedding day was truly a day to remember. Surrounded by their loving family and friends, the couple exchanged vows in an industrial venue in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. All who attended were there to support the couple and make sure they had the best day possible. The day was filled with love, laughter, and beautiful memories, including a first look at one of Grand Rapids’ most scenic locations, the Civic Auditorium, right by the river. I hope you enjoy seeing more of this High Five wedding day!

Kristin and Zach met through a mutual love of Michigan football. It was their shared passion for the sport (and the university of course) that brought them together in the DMs of twitter which sparked their love story. When it came time to plan their wedding, they knew they wanted a venue that reflected their personalities and interests as well as making sure it would be relaxed and comfortable for all of their families and friends as their villages hold a very special place in their hearts.

Kristin and Zach chose the industrial The High Five GR in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids for their ceremony and reception space. The venue features exposed brick walls, metal beams, and large arch windows that let in natural light, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. With the help of The High Five’s incredible staff, event designer, Event Designs LLC, and exclusive help from their parents, the space was transformed into a beautiful and romantic setting for their wedding day.

Kristin and Zach wanted to take advantage of all that Grand Rapids had to offer, so they decided to have their first look at one of the city’s most scenic locations, the Civic Auditorium. The auditorium is situated right by the river and offered the perfect location for the couple’s first look and the photos I captured shows the love and excitement they felt on their wedding day.

After their first look, we were greeted by Toby. The bestest best dog there ever was. He got a lot of treats, he wore his bandana like the proper gentleman he is, and he posed perfectly for his photos. Having your dog be included on your wedding feels so right because he’s a part of their family and I am always a firm believer that you should include your dog(s) on your wedding day!

After Toby has his moment to shine, we then turned to the wedding party. The groomsmen, bridesmaids, ring bearer, and flower girl were ready to get in on the fun! Kristin and her bridesmaids were with me and their navy blue dresses looked perfect with their skin tones while their hair and makeup done by Amber Lace and Co. allowed their natural beauty to shine with Kristin being the center of attention. Likewise, the Zach and his groomsmen were done up with grey suits from Men’s Wearhouse as Nicole photographed them. I heard a lot of laughter behind me from them and when you see the photos, I think you’ll see how much fun they had too!

As we ended portraits in downtown, we traveled back to The High Five where Kristin’s dad was anxiously waiting for her. He hadn’t seen her in her wedding dress from Becker’s Bridal yet. He was delighted when he saw her. These two share a really special bond and I loved being able to capture this moment.

And just like that, it was nearly time for their ceremony. As guests arrived at the industrial venue, they were greeted with high ceiling, giant chancelleries, into the ceremony space with large arch windows that gave you a peek into the outside world. The couple had chosen to have a personal ceremony with Kristin’s aunt as their officiant. Words about sticking together, sharing the high and lows of love, and something about Tupperware had everyone captivated. Before you knew what was happening, Kristin and Zach had said ‘I Do’ and were dancing their way down the aisle.

After the ceremony, cocktail hour, and family portraits, guests were invited back upstairs for the reception. The industrial space had been transformed with elegant table settings, touches of blue, candles, and greenery. They filled the once empty space with excited chatter of people who really love being together.

The rest of the evening was filled with laughter, tears, and dancing. As guests enjoyed a delicious dinner, they were treated to heartfelt speeches from the Kristin’s Dad, the Maid of Honor, and the Best Man, who spoke about the couple’s love for each other and their shared passion for Michigan football, what it was like to see them become a couple, and what they hope for their future together.

While guests were really enjoying socializing after dinner, Kristin’s Dad decided to get the dance floor going with The Wobble. The couple had chosen one of my favorite DJ’s to work with to provide the music (shout out DJ Adam Freeman) who kept that momentum going!

The highlights of their wedding day I’m sharing with you all today will hopefully encompass just a small look into this gorgeous wedding day! It was a great way to start my 2023 wedding season!

Congrats again Kristin & Zach!