There are people you meet who just stick with you. Addy and Doug are those type of people. I first photographed them for their engagement photos and it ended up as one of my favorite afternoons in Livonia. Their chemistry was one of a kind and hanging out with them was like being with friends.
So when I walked into the room to start my day as their wedding photographer I was reminded how amazing this entire group is. A few years back, I was blessed to spend the day with Addy’s sister Stephanie and husband Nick on their wedding day. I just love the whole family, they’re such good people to be around, and it’s obvious they adore each other so much.
It’s obvious that Addy and Doug would be surrounded with love not only on their wedding day, but all the days to come. Although, I’m getting ahead of myself! All good love stories begin at the beginning – with how they met.
From Addy and Doug: “We met at a mutual friend’s bonfire, and Doug actually tried to set me up with his best friend (what a good wing man)! We were together four years, and after a lot of nagging (mind you, he had the ring in his possession for four months!), he proposed to me in my favorite location in the country, Gettysberg.
Not only was it scenic (on the top of the monument, looking out over the countryside), but romantic too. He had to ride back to the hotel on a flat bike tire- if that isn’t love, I don’t know what is!”
Now back to the wedding day: The morning started at mom and dad’s with hair and makeup. We finished getting ready at Glen Oaks venue. It seriously has the most lovely room for any bride to get ready in. It’s so elegant with a trio of floor to ceiling mirrors and the light is just gorgeous. It made her dress look all the more stunning.
Actually, the entire day was filled with beautiful light inside and out. I got some of my absolute favorite images but what was even better were the moments throughout the day. Doug and Addy had some of the best first looks with their parents. The groom’s first look with his mom before the ceremony was amazing, just look at the laughter! Of course, Dad and Daughter first looks always pull at the heartstrings too.
But nothing, nothing beats the way Addy looked at Doug. It was such a lovely day and filled with so much emotion. We even had the perfect sunset despite the threat of rain all day.
Sometimes, a wedding day ends up being a true reflection of the couple being married. On a spring day in Michigan, this Glen Oaks Country Club wedding was exactly that.
Second Camera: Janell Evans
Venue: Glen Oaks Country Club
Invitations: Designed by Doug’s Jessica and Printed by Greenman Printing
Makeup: Maria from Primp Beauty
Hair: sister of the bride’s cousin Catherine
Addy’s Dress: Moni’s Bridal
Floral Design: Keller and Stein
Music and M.C. Michael Shea – Shea Sounds
