Dow-Lape Wedding:: Michigan Wedding Photographer
Two weeks ago I had the privledge of capturing a very special wedding. The location was every photographers dream and worst nightmare... a beautiful beach wedding in FULL sun on the shores/Dunes of Lake Michigan in Pentwater, MI. The wedding venue was the beach of Lake Michigan Camp and Retreat. The ceremony was directly on the beach and the recpetion was just about 1,000 steps (seriously...1,000 stairs) away at the camp pavilion.
The couple: Michelle Dow and Brian Lape. I got know this couple a few years ago when Michelle's mom, Diane, and I worked together at Mt. Pleasant High School. Diane and I became friends quickly and soon I was friend of the whole family...sometimes more of an extension of the family and then just a friend. When Brian asked Michelle to marry him I was so happy for them. They are one of the few couples I can honestly say will have a Godly Marriage and are the exact idea of what a marriage should look like.
The events of the day: it's not very often you hire a wedding photographer and they show up the night before to help decorate, then spend the whole morning at the spa with the ladies and holding the baby while everyone gets their hair done (yeah, even the shop owner was confused as to why "the photographer" was holding the baby so much), stays the whole night and is there to photograph opening gifts the next day, but when your good friends and they invite you for a whole weekend of activities how can you not have your camera on hand the whole time!
The day started with a little decorating then all the ladies headed in to town to the spa for some pampering. The groom and groomsmen were suppose to go golfing, but the groom was feeling overwhelmed that the decorating wouldn't get done so he stayed behind to make sure everything got done on time!
Once I returned from the spa, I captured a few photos of the groom with his groomsmen and a few of the bride getting dressed and ready.
Every detail of the whole day was beautiful and came together very well.
The ceremony was beautiful and I don't think I have ever seen a happier bride.
After the ceremony we grabbed some much needed family shots. This one of Michelle and her grandma is just too precious. And of course two sisters... Bride and Maid of Honor.
Everyone had a great time dancing the night away. Usually I would share a photo of the bride and groom's first dance, but this one of dad, daughter, and niece/granddaughter just melts my heart and I had to share.
They got the party started and I stole them from their party guests to grab some amazing sunset photos on the beach.
Because the family is such good friends of mine I was able to stay the night and was present when the happy couple opened their gifts the next morning. My epic fail for the day was making sure Brian got his gift from Michelle. She told me what she wanted me to do and then moved the gift and I completely forgot about it, BUT on the plus side Brian's Best man also forgot to give Michelle her git from Brian, so they got to open them in front of each other the next morning. Brian is a advid golfer and loves the sport. For his wedding present she got him tickets to the final round of PGA which they will enjoy in April.
At the end of the weekend we all had an amazing time and I am completely honored to share these photos of their special day. I hope you enjoyed the photos. Please free to leave them some love and let them know how happy we all are for them.
To Michelle and Brain; Thank-You for letting me capture your beautiful day. You two are a joy to be around and your love for each other is amazing. I wish you many many years of happiness!
