bride and groom walking on dirt path with greenery around them

MacRay Harbor Wedding

Tuesday, June 7th, 2022

Evan and Rachel had a beautiful ceremony at St. Peter Catholic Church in Mount Clemens followed by a fun-filled MacRay Harbor wedding reception.

When Evan emailed me, I was excited, confused, and then elated. As one of my former Economics students, I was expecting to read that he had a question dealing with personal finance. After all, that is why most students reach out to me, right around the time when their HR department hands them their 401(k) paperwork. Far more important and exciting than that, Evan was emailing me about the possibility of photographing his wedding to Rachel. He and Rachel were high school sweethearts. Nearly 10 years later, it was time to tie the knot.

Both Evan and Rachel got ready at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Chesterfield. Evan was up first and his room was fun and festive. My guess is the Blanton’s had something to do with it.

One of my goals with every wedding is to give the groom some photos of himself he will love. In the words of Colin, the Best man, “I think that is your forever profile pic.”

a groom holding whiskey seated at a table

After we finished photographing Evan, we visited Rachel. She was quietly reflecting on Evan and her’s relationship and putting her love into words for Evan to read later. While she finished her letter, we began photographing her details.

a close up of shoes being put on by a bride

a bride, sits on a couch with her hands on her knee, looking out the window

a bride fixes her earring, illuminated by window light

bride looks over her shoulder, illuminated by window light

After Rachel was dressed and ready, we ventured down to the Edsel and Elenor Ford House for their first look. It was a special moment that had Evan and Rachel beaming with excitement.

bride walks while holding her dress and white bouquet at the Edsel Ford House

bride hugs groom from behind before their first look at the Edsel Ford House

Judging by Evan’s reaction, I think he was happy with what he saw. Rachel looked beautiful!

Groom sees the bride for the first time, a first look, and reacts, at the Edsel Ford House

groom kisses a bride on the forehead while they hug at the Edsel Ford House

bride and groom look at each other at the Edsel Ford House

After their first look, Evan and Rachel took a moment to read each other’s letters.

groom reads a letter while a bride smiles and looks at him

bride reads a letter while the groom looks at her

a close up of a letter with the bride reading it

Next, it was time for Evan and Rachel to take create portraits around the Edsel Ford House. One of the best things about doing a first look is all of the extra time you get to spend together, alone.

bride and groom embrace and laugh at the Edsel Ford House

Bride poses while holding her veil at the Edsel Ford house

Groom sits on a railing while the bride holds him at the Edsel Ford House

It was so easy making Evan and Rachel look good. All I had to do was get them close to each other and the smiles and laughter followed.

bride and groom look at each other on a patio at the Edsel Ford House in Grosse Pointe

bride and groom sit on a bench at the Edsel Ford House

bride, sitting below a groom, at the Edsel Ford House

After our time at the Edsel Ford House, we headed to St. Peter’s Catholic Church in downtown Mount Clemens for their wedding ceremony. As guests and parents arrived, I was able to capture a few photos.

a bride walks down the aisle with her dad at St. Peter Catholic Church in Mt Clemens

a bride and groom standing at the altar of St. Peter Catholic Church

a bride looks at her groom while saying marriage vows

a bride looks down at her hand while her husband puts her wedding ring on

bride and groom celebrate at the altar at St. Peter and Paul catholic church in Mt Clemens, MI

bride and groom walk down the aisle at St. Peter and Paul catholic church in Mt Clemens, MI

bride and groom pose at the altar of St. Peter and Paul catholic church in Mt Clemens, MI

After their ceremony, rain clouds started to roll in. Luckily, we worked quickly and photographed the bridal party at a nearby park before heading to their MacRay Harbor wedding reception.

bridesmaids wearing light blue surround the bride holding white rose and peonies bouquets

After the bridal party photos, I asked Rachel and Evan for just a few minutes to snap a few more images. These images turned out to be some of my favorites of their day.

a bride hugs her groom from behind while he looks over his shoulder at her

a bride poses, looking over her shoulder, in nature while holding her white rose bouquet

a bride poses in nature while holding her arm and white rose bouquet

bride, holding her dress, and groom walk on a dirt path

Literally as we were putting the gear away, it started to rain! We didn’t need to worry though, their beautiful MacRay Harbor wedding reception would take place inside. As we arrived, guests were already enjoying themselves and ready to welcome the bride and groom. After Evan and Rachel entered, they went right into their first dance, followed by toasts from both dads and siblings.