Traverse City Backyard Wedding on Long Lake

Traverse City Backyard Wedding

The email landed in my inbox.  It was short and sweet.  “Hey Brian, I am sure you are already booked but any chance you can shoot my wedding on 8.18.18?  It will be at my parent’s house on the lake in Traverse City.”  There are two things about weddings that I love – helping couples create their perfect day and small, intimate weddings like Audrey and Brad’s.  My schedule was open, and after a quick phone call, their wedding was in my calendar.  It was a crazy whirlwind of a weekend.  Friday – wedding.  Saturday – wake up, drive up north, shoot the wedding, eat more BBQ than I thought was humanly possible, rally, shoot more, food coma.  Sunday – wake up, stop at Shorts, drive home, curse I-75 traffic jams, download photos, tear up a bit, wish I could do it all over again.

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As I walked up to the door, I was greeted by old photos of Audrey and Brad.  It was cool to see life before they met and to know that the true joy and a new chapter of life would begin when they said “I do” later that day.  While Audrey was still getting ready, I snapped some of the details of her day.

After a few minutes, Audrey was ready to see Brad.  I wanted their first look to be as private as possible and thought that the lake Audrey grew up on would be the perfect backdrop.

It is funny how as soon as the bride and groom get to see each other, everything becomes right.

We spent the next 30 minutes or so walking the property and photographing some formals of Audrey and Brad to document their Traverse City backyard wedding.

These are my favorite moments…they are real, genuine, and unmistakably adorable.  On your wedding day, “perfect” is actually in the imperfections, like breaking a pose so you can laugh at an inside joke.

I love this image.  Audrey, promise me this will get printed and hang in your house  Okay? Okay.

As guests started to arrive, everyone wanted to say hello and wish them the best.

Audrey only had one special request on her wedding day.  She pointed out the window.  “That is my tree.  It really means a lot to me.  Think we can get a shot with it?”  Of course.

With a few minutes left before their ceremony, it was getting harder to find places to hide from the guests. Everyone was so excited for Audrey and Brad.  Luckily, this road offered the perfect backdrop and one last moment of alone time.

I have a soft spot for the elderly.  They have so much wisdom, insight, and amazing stories…one of my photography career goals is to actually do a whole project with them.  When I got to meet Audrey’s grandma, I felt a warmth from her that reminded me of my own.

I asked her, “Any advice for Audrey before she walks down the aisle?”  Her quick response, “Nothing that you can hear!”  We all had a good laugh and a touching moment with that.

Next, it was time for their Traverse City backyard wedding.

As the evening began to wind down, I asked Audrey and Brad to spend a few more minutes together alone.  It is so important to find that time on your wedding day, to just be quiet, present, and count your blessings.

 

Best wishes Audrey and Brad!  Thank you so much for inviting me to celebrate your day with you.