Elizabeth Walker Photography

Sunday morning was gorgeous, just the perfect day to head out on Old Mission Peninsula to photograph this darling 5 year old and her family. She’s a natural in front of the camera and we had a wonderful morning together.  It was VERY hard to narrow down the photos for a sneak peek but here it is!

This past weekend, forty-nine family members from what seemed like almost forty-nine different states, reunited in Traverse City, Michigan and I was fortunate enough to be there to document it. Some of the people in these photos may look familiar from James and Whittney’s wedding, which I shot last August. Traverse City is a great place for a destination event because there’s so much to do and it’s gorgeous there! Many of the attendees enjoyed the beach at the Parkshore Resort, where they stayed, and the kids were excited about going to Pirate’s Cove after the main event, a family dinner at Auntie Pasta’s Restaurant. I was hoping to make an entire weekend out of my trip there but unfortunately, my schedule didn’t allow it. I arrived early Saturday afternoon and the staff at the Travelodge, where I stayed, was kind enough to let me check in early.  After settling into my room,  I went to scope out the restaurant and the park next door with the event planners before everyone arrived for family photos. There was a lot of laughter over dinner as people shared stories and caught up on each other’s lives. Here’s a little peek inside. Enjoy!

The entire group!

A frisbee kept the kids (and some of the adults) entertained while waiting their turn for family photos.

The youngest family member holding her mom's hand.

This couple just got engaged on New Year's so we took a few moments for a mini engagement session :).

The kids enjoyed finding their names on a list of family members.

Family members learned about each other by reading biographies complete with historical photos.

Enjoying dinner.

Frequent laughter filled the air as stories were shared.

The family's first cousins.

Jack and Katie flew in from the state of Washington to get married here in Michigan. I did all of my initial correspondence with Jack’s mom, who lives in Wisconsin, until the last month or so when Katie took over to give me the wedding day time line and shot list details.  I’ve shot more weddings at Cascades Manor House than anywhere else and had my own wedding reception there just over 6 years ago so it always feels like home.

Yesterday’s weather was iffy. At one point there was even talk of moving the ceremony inside, but the rain held off just long enough for us to get through both the ceremony and the group shots outdoors. The rain started pouring down the instant we went inside. Perfect timing! The reception was in the beautiful Fireside Room and the Manor House’s Sunday brunch was on the menu. After cutting the delicious cake and some time for visiting, the couple was sent off by their loved ones amidst a swirl of bubbles. Thanks, Katie and Jack, for choosing Elizabeth Walker Photography to document your wedding day. We wish you all the best as you begin your married life together! Enjoy your sneak peek below!

Cake - Megan Phillips, (734) 276-9822 , Flowers - Designs by Judy

The Cascades Manor House, beautiful inside and out.

The boys of the wedding party take some time pre-ceremony to walk to the pond and look for turtles.

Katie smooths the flower girl's hair.

A kiss on the cheek for the mother of the bride.

Katie takes one more look in the mirror while her maid of honor looks on.

Katie's dad walks her down the aisle.

Katie and her dad hug just before the vows.

Katie and Jack with their arms around eachother during the ceremony. Love the back of Katie's gown!

Jack's mother read scripture during the ceremony.

Jack and Katie receive communion.

Married and heading out front for the group photos.

Katie and her dad laugh while having their portrait taken.

Jack fixes his dad's collar.

The entire wedding party.

The gorgeous cake tasted even better than it looked!

Smashing the cake.

Katie and her beautiful bouquet from Designs by Judy.

The newlyweds take a time out from eating cake for a kiss.

Husband and wife!

Katie gives the adorable ring bearer some love.

Exiting through bubbles.

Heading off to begin their life together.

Jen and Rob had a private courthouse ceremony about a week and a half ago. On Saturday, their friends and extended family gathered at the Polish Falcons Pavilion on Round Lake in Michigan Center to celebrate with them. It was hot and sunny but there was a bit of a breeze and the pavilion offered plenty of protection from the sun along with the tall, old trees that populate the property. The kids enjoyed the playground equipment and a few even took a dip in the lake. The party was largely a family affair with relatives of the bride and groom decorating, making the food and providing the music. The bride’s mom made her bouquet and her step-sister made her cake! Best wishes, Jen and Rob for a long and happy life together. Thanks for choosing us to photograph your day. Enjoy your sneak peek below!

The Polish Falcons Pavilion on Round Lake in Michigan Center, where the reception was held.

The bride's step-sister made the cake with a cute night sky theme.

The beautiful bridal bouquet, made by Jen's mother.

All of Jen's boys.

Jen's son taking full advantage of the wedding bubbles.

The kids enjoying the playground equipment.

The happy couple.

The property's tall, old trees make such a nice backdrop!

Jen and Rob's first dance.

Guests on the dance floor.

Linking arms during the chicken dance.

Cutting the cake!

A tiny bit of smashing involved but overall they kept it pretty clean.

Just shot a retirement party for my day job at U of M with fabulous catering by The Moveable Feast. They always do an incredible job. The staff is great and the food and presentation amazing. The pic below is of just a small sampling of our dessert choices. Yummy! 

A small sampling of the desserts from The Moveable Feast.

My dear friend Jaimie met Ryan two summers ago at the party of a mutual friend of theirs and connected instantly. In fact, before they went their separate ways that night, Ryan told Jaimie he would marry her one day! After getting engaged just a few weeks ago and wanting to get married before Ryan’s busy summer at work set in, the couple planned an intimate ceremony for family and close friends at the 8th District Court at the Crosstown Center in Kalamazoo. Jaimie looked beautiful in a dress by J. Crew which she had altered to make it her own and chose pale pink flowers accented by green ribbon. The flowers were from The Bloomin Shop in Otsego with the exception of Jaimie’s bouquet, which I made for her. The ceremony was held on a Wednesday morning so not everyone on the guest list could make it.  However, some friends and family members who didn’t see the ceremony, were able to meet up with the newlyweds at the Olde Peninsula Brewpub and Restaurant for lunch afterward. Congrats Ryan and Jaimie! It was an honor for me to photograph your wedding!

Jaimie and Ryan in the Courthouse with their guests just before the ceremony.

Exchanging rings. Ryan and Jaimie's moms were their witnesses.

Just married!

A kiss outside the courthouse.

Jaimie with her aunt, uncle and mom. (Yes, they're twins!)

The rings.

Husband and wife.

Ryan and his little brother being boys, James Bond style.

Jaimie's niece shows off her flower girl bouquet.

The flower girl with Grandma at lunch.

We’re thrilled to be featured again in The Knot Michigan. This time around, there are four full pages of Brooke and Erik’s lakeside wedding which we shot last June! The magazine is on newsstands now so be sure to pick up a copy and check it out. Don’t miss the “their ingredients” section listing all the great Jackson area local vendors, including Fancy Schmancy Events, Flavor Fruit Farms, The Chocolate Moose Catering, Kutcha’s Party Rental, Bigfoot Bob and the Toe Tappers  and Floral Reflections, that made the day so perfect. This regional issue of The Knot is a perfect tool for planning your Michigan wedding and also includes a special section on Ann Arbor weddings for those of you planning a wedding in Ann Arbor. Thanks again, Brooke and Erik for inviting us to document your amazing and unforgettable wedding!

Ben and Elaine were vacationing in Vieques, Puerto Rico in January of 2009 when they got engaged so they decided to get married there as well! Ben and my husband Scott were college roommates and when Ben started dating Elaine and introduced her to us over seven years ago, she and I quickly became friends. Elaine and I have a lot in common as we are both biomedical photographers by day and wedding photographers by night!  Of course, we were thrilled when we heard the news that Ben and Elaine were getting married and even more excited when we realized it meant an excuse to go on vacation :).

We arrived early in the week to take advantage of all Vieques has to offer. Ben and Elaine rented out an entire guest house, the Casa de Tortuga where all 19 of us could all stay together. The rooms were decorated beautifully, each with their own theme and the location was great, just around the corner from the Malecon, close to shopping, beaches and nightlife. Matt, who manages the guest house, was the perfect host giving us plenty of information about the area and providing us with beach towels and coolers for trips to the beach. We rented Jeeps and went to a different beach every day and still didn’t even make it to half of them! The amount of wildlife on Vieques is incredible. The snorkling is fabulous and there are horses that roam around the island. I even saw a hermit crab crossing the street in the shopping district! Thursday night after an amazing dinner at Tradewinds, we hopped on a bus to the Bioluminescent Bay for an unforgettable swim. 

Friday was wedding day. The ladies of the wedding party made the bouquets and boutonnieres with flowers from a local flower shop and a few they gathered themselves.  After getting dressed, we all met up at the Casa de Tortuga’s pool before making our way to the same land bridge where Ben had proposed for the ceremony, which was performed by Ben’s brother. At last, Ben and Elaine were married!!  For the reception we travelled to the amazing Villa Venti. The views were breathtaking, the food by Aguacate Catering was incredible and the staff made us feel at home. It was truly a night none of us will ever forget.   

Elaine’s friend Alexis (also a biomedical photographer by day and wedding photographer by night!) of L3xy Photography was the official shooter for the day but Elaine asked me to take some photos of the guys getting ready. Once my camera was in my hand, I couldn’t resist photographing throughout the beautiful day she and Ben had planned! Thanks, Ben and Elaine for inviting us to spend an amazing week with you guys and to see you get married. You’re an amazing couple and I’m honored to call you my friends. Enjoy the photos below!

Ben and his brother, who performed the ceremony, look over the vows one last time before heading to the beach.

Ben and Elaine meet up at the pool at Casa de Tortuga before traveling together to the ceremony site.

The gorgeous bride.

Elaine with her maid of honor and bridesmaid.

Elaine's bouquet. LOVE the spider mum!

The ceremony site. That's the beach at Sun Bay in the distance.

Exchanging vows.

Ben and Elaine's wedding rings were passed around so each guest could bless them.

The reception site at Villa Venti.

Ben's brother and sister cuddle up with The Villa Venti's resident dogs.

A toast by the maid of honor.

The amazing food by Aguacate Catering was served family style.

The couple's first dance.

Reception fun.

Ben and Elaine with the Villa Venti and Aguacate Catering staff.

I work with a lot of couples who live out of the state and even out of the country and Stacy and Jason were another one of my couples planning a Michigan wedding from afar. It was so great to finally meet them both yesterday after corresponding with Stacy by phone and email for more than a year. The couple planned a ceremony at the MSU Alumni Chapel followed by a reception at the Radisson. I loved the navy and pink color scheme, the feather details and all the gorgeous flowers by Corrine at Sebesta Design. Thanks so much, Stacy and Jason, for choosing me to document your wedding day. Enjoy your sneak peek below!

Ceremony Location - MSU Alumni Chapel, Reception - the Radisson Hotel Lansing, DJ - Michael from Millennium Entertainment, Cake - Sweet Nothings, Invitations - Exclusively Weddings, Flowers - Sebesta Design, Officiant - Bekah Zorgdrager, Chair covers and sashes - Sharon at Doves in Flight Decorating, Bridesmaids’ gifts - Dana at Urban Heirlooms, purchased on Etsy.

The girls help Stacy into her dress.

Lacing up the back.

Stacy's Maid of Honor attaches her veil. LOVE the feather detail!

The groomsmens' gifts.

Stacy gave the girls these great skeleton key necklaces from Urban Heirlooms on Etsy.

The rings!

The ceremony was held at the Alumni Memorial Chapel on the Michigan State University Campus.

Stacy's gorgeous bouquet from Sebesta Design.

The couple exchanges vows.

Exiting as husband and wife!

Group shots with the girls.

Cutting the cake from Sweet Nothings.

The tables were named for cities around the world.

What's a reception without a twirling flower girl? :)

Stacy and Jason share their first dance.

The single ladies line up for the bouquet toss.

I’m part of a camera club called Clique. We have monthly meetings and also get together at least once a month to shoot. I really enjoy spending time with other photographers. We’re always learning from each other and pushing each other out of our comfort zones. Yesterday we caravanned to Manchester and brought along some props to include in our photos. I’m usually a “photograph things as they are” kind of girl but it was fun choosing props and thinking of placing them in the scene. Of course, there were also opportunities for photographing found objects along the way. Here’s a sampling of images from the shoot. Enjoy!