Relaxed Grand Valley Wedding Grand Rapids, MI: Carolann + Stu

As the sun radiated down on the bright summer day, Carolann said, "I do" to Stu as an acoustic guitar played softly in the background and the beautiful handmade pinwheels fluttered and spun in the cool breeze on the campus of Grand Valley State University at the Alumni House. This couple was very DIY, paying close attention to the small details with hundreds of pinwheels and personal photos of their relationship and their whole wedding celebration oozed with personality including a macaroni and cheese station with 5 different varieties at the reception!

I captured the beginning of the day with the bride and her bridesmaids getting ready, toasting the day with champagne, and also helping each other with final make-up application. The bride and her bridesmaids also had a room with a view facing out over the ceremony location, and they couldn't help but sneak a few peeks at guests as they arrived. I then headed to capture the groom and his groomsmen preparing for the walk down the aisle. The gentlemen were toasting with swigs right from the Jack Daniel's bottle and were searching YouTube on how best to tie their very formal ties.

Beneath the bright cloudless sky, the emotional vows took place as the guests and family beamed with happiness for this special couple. Carolann and Stu wanted their portraits as well as the reception to feel very relaxed like, "we're just hanging out." The end of the night brought with it the cupcake cutting and a bit of the cupcake ended up smashed in the bride's shocked and surprised face.

Here's to you Carolann and Stu, and thank you again for allowing me to be apart of your very special day!

Love Always,

Courtney Carolyn