Dane + Erin | Intimate Traverse City Wedding
Dane and Erin’s wedding was not a performance, but an honest and intentional celebration of everything and everyone they loved. We’re so honored when we are invited into weddings like theirs—so full of life and history. Every moment was thought out and intentional and every guest was someone who played a part in their story in some way or another. Congratulations to these two!!
From a wedding dress and veil that had been so lovingly passed down to her, to getting married in her grandparent’s backyard with one of their closest friends officiating: Dane and Erin’s wedding was not a performance, but an honest and intentional celebration of everything and everyone they loved.
The emotions were palpable as Erin got ready with her girls; nerves and butterflies and giddy excitement in the air as she whisked away her wedding dress to her grandparents house where she would finish getting dressed. It was here that we found Dane outside, greeting their guests with his characteristic smile and relaxed demeanor.
Nestled underneath a great willow in the backyard, chairs adorned the back patio facing the arbor where Dane and Erin said their vows. They practically flew back down the aisle as husband and wife, grinning ear to ear with so much joy and happiness.
Cocktail hour progressed in the front yard with everyone mingling while the backyard was being transformed into an intimate and beautiful reception scene. Tables lined the patio when everyone began to take their seat for toasts, dinner, dancing, ice cream, and quality conversation.
We’re so honored when we are invited into weddings like Dane and Erin’s, so full of life and history. Every moment was thought out and intentional and every guest was someone who played a part in their story in some way or another. Congratulations to these two!!
Photographed by Miles + Sarah
Venue | Family Property
Catering | Urban Roots Catering
Hair + Make-up | Kristen w/ Evergreen Bridal Co.
Floral Design | TC Floral Co.
Dessert | Moomers Ice Cream
Dane + Erin | Traverse City Engagement
Just a few days before their wedding, we met Dane and Erin face to face for the very first time. I remember thinking throughout their engagement session how peaceful and calm they seemed with their wedding less than a week away. But that’s the thing about Dane and Erin; they are so authentically themselves. They know what is important to them and what they care about, so naturally all of the other details just fall into place.
Just a few days before their wedding, we met Dane and Erin face to face for the very first time. I remember thinking throughout their engagement session how peaceful and calm they seemed with their wedding less than a week away. But that’s the thing about Dane and Erin; they are so authentically themselves. They know what is important to them and what they care about, so naturally all of the other details just fall into place.
It was a beautiful evening at the end of July, wildflower fields aglow in golden summer light, when we met Dane and Erin at Maple Bay Natural Area. We frolicked (no, literally) through fields as birds flew overhead, the two of them simply delighting in each other’s company. As they night wore on and the sun began to sink in the sky, we wandered the path through the thick wood that eventually opened to the beach. It was here underneath the moon and to the song of the seagulls that we watched the sunset with these two and looked with eager anticipation to their wedding only three days away.
Zach + Wendy | Maple Bay Engagement
It’s no surprise that Northern Michigan holds a special place in the hearts of many. For Zach and Wendy, Traverse City marked their very first trip together as a couple and it was a no brainer for them to have portraits in such a meaningful area. To celebrate their engagement, we explored Maple Bay Natural area, documenting on both digital and film as they traipsed through wildflower fields, popped champagne on the beach, and danced along the shoreline while the sun set.
It’s no surprise that Northern Michigan holds a special place in the hearts of many. For Zach and Wendy, Traverse City marked their very first trip together as a couple and it was a no brainer for them to have portraits in such a meaningful area. To celebrate their engagement, we explored Maple Bay Natural area, documenting on both digital and film as they traipsed through wildflower fields, popped champagne on the beach, and danced along the shoreline while the sun set. It was a joy to witness the kind of love these two shared—clearly smitten with each other and giddy to be together.
Jason + Sarah | Timberlee Hills Wedding
I have never seen a bride smile so much as Sarah did on her wedding day. We knew that if their engagement session the Fall prior was any indication, there would be lots of laughter. But nothing could have prepared us for the radiant joy which shone through both Jason and Sarah throughout their wedding day.
I have never seen a bride smile so much as Sarah did on her wedding day. We knew that if their engagement session the Fall prior was any indication, there would be lots of laughter. But nothing could have prepared us for the radiant joy which shone through both Jason and Sarah throughout their wedding day.
Intentional details and memorable moments between guests (see the grandmothers showing up in matching fits!) were some of the highlights from Jason and Sarah’s day. But the true heart was how they showed up so fully for each other and their guests. From being hyped up by their respective bridal parties to a first look to calm all the nerves, Jason and Sarah were grounded and present through every moment. Their wedding day is a beautiful testament to how things turns out when your focus is on the experience and savoring every single precious moment rather than perfection.
Photographed by Miles + Sarah
Venue | Timberlee Hills
Officiant | Lisa Hall w/ Brooks Wedding Ceremonies
Catering | Uptown Catering
Dessert + Cake | Water’s Edge Sweet Tooth
Bridal Bouquet | Sweetwater Floral
Floral Arch | The Wise Bride
DJ | 231 Entertainment
Hair + Make-up | Primp Beauty
Bride’s Dress | Bliss Bridal
Bridesmaids’ Dresses | Azazie
Mens’ Suits | Mens Wearhouse
Jewelry | Saginaw Gold & Clean Origin
Dan and Lauren | Engagement
Sitting here in the middle of a winter storm, our minds are miles away dreaming about spring and summer, and all that inevitably comes with it. Golden sunshine and late sunsets, butterflies and blooming wildflower fields, our feet in the sand as waves meet the shore.
Sitting here in the middle of a winter storm, our minds are miles away dreaming about spring and summer, and all that inevitably comes with it. Golden sunshine and late sunsets, butterflies and blooming wildflower fields, our feet in the sand as waves meet the shore.
Dan and Lauren picked the perfect summer evening for their engagement photos at Maple Bay. Shot on a variety of digital and film, these photos tell a piece of their story that we are so honored to have been a part of. We get to celebrate them for their wedding later this year and we are counting down the days.
Luke and Alayna | Traverse City Wedding
The energy on the dance floor was electric—people were doing backflips (!!!) and pulling out all kinds of crazy moves. But in the midst of it all we were struck by the community, friends supporting one another, holding each other up (literally), laughing, hugging, and dancing nonstop til the end of the night.
At the end of the night everyone came together—bridal party, parents, cousins, friends—to dance with Luke and Alayna for one last song before sending them off.
On the way to the ceremony I asked Alayna what she was looking forward to most. She responded with two things:
1. Marrying Luke of course
2. Open dancing at the reception
Knowing this, I had so much anticipation going into the reception. And let me just say, this dance floor was one for the books: Luke and Alayna’s guests showed up big time.
The energy on the dance floor was electric—people were doing backflips (!!!) and pulling out all kinds of crazy moves. But in the midst of it all we were struck by the community, friends supporting one another, holding each other up (literally), laughing, hugging, and dancing nonstop til the end of the night.
At the end of the night everyone came together—bridal party, parents, cousins, friends—to dance with Luke and Alayna for one last song before sending them off.
