Josh + Michelle: A Beach Wedding (Traverse City Wedding Photographer)

June 30, 2012

Another absolutely gorgeous wedding to share with you all! Josh and Michelle chose Traverse City for the setting of their big day. A perfect beach on the beautiful Grand Traverse Bay was the backdrop for their sweet ceremony (I shed a tear during their vows!), and the party was right in the front yard of her aunt and uncle's house, set along the river. The tent was set up, and the decorations, many personally created by Michelle (and family and friends), created a perfect personalized reception. I fell in love with the whole thing.

And even more, Michelle (who graduated from good ol' HHS with me back in 2003) told me how they did the whole thing on a tight budget. They really hit it out of the park for their 200 guestlist! By borrowing, building, and buying from Goodwill, Salvation Army Store and http://www.save-on-crafts.com/, etc, Michelle was able to budget low while still having awesome decor. Pinterest, the DIY bride's best friend, played a helpful part as well. Michelle did an amazing job! But she doesn't take all the credit and has nothing but thanks to give her family and friends who helped out as well. "It really helped with time and money to have everyone who was around for the week help me as much as they could! From my aunt and uncle to the little girls and the 4-year-old! They all pitched in somehow," she says.

But, I think the BEST part of the whole day was watching Josh and Michelle together. I only bet Josh briefly for our little mini-engagement session back in March. We didn't have time to chat too much, but seeing these two together,  you can tell how fun and real their love is for one another. They were playful and heartfelt with everything they did together throughout the whole day. And both of their families were amazing, I would jump at the chance to do this wedding all over again. Congrats to the both of you, and may you both have "many winning seasons" together!!!

Dress - David's Bridal
Hair & Make-up - Amanda Klaus
Flowers - Bride In Bloom
Officiate - Evangelist, Mona Nero Davis
Ceremony - Senior Center Beach (near Sunset Park), Grand Traverse Bay, Traverse City, MI
Reception - Michelle's uncle and aunt's house in Traverse City
Catering - Chef's Pride Catering (Traverse City, MI)
Cupcakes - Cupcakes by Tammy Sue (Harrison, MI)
Cake - Broken Mold Bake Shoppe (Clare, MI)
DJ - Matt Sherrell, Rhythm Management (Beaverton, MI)
Woodwork for decorations - Richie Heath

^ We all thought she should keep the Medusa 'do ;)

^Never mind, this is MUCH better!

^Michelle got LOTS of thanks from me for all the awesome places I got to photograph. This is just ONE.

^Meet Libby :-)

^Her dress was perfect for a hot day... very flowy AND flattering.

^Don't know why I love this shot of Michelle and her brother, Mick, but it's awesome.

^Girls are ready to party already.

^Yup, the guys too.

^Very nice, fellas.

^Yup, that's our handsome groom, Josh.

^Seeing his new wife for the first time.

^Approval from Dad.

^Two great shots (the kiss below too) by Kristin Huyck, my assistant for the day.

^Awwww!

^Phew! It was HOT but everyone put up with it nicely.



^Some of these guys got some serious air!



^Cheers! At the Filling Station on the way to the reception.

^Love them!

^Helping each other out, so fun.

^One of my faves! Love the pop of color!

^Time for some of the amazing details... a few shots by me and some by Kristin as well.

^Josh and Michelle are sport fanatics, so the football cake topper was so them!

^Kristin and I got to sample some of these cupcakes the weekend before as well. I think we were spoiled!

^A few more photos down by the river before the party REALLY gets going.

^Family photo :-)

^Not for SURE but this might be my very favorite from the day!

^Perfect!

^Love this one by Kristin. Nice shot, dear.

^Hugs from Dad.

^One second...

^Danger zone ;-)

^A blind folded garter-catcher and Josh's mom (who is an awesome lady!). Nice!