Location: Frederick Meijer Gardens
Band: The Sprague Brothers (LOVED THEM!!)
Jon & Kat planned a beautiful outdoor wedding at Spring Grove Park for September 18th but as the luck of living in Michigan would have it, about 2 hours before the ceremony it was not only raining but …..pouring. They had a backup plan that had to be executed quickly. It was amazing to see it go into motion so smoothly, guests were notified and everything fell together beautifully. Jon & Kat were all smiles as they read their vows, exchanged rings and a kiss to seal the deal. Here is the thing, outdoor weddings are a gamble but more often than not it works out. It usually clears up for at least part of it anyway as was the case with them. I’m certainly not discouraging outdoor weddings (because I absolutely love them) but to remind brides to ALWAYS have a back up plan. A nice lady approached Kat in the lobby of the hotel shortly before we began the photos and said “You know what it means when it rains on your wedding day?” ….and Kat responds “Tell me.”…..to which the lady replies “Money. Lots of it.”…..Hmmmm……LET IT RAIN!!! 🙂
As you can see, we have no shortage of beautiful images, we had plenty of time outdoor for photo ops. Shelly Johnson is the designer for the amazing flowers and reception is at the Pinnacle Center in Hudsonville which is wonderfully spacious, terrific food & an amazing staff.
Jon & Kat, it was great working with you and I wish you two all the best!
by Terri
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I had the opportunity last week to shoot an amazing event for the Kids Food Basket in Grand Rapids. I left the event feeling humbled and inspired. Have you ever felt like you couldn’t do something but you didn’t necessarily give it a shot either?
Mary K. Hoodhood is an absolute inspiration to me and my new hero. Looking past her personal limitations she founded the Kids Food Basket and recently received a Presidential Citizens Medal, the highest honor a civilian can receive, for her endeavors in West Michigan and the fight agains childhood hunger. The Kids Food Basket puts together sack suppers for children (delivered to their school) who go home at night to a home where dinner will not be on the table. Currently the KFB is packing 2500 sack suppers EVERY WEEK and they have schools on a waiting list.
Want to get involved? At the event last week, seeing the 500+ people that showed up to participate I realized that most of us have either time or money and some have both. With that being said I would like to encourage you to find out how you can get involved. Volunteer opportunities are not limited to but include: driving to deliver the sacks, packing the sacks, decorating sacks (what and AWESOME idea for a youth group, small group, classroom project, neighborhood project), volunteering in the office, or best of all organizing a food drive for them. They are in need of 100% juice boxes, granola bars, peanut butter, fruit snacks, fruit cups, chips…..So here it is…. I’m going to BEG every single client that comes in front of my camera this fall to bring something to donate to my personal food drive for the KFB and I promise to make it worth your while.
As far as the celebration anyone would have been impressed by the generosity of the donations, the venue, and who was there but I personally just felt privileged to just be in the same room as Mary K. Hoodhood. I appreciated the opportunity to photograph her and the people that support her, to see her warm gracious smile and witness her humble spirit. Having my photo taken with her (Thank You Dave Johnson!!) was an honor. Thank you to my sweet friend Jennifer Wilson of Grand Development Associates for asking me to participate! 🙂
If you are participating with the Kids Food Basket or are doing a food drive or anything else, please comment on my blog. Together we can spread the word and get as much support as possible for this wonderful organization!!
AND for those of you that have inquired about all the pictures we took keep an eye out for them on the Kids Food Basket facebook page. The images are being passed on to them for posting and you can tag away!
by Terri
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Nick & Amber were married a few weeks ago at the Frederik Meijer Gardens . I can’t say enough good things about this place! It’s so absolutely beautiful and unique that it’s almost difficult for me to work there because I’m constantly checking out all there is to see and do. It’s absolutely breathtaking at every twist and turn and the perfect location for a wedding. I feel fortunate to live so close to such a beautiful place. Nick & Amber opted for a small and intimate wedding. Just the two of them for photos and a few small group shots with family. It’s unusual to have a wedding where I spend the majority of the time with just the bride and groom but I loved it. It was so perfect becaue there was no rush and the time was out to do with as we saw fit. I made the most of it! We have a ton of beautiful images that I know that they will love.
Lastly, just as we were beginning the day I saw a little cart driving by with non other than Fred and Lena Meijer. I turned around and caught the attention of the driver and BEGGED for a photo opportunity for my couple. Mr. & Mrs. Meijer were very gracious and obliged. It was fun to see them swap “how we met” stories, see them laughing together and Mr. & Mrs. Meijer offer their best wishes to this couple. We thanked them for their generous contribution of the Meijer Gardens to the community. How cool to meet Fred & Lena Meijer on the day that you’ll be married at the Meijer Gardens ( AND I HAD A CAMERA IN HAND!! WOO!! HOO!!!!). Lovin’ it! 😉
by Terri
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I’m in the thick of it with weddings, high school seniors, booking families and even squeezed in a newborn session this week. I have had so many fabulous sessions that it’s a crying shame that I don’t do a blog post from every session.
I had to do a quick post of these images of Jeff & Jana. I’ve been borderline hyper for their wedding since their FABULOUS engagement session last fall. They’re awesome to work with, up for anything I suggest and totally trusted me. Their wedding was in Rockford and their reception was at The BOB in Grand Rapids which is such a great place, it’s fun, spacious and has a ton of character and don’t even get me started on the food…LOVE it!
The wedding was fun, fun wedding party and who doesn’t love a bride with a bunch of sisters? They had these card board cut outs of themselves as children which were so adorable I’ve decided I need to get some myself. All that being said, my very favorite thing was their “favor” or should I say lack of a “favor”. Jeff & Jana decided to forgo the “favors” and instead made a donation to the “Be The Match” program for the National Bone Marrow Program. What a better way to start out your new life than to extend the gift of life to someone else. Party favors make the table pretty but really only last one night. They’re often tossed out or not even taken. Who knows what will come of this gesture, what kind of awareness brought on, who will be prompted to register and be matched and life can be saved.
by Terri
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by Terri
no comments