Brynn and Eric’s Downtown Grand Rapids Michigan Proposal, to Intimate Garden Greenhouse Spring Wedding

it is always full circle when I get to document my clients from surprise proposals to the big wedding day. Brynn and Eric were extra special to experience this with, as I have known and loved the bride for years! Brynn and Eric had just moved to Chicago, but came back to Grand Rapids michigan for Eric to pop the big question during what brynn thought was just a fun couples photoshoot, on both film and digital. Brynn was ecstatically surprised by both the question of forever, and the stunning ring designed by honey jewelry co. we popped champagne at local wine bar chateau, and Eric had one more surprise for his bride to be; a backyard garden engagement party thrown in their honor to celebrate with their closest family and friends. not a dry eye in the garden when Brynn and Eric both entered with tears of happiness streaming down their cheeks.

couples portrait on black and white film

candid couples photos

candid couples photos Grand Rapids michigan

documentary proposal photos

documentary proposal photos in Grand Rapids michigan

candid couples photos

engagement ring from honey jewelry co

celebrating after just getting engaged at chateau wine bar in Grand Rapids michigan

documentary photo entering surprise engagement party

documentary black and white film photo of engagement ring

the wedding planning began immediately; an intimate spring day in the greenhouse and garden of the glasshouse community in Zealand, michigan. the glasshouse is one of my personal favorite venues in west michigan, as it provides a unique and whimsical back yard feel, and the glass greenhouse itself is something out of a dream. Mijanne, of lets meet in the garden where they had their engagement party, made the entire day exquisite from the florals to the place settings. everything was an immaculate michigan spring dream that I had the privilege of capturing on both film and digital.

long reception dinner table in the greenhouse at the glasshouse community in Zealand michigan

film photo of wedding ceremony space at the glasshouse community

spring garden wedding florals and table scape

film photo of spring bridal bouquet

spring tablescape in the greenhouse of the glasshouse community in Zealand michigan

film photo of spring wedding tablescape

detail photo of wedding tablescape details

brynn and Eric’s wedding day began getting ready with their closest friends and family, a relaxed and heartfelt morning filled with love letters and helping hands. they saw each other for the first time walking down the aisle of green grass, both of them crying tears of joy and love the entire way down until they joined hands. Brynns father married them with a beautiful ceremony under the michigan spring sun.

groom reading a letter from his bride

bride getting ready with her mom and freind

groom getting ready with his friends

bride getting ready

portrait of groom

portrait of bride getting ready, engagement ring from honey jewelry co

groom seeing his bride for the first time

bride wiping a tear as she walks down the aisle with her dad

brides mom wiping brides tears

spring wedding ceremony

documentary wedding ceremony photos

film photo of wedding ceremony

bride and groom sharing wedding vows

film photo of bride and groom’s first kiss

bride and groom exiting their ceremony

bride and groom after their ceremony

after the ceremony we took some laidback, candid portraits around the grounds of the glasshouse community. I love the glasshouse for, of course, the incredible greenhouse, but also for their lush green grass, tall trees, and various nature spots for photos. the pond feels like a whimsical fairytale, and all of the ducks and cats running around are so charming. I loosely prompted poses for their portraits, but mostly let brynn and Eric ride the high of just getting married. I never want to pull my couples out of special moments to get a specific shot, and the results always feel authentic and speak to really living in the moment and enjoying their wedding day to the fullest. their portraits are sweet, loving, energetic, and truly feel like the buzzing excitement they felt after becoming husband and wife. brynn and Eric’s family photos were relaxed and less rigid as well, speaking to their vibe and intimate nature of the backyard wedding. family photos can be a stressful part of your wedding day, having an easygoing mindset can make traditionally formal, stiff shots feel more like how your family really is; fun, funny, and full of love.

film portrait of bride and groom in front of greenhouse at glasshouse community in michigan

bride and groom portraits by the greenhouse at the glasshouse community in Zeeland michigan

film portrait of bride and groom on grounds of glasshouse community in michigan

laid back family photos

wedding ring detail photo

film portrait of bride and groom

bride and groom portraits in front of the greenhouse

detail photo of wedding dress

candid, blurry bride and groom portrait

laid back group wedding photos

candid film photo of bride and groom

brynn and Eric shared their first dance under the setting sun before everyone went into the greenhouse for a long table, family style dinner. all guests were welcomed to their seats with a handwritten letter from the bride and groom, and there was not a dry eye under the glasshouse. conversation flowed down the table and back all dinner long, and heartfelt toasts and speeches were made by both friends and family.

bride and groom sharing a sunset first dance

guests welcomed to dinner with handwritten notes from the bride and groom

guests reading their handwritten letters

long table family style wedding dinner

documentary photo of wedding guests

candid photo of bride and groom through the glasshouse at glasshouse community in zeeland michigan

documentary photo of wedding dinner table conversation

wedding dinner in the greenhouse at the glasshouse community

bride and groom listening to toasts and speeches

after toasts and speeches, and spending quality time with each of their guests, brynn and Eric made a speech of their own where Eric announced that he would be taking his brides last name, instead of the traditional switch. their guests roared with applause and surprise, and I totally cried behind the camera, and maybe again writing this and remembering that moment… they celebrated by cutting their cake, and we snuck out for a moment of silly, ecstatic sunset portraits before I left them to mingle the night away with their loved ones. I will never get over this intimate greenhouse garden day, and there is nothing better than seeing your friends find their person, and having the honor to capture it all.

groom announcing he will be taking his brides last name

documentary photo of wedding guest reactions

candid photo of wedding guest reactions

detail shot of eating wedding cake

bride and groom cutting their wedding cake

film photo of brides shoes

personalized groom tux

documentary photo of bride and groom

black and white wedding photos

bride and groom wedding rings

candid wedding portraits

black and white wedding dress detail photo

bride and groom portraits

bride and groom sunset photos

documentary photo of wedding cake