Aparna + Ankit: Engagement Ceremony

We first met Aparna and Ankit at their engagement ceremony this past August, and though we had already talked with them a lot leading up to that day, it was definitely at the ceremony when we realized how much we adored the two of them. Since then we've already gone on some fantastic and magical adventures together including a gorgeous sunset evening taking engagement photos on Lake Michigan. We can't wait for their wedding this coming Memorial weekend, but we'll never forgot this colorful, fun day when we first met this wonderfully sweet couple and their adorable families. 

For all the ups and downs this year has brought with it, 2016 has been an exceedingly special journey for us simply because of relationships like these that we've been able to make.

May cannot come soon enough!

Avani + Khristoph: The Becker & Bhatt Wedding Trailer

Heaven help us, we are without a doubt in love with these two...

We were blessed to share in so many wonderful wedding days this past season, and one of those that comes instantly to mind is Avani + Khristoph's day. For us being able to witness the coming together of two families, two histories, two different people, and celebrating something that we cannot fully put into words is easily one of the most amazing parts of any wedding. The union, the celebration, the sacredness of it all - it fills us so incredibly much. And with Avani + Khristoph we had the ability to watch two people of different walks and backgrounds bring two families, two cultures, together for one united celebration of love.

On top of that there was no shortage of things to fall head over heels for on their day. From the gorgeous Meadow Brook Hall they set as their wedding backdrop, to Avani's personally designed wedding dresses from India; from an entire bridal party that kept us laughing the whole day, to even getting to work along side some of our favorite event planners, artists, and photographer friends; this wedding brings back so many wonderful memories.

Avani + Khristoph's entire day felt alive with the youthfulness of summer, and while it was arguably the hottest day in all of July, this was a wedding that we had to tear ourselves away from at the end of the night - because all we wanted to do was stay with them and keep celebrating! If we are being honest, we'd go back and spend this day with these two in a heartbeat, no questions asked. 

Photographer: Jill DeVries Photography

Wedding Planner: VLD Events

Florist: Katie Wachowiak

Wedding Dresses: Self-designed and made in India

Mandap: Top That Event

DJ: Martin Smith (Snapfuze)

Hair and Makeup: Alex Emilio Salon; Todd's Room

Venue: Meadow Brook Hall

Megan Stark's Fear Not

Sometimes simple Saturday afternoon adventures through the woods turn into impromptu photoshoots for your friend and her upcoming senior recital. And believe us, those are some wonderful turn of events. So meet our friend Megan, an exceptionally talented musician and an incredible joy to be around. She'll never let you down when you need a laugh, and she'll always be there when you need an escape from the monotony of weekend chores. 

She also could easily double for Taylor Swift - let's be real.

If you're looking for an evening filled with beautiful music and wonderful people Megan's recital is Saturday night at 7:30pm in the Grand Rapids Theological Seminary on the north side of the Cornerstone University campus.

Oh, and we all need to go on more spontaneous adventures together. Let's work on that.

Jessica + David: The Ledwidge Wedding Trailer

Though it's rainy and cold outside at the current moment, this trailer has us reliving the best of summer vibes and swooning over what a gorgeous day Jessica + David's wedding was!

When these two first reached out to us in January and asked us to share in their wedding day at Hidden Vineyard we were overcome with excitement and joy. Not only because Hidden Vineyard is probably easily one of our top five favorite venues in West Michigan, but we also instantly fell in love with Jessica and David. Hearing their proposal story and getting to know them better as a couple leading up to the big day was absolutely wonderful and we knew before it even got here that we would have the time of our lives - and we weren't wrong.

From Jessica's spectacular and jar-dropping dress, to an entire wedding party that made us laugh pretty much the whole day; from plenty of teary moments during the ceremony and the toasts at the reception, to adorable and fun sunset dance parties with just the bride and groom, we loved spending this day with these two so very, very much. We're wishing Jessica and David every single happiness in their lives together, and we're praying they never know a moment without laughter!

Photographer: Aneta Wisniewska Photography

Florist: Park Place Design

Wedding Dress Designer: BHLDN

DJ: Lake Effect DJs

Cake Designer: Bit of Swiss Bakery

Caterer: CK Catering

Venue: The Hidden Vineyard Wedding Barn, The Inn at Harbor Shores

Maja Lisa Engelhardt's the Golden Cross

Born in Frederiksberg, Denmark in 1956, Maja Liza Engelhardt had a troubled upbringing with a father who was mentally unhealthy and a mother who was an alcoholic. Growing up in the countryside, however, Maja found strength and hope in not just the enrapturing and gorgeous landscapes filled with rolling green hills, ocean views, and waves crashing onto the shores of her childhood, Maja also found a deep faith in the Lord. From an early age Maja loved painting and knew even then as a child that her hope and desire was to become an artist, capturing and depicting the majesty of the created world around her, by tying together her understanding of God, the unseen, with the world he had created, the seen. 

Over the years Maja's faith grew and deepened much as her skill and love for the fine arts. In time it was Maja's relationship and faith in Jesus Christ that led her to find the ability to forgive and love her mother despite the violent and often times turbulent moments she experienced as a little girl.

In 2014 Maja was commissioned by an American friend to create a sculpted cross for Cornerstone University's new Christ Chapel space. Maja's approach for this particular sculpture, portraying a risen Christ through the symbolism of an empty cross, is the same she has taken for many other sacred spaces across the world. Maja notes, "a cross with a Christ figure on it - I could never relate to it... I have made a cross, which is a cross of joy, a resurrection cross, life's tree, joy's tree." Her focus on the resurrection of Christ's story, verses the suffering of the cross, is for Maja the most important part. She notes that "if there was no resurrection then we would be not here, we would not be believers."

Maja's work is a perfect addition to a space developed to be such a beautiful reflection of the hope and promise of life everlasting that is all because of the power and glory of the resurrection of Christ.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

Earlier this summer we reached another pretty big moment for our family - we reached 2,000 likes on Facebook! So, naturally, we had to dedicate that achievement with something special and we knew just what to do - throw a Friends inspired photo shoot overlooking our beautiful and gorgeous city, Grand Rapids!

Thank you to all of our wonderful and amazing followers, friends, and family who have supported us from the very beginning - cheering us on in the moments of joy, coming alongside us in those seasons of difficulty, and joining us on this exhilarating journey of storytelling. Here's to that continued adventure - and of course, the many amazing friends we have still to meet!

Oh... and remember - we'll be there for you ;)

Kayla + Paul: The Andres Wedding Trailer

Getting to spend your weekends with sweet, sweet couples like Kayla+Paul is honestly the dream. And then when they throw weddings as gorgeous as this one right here, you are straight up in heaven!

Despite their wedding day falling on one of the warmest days of the year nothing could wear out these two or their incredibly fun, adorable, and joyous souls. Throughout their entire day there was an overflowing surplus of smiles, giggles, and your-heart-just-skipped-a-beat moments. From having one of the most awesome and wonderful bridal parties that helped make their day absolutely perfect, to picking out some of the most gorgeous places to go take photos (let's just talk about the Saint Joseph beach for a second!) - Kayla and Paul's day was pure storybook.

We shared so many wonderful moments with our couples this summer and as we say goodbye to summer officially, we are looking back on this day in particular with a great amount of fondness and love. Kayla and Paul are two of the kindest and most beautiful people you will ever meet, and this trailer just begins to scratch the surface of how breathtaking their day was. Join us in celebrating Mr. + Dr. Andres!

Photographer: Alyssa and Drew Photography

Florist: Tossin' Tulips

Wedding Dress Designer: Sophia's Bridal - Maggie Sottero Designs

Hair and Makeup: Affinity Salon and Spa

DJ: Pure Energy

Cake Designer: Danae Larson

Cupcake Designer: Kayla and Vicki Andres

Venue: Gravity Wine, Hilton Garden Inn