Silver and (Squad) Goals: A ShadowShine Christmas Story

Christmas is such a fun and joyous time of year. From the bright colorful decorations and displays, to the nostalgic feelings of child like wonder that the season stirs within each of us - this is honestly one of the most wonderful times of the year. And while presents and gifts and material things tend to be on our minds for the holidays, the truth is that it isn't what you get that makes the day so festive and bright, it's who you have by your side.

As we begin to look toward the end of this year and think back on all the journeys, adventures, and stories we've been able to share in telling - just this year alone - we are incredibly thankful for this team. These wonderful people and artists that make up our family. The real present is being able to call them friends. 

From our squad to yours this Christmas season, Merry Christmas and may you all have a very blessed holiday season and New Year!

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!

Anna + Bryce: Chicago Engagement

Getting to take your friends' engagement photos isn't complete without hours of laughing, swooning over their gorgeousness, or wishing you didn't have to head back to work on Monday after spending a glorious weekend in Chicago with the two of them. Anna + Bryce are incredibly close to our hearts and we are so blessed by their God-honoring relationship. June 16th will be a day filled with tears of joy, countless moments that are gonna take our breath away, and so much freaking love!

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

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

Aparna + Ankit: Lake Michigan Engagement

There are fewer things we would rather do with a Saturday afternoon than going on wooded, lakeshore adventures with these two. This was a positively magical evening what from Aparna's gorgeous dresses to Ankit's brilliant call to head out to the lake for sunset photos - words can't describe how much we are already in love with these two. They are wonderful, so funny, and up for just about anything. Seriously though, how many brides-to-be are up for jumping into the crashing waves? Now we just have to find a way to distract ourselves from the fact that we have to wait eight months still for their wedding weekend next May!

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 ;)