A few weeks ago we had the pleasure of photographing Summer and Jon’s wedding in Lake Odessaa, a little town to the east of Grand Rapids. The church sat on a little corner of earth, next to a long dirt road. They warned us that it was small, and rather in-the-middle-of-nowhere, but it is where Summer and Jon have attended for years, as well as where they met and built a friendship that turned into deep love.

One of my favorite parts of being a wedding photographer is seeing the transformation into a bride. There is something so beautiful, so timeless about every bride once she is all ready in her dress. Some of my photos that I am most proud of are portraits of the bride that aren’t done during “portrait time”. They are the quiet moments of beauty that take place amidst the busy preparations of the morning. I have never left a wedding without seeing this beauty, without remembering a few (or several) instants of photographing the bride and thinking she looked absolutely beautiful. This wedding, of course, was no exception. Summer, you were absolutely stunning.

Summer and Jon decided to see one another before the ceremony. They were both so completely and contentedly happy. Photographing them was so easy!

Grant’s favorite set.

All day people asked Summer if she was nervous. I don’t know about Jon, but she said she was just too excited to be nervous!

My favorite.

Summer and Jon, we have really enjoyed getting to know both of you in the last few months. We loved how wonderfully simple you kept your wedding day, focusing in on celebrating your new life together. Thanks for letting us be a part of it!