john + kelsey | wedding | orchard ridge farms | rockton, il

i often feel my relationships that blossom out of shooting couple's wedding days easily step into deeper levels of friendship right off the bat...even if for the only reason of sharing a single day, vibrant and bursting with life-changing moments. add to that the fact that for some of my clients, we are dear friends even before the thoughts of wedding bells or photography are even on the horizon....and you have a uniquely profound intimacy and camaraderie hard to match.

this is the very story of my day this past friday in rural rockton, illinois. john and kelsey, beloved by many and cherished friends at our church in grand rapids, were surrounded by their family and loved ones, preparing to embark on a brand new journey together. and my role as photographer was an honored gift i was given. these two are beautiful, inside and out, and it was far from work to spend the day with them, their wedding party, family, and friends. i hope you enjoy these moments from their day as much as i did...

j&k, jana and i love you, and are so very excited for the work God is doing in your lives. may He bless you in this new chapter. and the great news? it just keeps getting better!

-npe

brandon + katie | wedding | blue dress barn | benton harbor, michigan

with both katie and brandon living out of the state, i didn't have the chance to meet them in person before their wedding this past sunday...and to be honest, it made me a bit nervous* i have always felt that the relational connection between a couple and their photographer is just as important as the artistry and images that the photographer can capture - and having a chance to confirm that connection before the wedding day is so very helpful.

but with that being said, i could not have hoped for a more wonderful couple to meet in such a beautiful moment, amid the detailed charm of the blue dress barn in benton harbor. both katie and brandon were immediately welcoming and made me feel as if i were part of their very family. and that was truly the theme of the day...an aura of gratitude among these two for their families that had surrounded them, supported and loved them..and ultimately were there to celebrate with them.

beauty was everywhere...in conversations, embraces, dresses, flowers, speeches. it seemed as though i just happened upon a taste of heaven's wedding feast...what an honor!

thank you b&k - your gracious words and character were a precious gift. blessings my friends!

-npe

matt+carly {fall.farm.fairytale}

changing colors and the beauty of a fall day in michigan - this was an amazing canvas to paint on with photos from the wedding celebration of matt & carly! i can remember a conversation i had with matt during their engagement session...when carly needed to run back to the car for something...listening to him speak of his to be bride - this man was in love.  he was in love in every sense of the word, from the romance that had started when they first met, to the commitment he knew he was making when taking carly's hand in marriage.  he was not only marrying her, but beginning a family with her two beautiful children.

i was so excited to be with them on this day...and to witness two families joining, surrounding this beautiful couple in love and encouragement.

matt, carly..thank you - was truly splendid!

-npe

jake+alicia {kilts.country.&.matrimony}

nothing could stop these two from loving every bit out of their wedding day, and each other! jake - love the kilts my friend*

alicia - all your planning payed off in spectacular fashion*

thanks for the honor friends - i hope you enjoy the sneak peak (victor looks soo good, at least i think so!)

- ne

brian+meghan {st.joseph.selebration}

summer is headed to michigan* as four lads from across the pond once said, here comes the sun...and with it...the joy of wedding season in the land of the great lakes!

it was an honor to be a part of b & m's wedding and to see all the planning come to a beautiful conclusion*

mr. & mrs. - enjoy that honeymoon! and even though chicago is where you call home..don't be strangers!

cheers*

npe