nick + katie | wedding | perry hotel | petoskey, mi

when nick and katie first met, they told me they both shared a common vision of their own respective futures.  marriage was not in the forecast.  and yet, for these two...it seemed as though there was little either could do to steer away from the gift that stood before them...each other. i was moved to tears as nick read his vows to his stunning bride. truly a man of strength, stricken to the heart with an overwhelming love for the woman that walked down the aisle to meet him. and katie, with her honest joy, beautiful smile, and uplifting spirit...it was a gift to witness her take in every moment of her wedding day...from the sleet and downpours of the morning, to the magnificent golden sky at sunset.

i don't think i could work through this preview fast enough.  every image jumped out at me and helped cement in my mind two great truths. One, Petoskey is a remarkable place. And two, Nick and Katie are the type of clients that win my heart every time.

Blessings to you n&k...it was a privilege!

-npe

pj + elizabeth | wedding | st. joseph, mi

for a photographer shooting a wedding...i have to say, there is no better feeling that to have your clients just as excited to see you, as you are to see them! when i opened up the door of elizabeth's suite at the hotel this past saturday, her infectious smile and joyful hug reminded me why i do what i do...its all about the people. i felt like i had my own little cheering squad all day, and that cheer section was the bride and groom themselves.  i could not have imagined a better compliment than pj telling me that if elizabeth got stressed out about the planning process for her wedding, she would go to my blog and remind herself - 'at least the photos will be great!'

are you kidding me! i am so very honored and humbled to have the chance to do what i do*

and trust me elizabeth, if these photos are beautiful, it is because and and pj are beautiful, and your wedding day was one for the books. st. joseph hosted quite the celebration on saturday..and yes...i got to be there!

- npe

drew + katie | wedding | gull lake country club | richland, mi

it was an absolutely perfect september day. crisp morning. clear blue skies. the ceremony on the edge of the lake. it was one of those days that has the ability to stop you just admire it's beauty and serenity. and the funny thing was, it rained for their engagement session. but that didn't stop drew and katie then. we used the rain as a character in their story...but that character was far from returning as saturday showed not a cloud in sight!

i cannot say enough about these two friends and their incredible trust in me as an artist. i felt like just another member of the wedding party, with drew and katie up for any of my sometimes crazy ideas.  and for that, I am truly grateful! once again, it was an honor to be a part of this incredible chapter in a couple's life.

from our meetings at vivant and engagement session in the rain, to the last dance on the rocking dance floor - it has been a privilege d&k. thank you. rich blessings to you two.

- npe

patrick + lizzie | wedding | the homestead | glen arbor, mi

it is certainly a privilege to journey with couples...to have the opportunity to join in the adventure of a 'destination' wedding and witness vows beneath new breathtaking sky tapestries. saturday led me to the homestead resort in glen arbor, mi. with stunning views of lake michigan and the warm invitation of a charming resort village, the homestead offered the perfect backdrop for patrick and lizzie. from their home among the skyscrapers of chicago, these two ventured around the lake to northern michigan to promise their lives to each other. it was a day full of vibrant joy and honest emotion...as pat and liz did an amazing job of living completely in the moment and taking in their wedding day, for all the beauty that it was.

and there was i, a humble but thankful guest at the table of a jubilant celebration. i have so much sincere gratitude for the work i am given.

p&l, you were beyond gracious and generous, offering me the very best compliment i could have asked for. blessings to you two. always strive to love each other more than yourselves. you have reminded me once again why i love what i do.

-npe

wes + alex | wedding | birchwood farms golf & country club | harbor springs, mi

harbor springs was showing off. this past weekend, i had the privilege of spending the day in northern michigan with two wonderful, and incredibly generous people.

wes, a tennessee man and crazy talented musician, and alex, a beautiful native to michigan with an infectious smile...with these two, there were a few things that were bound to happen. southern hospitality. stunning portraits from a couple who light up the camera. and the best set of mash-up dj creations you have ever heard at a wedding.

what an awesome day! thank you w&a for inviting me along. even with the wind that wanted to join the wedding day fun, it was a perfect day. blessings my friends!

-npe

matt + andrea | wedding | blythefield country club | belmont, mi

this past march, andrea and her mom were in west michigan for a brief stay, and just happened to stop by the Amway Grand Hotel for the annual bridal show...and boy, am i so very glad they did! it was at this show that i had the fortunate privilege of running into them and starting a conversation that would eventually lead to the amazing opportunity of photographing their wedding! this past saturday at blythefield country club could not have been a more beautiful day* the clouds hung on in the morning long enough to keep it from getting too hot, and the sun peaked out in the midst of the ceremony to shine down on two incredible people.

both andrea and matt were a blessing to spend the day with.  They were grateful and aware of the moments happening around them, fully immersed in the joys and love surrounding them on their wedding day...and it was a breath of fresh air for me to witness it.

m&a, thank you for choosing me. i don't believe it was just by chance that we met, and i truly hope these images capture all the beauty you remember from such a wonderful day!

-npe

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

rob + kristen | wedding | ada, mi

i was thinking it right from the beginning....these two are models right? rob and kristen described it probably the best - 'we can be weird together, and we love it!'  it was a true honor to spend this past saturday with kristen and rob, and watch the joy and excitement they both shared in becoming husband and wife.

for me, there is nothing more powerful on a wedding day, than watching a groom's eyes tear up as he watches his bride walk down that long aisle to him, and for rob, it was no different!

and it has been a while since i have laughed that much on a wedding day - r&k, thanks for keeping me on my toes, for letting me join the party, and giving j-crew a run for their money, love you guys!

-npe

john + kelsey | engagement | ludington, michigan

what a privilege to be a part of john and kelsey's wedding story! these two are dear friends and our engagement session was certainly a blast because of it. it didn't take long for these two good lookin' folk to get their 'model' on and give me some amazing things to work with.  again, you two...i cannot thank you enough for the chance to capture these moments in your life together. 

and yes...it rained a lot. and it was wonderful.

peace and blessings my friends!

- npe

trent + morgan | wedding | grand rapids, michigan

i cannot say enough about how wonderful this day was. trent and morgan are kind, compassionate, genuine, stunning, and a joy to be around. ask anyone at their wedding and i am confident they would say the same. even in their engagement session, i could tell that these two would be something special to photograph.  their relationship is so very full of endearment for one another and it shows in the subtlest and most beautiful of ways. their comfort in front of the lens made my day simple and riveting...just trying to ready for the next incredible moment i was going to witness.

with an incredible wedding party and the love and trust of their families, these two became one on saturday. and it was an honor to be there.

m & t - grace and peace to you two. may our God richly bless your marriage!

- npe