tyler + alia | wedding | crystal mountain, mi

lets just say there were a lot of tears shed this past saturday...the best kind of tears*

alia and tyler truly wear their hearts on their sleeves...and to watch them take in their wedding day, moment by moment, was really quite beautiful. when i first met these two for their engagement session up in manistee, right away i knew they would be a blast to work with! and the transition from hired hand to friend seemed to me as seamless as ever....and that made for a really spectacular day, really!

i know i might say it a lot, but northern michigan absolutely put on a show with a forecast of perfection, from start to finish.  the bluest of skies, the nearest of family, the dearest of friends, the stunning beauty of the crystal mountain resort and spa made for a day to remember!

t&a, thank you for being completely and wholly yourselves on your wedding day. for embracing the emotions of the day and allowing me to capture those moments that hopefully will remain close to your heart and in your head for years to come.  your gracious words were so very encouraging and i am so thankful for the opportunity i had to witness your wedding.

all the very best!

-npe

david + kathryn | wedding | the peninsula room | traverse city, mi

there truly is something magical about traverse city in the summer and fall.  i remember the first time my wife and i stumbled upon old mission peninsula. having grown up on the west coast, northern michigan was a mysterious land of beauty i had only heard about...but upon witnessing the stunning landscape of the peninsula, with is rolling hills, lush vineyards, and incredible views of lake michigan, i finally realized what people were always raving about!

well, fast forward a few years to just over a week ago, and i found myself amid those very rolling hills, documenting the wedding day of david and kathryn, and what a stunning day it was. these two were such a pleasure to spend the day with - enjoying every moment of their wedding day. you could certainly tell they were living with eyes wide open and full hearts! even david, who had told me pictures were not his thing, had joy written on his face all day...you could certainly tell these two loved each other tremendously!

from our beginnings at the grand traverse resort and spa all the way to their romantic reception at the elegant peninsula room on old mission peninsula..it was day full of celebration* katie and david's retriever paisley even made a cameo and smiled for the camera! and with the stunning details, gorgeous flowers, and organization from jenn of modern day floral events and design, it was an evening to remember!

d&k, thank you so very much for inviting me up to beautiful traverse city for such an incredible day. from your engagement session to the sparkler send off at your wedding, it has been an honor to get to know you! blessings in your marriage as you move into a new and exciting chapter!

all the best,

npe

michael + marci | wedding | the homestead | glen arbor, mi

sometimes there is a little distance between my clients and i, and as much as meeting in person is something that i love to do as often as i can...sometimes a skpye chat with my couples is the next best thing.

such was the start of my relationship with mike and marci, getting to know each other a bit via the wonder of technology. and when the day came, the physical distance we had shared before their wedding seemed to fade away instantly. i felt like an old friend, reunited for the privilege of witnessing a new chapter in their lives.

marci looked absolutely stunning in her dress, and mike wore his suit like a pro, channeling his inner model to make one gorgeous couple, inside and out. every detail in the day sung...stretching views of the lake...vibrant shades of green and blue...rolling hills of northern michigan splendor...a perfect day!

thank you again m+m...so very happy for you two. love each other well, as i know you will...always putting the other first, in everything. blessings!

- npe

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

parker+lindsay engagement {love.on.the.lakeshore}

i first met lindsay when she was a bridesmaid in a friend's wedding last winter. it was a beautiful february day in michigan with a wedding party that was kind enough to brave the cold for some outdoor shots. well...i have to say, for me it is a really special compliment when a former bridesmaid or groomsman in a wedding i shot asks me to be a part of their very own wedding. i was thrilled when lindsay first contacted me and it was great to hear how her and parker's love story has played out. parker just graduated from the naval academy...yeah, talk about awesome! and even though he didn't bring along a uniform for our engagement session, i could tell that this was a guy who could command a room. my hope was that by the end of our session, his smiles might start to come naturally - parker, you'll have to tell me if i succeeded, haha!

thanks for a great morning on the lakeshore my friends - trust me, this coming year will fly by! can't wait for your wedding day*

- npe