{Dan & Audrey} - Grand Rapids wedding photographer

The majority of my blog posts start with words of happiness and joy….this one is going to be a little more somber to start. We would like to offer our sincere condolences to Dan’s family on the loss of his step-mother, Tonya Reagan, who passed away unexpectedly the day after the wedding. Our hearts hurt with yours, and we pray for healing, understanding, and peace for all of you in this difficult time.

I hope these images bring you some joy in the meantime, for Dan & Audrey’s wedding was one filled with joy & laughter – for it was a true celebration of love. I didn’t get to meet Audrey until two days before the wedding, and Dan on the wedding day, as they live in Denver, Colorado. I adored her immediately, and spending time getting to know her and her mother, Deb, was a treat. They are an Air Force family (near and dear to my own heart!), and I understand full well what it’s like to live far away from your loved ones. This was not only a wedding, but a reunion for them.

Saturday morning started with a last minute bridal shower for Audrey, then she and I met at the salon while she relaxed and got all gussied up for her big day. Off to her hotel room to capture some beautiful details, and a little mini-shoot just for Dan (no sneak peaks here folks!). As Audrey’s bridesmaids finished getting ready, we took the short trek from the Amway Grand hotel (during Art Prize no less) over to Fountain Street Church, where Audrey & Dan would speak their vows.

After a very touching ceremony, a couple of horse-drawn carriages took the wedding party around the block for a quick trip. We (in the second carriage) would all like to thank our horse for the lovely “send off” he gave us….it was memorable, that’s for sure.

Some family photos….some group photos…and some lovely moments with just Dan & Audrey (and me and Dan). It was hard to stop taking photos of these two…I mean COME ON. Does it get much more beautiful? And a uniform? Sgt Swoon in the house!

One of the things I loved about this wedding & reception were all the goofy & fun moments shared between Audrey and Dan. I tried to get some sweet/standard/classic photos of the cake cutting, but was blocked by Audrey’s apparent love of cake. And she REALLY loved that cake. There were so many times for laughter, mustaches, and even a little flash mob-dance that Audrey’s family orchestrated!

So while the weeks following this beautiful wedding have brought many tears, I hope that the joy shared by Audrey & Dan will be remembered by the family friends as they view these images.

Audrey & Dan – thank you for being so fun to work with (even though I kept calling you Andrew all afternoon!). We had a blast…and who knows, maybe a trip to Denver IS in order some day!

– Lynell & Dan