I first met Paulita when she was the Maid of Honor for my sweet Megan’s wedding – and met someone full of vitality and personality. Lucky me when I was asked to photograph her wedding a few years later (and Megan was the Maid of Honor for this one!). I just love fall weddings in Michigan, and this late October one was beautiful, if a little bit chilly & windy that day.

We started our morning with the respective parties – me with the girls at one home, Dan with the guys at another. The girls crowded in the master bathroom, and it was a flurry of curls, pins, nails and makeup, and a lot of laughter! We then met back up at their church, which we could have walked to from our house – I had no idea such a beautiful church was tucked back just around the corner from us.

Their ceremony was personal, fun, and entertaining…..I can honestly say their priest was one of the more engaging ones we have ever heard, and he made their ceremony one that many enjoyed.

After the ceremony we went to the beautiful Wallinwood Country Club in Jenison (which is where Chris’ family lives), bundled up and froze our way out onto the golf course on golf carts, while guests mingled during the cocktail reception.

When the reception kicked off, it was clear this was a big family affair….and the kids were going to have a riot of a good time. The dance floor was never empty, and there was SO much fun being had, tasty cookies, and did I mention dancing? (It’s a good thing that was a very strong floor.)

While the celebration was fun, the most beautiful part of the day was seeing how these two people are loved by so many. The family stories, the welcomes, the toasts, and the way people became one large family that day.

Paulita & Chris, may your life and your family continue to grow and be even more blessed than it was on your wedding day.