So this one goes back…..way back….to the first wedding I ever photographed, as an assistant for another talented photographer. It was at that wedding that I met the Stansberry & Charnitski families, and began a seven year journey of becoming close friends, maybe even “framily” with these wonderful people.
Along the journey, I got to know Courtland and Courtney, a wonderful couple navigating life together. When they got engaged I was super hopeful I would be asked to be a part of their day….and I was! Last July early on a summer morning, I did their engagement photos on a foggy morning on the same beach where they were to be married a year later. Unfortunately, due to the crazy winter we had, the beach pretty much disappeared!! Some quick thinking (and careful planning) and some raking of dune grass, and their beautiful wedding was STILL going to be on the beach, albeit a slightly more elevated section.
This was our first wedding after our beautiful daughter was born, and thanks to our long-standing relationship with this family, Ellie & her grandma were able to spend the day at the house with us, so we were never very far away from her. AND she got to meet Charlotte, born just three days after she was!
But back to the fun stuff. The details/floral were amazing, and were a combination of the talent of Elements of Elegance and Courtney’s on vision. She had collected these beautiful dried pods, spray painted them gold, and Courtland had used his amazing skill at creating driftwood furniture to add the beach touch they love so much.
As the girls got ready upstairs, the guys cleaned up the beach and hung out on the lower floor. The excitement was on every level of the house – we had all waited for this day for a long time.
They said their vows overlooking the beach where Courtland grew up, and were surrounded by so many loving friends and family – both here, and in sprit by some dear loved ones. It was such a lovely ceremony – in a location that so many of us love, looking over our beautiful Lake Michigan. But what made it beautiful that day wasn’t the beach….or the waves…it was the love we saw between C&C, and being witness to such a happy day for so many people.
From the ceremony we made our way to Spring Lake Country Club for a lovely dinner, tearful and joyful toasts, and some fabulous dancing (especially by all the nieces and nephews.
Court & Court – we are looking forward to endless summers celebrating with you!
Love Dan, Lynell & Ellie