Bri & Nate, Wedding in Sturgis {Michigan Wedding Photographer}

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Matthew 7:25

This is a very fitting verse for Bri & Nate’s wedding day. No matter how much rain poured down, they never lost sight of what really mattered and the commitment they were making to one another (and the smiles never stopped coming). Rain or shine, at the end of the day they were MARRIED! Woohoo!

Bri & Nate are total sweethearts. We knew the weekend was off to a great start when we arrived at our hotel to find an anniversary gift and some wedding day essentials: a box of granola bars and giant cans of Red Bull. They sure know what we need to keep us going through a wedding day! It was our anniversary weekend & not only did they remember, they took the time out of their crazy busy wedding weekend to buy us flowers!

Their wedding sure didn’t disappoint. Start to finish it was full of personal touches, joy, enthusiasm, and many happy memories!

Bri’s wedding dress was a tea length, amazing online find that she had her mom customize (including adding pockets!). She handmade her bouquet, the bridesmaids bouquets, and the boutonnieres. Her maid of honor brought a hair comb with her from Japan for Bri to use. And of course the bird cage veil was the perfect accent to top off the look. So classic & pretty.

Nate’s mom’s house was the perfect setting for the girls to finish up getting ready. We grabbed a few portraits of Bri on the cute brick street out front before heading out to see her soon-to-be hubby.

I absolutely adore this next series of images. We went to a local Christmas tree farm, Currier Acres, for Bri & Nate’s first look and some photos with the bridal party. Can’t you just feel their excitement as they are trying to get a peek at each other?! Nate literally ran to her once he finally laid eyes on her!

The wedding party selected their own attire and the look was pulled together with buffalo plaid scarves that Bri made for the bridesmaids.

Then we were off to Sturgis Missionary Church for the ceremony. You may recognize the cute arch/arbor creation (now dubbed the “love hut”) that Nate made for his romantic proposal to Bri in Frankenmuth. They painted it white and exchanged vows beneath it.

Nate’s nephew, one of the hosts, took Bri a tissue during the ceremony as she was getting emotional. What a sweet moment!

Following the ceremony we took some formal family portraits. Annnnd…then the rain started, and pretty much didn’t stop the rest of the evening. A lot of couples in this situation would consider eliminating some of the photos we had planned for this time of the two of them. Not these two! We had planned on visiting Plumb Lake County Park and that’s exactly what we did, rain and all. I am so glad we did and I am sure they will be as well when they relive their wedding day through their photos. It was challenging for them (Bri’s poor feet and Nate’s suit were soaked by the end) and a bit tricky for us to try to keep our equipment as dry as possible. But we had a wonderful time and this was all part of their wedding day memories. Instead of wishing the weather would cooperate, they made the most of it. Just like at their rainy engagement session, they proved that having photos of their relationship & special day is worth a little bit of inconvenience.  Two of their groomsmen, Karl & Chris, joined us for their portrait session and were absolute troopers. What amazing friends!

We headed back to the church grounds for their outdoor reception, full of personal details. They served bruschetta and Mediterranean salad and had an Italian soda bar to incorporate their honeymoon destination. Most of their decorations were made by the couple or family members. They also used the cake topper that Nate’s parents used at their wedding. Speaking of Nate’s mom, she’s the one that can take credit for that amazing cake!

Everyone had an amazing time dancing the night away! Of course we had to sneak into a photo with the happy couple.

Congratulations, Nate & Bri! We love you both and are so very thankful that we were able to be a part of your amazing wedding day! God’s blessings to you always!

-Beth & Mike