A Winmock at Kinderton Wedding

Kristy and Matt’s wedding day was pure joy. These two invited us into their story, gave us their full trust, and let us capture each intimate moment of their day from beginning to end. The love these two have for one another is absolutely radiant. We’re so grateful they invited us to capture this day.

We love that this “job” of being photographers allows us to be witness to so many intimate moments in our couple’s day. Kristy has the sort of joyful spirit that’s completely infectious – we got to witness her joy and laughter as it spread to her bridesmaids and sisters-in-law-to-be. They poured over Matt and Kristy’s story book, one filled with photos and the tale of their friendship and love.

I asked Matt’s mom if she fell in love with Kristy the first time they met her. “We knew,” she told me. “We knew she was the one Matt was going to marry. They were just friends then, but when my husband and I went to bed that night, we both cried because we knew.” And Matt’s dad, his best man, told a similar version of the story during the reception – he told it with laughter in his voice – and he looked at Matt’s younger sisters, “Keri and Anna – I think we should choose who you marry too!”

We got to witness the sweet prayers Kristy’s bridesmaids and Matt’s groomsmen prayed over them before the ceremony. And the story Kristy’s mom shared with the girls, tears in her eyes. She shared some of her worries and fears about when Kristy left for college, and told them how she had prayed for a group of girls who Kristy could be friends with – girls that would love and support her. She pointed around at all the girls in the circle and shared how very grateful she was for each of them, how very grateful she was that her prayers had been answered and that they were seated before her, ready to stand alongside her daughter as she said her vows.

We held back tears during Matt and Kristy’s ceremony – the love and excitement between them was absolutely palpable.

Matt and Kristy decided not to do a first look, but they so valued having time for just the two of them. They were completely onboard with our vision and let us “do our thing” during that time before the reception. We see that “bride and groom portrait time” as so much more than just a time for taking photos. We aim to create a space for our couples to soak up the day together, to breathe for a moment and fully take in the sacredness and beauty of their day. It’s all too easy to allow that time to get swept away into family photos and bridal party portraits and then feel rushed to move along to the reception. Kristy and Matt made a point to tell us how important that time would be to them, and it made all the difference in their photos. We’re so very grateful for couples like Matt and Kristy who just “get it.” We left their wedding feeling refreshed and reminded of all the reasons why we love this thing we’re so blessed to call our “job.”

Enjoy Matt and Kristy’s day, as seen through our lenses.

Vendors:

Ceremony Venue: Hope Presbyterian Church

Reception Venue: Winmock at Kinderton

Coordinator: Jamie Southern

Hair/Makeup: Amy Gatewood – Updo’s Studio

Florist: Jennifer at Green Bee Floral Designs

Officiant: Josh Lindstrom

Ceremony Pianist: Brian Haskell

Programs and Table Numbers: Mackenzie Connelleen (friend of the bride)

Caterer: Triad Community Kitchen Catering

Cupcakes: Lauren Hoolehan

DJ: Mike Steffan at High Impact Entertainment

Photographer: Grain & Compass

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Jeremiah + Juliana // A Detroit Wedding Film

It’s hard to put into words how immensely special it was to film this day for Juliana and Jeremiah. Their day was filled with pure, overwhelming, and overflowing joy.

Tim and I worked at summer camp with Juliana several years ago and I had the privilege of being her “unit leader,” essentially a mentor for her and several other girls over the summer. It was so meaningful to celebrate and join in the joy of Juliana and Jeremiah’s day. I sat for a few moments with the other girls from my Unit during the reception, and we just looked across the table at one another, joy and happy tears filling our eyes at the beauty of this day.

When you’ve been in the trenches together – even just for a season, when you’ve served together, prayed together, rejoiced and grieved together, when you’ve walked alongside one another through joy and through pain – it makes a day like this one that much more meaningful.

I love the words that Jeremiah’s dad shared with the two of them during the ceremony. He gave them three important things to remember as they enter into marriage. 1. Believe that you were formed for one another. 2. Be best friends forever. 3. Treat each other as equals. These three things together form such a beautiful picture of what marriage should be.

The love that Jeremiah and Juliana have for one another is so sweet and intentional. Each piece of their ceremony reflected this intentionality – we chose to open the film with their vows because of how carefully thought-out they were. Juliana and Jeremiah’s words simply set the tone for the rest of their day.

These two got married against the backdrop of Detroit – a city they’ve fallen in love with. They had their ceremony in a gorgeous historic church and the reception at the classic Detroit Yacht Club – a beautiful space out on Belle Isle, overlooking the Detroit skyline. And that reception. Man oh man did we have a celebration on our hands. I have never seen a dance floor fill up so quickly before – you’ll see it in the film – a little surprise choreography and then BAM everyone else joined in. Epic is the only way I know how to describe it. The feeling of being in that room and experiencing that overflow of joy was unbelievable.

All that being said, I pray this film reflects even just a fraction of the beauty and depth and joy of Jeremiah and Juliana’s wedding day.

Jeremiah + Juliana // A Detroit Wedding from Grain & Compass on Vimeo.

Hair + Makeup: Detroit Glam

Ceremony Venue: Hope Community Church

Flowers: Viviano Flower Shop, Eastern Farmers Market

Officiant: Jeremiah Lepasana Sr.

Reception Venue: Detroit Yacht Club

Caterer: Detroit Yacht Club

DJ: Matthew Sakdalan

Photography: Robert Tunberg Photography

Videography: Grain & Compass

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Lauren + Andrew // In their first home // Phoenix, Arizona

We just adore these two. Lauren and I were roommates in college and we got to visit her and her husband in Phoenix this summer. We had an amazing time exploring Phoenix with them for a few days and eating at all their favorite restaurants. We’re already trying to figure out the next time we can make it back to Arizona!

Lauren and Andrew are the kind of people that care deeply for those around them. They ask good questions and are passionately curious. The night before we did this photo shoot with them, they asked us about our business, our philosophy, why we do what we do, and where we find meaning in our work. Sometimes it’s hard to put words to those things, but we’re finding it more and more valuable as we continue on our entrepreneurial journey. Sometimes I feel that sharing all the “why” behind what we do with our couples will spoil the actual experience of being photographed – but now I realize I’m very wrong in that. As we shared with Lauren and Andrew, and they got more excited and enthusiastic for the work we do, Lauren exclaimed “I can’t wait for you guys to photograph us!”

Over the past several months, we’ve begun putting more words to the work that we do. We’ve been crafting a way of working with our couples that not only captures beautiful photos and video, but also creates an experience for them. The couples that are willing to trust us and let us do what we are passionate about end up with photos that reflect something beautiful, intimate, and I would even venture to say sacred. When we’re able to create an environment that draws our couples closer to one another, and they’re willing to come along for the adventure, that is when we know we’re doing exactly what we’re meant to.

Through the experience of sharing our “why” with Lauren and Andrew, and then photographing them the next day, we left feeling so encouraged and so right with everything we do. Between the laughter, the sweet tears, and the quiet intimate moments, Lauren and Andrew let us see them. They let their guards down and let us photograph them. The real them. What a rare gift. We are so grateful.

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The Adams // A Family Session at Holden Beach

Happy Friday you guys! Have anything fun planned for the weekend? A trip to a museum or the farmer’s market, staying at home with a good book, or perhaps a trip to the mountains or the beach?

I had a fantastic time with the Adams a while back during their annual family trip to the beach! You might recognize them from Lauren and David’s wedding we filmed quite a while ago! I got to spend the day playing with sand between my toes and salty air in my hair, capturing memories for this sweet family. It was so special to hear their stories throughout the day – especially the legacy of the grandparents (now great-grandparents) and the sweet, enduring love they have for one another. It truly was a joy for me to capture four generations of this family, to be there for nap time and snack time, to experience the ebbs and flows of the day, to walk and sit on the beach together and share stories, and even to stay for dinner and chat late into the evening while munching on copious amounts of homemade popcorn.

Thank you, friends, for inviting me into your family for a day to capture these moments for you.

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Steph + Thad // A Wisconsin Wedding

Steph and Thad’s love simply radiates from them. Their first look was one of our favorites we’ve ever done because they simply loved on one another the entire time. We hardly had to give these two any direction, their love is just that electric. A few minutes into their first look, Thad (who was a little hesitant to do a first look), exclaimed “I LOVE the first look!!” And that, folks, is why we highly recommend our couples see one another before the ceremony. Besides the obvious fact that more time equals more photos, you get to soak up your wedding day with the one you’re marrying. We’ve never ever had couples say “oh I wish we didn’t do a first look!” Nope. It’s always the opposite. Always always. So, Steph and Thad – we’re so very grateful you two did a first look. These moments of the two of you together are so precious. Thank you for letting us capture them for you.

One of the sweetest surprises of Steph and Thad’s day was the song they played as she walked down the aisle. Steph shared with us that she’d acted hesitant to use Canon in D for her processional as it’s such a traditional piece. She kept telling Thad she wanted something a little less standard. Both Steph and Thad’s parents got married at the same church and that song is the same one that each of their moms walked down the aisle to. On top of that, when Thad was born, he wasn’t breathing – his father Rodney held him in his arms and sang Canon in D as he prayed for God to intervene and spare his baby’s life. Thad began breathing shortly after. Canon in D has such special significance for both of their families, so Steph kept her processional song a secret from Thad and surprised him with it as the doors opened and her father walked her down the aisle.