And so begins a string of August wedding blogs & the last of our wedding season.  I’m partially biased to August since Adam and I were married in this month.  It was also the month where our family made an annual trip to Florida to see our siblings and spend time with them at Disney World (a definite tie with getting married).  This year, August brought a great many reasons to celebrate: the birth of a new nephew, celebrating our second anniversary, photographing a gorgeous wedding at our own venue, and today’s special memory feature… Lance and Amber‘s wedding day!

We finalized their wedding contract a year ago this month and planning with these two has been such a breeze!  These two high-school & college sweethearts make a gorgeous couple and even better soul mates.  Their day began with Amber and her Mama getting ready at Nature’s Envy in Grand Haven.  (The staff was so friendly, I went back a few weeks later and had a massage!)

So many of our brides this year have had such thick, gorgeous hair!  I had no idea how Amber was planning on wearing her hair for the wedding day, but oh, was I blown away!

Nature’s Envy has a fun, eco-friendly accent wall made up of shipping paper crumpled & stapled to the wall; what fun, eye-catching piece when you first walk in.

Seriously, girl.  Stunning.<3

Amber and Lance were married at the Trillium Event Center in Spring Lake, Michigan.  I had photographed a wedding here as an assistant last year, and I was more than happy to return with Adam as the primary photographer.  Their grounds are always so lush and the beach is only a few minutes away (something we took advantage of after the ceremony!).

Isn’t her ring just draw-dropping?!  I love the uniqueness of it, the slight swirl, and the way it looks on her finger, of course. ; )

While Lance was getting ready in one room…

(all stylish too in layers of grey and pops of yellow!)

I was with this excited bride-to-be!

Every time I see these two pictures…oh, fall to pieces.  GORG.

First Looks are my favorite!  We had plenty of time for bridal party pictures, family pictures, and had enough time after the ceremony to sneak away to the beach…just us four.<3

Mmm, their priceless reactions did not disappoint!

And while Lance was getting his boutonniere pinned on, I spent some time alone with Amber.  Obsessing over her dress, her flowers, and how everything in her life was about to get a million times better.  Nothing compares to the excitement on the day you marry your best friend and are surrounded by those who love you and want to celebrate your love.

Sassy bridal parties are my favorite.

They were married in Trillium’s ballroom and handed out these amazing programs.

simply BEAMING, Mr. & Mrs!

Since they opted for a First Look (wink, wink), we had all sorts of time after the ceremony to pop over to the beach for a few portraits of these two, all just-married and such.  All our weddings this year had beautiful weather that allowed for an incredible portrait time.

These next three…oh my stars.<3

swooooon.

Yellow was popular this year, and I can see why!  Such vibrance and joy!

Lance played college basketball and Amber was a dancer.  You think you’ve seen the best entrance?  You haven’t seen ‘nothin yet!

No clinking of glasses here!  If you want a kiss, you better not miss! ; )

Adam and I were seated at this table, and I’m totally including this picture in their wedding feature because the story behind their friendship is SO cool!  They all met while studying abroad (and each living in different parts of the country).  They made a pact to get together every time one of them was to get married…five more reunions, ladies! : )  SO FUN!

perfection.

Sometimes, couples choose to do a bridal party dance to get everyone going.  Cool, cool.  We expected this.

WAIT, NO.  We were not expecting THIS!

An entire choreographed mash-up that had everyone excited!

best.dance.party.ever.

a little break for some bouquet & garter catching (gymnastic skills required!).

then a mega-party we SO didn’t want to leave…

followed by a beautiful happy ever after.

—

Oh, how we enjoyed working with both of you!  Laid back, comfortable, and in love.  The perfect pairing.  Thank you for choosing us to capture the memories of your day.  You are well-loved by many and certainly know how to GET THINGS STARTED!  We know your marriage will be as bomb-diggity (did I just type that?!) as your wedding day!
xo, the Burnetts.