I mentioned on Facebook the other day that every season, we seem to photograph one couple whom we believe are our best friends.  We chat like we’ve known each other for years, joke in the same manner, and genuinely adore them enough to go out together as friends…without contracts, retainers, and a DSLR camera.  Adam and I were so lucky that our “best friend couple” of 2013 just happened to have a wedding weekend extravaganza (we love those!) that lasted both Friday and Saturday!  Have I intrigued you yet?!  Did you guess them?! (Oops, I bet the title gave that away…)  Meet Lizzy and Greg: high-school sweethearts, real-life sweethearts, from families of sweethearts.  Phew!

On June 22, I met Lizzy in downtown St. Joseph, Michigan, at Salon DeVoir.  I had met with her only days before to iron out a wedding day timeline, and I knew lots of ends needed to be tied up: mainly finishing her wedding gown! (More to come on that…) But Lizzy – even on the day most brides declare to be theirs – always displayed the utmost of selflessness.  Her love of family was evident while she checked their every need…even if that meant letting them know its okay they forgot the wedding flowers (Which were retrieved!  She did not go bouquet-less!) and genuinely meaning every word she meant.  It was no surprise that I photographed her getting ready, Lizzy made it a point to wait for her mama’s hair to be photographed too.  But, yes, back to the pictures:

I adored Lizzy’s curled & braided up-do and side-swept bangs.  Those tiny braids weaved in get me every time!

I adored the exposed brick of Salon DeVoir; the urban complemented the ornamental frames and extravagant furniture perfectly!

Lizzy wore her both her mother’s veil and wedding dress.  What a precious sight it must’ve been for her Mama to watch her daughter walk down the aisle in her own wedding gown.  Lizzy was the perfect mixture of modern and traditional.

And Greg?  He’s quite the stud.  Not only did the guys go out to shooting range in the morning; but then he put on his argyle socks, beautifully leathered watch, and his suit.  Class and manliness.  I approve.

I can see why Lizzy finds him so charming.

breathtaking…

A moment with her daddy.<3
I love when brides request a First Look with their father.

Both Greg and Lizzy wrote notes for each other to read before their First Look.  This part always gets me so excited!

FIRST LOOK!

Don’t mind me.  Just falling to pieces over these two.

Rose bushes, a garden trellis, two people desperately in love.

Never quite seen joy like this.<3

On Friday, they were married in front of only their dearest family in a beautiful outdoor ceremony (love those!).  Lizzy chose her mom as matron of honor while Greg chose his sister to stand next to him at the altar.

Lizzy sent these “I’M GETTING MARRIED!” looks at the camera a few times during the ceremony.  So happy to capture this!

Married!

…moments after.  I love capturing these first few moments as husband & wife.

Another one of many reasons why I’m absolutely smitten with these two is their sense of humor and candidness in front of the camera.  Aren’t you?!

Lizzy’s simplistic all white bouquet accented the day perfectly.  And mixed with Greg’s shotgun shell boutonnière?!  FUN!

After a few toasts and on their way to a small dinner, we stopped at the place Greg proposed — Froggy Fountain — for a few more photos.  One of St. Joseph’s many parks tucked away in between historical houses and cobblestone roads.

 I hope it goes without saying how much we adored being able to capture your wedding day.  You two were the most fun to work with, and I can’t wait to share part two of your wedding weekend!