Nate & Kelsey's wedding has been in the works for a long time. Do you remember their zombie apocalypse engagement photos?
Their wedding was just as awesome! There is nothing I love more than seeing my friends from high school get married except being able to capture their big day through my lens. Click to enlarge the photos.
I met Kelsey at her hotel room to capture her getting ready moments. Getting ready including the usual - getting dressed, frantic phone calls and jumping on the bed to relieve some stress!
They held their outdoor ceremony and in-barn reception at Celery Flats on the west side of Michigan - it's an adorable venue and perfectly suited to their personalities. Kelsey finished getting ready inside and I met Nate outside - did I mention he was rocking a kilt?! Kelsey & Nate shared a moment beforehand without breaking tradition by wrapping themselves around a tree. Kelsey came outside while Nate was blindfolded and we got her into position out of Nate's line of sight. It was a sweet moment that seemed to calm both of their nerves.
The ceremony soon got underway. They were married by an officer in the Salvation Army, since Kelsey's mom is highly involved in the organization. Everything started with a traditional Scottish disarming ceremony - each of Nate's groomsmen removed a weapon from his person. Nate explained to me earlier that being physically vulnerable symbolized how you must make yourself spiritually and emotionally vulnerable before God and the one you love. After the ceremony, the weapons are returned to him in a rearming ceremony.
There was a funny moment during the ceremony when they were reciting their handwritten vows. Nate had just finishing reciting his from memory/off the cuff, when Kelsey whipped out typed, full-page vows of her own!
After the ceremony, there was the "placing of the colors," where Nate gives Kelsey a sash that is the same tartan (or plaid) as his kilt - officially bringing her into the family!
After the ceremony, we took some portraits. Nate & Kelsey's bridal party were a lot of fun and jumped at the chance to take some funny pictures. We walked around the premises and captured the exhilaration that comes from just getting hitched! PS - check out Kelsey's unique amber ring. It's absolutely beautiful! Also, Kelsey made all of the paper flower in her bouquet by herself - they're made of maps and sheets of music.
After portraits, we walked back to the barn where the reception was taking place. They had a grilled cheese bar where guests could create their own cheesey, gooey delicious concoction and some of the most delicious cupcakes I have ever had for dessert! (Bailey's frosting and chocolate ganache anyone?!) They even had one giant cupcake to cut
At the very end, Nate & Kelsey and their guests released paper lanterns - it wasn't quite dark out, but they were very pretty as they floated up to the sky and everyone had a lot of fun letting them go!