Elizabeth and Joe’s summer wedding at Downtown Market in Grand Rapids was one of my favorites of 2022. Their wedding took a lot of trust and communication, with everything being planned from over 8000 miles away!! Elizabeth and Joe are both teachers in Thailand, Elizabeth teaches third grade, and Joe teaches middle school sciences and high school Biology.

Their wedding day started with getting ready at City Girl Farmhouse, with the ladies inside and the guys getting ready outside and in the bunk house. Since we were taking all the wedding party photos before the ceremony, Elizabeth and Joe had a first look in the backyard. Joe’s reaction was so sweet, and of course a little silly. After their first look, we boarded the trolley and headed downtown Grand Rapids for portraits.

Elizabeth and Joe’s ceremony took place in the greenhouse surrounded by greenery and florals. Their ceremony was so special with Elizabeth’s aunt being their officiant and Joe’s sister being a speaker.

Their reception space was just as magical as the ceremony! Elizabeth had her students write what love means to them and used the quotes as table numbers.

I asked Elizabeth and Joe how they met, “We met Downtown Grand Rapids, when Elizabeth was driving her roommates to the B.O.B. Still not twenty-one, Joe graciously offered Elizabeth his wristband so she could join in on the fun. Seeing that Elizabeth was the designated driver, and being the clever comedian that Joe was, he ordered her a gin & tonic... hold the gin. Unable to deny his witty sense of humor, Elizabeth agreed to a first date (dairy queen & pranking his roommate).”

I also asked about their proposal, “On their annual trip to Luang Prabang, as the sun began to set over the distant mountains of the Mekong River, a very nervous Joe got on one knee and asked Elizabeth to marry him. Without hesitation she said yes. To celebrate they ordered a coconut from the same shop Obama ordered a coconut from when he visited Laos.”

After cake cutting was dances, Joe LOVES to dance so I knew their first dance was going to be fun. For the rest of the formal dances Elizabeth danced with her dad, step-dad and mom, Joe danced with his mom and grandma.

I can’t thank Elizabeth and Joe enough for having me as their wedding photographer. The whole day was full of love and celebration!

Vendors:

Photographer: Sydney Marie Photography
Planner: Paper Hat Weddings
Florist: Joy and Bloom
Venue: Downtown Market Grand Rapids
DJ: Moments in Time
Catering: Marthas
Transportation: Affordable Limos

Couples review:

“We hired Sydney as our Wedding photographer, but she was truly so much more. My husband and I were planning our Grand Rapids wedding from out of the country. Sydney was beyond accommodating to our scheduling needs and was incredible communicator. On the day of, Sydney made us feel so comfortable in front of the camera with encouraging words and helpful poses. But more than anything, Sydney captured the most authentic and beautiful moments from our special day. I love how she embraces color and sought out to capture moments of love and joy. I would highly recommend that you hire her to photograph your wedding.”