Nick & Erin
I had the honor of capturing both the first and the second weddings of Nick & Erin, who are now good friends of mine. The groom and I went to the same elementary school growing up, we lost touch, and reconnected years later on the west side of Michigan. Now I visit their chiropractic center after all my jobs so they can fix me back up!
The bride and groom's story began in Marietta, Georgia where Nick and Erin had both started Chiropractic College. With Nick being from Michigan and Erin from Canada, they were both far from their homes, family, and friends. They traveled to Michigan and Ontario to spend time with each other’s families and started to dream about what their lives together could look like once they graduated. They moved to Western Michigan together to do their final internships at chiropractic school. Then 2020 hit. In March 2020 they were supposed to travel back to Georgia with both of their families for graduation, but the world had other ideas. Not only was their graduation canceled due to Covid, but Nick’s plan to propose to Erin while we were there also got delayed – he had to sweat it out a little more waiting for the perfect time!!
A couple months later Nick got down on one knee while on a hike at the beautiful Saugatuck Sand Dunes. It was a beautiful moment between just the two of them and Erin of course said YES! As 2020 rolled into 2021 the pandemic didn’t seem to be slowing down and the likelihood of them being able to have a big wedding with family and friends seemed unlikely. So in the midst of the craziness, they decided to get officially married on February 15th, 2021 at the courthouse in Grand Haven.
Their dream was still to have a wedding celebration with family and friends coming together from across Canada and the USA. Last year they started to plan their “Redo, I do”! They found the perfect venue at the enchanting St. Clair Inn, asked their favorite people to be in the wedding party, and invited all the people they love the most to join them. It was a stark contrast from their first wedding which took place in the dead of winter, but their spark hasn't faded at all.
Starting the day
Erin and her bridesmaids started the day with hair, makeup, and veil preparations. Once she put on her stunning wedding dress from Martina Liana Luxe, she walked down the stairs to do a first look with her grandparents. The looks on their face will go down as one of the highlights of this wedding for me.
Meanwhile, Nick spent precious moments with his family and groomsmen. His mother got to put his flower on his Wesner Tuxedo and when he gave them each surprise presents, there wasn't a dry eye in the room.
CEREMONY
The outdoor ceremony overlooking the St. Clair River, with Canada on the other side, was a touching tribute to the bride's Canadian roots. The weather was beautiful, and the bride walking down the aisle with her father was a perfect moment.
BRIDAL PARTY PORTRAITS
Once the Ceremony ended we explored the beautiful grounds of the St. Clair Inn. This venue is full of incredible locations to shoot including this authentic speakeasy. As soon as I saw the room I knew we had to shoot the groom like he was the Godfather.
RECEPTION
Once we finished the Bridal Party photos, it was time for the party to start! Nick and Erin decided to do their first dance out on the terrace where all of their guests could circle around them. It was a beautiful moment. After their dance they popped open a bottle of champagne they had been saving since their first wedding which was very touching.
As the sun started going down the party was ramping up. The speeches by Nick's brothers and Erin's sister had the whole reception hall laughing and crying. The formal dances were amazing and the bride's mother even came out for a surprise dance that really got the crowd going! I have been to a lot of weddings, but I don't think I have ever seen a dance floor that full.
This wedding was a special one for me as I have known the grooms family my whole life. I am honored that they let me be a part of their special day and love that I was able to provide these images they will be able to look back on for years to come.
About the Photographer
The Short Creative is your go-to photography service nestled in the lively heart of Metro Detroit, Michigan. We take pride in encapsulating timeless and offbeat weddings, crafting a distinctive blend of traditional portraiture and candid moments that authentically portray your special day. We believe in celebrating the uniqueness of our couples because no two love stories are the same, so your wedding photos should not be either. Our style is a vibrant celebration of life's bold colors, turning each photograph into a memory that will last a lifetime.
Are you on the journey to the aisle? While we primarily serve MI, our love for capturing love knows no bounds and we're always ready to travel! Click here to view our wedding portfolio or reach out here to check our availability. Your extraordinary love story deserves nothing less than extraordinary memories!