Two weeks ago, we both left our typical Southeast Michigan photographer hats at home and embarked on a 4 hour long road trip up north to be Ashley and Brian’s Alpena Wedding Photographer Team for the day. We first chatted with Ashley via Skype and the phone earlier this year, and had been looking forward to their wedding all summer because we seriously love exploring the amazing state that we live in, and early autumn was the perfect time to drive up north and be awed at the amazing show that mother nature puts on every year in Michigan. Alpena is a tiny little town in northern Michigan, located directly on Lake Huron. It’s awesome to live south on the same lake (at the mouth of it, in fact!) and see how vast and wide the Great Lakes are, and how much “land” they cover, because Alpena was like a whole different climate and state when we were up there. On the day of Ashley and Brian’s wedding, it was slightly cloudy, which gave us the most beautiful skies during their early afternoon portraits and first look, and then as the ceremony came, it progressively got colder. The entire bridal party were totally champs though, and grinned and looked lovingly at the couple as they said their vows to one another and sealed their love with a kiss under a giant oak tree on the river front.

Ashley and Brian have an adorable love story, and met in college and have gone on many adventures together ever since. Brian had a completely amazing bachelor trip up to Alaska, and caught wild halibut that they served to their guests at their reception (and it was amazing!) They both live in the Tawas area along with many of their family and bridal party, so it was also fun to experience the “destination wedding” vibe along with everyone else, and exploring new remote areas. Ashley and Brian chose to do a first look, which we seriously love because it’s so intimate and loving. Brian’s reaction was classic, and one for the books for sure, complete with him telling Ashley to do a spin (that we took about 13 million photos of) and his face when he looked at his soon-to-be-wife was the best thing ever.

Their venue, and florals, and theme was all executed perfectly, and the details were seriously on point for the venue, season, and their personality. We had an amazing weekend being their Alpena Wedding Photographer, and hope you enjoy this small preview into their wedding and festivities. If you’re looking for a Northern Michigan wedding photographer team, we would love to chat! 

Venue: The Fletcher Street Depot