Wedding: Raechel + Josh

Let me just say, this is going to be my longest blog post yet with the most images to date.  Hopefully, you think that’s a good thing, ’cause I sure do.  This past weekend I went up to Oscoda, MI to photograph Raechel and Josh’s beach wedding.  This was my first beach wedding and must say it was weird, but nice to be running around in bare feet.  I had been really excited for their big day since I photographed their e-session in East Lansing a couple weeks back.  Their day started off really beautiful and actually didn’t change much until about 20 minutes after the ceremony, when it started pouring and only stopped for a few minutes a few times throughout the time there was daylight.  We had to rush to get some pics in in between the rain.  Fortunately, for Raechel, Josh and I, we were planning on doing a day after session on Sunday, so we used that time to get some killer shots of the lovely bride and groom.

The ceremony and location took place at the MaiTiki Resort in Oscoda, MI.  This place was cute and had awesome little cottages in like a bazillion colors.  If you know me, you know I love rainbow colors and while it didn’t have the standard ROYGBP, it did have multiple hues of each.  There was a nice large tent set up in between the cottages and the lake where the reception was and between the tent and the lake, were the chairs for the ceremony.  It was a great setup and was nicer than I was hoping for.

All the guest were so sweet and everyone seemed to have a fabulous time regardless of what mother nature was up to.  During the toasts, Josh had most of his groomsmen speak and I have to say…it was great!  Great food, great music, great people…what you expect from such an event.  Sunday, Raechel, Josh and I met up to take a few pics at both the Huron House, a great B&B they stayed at, as well as the Maitiki.  We were more than able to makeup for the pics we couldn’t take on their big day.

I had such a great time documenting Raechel and Josh’s day…hopefully you can tell from the images!

So if you’re wondering where Oscoda is…it’s where the purple circle is.  I had to use purple…Raechel loves purple!  I visited Oscoda with my family when I was in middle school, although I didn’t really recognize anything.

This is what the day looked like until after the ceremony…looks like a postcard

Raechel even looks great eating pizza.  I highly recommend eating on your wedding day, I hear it helps with nerves and such.

Getting ready…

Not sure what was going on here…

Look at how happy she is.

There was a lot of good music playin’ and all the ladies were-uh-singin’!

Details, details, details

I had a feeling of what Raechel’s dress was going to look like and although it was different that what I had thought, it was no doubt a perfect fit.

Seriously!?!

The ladies in purple…did you think it would be another color…I think not.  Loved the dresses.  I love the empire waist, tea length combo.

The matching tosies.

A few portraits at the Huron House.

The stunning bride…really stunning…just look at the picture.  Raechel after seeing these…”Oh, I’m pretty.”   Uh yeah.

The fellas chillin’ before pics.  I believe this is the, “Who’s that guy walking toward us taking pictures?” look.

Off with the tags!

I called ahead 45 years ago and had them construct this building so our pics would be ‘cooler’.

Love the khaki purple striped tie combo…so fresh!

Don’t they look schnazzy?

Here they are fighting over who looks more schnazzy.  Um hello…Josh does.

I think they were coming to beat me up…I mean Karate-Chop me.

Mr. Studly.

Here comes the bride…

I think he’s happy.

See, it was gorgeous during the ceremony.

Oscar listening, but not watching a few feet from the action.

I don’t think it gets better than this.

I think Josh had almost everyone tearing up.  I had to wipe my eyes a few times so I could see through the viewfinder.

Tada!

A little break in the weather that I was really hoping would last.

The only couple shot I was able to get…

Grooms…if your new wife asks if you want to smell the cake, say “NO!”

A little dancin’.

A little night shot of the party location.

The slideshow…just like this post, it was my longest slideshow by far.

The bros and guys.

The ladies…minus 1

Here we are in party mode!

First shot the day after…

I loved these.  Like I said, this was my first beach wedding, so it was new to me.  I love the air, grass, sand, sky….you know all that beach stuff.

A little infrared.

Josh, you’re married already…and that’s your beautiful bride.

Yay, beach grass stuff…does it have a name?

My favorite!

A little purple cottage anyone?

Hey look, it’s a giant mushroom umbrella thing.

“Excuse me, I ordered the LARGE tiki.”

Congrats Mr. Raechel and Mrs. Josh!

You know I wasn’t going to use that building only once.  Love these two…didn’t even have to tell them anything.  Ain’t love grand?

The many faces of Josh…I mean two.

Changin’ it up a little.

Thanks for rockin’ these out like no other you two!