Mulberry & Sage

Author: Megan

Macomb County Elopement Photographer | Andrea & Anthony

A couple weeks ago on a windy Friday afternoon, we got the chance to hang out with Andrea and Anthony while we were their Macomb County Elopement Photographer. I had gotten the chance to speak with Andrea a bit via Facebook to know that she and Anthony were excitedly planning a fun Friday elopement at the New Baltimore Court House, and then had dinner reservations shortly thereafter with their closest family members to celebrate the fact that they had tied the knot. Anthony told me that originally, they had wanted to sneak off to a place like Las Vegas, but that timing just didn’t work out in their favor, so the courthouse provided the intimate setting that they wanted.

Andrea looked beautiful that day, and her hair perfectly matched her white dress that was ideal for their intimate elopement. I’m not really sure if it was her intent or not, but I got some serious vintage vibes from the dress and hair updo, and the photos of her rocking it with her cat-eye shaped sunglasses on the beach are some of my ultimate favorite of the afternoon. The courthouse wedding with off without a hitch, and even the judge was complimenting the couple for their great outfit choices, as well as their doting guests that came to witness the event. Their daughter, Mabel, gave me a run for my money with photos. I’m not often defeated by toddler willpower, but ultimately, she was not in the mood for the photos at all. I didn’t include it here in the blog, however, one of my favorite family photos is of the entire group, and Anthony is dangling Mabel upside down and, if you look super close, she has a little smile on her face. Ha! Anthony and Andrea met through Andrea’s cousin (who is Anthony’s close friend) and were on a boat the first time they met. While they went to the same high school growing up, they met at the perfect time in their lives, down the road.

Speaking of high school, we decided to head out of the wood-paneled courtroom and down to the beach in New Baltimore, however, we weren’t alone in that thought. That same day, Anchor Bay High School (the HS they both attended) was having their homecoming parade, so all the streets were blocked off, and there were about 7 million people (I’m a chronic over-exaggerator) walking around down there, so the angles and locations we chose were strategic. The afternoon was perfect, and we loved being their Macomb County Elopement Photographer for the day. We hope you enjoy this small glimpse into their special day, and if you’re looking for a wedding or elopement photographer, we would love to chat.

October 1, 2018
Wedding Photographers in Detroit Mi. | Karen & Matt

You first met Karen and Matt a while back during their engagement session, but when it came to them finding Wedding Photographers in Detroit Mi., we were thrilled to spend the day at Edgewood Country Club in early September documenting the next chapter in their love story. Karen and Matt are easily one of the raddest couples we’ve ever worked with. You can read more about their relationship from their Detroit engagement photography session. Karen is super laid back, and has an artful eye because she’s an awesome graphic designer, so her wedding was jam-packed with sentimental details that were skillfully crafted. Karen and her family are from Mexico, so we loved seeing all the cultural elements that she put into her wedding, including a fully loaded candy table with candy directly from Mexico (it made a certain Southern Californian photographer super happy!) and a mariachi band that came and performed at her reception.

Their wedding was one for the books, and they had an absolutely perfect fall weather day for their outdoor ceremony and indoors reception. The day was overcast, and even had a hint of “fall” in the air, because it was in the high 50’s/low 60’s all day. Guests arrived wearing their favorite sweaters, and it was a welcome change from the dreadfully hot weather (at least for us!) that has been around for the past few months. We know that having an overcast day may make some people cringe, however, did you know that having those grey clouds renders some beautiful photos? It really brings out the contrast in colors, and with Karen and Matt’s theme of different colored reds, it was absolutely perfect. The two of them were literally giddy the entire day, and could not stop giving each other compliments and kissing. It was adorable to watch. And, of course, Ginger the three legged chihuahua joined us for a bit, and acted as the cutest flower dog ever. And, after an entire day of sun-less, overcast skies, we were greeted with the most stunning sunset ever. When we saw it, we quickly pulled them outside, and they snuggled by the outdoor fire pit while we took some portraits with the pink and purple sky.

We hope you enjoy this small preview into when we were Karen and Matt’s Wedding Photographers in Detroit Mi. If you’re looking for Wedding Photographers in Detroit Mi., we would love to connect with you.

September 19, 2018
Engagement Photos in Michigan | Alison & Manuel

If you’re on the fence about using Port Huron for your Engagement Photos in Michigan, we’re here today with a preview into Alison and Manuel’s session to convince you to pull the plug. Alison approached us and was interested in doing her engagement photography session in the Port Huron area, because it holds a special place in their hearts. Manuel works in downtown Port Huron, and used to live in one of the lofts in downtown, too. They often take their boat out up here, even after they both moved to Oakland County and away from Port Huron. (Manuel just commutes in now!) Some of their most special memories of their early dating time was spent along the river in Port Huron, walking up by the Desmond area, and also down by the brides on the river-walk, so it was the perfect location to do their engagement photos in Michigan with them.

Alison and Manuel met in 2017 while they were both out with friends in downtown Detroit and eating sushi at Maru. Alison overheard Manuel’s German accent, and struck up a conversation with him immediately. Manuel moved to Michigan from Ulm Germany, and taught himself how to speak English when he moved here, and has a pretty rad story. Watching the two of them interact and spending a few hours with them last week, it was obvious to us that Manuel is head over heels for Alison, and that the feeling is absolutely mutual. They are always laughing with each other, and happily snuggled pretty much non-stop during their engagement photography session. The two of them are eagerly planning their wedding that is happening at the Burg Hohenneuffen Castle in Germany in 2019. We also told Alison that we humbly volunteer to travel alongside them to Germany to be their destination wedding photography team, as well. (We love destination weddings!)

We also wanted to highlight how diverse of a location that Port Huron is for engagement photos in Michigan. We began underneath the Blue Water Bridges (which connects Michigan to Canada) and then drove about 2 miles south to the Desmond Area, where there is a beautiful mixture of river views, industrial items, and riverside trees and foliage that can turn around the look of any session, easily. Then, I begged the two of them to join me downtown quickly after sunset to capture them underneath the new lights that Port Huron installed over the streets (that are up year round, now!) back this past winter, for a city/urban vibe. I also wanted to highlight that the sunset that night did NOT disappoint, either.

We hope you enjoy this highlight into Alison and Manuel’s engagement photos in Michigan and their session. If you’re in the market, we would love to connect with you!

September 13, 2018
Marysville Wedding Photographer | Jenny & John

We first met Jenny and John last summer when they hired us to be their Marysville Wedding Photographer team, and we did a super fun St. Clair County engagement session. I got to traipse through Beard Hill with them, and watch them joke and laugh together last year, and couldn’t wait to see them again and hang out with them on their special day that has been much anticipated by us all. The two of them met in high school, and have been together since. They have an adorable home in the area, and two amazing dogs that we got to know pretty well last Saturday. I (Megan) went and hung with the girls in the morning, and some of my favorite photos of the entire day are of Jenny and her squad in front of her neighbor’s barn. I was trying to get everyone out of the heat and sunshine (it was a scorcher!) and turned my head to be greeted with a beautiful rustic white barn, and a giant shady tree that served as the perfect backdrop for Jenny’s rustic themed wedding. Serena (who shoots weddings with us often; we joke that she’s the “silent 4th partner” in Mulberry & Sage) went and spent the getting-ready time with the guys, who had fun having a Nerf gun war, and enjoying each other’s company by cracking jokes and laughing.

Jenny and John got married at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in St. Clair, and then had their reception at Alexander’s in Marysville. We stopped off to do their portraits at Lincoln Park in Port Huron and the gazebo and gardens were a pretty little spot, that we had all to ourselves to roam freely. They also rented a party bus, to keep the party going from the beginning, until they walked into their fun reception. (I love how John was so excited, and swooped up Jenny and was tossing her around!) They have an adorable love that’s easy to capture, and Jenny and John’s laughing faces are my ultimate favorite, because it’s just so contagious. You can’t help but smile when you’re around them.

We hope you enjoy this small preview into Jenny and John’s day when we were their Marysville Wedding Photographer team. If you’re getting married in the area, we would love to connect with you to become your wedding photographer.

September 7, 2018
Henderson Castle Wedding Photographer | Alana & Dan

On Saturday, we had the privilege of exploring our awesome state yet again, and being a Henderson Castle wedding photographer team for the day. We loved having the opportunity to take a drive over to the west side of the state, and become Kalamazoo wedding photographers, because that side of the state is such a fun opposite from the Metro Detroit area that we are used to. The Henderson Castle Inn is a stunning little hidden gem tucked away in the hills of Kalamazoo. It overlooks downtown Kalamazoo, and was first built in 1895 by a local successful businessman, and his wife. It’s a Queen Anne style home, and was built with elaborate features of the time, such as 25 bedrooms, exquisite mahogany wood, an elevator, Lake Superior sandstone, 7 bathrooms, and a third floor ballroom. Since being their private residence, the Henderson Castle Inn has also been home Kalamazoo Art Center, and part of the Kalamazoo College. Since 2011, it has been renovated to pay homage to all it’s original charm, and is being run as a bed & breakfast and special events center. But it’s seriously perfect for weddings, and Alana was the perfect bride for it, because she is hardcore obsessed with Disney princesses, and always dreamed of marrying her soulmate Dan inside a real-life castle.

Alana and Dan have known each other since Kindergarten, and have been seriously dating for the past four years. They are the epitome of soulmates, and their demeanor with each other is adorable and heart-warming to watch and document. Alana loves all things princess, and Dan loves watching her excitement for it. They are from the Grand Blanc area, but he is actually the one that found the Henderson Castle and suggested it as a venue for Alana, and she instantly fell in love with it. Their wedding day was the perfect Michigan overcast day, which we love, because overcast days makes colors pop and come to life more than the bright sunny days like you’d imagine. One of their closest friends got ordained to marry them, and their outdoor ceremony was beautiful, and they were immediately whisked away by a horse drawn carriage while their guests enjoyed the wine made locally at the wine cave on the property. After portraits, we were able to pop up to the rooftop for about 5 minutes, and were greeted with a lovely sunset, and beautiful views overlooking Kalamazoo.

All in all, we loved our time that we were able to be a Henderson Castle wedding photographer team. If you’re looking for a Kalamazoo wedding photographer, we would love to chat with you; we love traveling around our picturesque state of Michigan!

PS: Special thanks to the lovely Katie Anton Photography for being our 2nd photographer for the day.

August 29, 2018