Jandi & Carl | Zion Ponderosa Wedding | West Michigan Wedding Photographer

Being a part of this beautiful winter wedding was nothing short of incredible. After their plans fell through for a wedding in Costa Rica where Jandi grew up, this adorable couple had to make some last-minute changes. Carl grew up in Massachusetts and visited Zion often with his family, so it seemed like a perfect substitute. I have to agree that, while the mountains are so different from the beach, the new location was absolutely beautiful. Their entire wedding day was beautiful, private, and full of so much love!

We started the day a little worried that we wouldn't be able to find a good place for bridal photos - the unexpected amount of snow and rain made a lot of the resort a bit of a muddy mess. Lucky for us, an amazing employee piled us in a big 4-wheeler and drove us through the mud to a beautiful mountain overlook where we found some solid ground and an incredible view. I'm sure this was a first for that employee, so I hope he enjoyed watching me make a fool of myself while Jandi and Carl looked like a couple straight from a magazine.

The wedding ceremony was beautiful, simple, and magnificently peaceful. Jandi & Carl's families had traveled from all over the country and beyond, from Massachusetts to North Carolina to Costa Rica. I loved seeing friends and strangers alike coming together to celebrate this amazing couple. During the ceremony the exchanged rings and vows, then kissed for the first time as husband and wife to cheers and hugs from their friends and family.

After the ceremony we relocated to their reception in a large yurt (yes, a yurt!) on the other side of the resort. This is where the party really started, complete with a full pizza bar, drinks, live music, and a Lego contest. Yes, you heard me right, a Lego contest! Guests were instructed to build a future house for Jandi and Carl out of Legos, then the couple judged the houses and chose their top three to receive some fabulous prizes. Jandi & Carl finished the night with a beautiful first dance, cake cutting (where they did NOT smear it all over their faces), and some quality time with family and friends. I loved being able to join them as their Wedding Photographer!

GRAND RAPIDS WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

MICHIGAN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER