Kim + Tony’s Relaxed, Elegant Planterra Conservatory Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan

Planterra Conservatory Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers

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I kicked off my 2019 wedding season with Kim and Tony’s wedding at Planterra Conservatory in West Bloomfield last weekend, and was absolutely jaw dropping.

Every detail was a dream come true, from the long, sweeping tables filled with candles and garland to the impeccable service by the staff at Planterra and so so many friendly faces that made the day a joy.

Kim and Tony never seemed stressed – they were both such a joy to spend the day with, and they seemed to be having the best time every time I turned my camera their way.

Thanks to absolutely everyone who made this day special. Scroll down to the bottom of this post for a full list of wedding vendors who helped make Kim and Tony’s wedding day what it was.

wedding invitation suite from Planterra Conservatory Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
wedding shoes from Planterra Conservatory Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
welcome sign from Planterra Conservatory Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
fish pond from Planterra Conservatory Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
fish pond from Planterra Conservatory Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
garden greenhouse wedding setup at Planterra Conservatory Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
getting ready in the bridal suite at Planterra Conservatory Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
getting ready in the bridal suite at Planterra Conservatory Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
ceremony setup with bride and groom portraits at Planterra Conservatory Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
ceremony setup with bride and groom portraits at Planterra Conservatory Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
plant statue at Planterra Conservatory Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
outdoor bride and groom portraits at Planterra Conservatory Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
outside bride and groom photos at Planterra Conservatory Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
outdoor bride and groom photos at Planterra Conservatory Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
outside bride and groom photos at Planterra Conservatory Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
outside bride and groom photos at Planterra Conservatory Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
black and white outside bride and groom photos at Planterra Conservatory Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
outside bride and groom photos at Planterra Conservatory Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
bride and groom photos in the entrance of Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
bride and groom photos in the entrance of Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
bridal photos in the entrance of Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
bride and groom photos in the entrance of Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
groom photos in the entrance of Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
groom photos in the entrance of Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
outdoor wedding party photos at Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
bridesmaid photos at Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
groomsmen photos in the entrance of Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
family photos at Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
wedding bands at Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
welcome sign at Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
ceremony photos from Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
ceremony at Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
Planterra Conservatory, Wedding ceremony photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers (West Bloomfield wedding venues)
ceremony at Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
ceremony at Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
ceremony at Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
ceremony at Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
ceremony at Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
conference room at Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
conference room at Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
reception design, flowers, garland, long tables, wooden chairs; Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
reception design, flowers, garland, long tables, wooden chairs; Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
champagne glasses; Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
reception design, flowers, garland, long candles, long tables, wooden chairs; Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
reception design, flowers, garland, long candles, long tables, wooden chairs; Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
reception design, flowers, garland, long candles, long tables, wooden chairs; Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
reception design, flowers, garland, long candles, long tables, wooden chairs; Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
flower design from Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
reception design, flowers, garland, long candles, long tables, wooden chairs; Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
head table; Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
reception design, flowers, garland, long candles, long tables, wooden chairs; Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
reception design, flowers, garland, long candles, long tables, wooden chairs; Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
photo guestbook, Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
dancing area from Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
dancing area from Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
cocktail and dancing area from Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
lounge area from Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
dining area with long tables from Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
bar area from Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
cocktail hour photos from Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
cocktail hour photos from Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
cocktail hour group photos from Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
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first dance photos from Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
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dinner setup photos from Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
Forte Belanger salad from Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
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Forte Belanger dessert (West Bloomfield caterers) at Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers
Forte Belanger dessert table (West Bloomfield caterers) at Planterra Conservatory, Wedding Photos in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Allie & Co. wedding photographers


Wedding Vendors:

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An Engagement Session at the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool and Lincoln Park Conservatory

Chicago engagement photos at the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool (Pond)

I spent about four years living in Chicago—it’s where I first discovered the Chicago Photography Center, the nonprofit where I took just about every photography class that I could on the evenings and weekends while I worked for a large PR agency in a high-rise downtown.

Chicago is where Jeff and I originally planned to get married (before our venue went out of business, and rearranged our entire plans to get married in Mexico instead). It’s where Jeff proposed, where I met many dear friends as I started my new life after graduating from MSU, and where I spent a summer working as a second photographer before someone took a chance on me and hired me to photograph my very first solo wedding (which, lucky for me, was at an amazing wedding venue that instantly took my portfolio to a new level).

Chicago was the place where I first went out on my own as a business owner—leaving behind the relative certainty of a steady job to discover the rush of working for myself. It’s also the place we visited before hopping on a plane with only two carry on suitcases to move to Washington DC for nine months back in 2013.

I don’t get back there nearly as often as I used to, but we met some of our closest friends while we were living there (friends who convinced us to go skiing in Colorado, take a 13-month-old to Hawaii to celebrate the new year in 2014, to take two kids to Costa Rica for a week, and to go on all kinds of other travel adventures). They’ve moved outside of the city since we moved away, but it’s still a treat to get back there when we can.

Erin and Alex gave me just the excuse I was looking for last summer when they mentioned photographing their engagement session in Chicago a year ahead of their Michigan wedding. I originally convinced myself we’d be able to sail our boat across Lake Michigan from St. Joseph for the session, but I quickly realized how impractical that idea was, and so I made plans to drive in.

If you’re looking to plan an engagement session at the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, make sure that you get a permit ahead of time.

And one more quick note—this is a full session (60 minutes), which is usually enough time for two nearby locations and two outfits.

Chicago engagement photos at the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool (Pond) Chicago engagement photos at the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool (Pond) Chicago engagement photos at the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool (Pond) Chicago engagement photos at the Lincoln Park Conservatory Chicago engagement photos at the Lincoln Park Conservatory Chicago engagement photos at the Lincoln Park Conservatory Chicago engagement photos at the Lincoln Park Conservatory Chicago engagement photos at the Lincoln Park Conservatory Chicago engagement photos at the Lincoln Park Conservatory Chicago engagement photos at the Lincoln Park Conservatory Chicago engagement photos at the Lincoln Park Conservatory Chicago engagement photos at the Lincoln Park Conservatory Chicago engagement photos at the Lincoln Park Conservatory Chicago engagement photos at the Lincoln Park Conservatory

Ann Arbor City Club Wedding Photos

Ann Arbor wedding photos - invitation

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If you’re looking at Ann Arbor wedding venues for a summer wedding, the Ann Arbor City Club is such a laid back, beautiful setting.

Andrea and Kyle had a first look near Andrea’s parents’ house to leave time for wedding party portraits in downtown Ann Arbor and group photos before the wedding ceremony on the lawn of the Ann Arbor City Club.

Since their photos were out of the way by that point, they were able to enjoy a relaxed private dinner together while their guests had cocktail hour outside. This gave them time to be together without the normal stresses of the wedding day, and by the time the reception began, they were ready to greet their guests, pose for photos with friends, and get out on the dance floor.

It’s an approach that I don’t get to see every day, but it was such a nice way to create a relaxed schedule for everyone, and Andrea and Kyle’s guests loved that I was there to take photos of them looking their best during cocktail hour.

This is a great example of a single photographer wedding—we put together a schedule that made it easy for me to take all of the photos without a second photographer.

Ann Arbor wedding photographers - first look

Ann Arbor wedding photographers -

Ann Arbor wedding photographers - portraits

Ann Arbor wedding photographers - floral details

Ann Arbor wedding photographers - groom's boutonniere

Ann Arbor wedding photos at the Go Blue Barn

Downtown Ann Arbor wedding photos

Downtown Ann Arbor wedding photos

Downtown Ann Arbor wedding photos

Downtown Ann Arbor wedding photos

Downtown Ann Arbor wedding photos

Downtown Ann Arbor wedding photos

Ann Arbor City Club Wedding Photos

Ann Arbor City Club Wedding Photos

Ann Arbor City Club ceremony photos

Ann Arbor City Club ceremony photos

Ann Arbor City Club ceremony photos

Ann Arbor City Club ceremony photos

Ann Arbor City Club ceremony photos

Ann Arbor City Club ceremony photos

Ann Arbor City Club ceremony photos

Ann Arbor City Club ceremony photos

Ann Arbor City Club cocktail hour wedding photos

Ann Arbor City Club cocktail hour wedding photos

Ann Arbor City Club cocktail hour wedding photos

Ann Arbor City Club cocktail hour wedding photos

Ann Arbor City Club cocktail hour wedding photos

Ann Arbor City Club cocktail hour wedding photos

Ann Arbor City Club cocktail hour wedding photos

Ann Arbor City Club cocktail hour wedding photos

Ann Arbor City Club cocktail hour wedding photos

Ann Arbor City Club cocktail hour wedding photos

Ann Arbor City Club Wedding photos

Ann Arbor City Club Wedding reception photos

Ann Arbor City Club Wedding photos

Ann Arbor City Club Wedding photos

Ann Arbor City Club Wedding photos

Ann Arbor City Club Wedding photos

Ann Arbor City Club Wedding photos

Ann Arbor City Club Wedding photos dance floor

Ann Arbor City Club Wedding photos dance floor

Ann Arbor City Club Wedding photos dance floor

Ann Arbor City Club Wedding photos dance floor

Ann Arbor City Club Wedding photos dance floor

Learn more about Allie & Co. Wedding Photography

5 Tips for Family Photos with a Baby

Lansing family photographers

The first year of a baby’s life is such a whirlwind. I’ve already found that it’s so true what they say—the days are long, and the years are short.

If you’re thinking about documenting your young family, here are five tips to make it a success.

Lansing family photographers

1. Bring a Helper

A helper will make such a big difference for your photo session. Bring along Grandma, Grandpa, an aunt or uncle, or a favorite friend to help get smiles out of baby, to help you carry any necessary baby gear (diaper bags, clothing, etc.), and to give you a chance to get a few photos of just the adults.

Lansing family photographer for young kids

2. Bring Extra Clothes

We usually don’t have to do clothing changes with babies, but it’s not a bad idea to have a spare photo outfit just in case the original ends up with a bit of drool (or other unexpected events).

Lansing family photographer outdoor photos

3. Leave Time For a Few Photos With Just the Adults

As we have children, it’s easy to find that we have less and less photos of just the two of us. Have your helper hold baby for a few minutes so you can get a few nice photos of you as a couple.

Lansing family photographer outdoor photos

4. Bring a Small Towel or Burp Cloth

It’s always handy to have a little something to keep baby’s face dry and drool free during the session. Have your helper hold onto it and jump in with it when needed.

Lansing family photographer outdoor photos

5. Plan Your Session During Warm Weather (or Inside)

Babies are happiest when they’re warm, so the best time to plan your outdoor family session is late May – early September. If you want to plan a session with baby outside of that window and avoid the fuss, consider taking it inside for a lifestyle documentary session at home.

Lansing family photographer outdoor photos

Lansing family photographer outdoor photos

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