The Five Best Places to Host a Small, Intimate Wedding in Lansing, Michigan

September 28, 2017

5. Gilbert and Blake’s
Okemos, Michigan

If you’re planning a small church or courthouse wedding and need a place to go for dinner, Gilbert and Blake’s Restaurant in Okemos has a private room that’s perfect for a small gathering of your closest friends and family. The fireplace gives it a cozy feel, and you can either use it as is or decorate it to your own taste.

And if you’re looking for a nice place to take family and couple photos, you’re only a short drive from Michigan State’s campus, which provides a gorgeous backdrop for photos.

4. A Public Park

Many public parks have pavilions or open areas that can be reserved for a modest fee. I’ve been a part of some gorgeous weddings that hosted the ceremony and portraits in the park and then moved on to a restaurant like Gilbert and Blake’s for dinner.

3. Your Own Backyard

Backyard weddings have a special place in my heart. My parents had a backyard wedding, and so did my sister. Rent a small tent, and make it your own with an easygoing celebration in a place that’s extra special to you.

2. Old Town Marquee
Old Town Lansing, Michigan

Although Old Town Marquee accommodates larger weddings as well, if you’re looking for a space for a small Friday or weekday wedding, they have a space off to one side of the main room that’s perfect for a smaller gathering. The space has a bridal room just off of it, so you can still have the full experience of getting ready in one place before the ceremony.

As an added bonus, Old Town Marquee is right in the heart of Old Town, Lansing, which offers a huge variety of photos—it has a cute downtown area close to nature, gardens and the river, and you’re only a short drive from Michigan’s Capitol Building and Michigan State’s campus.

1. The English Inn
Eaton Rapids, Michigan

Like Old Town Marquee, The English Inn can accommodate larger weddings, but they have a small room for intimate gatherings in their main building. It’s surrounded by windows looking out at their gorgeous garden area, which provides the perfect backdrop for portraits, and your guests can stay steps away in the Inn. The English Inn really has it all in one simple place to make for the most relaxing small wedding—beautiful grounds for a ceremony, cocktail hour and portraits, a private dining room, amazing food and guest accommodations that are only steps away.

As a new Gilmore Girls fanatic, I’m all about the cozy feel of an Inn.

Want more advice as you plan your own small wedding in the Lansing area? Get in touch to chat about the details of your plans and photography needs. My own wedding had only 40 people, and I love sharing what I’ve learned both as a bride and as a photographer with experience across a variety of small weddings.

Michigan State Senior Photos on Campus

August 30, 2017

Living five minutes away from MSU’s campus has always made for a lot of fun photo opportunities. I always tell myself that I need to put together a little seasonal guide as I learn the exact trees that bloom during specific weeks each year. I have my key spots, but I always try to push myself to explore at least one new place or perspective during each session—which was how I ended up in the location below.

The spring blooms on campus get me every time, and lucky for us, they coincide with MSU’s graduation season. Milan had me out to capture her final weeks on campus as a graduating MSU senior. And big thanks to Milan’s brother for being my lighting helper and helping to make Milan laugh throughout the session 🙂

Learn more about college senior photos >

Rural Engagement Photos With Laughter + Light

August 22, 2017

I can usually get a read on couples pretty quickly when I start my “warm up” and prompts for engagement sessions—silly, romantic, quiet, outgoing. I have one prompt in particular that brings out the goofy personalities every time. Amanda and Joe are definitely destined for a lifetime of laughs together.

Meet Baby N

August 15, 2017

I LOVE the maternity and newborn session combo. There’s something so special about being able to photograph a family from that time of the energy of expectation through the blissful exhaustion that comes with a newborn.

I’ve found myself so drawn to the lifestyle newborn photos at home lately—photos that include the rest of the family. There’s an undeniably special connection when you add in parents and siblings, and as someone pointed out to me, you have to imagine how amazing it will be for this little girl when she gets older and looks back at these moments when her parents held her and snuggled her in close with a look of awe and wonder.