Loft310 Penthouse Suite Bridal Tea Party

When my best friend, Kate, asked me to be her matron of honor for her wedding this August, I was thrilled. As I started planning a bridal shower the bride-to-be, I was immediately overwhelmed by options: venues, food, invitations, flowers, games…I felt like I was back in the shoes of a bride planning her own wedding.

I knew that I wanted the shower to be bright and cheerful. I was thrilled to find the Loft310 Penthouse Suite in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan. The suite used to be the home of the couple who owns the building, but lucky for us, they moved out when they had children and converted their loft into one of the most beautiful event spaces I’ve ever seen.

loft310_bridal_shower_0005.jpg

After we decided to turn the shower into a bridal tea party, the bridesmaids all worked together to create a simple menu with small plates that would be easy to eat in a casual setting so that we didn’t have to set up formal dining for 25 people. Each bridesmaid handmade a unique dish, from caprese salad kabobs and fruit kabobs to lavender and honey cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and gingerbread shortbread. One bridesmaid even brought fresh cut lilacs from her own garden. We turned the baked goods into favors for the guests by offering to-go boxes for guests to fill up before leaving.

The staff at Loft310 lined up beautiful tea cups and saucers for guests, along with hot tea and coffee. We brought in some iced tea to complete the tea party, and our guests sipped and enjoyed themselves all through the gift opening.

loft310_bridal_shower_0031.jpg
loft310_bridal_shower_0034.jpg
loft310_bridal_shower_0007.jpg
loft310_bridal_shower_0008.jpg
loft310_bridal_shower_0001.jpg
loft310_bridal_shower_0002.jpg
loft310_bridal_shower_0003.jpg
loft310_bridal_shower_0004.jpg
loft310_bridal_shower_0006.jpg
loft310_bridal_shower_0032.jpg
loft310_bridal_shower_0009.jpg
loft310_bridal_shower_0014.jpg
loft310_bridal_shower_0010.jpg
loft310_bridal_shower_0011.jpg
loft310_bridal_shower_0012.jpg

Here I am being super fancy with my coffee cup in the master bedroom.
loft310_bridal_shower_0013.jpg
loft310_bridal_shower_0015.jpg
loft310_bridal_shower_0016.jpgloft310_bridal_shower_0019.jpgloft310_bridal_shower_0024.jpg

The bridesmaids.
loft310_bridal_shower_0026.jpg

We had to grab a few photos of the four college roommates together again.
loft310_bridal_shower_0027.jpg

I’m clearly a bit behind the game on this one.
loft310_bridal_shower_0028.jpg

Before leaving, I went around the suite to grab a few more photos—I’m totally inspired by the design. Maybe bits of inspiration will work their way into our own home renovation later this year.
loft310_bridal_shower_0036.jpg
loft310_bridal_shower_0037.jpg
loft310_bridal_shower_0038.jpg
loft310_bridal_shower_0039.jpg
loft310_bridal_shower_0040.jpg
loft310_bridal_shower_0041.jpg
loft310_bridal_shower_0042.jpg
loft310_bridal_shower_0043.jpg
loft310_bridal_shower_0044.jpg
loft310_bridal_shower_0045.jpg

learn more about wedding and engagement photography

An Evening Stroll in Paris

Jeff and I took a little “Babymoon” adventure to London, Paris and Rome last June when I was about 16 weeks pregnant, and we decided to go ahead and hire English speaking photographer Ian Holmes in Paris to capture a part of our travels. I thought that I was so pregnant at the time, but looking back, you can hardly tell in these photos that I had a baby bump (that would soon turn into a very large baby bump, followed by a very tiny baby, followed by a growing almost six month old—it really is amazing how life can change in a year).

allie_siarto_paris_photos_0001.jpg
allie_siarto_paris_photos_0003.jpg
allie_siarto_paris_photos_0004.jpg
allie_siarto_paris_photos_0005.jpg
allie_siarto_paris_photos_0006.jpg
allie_siarto_paris_photos_0007.jpg
allie_siarto_paris_photos_0008.jpg
allie_siarto_paris_photos_0009.jpg
allie_siarto_paris_photos_0010.jpg

Melissa, Cory, Tilly and Gus: Home Life Family Photos

Melissa and I met a few years ago when I moved back to the Lansing area from Chicago. We’re both photographers, and since we first met, we’ve both become mothers. As photographers, we’re both used to being the ones behind the camera, which naturally means that we end up having tons of photos without us in them. We decided to change that this month by exchanging family photos. Melissa beautifully captured Zelda, Jeff and I, and I can only hope that she and her family will cherish the photos I’ve given them like we’ll cherish ours.

lansing_family_photography_0001.jpg
lansing_family_photography_0002.jpg
home life lifestyle family photography, Lansing, Michigan
lansing_family_photography_0004.jpg
home life lifestyle family photography, Lansing, Michigan
lansing_family_photography_0006.jpg
home life lifestyle family photography, Lansing, Michigan
lansing_family_photography_0008.jpg
lansing_family_photography_0009.jpg
lansing_family_photography_0010.jpg
lansing_family_photography_0011.jpg
lansing_family_photography_0012.jpg
lansing_family_photography_0013.jpg
lansing_family_photography_0014.jpg
lansing_family_photography_0015.jpg
lansing_family_photography_0016.jpg
lansing_family_photography_0017.jpg
lansing_family_photography_0018.jpg
lansing_family_photography_0019.jpg
lansing_family_photography_0020.jpg

Christine + Sean: Holland Downtown & Beach Engagement Photos

I knew I liked Christine and Sean from the moment I met them. They’re a genuine, fun-loving couple, and their natural chemistry made this session easy for me. This engagement session was well worth the drive to Holland (not to mention the treck over the dunes with my gear – thanks to Sean for helping out on that one). Chrstine and Sean – I can’t wait to see you again for your wedding this fall.

holland_engagement_photos_0001.jpg
holland_engagement_photos_0002.jpg
Downtown Holland engagement photos
holland_engagement_photos_0004.jpg
Downtown Holland engagement photos
Downtown Holland engagement photos
holland_engagement_photos_0007.jpg
Holland Beach Photos
holland_engagement_photos_0009.jpg
holland_engagement_photos_0010.jpg
holland_engagement_photos_0011.jpg
holland_engagement_photos_0012.jpg
holland_engagement_photos_0013.jpg
holland_engagement_photos_0014.jpg
holland_engagement_photos_0015.jpg
Holland Beach Photos
Holland Beach Photos
holland_engagement_photos_0018.jpg

Check back next Tuesday for a brand new blog post.

learn more about wedding and engagement photography

Copyright © 2024 · Theme by 17th Avenue

Copyright © 2024 · Amelia on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in