Melissa and Jake | Traverse City Wedding Photography

This wedding, my heart. Melissa is a dear friend as she used to be my babysitter for my kids while she was still in the Grand Rapids area. I instantly knew I would love her as she is full of sass and sarcasm, totally my kind of gal! 🙂 My kids loved her too!! I was thrilled when she told me of her engagement to her love Jake and even more thrilled to learn I would have the honor of documenting their amazing day. Melissa is from the Traverse City area and they had planned to wed on a family members property over looking the lake, gorgeous spot. However Mother Nature had other plans for this Traverse City wedding and it poured down during when they would have said I do….a last minute call to move the ceremony to the reception location was made and a mad dash to prepare the space for that began. I was so impressed by how quickly friends and family just jumped to help make this all happen. It was also very touching to see how little this upset either bride or groom….they just wanted to get to the show and say I do!! Well in the end all the extra stress and work paid off, they got to marry the love of their lives, and even got a rainbow for portraits! Here are but a few of my favorites from their lovely day…

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Rain Rain go away!2016-12-21_0006

those buttons!!!2016-12-21_00072016-12-21_0008

Super sweet moment of bride reading card from groom in which he tells her to look at the bottom of her shoes….he wrote ‘I love you more’ on the bottom. A sentiment the couple often says to each other. Not a dry eye in the house during all this.
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Sooooo pretty!! 😍2016-12-21_0011

First look with daddy. 2016-12-21_00122016-12-21_00132016-12-21_00142016-12-21_0015
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Look at his face! Heartmelt.2016-12-21_00232016-12-21_00242016-12-21_00252016-12-21_00262016-12-21_00272016-12-21_00282016-12-21_00292016-12-21_00302016-12-21_0031

RAINBOW!! 🌈2016-12-21_00322016-12-21_0033

Oh Melissa, I love you!2016-12-21_00342016-12-21_00352016-12-21_00362016-12-21_00372016-12-21_00382016-12-21_00392016-12-21_00402016-12-21_00412016-12-21_00422016-12-21_00432016-12-21_00442016-12-21_00452016-12-21_00462016-12-21_00472016-12-21_00482016-12-21_00492016-12-21_0050
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Beautiful dark and dreamy sunset to end the evening.

 

Melissa and Jake I can’t thank you enough for having me share your day. Your love for one another is inspirational and you two are a joy to spend time with! I wish you both all the best of everything in life. ❤️

 

Bride’s Dress: Becker’s Bridal
Groom’s attire: JcPenney, Stafford Travel Suit
Cake: Sweet Treats by Mandi
DJ/band: Electro System Pro DJ

Amanda Kamppinen:

West Michigan born and raised. I call Grand Rapids home but I make many excuses to be lakeside. I will always be trying to make you laugh. It's my way.

Fun Facts:

Favorite band:

The National

Favorite Food:

Mall Pretzels

Favorite Podcast:

The Neighborhood Listen

Favorite lake:

Superior

Arrae Photography is a West Michigan portrait, engagement, and wedding photographer with true-to-life color and posing.

Serving Grand Rapids, Detroit, Traverse City, Chicago, and beyond.