Logan + Mara | Downtown Grand Rapids Wedding at Bissell Tree House
We first met Logan and Mara over the phone as these two live and work in the greater Detroit area, one for an automaker and the other for a hospital system. They contacted us about our wedding packages after having seen our photos from Patrick and Kendall's wedding at Townsend Park. After a brief discussion we realized that they were looking for a unique outdoor venue for their wedding ceremony. We suggested why not look into one of the downtown parks or bridges. They are all available for rent and fairly inexpensive. Logan made a phone call the next day and was able to secure the Gillett Bridge for their wedding ceremony right on the river in Grand Rapids! Following that conversation, Logan later called to let me know they had secured the Bissell Tree House as their reception site. We had heard several great testimonials about the Tree House, but after having had a May and July wedding there (along with a couple more later this year), it really is one of the best venues for a Grand Rapids wedding.
The day began with Rebecca and myself splitting our time between two locations to photograph both the guys and the girls separately. Rebecca, along with our summer intern Deb, headed off to a local bed and breakfast, Leonard at Logan, while I made my way to the Amway Grand Plaza where Logan and his groomsmen were getting ready. Both Mara and her ladies, along with Logan and his groomsmen were fun to get to know as none were from the Grand Rapids area. For almost everyone involved in their wedding, their wedding in Grand Rapids was a destination wedding.
The weather on the wedding day was fantastic and the ceremony on the Gillett Bridge was coordinated by the fabulous Michelle of Red Heels Events. She was great in coordinating guests (and the public viewers in the park) on where they needed to be for the ceremony. Getting married ON THE RIVER in downtown Grand Rapids was an amazing site to see as Rebecca and I have talked about it time and again. If we had a "re-do" of our wedding, it would definitely incorporate one of the bridges downtown.
Following a great ceremony we spent a short amount of time at the bridge with Logan, Mara and their wedding party, but then headed off in the Grand Rapids Trolley for the John Ball Zoo and the Bissell Tree House. After a few more photos with the wedding party in the park at John Ball Zoo, we were able to spend 15 - 20 minutes with just Logan and Mara to capture some romantic and beautiful images before heading up to their reception.
After a ride on the Idema Funicular up to the Tree House, these two were greeted by all their friends and family and then it was off to a strolling dinner with a Texas theme (Logan's home state). Not only was the food by The Catering Company in Grand Rapids spectacular, but their dessert buffet was fantastic as well. Dancing commenced not long after that and the floor was packed thanks to a great set put on by Jump Start DJs.
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Tiberius Images is a Grand Rapids photographer that photographs people, places and events. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, they serve clients throughout the world and are available for travel.