Jason + Emily | Grand Rapids Wedding at Thousand Oaks Golf Club
I don’t know if the wedding day for these two could have gone any better, been any more meaningful or ended with a better party (which may have included a sighting of the Penn State Nittany Lion).
The first time I emailed with Emily, this is what she said about their wedding day, “We LOVE adventure, are both laid back and low stress people. At the end of the day, we are getting married and that's what's most important. We want our family and friends to have a great time celebrating with us on our big day.”
I knew instantly that we would be a great fit as we could help them look confident in front of the camera and feel comfortable knowing we would ensure their wedding day would go off without any stress.
The day started at Grace Legacy Builders, a church available for wedding rentals on the west side of Grand Rapids. We’d heard stories about the location but I have to admit, the space was beautiful and was a perfect setting for getting ready, family photos and the wedding ceremony.
As we walked through the planning process with Jason and Emily they mentioned wanting to take the “pressure” off during the day and with that in mind, we recommended a “first look” prior to the ceremony.
We love letting couples know that the process of a “first look” is just as intimate as walking down the aisle having not seen each other. However a “first look” allows you to have the moment to yourself and not share it with hundreds of friends and family.
After the “first look” we spent some time with just Jason and Emily, followed by their wedding party (7 guys, 7 ladies and a whole lot of laughs) at Grace Legacy Builders, which, as you’ll see, is a dynamic location.
We love formal family portraits, especially when everyone comes together for a special occasion like a wedding. Enjoy just a few from their wedding day as there are many more to follow!
Then it was wedding time for these two and all their guests.
From the processional to the recessional, as you’ll see, there were lots of smiles, memorable moments and a perfect ceremony officiated by Emily’s aunt (such a wonderful touch for the wedding day).
My favorite moment in any wedding is when the bride and groom exit the church, look at each other and realized they are now “Husband and Wife”. That moment usually leads to excitement and it’s one of the best kiss photos we took all day.
With the ceremony wrapped and family portraits done, it was time to head to Thousand Oaks Golf Club where we spent some time outside the clubhouse with a beautiful backdrop for portraits.
We photographed the largest groups first and then eventually ended our outside time with just Jason and Emily on the golf course grounds.
Reception time meant lots of fun including many great memories shared, tears shed and cake cut.
The evening was emceed by Brena, one of West Michigan’s most popular wedding bands. (Turns out, actually, one of the bridesmaids is married to one of the front men, Sean).
These two wanted to make sure their friends and family had a night they’d never forget and Brena helped deliver that in spades (as you’ll see below).
Oh, one other highlight of the night, the Penn State Nittany Lion made an appear in Grand Rapids, Michigan to congratulate the bride and groom. The groom, as well as many of his friends, are Penn State alumni and got all kinds of photos during the excitement!
Wedding Vendors
Ceremony: Grace Legacy Church
Reception: Thousand Oaks Golf Club
Wedding Dress: Bridal Gallery
Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Azazie and Birdy Grey
Men’s Attire: Woodland Tailoring
Hair and Makeup: Olivia Riley Design
Jewelry: Almassian Jewelers
Officiant: Reverend Paula Northrup
Flowers: Stems Market
Band: Brena
Photographer: Tiberius Images
Love the images you see of Jason and Emily? Looking for a photographer that can make you feel confident? We would love to connect with you about your photography needs!