Matt + Rachel // engaged

Though they’ve known each other since they were young, the first time they really connected was more recently, at Vacation Bible School at church. I know from personal experience that being a VBS volunteer seems to show your true colors, and, for these two, those true colors were exactly what attracted them to one another. She is sweet, kind hearted, intelligent, and never gives up when she is in tough situations. He is persistent, patient, and pushes her to be better. 

Matt proposed on Mackinac Island and included many of her favorites, such as champagne. Thinking on the day, he says, “I was hardly nervous. I was so sure I wanted to spend my life with her. It was excitement because it meant our life together was about to begin.”

A while back, I soaked in the last bit of autumn with Matt and Rachel on Belle Isle for their engagement session. I admire how comfortable they are with one another, how kind and compassionate they are. I am thrilled to be a part of their wedding day journey and look forward to their wedding in March of 2017! 

“One of the sweetest things she always does every day is make our communication a priority. Living apart I can always rely on her to ask me what’s new and how I am.” - Matt

with love,
Abi S

Justin + Mary // wedding

Justin and Mary: former co-workers, instant best friends, and now, husband and wife. They asked me to help document their wedding day, and I am pleased to share with you the story of their day. It began at the Chapel of Holy Trinity at Concordia University and was followed by a reception at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Two jaw-dropping places, both gems of Ann Arbor. With the help of their family and friends, their day flowed into a wonderful celebration of their love and the future they will share together.

When I talked to Mary prior to her wedding, she told me they were keeping some things very traditional –having a string quartet, for instance– but other things non-traditional –that string quartet would be playing The Beatles. 

I loved the uniqueness of their rings. Isn't the texture on Justin's band so interesting?

This bridal party cracked me up. Justin and Mary have some awesome friends.

And then, they danced (and danced and danced!). :)

Congratulations, you two!

Abi S

be still.

I lay awake last night, overwhelmed by the Noise. A nighttime marathon of catching up on social media left me wanting more – or rather, less. The scrolling, the clicking, the links, the updates. It all becomes too much sometimes. There is a time and a place: I believe that social media gets a bad rap too often. Brands and businesses and relationships can be enriched by social media. It is a great tool. But. There is such value in learning to be still, to savor, to open your eyes to what is in front of you: what really Matters. 

Try it with me? Turn it off, put it away. It not now, then when? Take the time to be in this moment. 

Eliana // newborn

Last month my family was gifted with a trip down to Texas to spend time with some of our favorite people and meet this sweet baby girl. Introducing, Eliana...

Surrounded in love by her parents and older brother.

Don't let the yawn deceive you! Eliana was wide awake and alert during our entire session. She didn't want to miss a thing.

In the blink of an eye, she will be running around with her brother. But, for now, we relish in her smallness, her newness. 

<3 Abi S