Monday, January 31, 2011

Local Wedding Wednesday

SNOW!!!!!!








(I love that you can see the snow through the window behind them)









I just couldn't help myself today :)


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Friday, January 28, 2011

Get To Know - Steven F. Fox Photography

When I first started in the wedding industry I reached out to other wedding vendors in the area. Steve Fox was one of the first photographers I got to know. It has been a pleasure working with and getting to know both Steve and Jessica over the last few years. They have a great eye and a creative touch. And now I would like to help you get to know...


1. What type of services do you offer?

Steven F. Fox Photography is a full service photography studio specializing in weddings and modern portraiture. We offer a wide variety of coverage for weddings including both one and two photographer packages and digital and album packages. As a husband and wife team we are able to offer two very different styles and perspectives. We love working together and do our best work as a team.


2. Where are you located and what area do you service?

We are located in Holland, MI and are available for travel worldwide. We photograph most of our weddings in West Michigan but are frequently in Detroit and Chicago with some other fun destinations on occasion as well. We love exploring new places and are excited to be photographing a wedding on Mackinaw Island and a wedding in Mexico this year.



3. How long have you been business? How and why did you get started?

After being a photography major in college Steve spent years in Detroit photographing in the automotive industry. Steve moved to West Michigan when we got married and after a few years off decided it was time to get back to doing what he is passionate about. We photographed our first wedding together in April of 2006 and have loved building our business together.



4. What do you think sets you apart from other vendors in the industry?

I’m not sure that this sets us apart so much but it is what makes us so good at what we do – we really, really love what we do! We love meeting brides and grooms for the first time and talking with them about their wedding day. We love hearing stories of how couples met, how they became engaged and what they have planned for the future. I think Steve and I both still get tears in our eyes at least a few times every wedding season. We understand that having a connection with a couple we are photographing will allow us to get the most creative and intimate photographs because they trust us.


5. Is there anything that you specialize in?

We specialize in exceeding expectations. Over the last several years we have learned that one of the most important things we can do is talk with our clients about their expectations. We will always do our very best to capture every special moment and create beautiful portraits but if we are not aware of our clients ideas and dreams then it is impossible to meet their expectations. We like to tell our clients that if they want a photograph of the bride on a white horse on the beach at sunset that they need to provide the white horse, the beach and the sunset and we’ll do the rest.


6. When you’re not busy working, how do you like to spend your downtime?

Whenever we can we pack up and head north for some quality family time. Working from home is a huge blessing but the downside is that the work is always there. Up north there is no computer and no stack of papers to deal with so we can relax and enjoy each other. Steve is also a fabulous cook and loves trying new recipes. I am not a fabulous cook but I’m a willing guinea pig.

Contact them at:

Steven and Jessica Fox
Steven F. Fox Photography
(616) 633-8390
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Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Fabulous Location

Matt Pratt of Matt Pratt Photography shared this images with me of a wedding he shot in Elk Rapids, MI. This sequence is just fabulous! What a great location for some intimate pictures, a sand bar off the shore of Lake Michigan. If you would like to see more from this beautiful wedding, check out Matt's blog here.







Thanks again Matt!

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Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Local Wedding Wednesday

Michigan has such amazing weather, yes, even when it's 18 degrees outside it is still beautiful! We are so blessed to have four seasons and to see our world change around us every few months. I believe this is one of the reasons that Michigan weddings are so unique, each month is different and that makes every wedding different. Here are some of my favorite wedding pictures from each of the four seasons in Michigan....

Apple orchard in blossom in the Spring...


The sunshine, the blue sky and the sand in the Summer....

The lake and the changing leaves in the Fall....




And of course, the snow covered trees and fields in the Winter....



How can you NOT love Michigan?




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Monday, January 17, 2011

First Impression

A job interview, a first date, meeting the in-laws, first impressions are an important part of showing who you really are. When planning your wedding you are often concerned about the overall look of the day, the atmosphere that your guests will experience but what will be the first impression they get leading up to the big day? This is where your wedding invitation and save the date come into play.

The intial impression your guests will form of your wedding will be when they receive your save the date or invitation (if not doing a save the date). Whether your wedding is going to be formal or casual, on the beach or in a country club, all of this will be relayed through your invitation. Yes, the wording is important but the complete look of the invite is especially important to portray your big day.


I love opening invitations, either wedding or other special event, and getting excited for the event because of the look of the stationery. It is a little sneak peek into what the hosts are planning for the event (color scheme, style, location) and helps build the anticipation.

When planning your wedding day, make sure you consider the design of your invitation and other stationery product. It is a wonderful way to pull your entire event together and give your guests a glimpse into your plans.
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Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Local Wedding Wednesday

Wedding photography is such an art form and a talent. Getting the timing just right, finding amazing locations and capturing the perfect light. I know it is not something that I could do! Here are some fabulous images that help to visually explain what I mean...


Perfect timing....

AMAZING locations....


Gorgeous lighting...




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Friday, January 07, 2011

Dream Wedding Giveaway


This is the second year of the Lakeshore Bridal Event. We are so excited to have so many amazing area wedding vendors participating again this year. This is not your typical bridal show, we will be giving away a Dream Wedding to one deserving bride, prizes to a runner up and we will be having a Cake Dive! 10 lucky brides will be "diving" into three real cakes in order to find CASH prizes totally $350!!

What is the Dream Wedding giveaway? The vendors involved in the show have generously donated both their time and products so that a deserving couple can have the wedding of their dreams. Included in this package are the reception and ceremony venues, a bridal gown, tuxedo for groom, photographers for the wedding day, engagement session and personal session, a cake, flowers for the bridal party, ceremony and reception, rentals items for the day, DJ services for reception, food for reception and rehearsal dinners, wedding coordination services and much much more!! Currently the package is valued at over $10,000!!!
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Brides can be nominated to win the Dream Wedding giveaway by going to the website Lakeshore Bridal Event. Nominations can be made up until Thursday, January 13. The winner will be announced at the show at 3pm, brides must be present to win.
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Hope to see you at:
The Lakeshore Bridal Event @ The Midtown Center
Saturday, January 15 from 12-4pm
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96 W. 15th Street (between River and Pine)
Holland, MI
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Get To Know - DJ Poppy

It is amazing how social media has helped link professionals in the wedding industry together. I learned of DJ Poppy from Facebook and through this blog will introduce you to him as well. I have not had the opportunity to work with DJ Poppy yet but if you are looking for a DJ add him to your list to check out.


And now...Get To Know - DJ Poppy




1. What type of services do you offer?

DJ Poppy brings the music to your party. I have mobile sound equipment for small (about 30 people) and large (about 300 people) rooms with lights that move with the music. I prepare a playlist of your choice of songs for the event and pick the next song to match the mood of the moment.

2. Where are you located and what area do you service?

I work from home in Holland and like to cover western Michigan, from Saugatuck to Grand Haven to Lowell and all places in that area.

3. How long have you been business? How and why did you get started?

My wife reminded me that I was the DJ at our wedding party in 1974. I have played music since the ‘70s, from vinyl records, acetate tape and computer discs, for friends and family at birthday, wedding and retirement parties. I took on the “DJ Poppy” role and purchased my current equipment for my daughter’s wedding in August 2008, then moved from northern New Jersey to Holland in December 2008.

4. What do you think sets you apart from other vendors in the industry?

My experience in playing music and passionate study of popular culture go with my age. I’m from the Baby Boom generation, nearly a 60-year-old hippie. Although I like to sing along, I can perform songs with horns, guitars and percussion instruments. And I play your music at your volume; some DJs turn a deaf ear to requests for personal themes and will not lower or raise the volume level.



5. Is there anything that you specialize in?

I love to listen and play funk, reggae and ska. But my specialty as a DJ is your themes and preferences in music. I appreciate variety and work hard at picking the next song.

6. When you’re not busy working, how do you like to spend your downtime?

Poppy, or Bruce Cooke, is really a grandfather. I am retired from 35 years of teaching high school mathematics, so I can do what I like. At this point in my life, every day is a “snow day,” an extra vacation with its own adventure. I go drag racing in my 1971 Dodge Charger in the summer, I play with bar bands on Saturday nights, I play with the praise team in church on Sundays, I fix things around the house and usually have a student to tutor during the week. Many people come to the Lakeshore for a vacation, but I live here. I’m having a party every day.

DJ Poppy, the cheap and fun party music guy
Djpoppy123@gmail.com
(616) 558-2488
on facebook: http://tinyurl.com/dbhl8o

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Wednesday, January 05, 2011

Local Wedding Wednesday

By: Michelle Torno


One of my favorite things about wedding photography are the precious moments on that big day that are captured. While the posed family pictures have their purpose, the intimate and candid shots are the ones that always steal my heart.









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Monday, January 03, 2011

Weekly Wedding Inspiration

New in 2011...

Our team of wedding pros & consultants will join Tami in sharing wedding ideas & tips in a subscription-only e-mail newsletter each week.

Thoughts on charming weddings, Michigan venues, American wedding traditions...and more; delivered to your Inbox from EVENTS by September's Bride.

To subscribe, fill out the Subscription Form to the bottom left...




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