Ali + Zach | Adventurous Destination Wedding | Bay City, MI

The zoom call was coming to a close, and after Ali and Zach had shared their story with us, they told us they had one special request: "We have this dream of hiking up to one of our favorite date spots and taking pictures there. We know we would be in our wedding clothes, but it would truly be special to us. Would that be a possibility?" Little did the four of us know that, in spite of a rain cloud looming over the entire day, this special request would become one of the most memorable moments in our time so far as wedding photographers.

From the first moment we met Ali and Zach on that beach near Norton Shores, these two had us wishing that their engagement session would never end. Although they are a joy to spend time with separately, their true potential springs to life when they are brought together. One could feel their excitement as they got ready, knowing that they would be seeing each other in just a few short hours. And when that moment came, there was simply something different, something "brighter" about Ali and Zach once they were finally. together at the front of the church. The term "soul-mates" is so often used on wedding days, but no other word seemed to do justice to that perfect moment.

The thoughtfulness of these two cannot be understated, as each and every part of their day had a purpose behind it. From getting married in the local Catholic Church to begin their life together with the foundation of faith, to their jaw-dropping portraits and a backyard set-up that would rival some wedding venues, one could easily see how Ali had meticulously and lovingly crafted the wedding of her dreams. Zach was so incredibly supportive and each time someone complimented the incredible day, he would simply smile and humbly steer the credit back to his wife.

Ali and Zach, we simply cannot imagine the last year without you two. Even though we live on opposite sides of the state, we have come to think of you two as friends. The thoughtfulness you two have is such a blessing to this world, and we cannot wait to see how you two will bring out the absolute best parts of each other now that you are husband and wife! We are already counting down the days til you two come and visit the west side of Michigan, but until then, let's enjoy reminiscing your wedding day!

All our best!

J + A