Backyard wedding #goals

My Haley friend became close to me by my other friend (and her sister) Chelsea - and our hearts were ever connected the first time she stepped in front of my camera. She’s a muse of sorts. What else can I say? Her beauty (inside and out) leaves me speechless! And Sean, well, he’s not getting rid of me. I first met him in the yard of their 20th century farm home in Hastings, Michigan the day before the wedding where he quickly gave me a hug, took my bags, and asked me how I was doing. Let’s just say … talk about a dreamboat! Plus, and more importantly, he instantly felt like all my best guy friends I grew up with - kind, grounded, and quietly hilarious.

This whole family is so magically dreamy to me that its hard to believe that I only spent 3 days with them. We watched as the rains poured in, flooding out the ceremony space and cutting the electricity. Quietly and a bit nervously, we ate pizza by candle light and prayed to all that’s holy the power would come back for the next day and rains would subside.

We awoke to the most perfectly calm Michigan morning I had ever seen. To be honest, it was the first Michigan morning I had ever seen. But you are catching my drift, right?

A series of wedding photos where the bride is getting ready. Photos taken in Michigan by travel wedding photographer Karen Kirsch.

Two photos of the groom getting ready. He is wearing a tan suit and a floral tie. Photos taken by travel wedding photographer Karen Kirsch of Kirsch Creative in Michigan.

Wedding detail photos taken by travel wedding Photographer Karen Kirsch in Michigan.

Wedding florals and jewelry. Photo taken in Michigan by Karen Kirsch, a traveling wedding photographer.

Drunk in Love sign by wedding bar. Bride with floral crown poses next to bar. Wedding Photos by traveling photographer Karen Kirsch in Michigan.

Photos of wedding florals by Karen Kirsch of Kirsch Creative - a traveling wedding photographer based in the PNW.

Photo of a bride holding a champagne flute and a photo of a handmade vow book. Photos taken by traveling wedding photographer, Karen Kirsch of Kirsch Creative, in Michigan.

Handcrafted with care

Everything you see here while you’re scrolling through was handcrafted by Haley, Sean, and their family. Haley made beautiful place-cards and vow books especially stamped for the big day. She also made take home gifts for the guests that matched the stamps on their vow books. I took home all three! And an out of this world “drunk in love” painting for the bar.

Their entire family put together the light filled tent in Haley and Sean’s backyard. Haley’s mom painted an incredible head table mural. Family members made lush bouquets. Sean’s sister made the cake. Friends did hair. Sean made sure everything was set up just right. And Chelsea made Haley’s necklace and both of their wedding bands. These are talented folks, to say the least!

Wedding florals and reception decorations. Photo taken by Karen Kirsch of Kirsch Creative.

Photo of wedding cake and centerpieces by Karen Kirsch. A travel wedding photographer.

Black and white photo of a bride walking up the boho rug aisle. Another photo of a bride and groom holding hands. Photos taken by Kirsch Creative.

Portraits of a bride and a groom outside in Michigan. Photos taken by travel wedding photographer Karen Kirsch of Kirsch Creative.

Photos of wedding ceremony by Kirsch Creative in Michigan.

Wedding ceremony photos taken by Karen Kirsch of Kirsch Creative in Michigan..

Michigan backyard wedding ceremony. Photos taken by travel wedding photographer Karen Kirsch.

Wedding ceremony guests in Michigan backyard. Photos taken by Karen Kirsch a travel wedding photographer.

A bride a groom say "I do" in their Michigan backyard wedding ceremony. Photos taken by Karen Kirsch of Kirsch Creative a travel wedding photographer.

Bride and groom embrace with a kiss and look at the bride's wedding ring. Photos by Kirsch Creative a travel wedding photographer.

Special moments made to last

I get very emotional when I look through these images. Haley and Sean allowed me into their lives, intimately. I felt as though I was watching my own family get married and I was just a part of the gang. And the great thing about it all, it’s because I am just a part of the gang. That’s just how Sean and Haley operate. They will welcome you into their home with open arms and make space for you to get comfortable.

These moments are why I love what I get to do and so dang grateful that I get to do it. I would have never met these two otherwise. And boy, I sure woulda missed out on one heck of a party if I hadn’t met them!

Portraits of a bride and groom in a Michigan barn by Karen Kirsch of Kirsch Creative a travel wedding photographer.

Family wedding portraits at a backyard Michigan wedding taken by Kirsch Creative a travel wedding photographer.

Photos of a bride and groom with their dog in Michigan by Karen Kirsch of Kirsch Creative a travel wedding photographer.

Separate portraits of a bride and groom at a backyard wedding in Michigan. Photos taken by Karen Kirsch a traveling wedding photographer.

Photos of bride and groom hugging in their Michigan backyard.

Groom holding Michigan whiskey. Bride wearing a white leather embroidered with florals. Photos by Karen Kirsch.

Wedding Reception photos by travel wedding photographer Karen Kirsch of Kirsch Creative.

Wedding Reception photos by travel wedding photographer Kirsch Creative.

Wedding Reception photos by travel photographer Karen Kirsch of Kirsch Creative.

Wedding Reception photos by travel wedding photographer Karen Kirsch.

Haley and Sean #mcfallinlove2019

Haley is about a year younger than me. Grew up in small towns in Michigan. Met Sean by the water in Marquette about 8 summers ago and started dating him officially later that year in October. I grew up in a small town in Washington. Met my guy 8 summers ago at a water park and also started dating him later that year in October. Oh, and did I mention we both love Gilmore Girls? Haley and I have lived very parallel lives, so being a part of her and Sean’s wedding, staying at their farmhouse all weekend, just felt ... so natural and MAGICAL. What a time to be alive!

And to you, dear Haley and Sean, I am floored by your openness and love. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives. Thanks for being my McFalls.

xo.

Bride and groom dancing at wedding reception. Wedding photos by travel photographer Karen Kirsch.

The Who’s Who

Dress: BHLDN

Suit: Jos A. Bank

Jewelry: Birdie (sister of the bride!)

Catering: Wood Fired Up

Cake: Sweet Petite Bakery

Florals: Sheri Mueller

Paper Goods: Haley Rose Design Studio (the bride!) and Hoard Studios (the mom of the bride!)

Old fashion love story

Girl see boy on the internet and says “hot damn!”, boy responds in kind via the internet. Boy and girl go on date. And the rest is history. Amanda and Corey are OGs of the online dating game. They met before it was even cool to scroll. Is that what you kids call it? Scrolling? I have no idea. All I do know is that Amanda definitely didn’t say, “hot damn!” … or maybe she did. We’ll never know for sure.

Destination wedding done right

Both Amanda and Corey are from Montana, but they have family living all over. So when they started planning their wedding they looked for a destination that would be equal parts nostalgic, breath taking, and easy to get to. That’s when Corey’s Aunt and Uncle offered up use of their historic hotel in Fort Benton, Montana - The Grand Union. Well dang, isn’t that dream!

The hotel sits on the river banks of the Missouri River and is home to some of the most controversial and yet incredibly American-full sights and sounds of early western USA history. I feel like John Wayne would have loved it here. Or Mark Twain.

Okay you be John Wayne and I’ll be Mark Twain. Ready? Let’s explore.

Snuggle … it’s important

It’s pretty easy to get swept away in the grandness of your wedding day. Trust me, the nerves alone are enough to have a gal bouncing off the walls. But I can’t tell you how important it is to snuggle, be yourself, goof around, and love on each other during the day. One thing I will never forget about Amanda and Corey’s wedding is how they interacted during their first look.

Per usual, I set up Corey (the groom) first. I gave him the prep spiel I always do … “She’s gonna walk up to you and tap you on the shoulder. I’ll be in the background ready to capture the moment, but just be with her. Just react. Once y’all notice me again, that’s when we move on. There’s no rush.” And then I went to get Amanda, telling her the same instructions as we walked on the path up to the big bridge where her man was waiting. I let her go and prepared my camera to witnesses whatever would happen next. The hugged. Checked each other out. Chatted. And then Corey brought Amanda in close and rested his chin atop her head.

It was if they were made for each other. Two puzzle pieces finding each other, finally resting comfortably. I could have taken 1,000 photos of just that moment.

All this is to say, those kinds of things that make you two YOU TWO, don’t leave them at home. Bring them to your wedding and let us see. That’s what makes this day you’ve been planning forever SO GREAT. Everyone loves witnessing real life real deal L-O-V-E.