... at the Amway Grand Plaza

Naturally, we were thrilled when we learned the reception was going to be in the Imperial Ballroom at the Amway Grand Plaza.
But this celebration is really about a couple of artists in their own right. Brian, into not only photography, but the Culinary Arts. And Tara, into the Performing Arts, has a singing voice that makes the heart melt.
Okay, I must admit, I was cool that we had access to Cygnus for a Wedding day photo shoot; Brian works at Cygnus.
Congratulations! It was a great celebration, and what a tremendous group of family and friends that helped out with the festivities!
- Jon

Downtown Grand Rapids Christmas Lights

Playing with light and motion in Downtown Grand Rapids, all adorned in Christmas lights.

Fireworks

Michigan Lodging and Tourism Show and Convention

WOW -- What a week!

Not certain if you knew it, but we are proud members of the Michigan Lodging and Tourism Association.

For the forth consecutive year, Picture Michigan photographed the biggest and best tourism show in our great state.

Here are the highlights, which include a coach, butterflies (at Meijer Gardens of course), a governor, other various politicians, and a whole bunch of great friends!



MSU Coach Tom Izzo



Jim & Jan in awe of the butterflies



Governor Granholm



The media blitz



Legislative Panel



Friends



Friends



Friends



and more Friends


A special thanks to Rick Winn, General Manager of the Amway Grand Plaza and George Aquino, General Manager of the Grand Rapids JW Marriott for exceptional hospitality. A couple of the best hotels on the planet!

- Jon

Amway Grand Plaza Pantlind Ballroom Wedding Reception

Congratulations Greg & Holly!


From the vows to the honeymoon, WE'RE THERE!


Okay, seriously, the entire day was way amazing, from the ceremony at Mayflower in EGR to the opulent recepion in the 95-year-old Pantlind Ballroom at the Amway Grand Plaza. The Pantlind Ballroom is one of our favorite place to shoot!

Click the PLAY icon to enjoy the sneak peak Greg & Holly's friends and family enjoyed.

As you can see, it was a day filled with joy, romance, fun, adventure, and even a unique opportunity to renew vows. I mean really, how many can say they did THAT on their wedding day!

- Jon

Lightning Storm

Wow, quite the lightning storm last night, especially considering how deep we are in the autumn season!

The weather in Michigan can be so fickle. Remember the autumn color tour from last year?









- Jon

Less about luck, more about love.

The biggest day in a lifetime on the biggest day of a lifetime. Of course we mean 7-7-07. Even the vows were scheduled to begin at 7:07pm.

And yes, this is the same couple you may have seen on the front page of yesterday's Grand Rapids Press.



Press photo by Adam Bird. Here's Adam in action earlier in the week.



Even Fox 17 News was there covering the Ceremony.



On any other given day, it's Sgt. Santiago and Sgt. Hildebrand. But from July 7, 2007 through forever, it's Mr. & Mrs. Hildebrand.

Between all the planning and the media blitz, Aurora and Mike found time Saturday to exchange wedding vows at the Frederick Meijer Gardens and celebrate with friends and family at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel's Pantlind Ballroom.

Upon returning to their home in Tennessee, our Sergeants-in-love will soon be deployed overseas -- to different countries -- for two years!

In the mean time, Aurora and Michael have a day to truly remember. And an anniversary date to never forget.













Congratulations Mike & Aurora! Thank you for faithfully serving our country, and it was a true pleasure serving you yesterday!

- Jon

231

When Creative Professionals commission Picture Michigan for Wedding Photography

Bill & Marie's wedding ceremony was at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Grand Rapids and the wedding reception was at the University Club in downtown Grand Rapids.



Is it any wonder that a creative professional such as Marie entrusts Picture Michigan for wedding-day memories?

Marie, an art director for an advertising agency, is the second creative professional (Rex, a graphic designer at a different agency, was married two weeks ago) to be featured on the Picture Michigan BLOG this month.

It is an incredible honor to have participated in this event and especially with clients that have exceptional taste and a meaningful appreciation for the arts. Clients that allow us to articulate our creative and artistic expression. Clients that will forever remember with style the day they threw one helluva party. Absolutely!

Turn up the volume and click the PLAY icon to view the slideshow. And as always, it's a good idea to have a tissue ready!






Random wedding vendor reviews--

Wedding reception: The University Club.

This venue is such a gem! Bill and Marie reserved the entire tenth floor of the Fifth-Third building in downtown Grand Rapids. Cocktails and Hors d’œuvre were served in a lounge-like setting away from the main dining room prior to dinner. In lieu of a receiving line at the ceremony site, Bill and Marie greeting guests as they arrived.

The staff was not only courteous and attentive, the staff was plentiful! The guests never had to wait for the next tray of cocktails and Hors d’œuvre. The Beef Wellington was mouth-watering. Dinner was even better!

The layout of the University Club is such that while there are separate rooms for mingling, these areas are all interconnected, allowing guests easy movement throughout the facility.

Music: Junior Valentine and the All-Stars.

On behalf of Junior and the guests, I would like to personally thank Bill and Marie for hiring a live band. Especially this band!

In the day, I enjoyed Junior Valentine and the All-Stars at the old Rhythm Kitchen Cafe in downtown Grand Rapids. I always knew Junior to be a fine entertainer, and the band rocked each time I saw them. Not only is Junior an accomplished blues and jazz guitarist, he is also a phenomenal MC for the evening's festivities.

Plus these guys are versatile. The opening number was the Beer Barrel Polka for the Father-Daughter dance.

Photography: Grand Rapids Wedding Photography

What can I say. They're the best! Okay, all modesty aside, that would be us, Picture Michigan Wedding Photojournalism. :)

- Jon

Wedding at The Cathedral of St Andrew for Chris & Nancy

Family and friends came together to celebrate the marriage of Chris and Nancy this past weekend in Grand Rapids. Their ceremony was held at the beautiful Cathedral of St. Andrew and their reception celebration at the Crowne Plaza.

Look at you two, you just got married and you're already fighting over the t.v. remote!

Thanks so much for inviting us to capture your special and exciting day! We had so much fun getting to know you and your family & friends!

- Lu

Congratulations Fatma and Abdullah

Fatma and Abdullah celebrated their wedding on Saturday at the Amway Grand Plaza. Here are a couple shots displaying the beauty and pageantry of this colorful and exciting celebration!

Congratulations Tim & Jordan

Our second of two celebrations this past weekend was that of Tim & Jordan. Yeah, it was hot on Friday. Saturday was a new definition of HOT! I don't just mean 93 degrees hot. I mean this is a great looking couple! Yes? (sorry guys and gals, they're taken!) :)

The reception was held at the Urban Institute of Contemporary Arts. The gallery featured tapestries, including this incredible work of art; a wedding dress woven from the paper of books.

Rock on Jordan! Rock on Tim!

Congratulations to Josh & Lisa

Josh & Lisa exchanged vows on Friday in Middleville and celebrated just the way we like it. At the BOB! This wedding and celebration was the first of two for the weekend, and we couldn't have asked for cooler couples! Congratulations guys!

Random Vendor Review:

The BOB - I cannot say enough about The BOB! We highly recommend them.
Take 1 Production (videographer) - If ever you consider a videographer, it's these guys. Just like us, they are a husband & wife team, and we enjoyed working with them. We've already seen the "teaser" from Josh & Lisa's wedding and it is very impactful! Well, impactful isn't really a word, but if it was a word, the "teaser" would be impactful!
Here is the teaser (should open in your media player)
Check out their site: http://www.capturingthemoments.com/

Do they have 4th of July in Canada?

For me, one of the biggest fans of the Simpson's, it's difficult to avoid "Celebrate your country's independence by blowing up a small part of it!"

So..., Happy Independence Day!

Festival

If you are unfamiliar with the annual Grand Rapids tradition called Festival you are truly missing on a segment of life that tantalizes all the sensory palates. The sights. The sounds. The aroma. Officially, it's called the Festival of the Arts. The notable disciplines of art are those on stage -- the performing arts -- and those for the tummy -- the yummy arts!

Having the weekend off meant enjoying time with family. Saturday was a bon voyage party for my father, as he embarks to Alaska for a few months with a motorhome motorcade. Sunday was to enjoy Festival.

I left my camera home Saturday (it deserved a rest too). But brought it downtown for Festival yesterday; along with two teen daughters and a preteen daughter. A wonderful daddy-daughter-daughter-daughter day!

Oh oh, a chef with a camera. I suppose it's safer than me with a meat cleaver!

There was a comedy improv team at one of the stages. Somehow I was dragged on stage. It would appear that my stage comedy debut was warmly accepted (if not gratuitously accepted).

The stages of Festival have hosted such unknown bands as Verve Pipe and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Of course they're no longer unknown. These guys, Broken Sunday, have the potential to follow in their footsteps. They are incredible!

- Jon

e-pics: Downtown Grand Rapids Engagement Session

Whew!

The rain quit just in time for an engagement session downtown GR yesterday. It quickly turned into a beautiful evening and a wonderful shoot.





- Jon

Downtown walkabout

Walking around downtown GR this afternoon, taking a new lens for a test drive.

The above image is part of an on-going personal project. Here is a link to a "work in progress" of the almost completed project. This version happens to be desktop wallpaper.