When I arrived at the beautiful chapel tucked into the woods of East Lansing, it felt almost like deja vu. Then I saw the videographer we had worked with 51 weeks before and it really locked my memories into place. Sweet Sarah had caught her twin sister, Rachel’s, wedding bouquet on June 18, 2022 during the bouquet toss… and now we were getting ready to enter the same church to capture her wedding! When Sarah got engaged to Eli later last year, she decided to follow in Rachel’s footsteps and use her sister’s wedding as a roadmap. It was super special to see all the similarities between the two days, and equally as enjoyable to see the differences. Both girls got married at URC where their parents tied the knot over 25 years ago. After knowing the Gilbert family for decades at this point, getting to celebrate these sentimental memories with them twice in one year was incredible.

Not only have I known the Gilbert family for years, but I remember visiting the Harmon family when Eli was a baby! Eli and his mom, Kimberlee are some of the sweetest, most heartfelt people I know. They did their best to hold it together for one another on the wedding day, but every emotion was felt to the fullest. Capturing the looks that passed between them at different points throughout the day was so tender and emotional. Sarah was super excited for sunset photos, but when it came time for sunset, the clouds were pretty thick. We ended up getting to still sneak outside and came away with some incredible “blue hour” photos instead. I love taking a few minutes for portraits partway through the reception because it gives couples a chance to slow down and soak in the incredible reality of the day. Sarah and Eli took advantage of the evening to wander slowly around the beautiful hilly golf course, dance, and hold each other close. Once we got back inside, we noticed just the faintest hint of the sun peeking out, so we ran out to the balcony so they could enjoy the magnificent glowing end to their day.

DJ – Ron Calhoun
Florals – Sparrow Bloom
Cake – Aunt Lydia Baker
Venue – Eagle Eye Golf Club
Video – Fairytale Productions
Dress – Fantastic Finds
Bridesmaid Dresses – Azazie
Hair and Makeup – Tracy Chaffee
Catering – Eagle Eye Golf Club
Ben and Rachel’s Wedding

One of the differences of this wedding was that my dad got to DJ! He and some friends have been perfecting their reception set up for years, and the dance party was epic! After the wedding, Sarah and Rachel’s mom, Jamie, sent me photos of the girls growing up to show that they’ve always had their “pink and purple” themes that they translated into their weddings. I had to do some side by sides because it was too fun to get to capture both of these sweet girls after knowing them and their family for so long! But first, the bouquet toss from last year where Chuck and Jamie realized they weren’t out of the “wedding planning season”.