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There are some weddings that are just extra special to photograph, and this one will always be one of my favorites.
Molly and I actually met in a graphic design class in college. We ended up sitting next to each other, and it didn’t take long before we realized we had a lot in common. We bonded over our love for pastel colors, iPad doodles, and, if we’re being honest, probably spent more time scrolling Pinterest and searching for the perfect fonts than working on our actual assignments.
So when Molly got engaged, one of the first things we did (obviously) was make a shared Pinterest board. Watching all of her ideas slowly come to life and receiving a million instagram reels for inspo over the last year has been so much fun, I found myself counting down the days until I got to photograph her day!
Molly and Gabe were married on a beautiful May day in Gabe’s backyard in Michigan, and if you’ve ever dreamed of a garden party wedding, this was it!
Every single detail felt intentional because it truly was.
Molly designed so much of the wedding herself, graphic design queen! From the coffee bar signs to the lawn game sign, you could tell she poured so much love into every little piece. The florals from @sageandwillowdesign.co were absolutely beautiful and fit her vision perfectly. The pastel colors, the checkered dance floor, the lanterns hanging in the reception tent… it honestly felt like someone brought one of Molly’s Pinterest boards to life.
But as pretty as everything was, my favorite part had nothing to do with the details.
One thing that stood out all day was how centered everything was around family. Kids were running around, dancing, and laughing all evening long. Parents hugged a little tighter. There were happy tears, prayers, and so many genuine moments between the people who love Molly and Gabe most.
As a wedding photographer, those are the moments I find myself drawn to every single time.
Of course I love photographing the portraits and all of the beautiful details, but it’s the in-between moments that end up meaning the most years later and actually make the best photos. The conversations no one else notices. The laughs during dinner. The grandparents watching from across the table. The flower girls playing together while everyone else is busy.
Those little moments tell the story of a wedding day.
When I asked Molly what her favorite part of the day was, her answer didn’t surprise me at all!
She told me that, yes, marrying Gabe was her favorite part, but what she’ll remember most is the overwhelming peace she felt throughout the day. Everything leading up to the wedding had been stressful, but once the day arrived, she said it all fell into place.
She never wanted a perfectly structured wedding where everyone felt rushed from one thing to the next. She wanted people to relax, spend time together, and simply enjoy celebrating. Looking back at these photos, I think that’s exactly what happened.
One of the sweetest parts of the entire day was the ice cream parlor.
Instead of a traditional dessert, Molly and Gabe served ice cream in honor of Molly’s grandpa.
Growing up, her grandparents would host ice cream parlors for all of the grandkids with every flavor and topping you could imagine. Those memories became some of her favorites, so finding a way to include that tradition on her wedding day was incredibly meaningful.
Even sweeter, Molly and Gabe served the ice cream themselves alongside her uncles, who used to help her grandpa do the very same thing. It gave them a chance to personally thank every guest while honoring someone who meant so much to their family.
It’s moments like that that remind me why I love photographing weddings.
Molly and Gabe, thank you for letting me be part of one of the sweetest days. I couldn’t stop smiling while editing these photos because they feel so you. I’m so thankful I got to celebrate alongside you both, and I can’t wait to see what marriage has in store for you.
Congratulations, friends!
