i do {weddings}

a romantic meadow brook hall summer wedding in rochester michigan

A neutral and black romantic Meadow Brook Hall summer wedding in Rochester, Michigan provided by Kari Dawson, top-rated Detroit Wedding Photographer, and her team.

Their story…

I met Emily and James on Thursday before they headed over to their rehearsal and rehearsal dinner for a few photos at Meadow Brook. A mini shoot, if you will, before their Meadow Brook Hall summer wedding. [If you didn’t already know, Meadow Brook is now allowing portrait sessions again! Advanced permission and a paid permit are required but if you are a KDP couple interested in an engagement session at Meadow Brook we can make it happen.] Emily and I were talking about me being married for 26 years while she and James have been together since they were 18. While we were chatting James was cleaning and rearranging his work truck to ensure that Emily’s dress didn’t get stained on their way to the church.

James has always been the one for Emily. Emily has always been the one for James. Emily told me that she knew James would do anything for her. Giggling a little and saying ‘it’s almost as if I say jump and he says how high.’ And I laughed with her because while that may be true, James, just like my husband, will also tell her when she is being ridiculous. Emily’s dad told the guests at the wedding that James would go through a brick wall for her.

I am not exaggerating when I tell you how emotional I was many times throughout their wedding day because their connection is just that amazing. I have spent a lot of time James and Emily leading up to their wedding, photographing them at least three times. I LOVE that. And I think photo sessions might be Emily’s secret love language. James happily did every last stinkn’ thing we asked him to! Emily climbed on his shoulders, they sprayed champagne, she pulled him along for a Christmas shoot at the tree farm, and he threw her over his shoulder on their wedding day. If we dreamt it up, James said yes.

Emily…

Emily’s bestie recounted her experience when she met Emily. Remembering she thought she looked like a Victoria Secret model and assuming she’d be horrible to try to get along with. Emily does indeed look like a VS model but she is the exact opposite of difficult to get along with. She actually has a way of effortlessly communicating, without words even, how much a person means to her.

James…

James is passionate, driven, and dedicated. It speaks volumes about the kind of man he is while listening to the way his, now father-in-law, describes him as a person and as a mate. Bonus points are that he is also Emily’s brother’s best friend, too. Let me assure you, that this is a parental and sibling dream come true.

Their style…

In three words: romantic, classic, and timeless. Emily looked truly stunning in her strapless gown with an amazing train, the bridesmaids in neutral floor length dresses each in a unique style, and the guys in classic black. The lush and unstructured florals brought Meadow Brook to life. The edison bulbs Emily had strung were the finishing touch of intimacy, warmth, and a smidge of whimsy.

I am so incredibly thrilled to have met you guys. I can’t thank you enough for choosing me to walk alongside you both as you navigated planning and replanning through covid. I adore you both. I easily and happily consider you friends. May your life continue to be filled with dedication, passion, tenacity, and empathy towards yourselves, each other, your family, and your friends.

Vendor Team provided at the end of this post.