A Rainy Wedding Day at the JW Grand Rapids

Weddings

Elaine and Brad are friends with a former couple of mine, Genna and Ben. I first met Elaine when Genna invited me to her home for a party and introduced us! Elaine had seen Genna’s wedding photos and wanted to chat with me, so then it all began. Since then, working with Elaine and Brad has been so much fun. From their summer engagement session to their rainy wedding day at the JW Grand Rapids, we’ve had a great time every step of the way. I can’t thank them enough for bringing me up from Detroit to Grand Rapids to document and celebrate these milestones in their lives.

As part of the Greek church, Elaine and Brad planned a large traditional wedding in downtown Grand Rapids with the ceremony at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and the reception at the JW Marriot. While planning a 300 person wedding is no easy task, Elaine was on top of her game and super organized every step of the way. At the same time, she always asked questions and trusted my input and vision, making it the most ideal relationship any professional wedding photographer could ask for. The result was one hell of a party. (Not to mention stunning and unique rainy wedding day photos but we’ll get to that in a bit).

On the morning of the wedding day, my 2nd photographer Sam and I arrived at Elaine and the girls’ hotel room in the Amway while they were still on their way back from the salon. We photographed the dress and her details and when they arrived, we were ready to get Elaine into her beautiful and timeless Sophia Tolli dress. At that point, Sam headed over to meet Brad and the guy’s in their room at the JW and before long it was time for their first look.

wedding invitations laid out with jewelry, shoes, and perfume around it

wedding invitation, rings, and shoes laid out on top of a vail

wedding dress handing in front of window with bridesmaids dresses next to it

wedding dress handing from large window with shoes on a small table next to it

bottom of wedding dress and white heels on a vail

pink and white flower bouquet with green leaves

makeup artist putting blush on the bride's face

bride and bridesmaids smiling while sitting on a couch

bride and bridesmaids popping a bottle of champagne

black and white photo of bride and bridesmaids drinking champagne

bride smiling while holding wedding dress that is hanging in front of a window

bride looking a wedding dress as it is handing up

woman helping bride button up the back of her dress

black and white photo of woman zipping up wedding dress

bride looking over her shoulder smiling as woman helps zip up her dress

bride sitting on a couch holding a bouquet of flowers

bride looking down at her bouquet of flowers

black and white photo of bride holding her bouquet

bride looking down and smiling while in her wedding dress and vail

bridesmaids smiling and reaching towards the bride

watch in a wooden box with cologne next to it

grooms shoes, jewelry, perfume, bowtie, and boutonniere laid out on a table

mother reading letting with groom while he is holding a drink

mother looking at bracelet and hugging son

father helping groom put on his suit jacket

mother helping groom put on his boutonniere

mother and groom standing next to each other smiling

groomsmen standing with groom and toasting

mother and bride looking at each other smiling

bride standing in front of a large door smiling

bride standing outside alone fixing her vail

bride helping put a flower on her father's suit jacket

After a slight delay in getting back from the salon for the girls, when it was time for Elaine and Brad to see each other, we pivoted plans slightly to make up some time. They chose to do their first-look on the JW Marriott helipad. While the weather forecast showed cloudy skies for a while longer, of course as soon as we made it into the elevator to go to the helipad, Sam called me, with Brad already in place, and said it had just started raining. I stood at the top with Elaine for a few seconds, asked her if she wanted me to run back to the room and grab the clear umbrellas, change plans entirely, or go for it. She paused for a moment, asked, “is he already standing out there?” to which I said yes and in the most iconic response, she said, “I don’t care, let’s go for it. We’re here.” And with that, they both said f*** you to the rain and embraced it. And It. Was. Iconic. How many people can say they did their first-look on their wedding day on a helipad in the rain??

bride and groom looking at each other and smiling

bride holding bouquet of flowers as it rains slightly

bride and groom kissing while her vail flying in the wind

bride smiling while groom kisses her on the head

bride and groom looking at each other and laughing

bride and groom kissing while her hands are on his face

couple holding hands and walking on rooftop

couple kissing while his hands are on her waist

couple sitting on stairs smiling at each other

After their first-look, we did a few photos on the JW staircase before meeting their wedding party. (Wedding day tip: as a rainy wedding day plan, order clear umbrellas for each member of your wedding party so you still get all of the outdoor wedding party photos you’ve been dreaming of). Unfazed by the rain, Elaine and Brad’s wedding party followed the mood and embraced the rain completely.

couple and wedding party standing on steps holding umbrellas

couple and wedding party standing outside laughing white it rains

black and white photo of rain falling on wedding party as they stand outside holding umbrellas

couple holding hands and smiling as they walk between their wedding party

groom kissing bride's cheek while wedding party surrounds them and smiles

groom and wedding party smiling and standing together

groom standing in front of groomsmen fixing his jacket

groom adjusting sleeve and looking off with wedding party behind him

bride with wedding party surrounding her hugging her

bride standing in the middle of all of her bridesmaids smiling

bride and groom smiling with some of their wedding party

bride and groom standing next to each other looking at each other

We quickly bussed over to Aquinas College for photos with Elaine’s family before bringing out their number one furry fan, Howie. After that, it was time for the ceremony at Holy Trinity which was topped off with a fun confetti exit from the church! The rainy wedding day weather made the pictures turn out even more magical.

bride walking through the rain while bridesmaids holds up the back of her dress

couple standing under clear umbrellas with their family

couple smiling and sitting with their dog

couple smiling as their dog is about to lick them

couple walking towards a limo about to get in

groom walking down the aisle with his parents

groom hugging mom with guests behind him

groom on the alter as bride walks down the aisle with her father

groom tearing up with bride smiles and walks arm in arm with her father

father kissing brides cheek and handing her off to the groom

couple standing on the alter with the minister

bridesmaids and guests smiling and looking towards the altar

groomsmen looking towards couple standing together

black and white photo of couple standing on the altar

view from the center aisle of the couple on the altar

guests looking towards couple on the altar

black and white photo of guests looking towards the couple on the altar

minister holding circular crown up in front of couple

couple standing on the altar holding candles

wedding guests looking towards the couple on the altar

couple walking along altar holding candles

couple holding hands and walking back up the aisle

wedding party shooting off confetti as the couple walks between them

couple kissing with wedding party standing on either side of them

After a few family photos at the church, guests went to cocktail hour, and Elaine and Brad hung out on their party bus. Brad’s one ask for the day was to build in time to ride around on the party bus so they could take some time away to celebrate with just their closest friends. Meanwhile, Sam and I went to the JW to photograph their reception space and get ready for their grand entrance.

Elaine and Brad’s elegant rose and gold decor in the JW Marriott’s ballroom was timeless, romantic and beautiful. After their grand entrance, they cut the cake, danced, and then it was time to settle in for speeches and dinner. From there on out, the rest of the night was a party with the help of their DJ, AB! Because it was an overcast day, there wasn’t a true sunset but that didn’t stop us from sneaking out for a few more photos on the riverwalk outside the hotel.

bride and groom popping champagne with their wedding party in a party bus

white wedding cake on a table with EB on top

large flower arrangement in the middle of a circular reception table

thank you cards and champagne on reception tables

reception table centerpieces with table numbers on them

candles and green leaves down the center of a long rectangle reception table

three small tea candles floating in glasses filled with water

champagne being poured into a glass on a reception table

reception venue with white and black tables and chairs

signature drink sign on a bar showing a bud light

bridal party walking in together dancing

groups of the wedding party walking and dancing into wedding reception

bride and groom smiling and walking into reception

couple cutting the bottom tier of the wedding cake

bride and groom during their first dance

guests watching couple during their first dance

bride and groom holding each other dancing

family members smiling and sitting at tables

bride and groom on the dance floor smiling at each other

father of the bride dancing with her on the dance floor

groom and his mother hugging on the dance floor

guests and wedding party smiling and clapping

bride and groom smiling and laughing during a toast

bride smiling while sitting with wedding party

wedding party and guests holding glasses up toasting

bride smiling while bridesmaid gives a toast

bride and groom kissing while sitting at a reception table with their wedding party

line of wedding guests holding hands and dancing

wedding couple and guests dancing together

black and white photo of a group of people dancing

wedding guests standing in a circle dancing

black and white photo of wedding guests holding hands and dancing

lines of guests holding hands and dancing

guests dancing together at the reception

guests holding drinks and talking on the dance floor

wedding guests dancing together at reception

wedding guests taking pictures of people on the dance floor

guest smiling and pointing at the camera on the dance floor

wedding guests holding drinks and smiling on the dance floor

couples dancing together at the reception

bride dancing with her guests at her wedding

couple dancing on a sidewalk near the water

couple holding hands and smiling at each other

groom kissing bride on the cheek while hugging her from behind

man hugging his bride from behind and kissing her head

couple hugging each other with their heads touching

couple standing face to face and smiling

couple holding hands and kissing by the water

couple hugging and leaning up against a wall

bride and groom hugging while the bride smiles

couple sharing a kiss under a street light

Elaine and Brad’s rainy wedding day at the JW Grand Rapids was a stunning and memorable day. The day could have looked a lot different if they had chosen to avoid the rain entirely. But because they embraced it and made the decision to still enjoy every second of it, their wedding party was on board, the energy stayed high and in the end, they have really unique and romantic memories and photos to look back on. There are very few weddings I leave and don’t enjoy, but for me, Elaine and Brad were an absolute dream couple to work with and I feel so honored to have documented their Grand Rapids wedding. To see more of their day, head over to Grand Rapids Bride to see their wedding feature!

Nobody wants rain on their wedding day but if it happens, it happens. That’s why I always make a rain plan with couples which includes ordering clear umbrellas, just in case. You can find more on planning for rain along with a slew of more tips and insights into planning your wedding for the most successful photography in my wedding guide. Click the link below to download your copy!

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Dream Team:

Vendors:

Wedding Coordinator: Begin Your Beginning | @beginyourbeginning
Photography: Emily Kyle Photography | @emilykylephoto
Videographer: Shadow Shine Pictures | @shadowshinefilm
Stationary: Kelsea Rounds | @kelsearounds
Hair: Salon 297 | @salon297
Make Up: Salon 297 | @salon297
Florist: Shelly’s Designs Florist | @shellysdesignsflorist
Dress Designer: Sophia Tolli | @sophiatolli
Dress Shop: Jenna in White | @jennainwhite
Veil Shop: Renee Austin Wedding | @reneeaustinwedding
Bride’s Jewelry: BHLDN | @bhldn
Rings: Plymouth Jewelry & Gifts | @plymouthjewelry
Bridesmaids Dresses: Azazie | @azazieofficial
Shoes: Bella Belle | @bellabelleshoes
Groom’s Suit: Generation Tux | @generationtux
Groomsmen’s Suits: Generation Tux | @generationtux
Ceremony Venue: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Reception Venue: JW Marriott Grand Rapids | @ilovethejw
Cake: Connie’s Cakes | @conniescakesgr
Caterer: JW Marriott Grand Rapids | @ilovethejw
DJ: Adrian Butler | @abisadrianbutler
Rentals: Special Occasions | @specialoccasionsmi