A Midland Country Club Wedding | Marlee and JT
I photographed Marlee and JT’s Midland Country Club wedding in Midland, Michigan on my birthday. To some, it might be weird to enjoy working on your birthday, but as a wedding photographer, it’s a reminder and celebration that I am so lucky to be able to do what I love for a living. Their white and blush pink classic wedding was a fun, sun-filled day and perfectly warm for October.
Their Love Story
Marlee and JT both “swiped right” on one another but after their first date, it took almost a year before they saw each other again. When they did finally reconnect, it meant starting their relationship during the pandemic after a hard time in Marlee’s life as she had recently lost her dad to cancer. JT became Marlee’s rock and in time, their relationship grew as they navigated the hard things together. From the beginning, their relationship felt easy. They found joy in learning new things, from skiing to fishing and trying new restaurants, moving in together and raising a puppy.
During a trip to Colorado, JT proposed to Marlee on a hike but without a ring (because it came in a week too late for the trip). They later found out that both of their fathers had also proposed without a ring at first. If you ask me, that moment was entirely meant to be! I loved learning that part of their story so much.
When it came time for the wedding, they chose to get married in JT’s hometown of Midland, Michigan at Midland Country Club.
The Wedding Morning at Midland Country Club
Both Marlee and JT got ready at the country club. Marlee and her bridesmaids got ready in the bridal suite, which was large with plenty of space. It was great for both myself and the Media Potion video team to have lots of space to move around the girls and Ashley Ramos glamming the girls. Lots of space is always one of my top recommendations for what to look for when deciding where to get ready on your wedding day.
Meanwhile, JT and the groomsmen got ready in a conference room of the club. They were happily watching football while they put on their suits and boutonnieres. I photographed this wedding solo so I was hopping back and forth between Marlee and JT at moments while they were getting ready. After stepping away from the guys when they were dressed, I came back to find them playing poker in the cigar lounge in the lower level of the club. It was a great spot for photos!
First-Look at Whiting Forest of Dow Gardens
Marlee and JT chose to do a first look and see one another before their ceremony on the wedding day. It was important to them that they spend as much time together as possible on the big day. They were also having a church ceremony but wanted to share personal vows with one another so doing a first look aligned with their priorities (and allowed them to be free during cocktail hour…keep reading to see why that was important!).
About 3 minutes away from the venue is Whiting Forest, part of the Dow Gardens. They love it there and with how convenient it is to the venue, it was the perfect place for their first look. We traveled over with their parent, maid of honor and best man. They did the first look away from the crowds among the evergreen trees and I think JT was in love with what he saw. Marlee looked stunning and timeless in her Essence of Australia gown from True Society. Once they had some time to catch up on the morning, we took photos in the area before heading back to the country club,
Personal Vows on the Wedding Day
Marlee and JT exchanged personal vows on the terrace of the Midland Country Club. Overlooking the course with the beautiful fall colors in the trees, it was a stunning and private spot. Their heartfelt and emotional vows had me almost tearing up at moments. I always feel so privileged to be a part of such an intimate and important moment for couples. Capturing personal vows is always one of my favorite parts of a wedding day.
Wedding Party Photos at Midland Country Club
From there, we went to the back patio area of the club for photos with their wedding party. When doing a first look, one of the advantages is that most of the major portraits for the day (couple, wedding party and family) can be done prior to the ceremony. This opens up so much time between the ceremony and reception for whatever you want as a couple! For this crew, it meant everyone was free to enjoy cocktail hour.
The Church Ceremony at St. John’s Episcopal Church
Marlee and JT held their ceremony at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Midland, Michigan and the church was surprisingly beautiful. The way the light from all the windows was a great surprise and so fun to get creative with as a wedding photographer. While beautiful in style and adornment, churches can often be darker so having a naturally lit church was a fun change of pace!
Reverend Alissa Anderson gave a beautiful ceremony for the couple and their guests. To honor Marlee’s father, each wedding party member and Marlee and her mom placed flowers next to a photo of her dad at one of the front church pews. It was a special touch and a nice way to have Marlee’s dad present in the ceremony.
After their “I dos”, they signed their marriage license outside, thanks to Reverend Anderson who loves bringing couples into the sunshine of the church’s courtyard. Then we did a quick round of family photos at the altar and photos of Marlee and JT with the church’s stained glass before heading back to the venue.
T-Shirt Canon at Cocktail Hour
For one of the most fun parts of the day and such a good idea on Marlee and JT’s part, the wedding party shot off a t-shirt cannon towards guests during cocktail hour! We announced to guests to please get together on the lawn for a large group photo with everyone and then the wedding party came out and surprised everyone with the cannon. They had created custom t-shirts with their new family name and a photo of their dog for the lucky guests that caught a shirt. Everyone loved it! And while everyone was already gathered together, I had Marlee and JT jump into the crowd for a quick group photo. Guests enjoyed the scenery and warm weather on the large terrace for the rest of cocktail hour while Marlee and JT and I snuck around to the pond for a few more photos of the two of them.
White and Blush Wedding Reception
The ballroom was decorated with simple white and blush pink florals with greenery, candles and gold accents. The floral arch behind the head table was lovely and made for a beautiful backdrop to their speeches. They also had a polaroid guest book and greenery wall for guests to enjoy throughout the evening. After their grand entrance with their wedding party, guests heard speeches from their wedding party and family before having dinner and dessert.
While guests finished up dessert, Marlee and JT cut their cake and poured champagne into their champagne tower. I’m loving champagne towers and big cake moments for couples. They’re always so fun to photograph and such a cool moment for couples!
Then, they shared their first dance before opening up the dance floor. DJ Matt Savage with Rusch Entertainment kept the dance floor going strong and Marlee and JT even sang karaoke at one point. Later in the evening, I played with Marlee and JT’s rings for some late-night wedding flat lays before leaving them to the dance floor.
Marlee and JT’s Midland Country Club wedding in Midland, Michigan was a classic and timeless wedding day. It was a beautiful, emotional and loving wedding day filled with so many sweet touches and personal moments.
Vendors:
Reception Venue: Midland Country Club | @midlandcountryc
Photography: Emily Kyle Photography | @emilykylephoto
Videographer: Media Potion | @weddingpotion
Stationary: The Knot | @theknot & Zazzle | @zazzle
Make Up: Makeup by Ashley Ramos | @ashramosmakeup
Florist: Smith’s Flowers | @smithsflowersmidland
Dress Designer: Essence of Australia | @essenseofaustralia
Dress Shop: True Society | @truesociety
Shoes: Call It Spring | @callitspring
Rings: Preusser Jewelers ; Kessler’s Diamonds
Bridesmaids Dresses: Revelry | @shoprevelry
Groom’s Suit: Men’s Wearhouse | @menswearhouse
Groomsmen’s Suits: Men’s Wearhouse | @menswearhouse
Cake: Off the Wheaten Path | @otwp.bakery
Caterer: Midland Country Club | @midlandcountryc
DJ: Rusch Entertainment | @ruschentertainment
