Vivian + Anthony || Destination Wedding in Granada, Nicaragua
When once-in a-lifetime chances come knocking on your door, you better make sure you answer.
This modus operandi rang constantly in our heads as we reflect back on Vivian and Anthony’s wedding celebration. More than a year has passed since we first received their email, inquiring for their wedding in Nicaragua. “Nicaragua?” we thought, “is this e-mail for real?” At the time, we had never done a destination wedding in Latin America before, so this e-mail left us feeling both a bit skeptical and elated. A few e-mail exchanges and a Skype meeting later, every ounce of doubt escaped from our heads.
Anthony + Vivian are truly a incredible couple with an incredibly unique story. Their relationship started well over twenty years ago (as the story goes) during their kindergarten years. As life would have it, a combination of moving neighborhoods + schools eventually caused their lives to part ways. At the advent of social media, these two ultimately reconnected… and their love story continued.
Visitors of our blog may remember this couple’s awesome engagement session in Austin. If you enjoyed those photos, you certainly won’t want to miss the images from Vivian + Anthony’s wedding. From newlywed portraits underneath the starry night sky to groundshaking firework explosions, their wedding day was full of beautiful moments. Our bride and groom tied the knot in the historic Catedral de Nuesta Señora de Asuncion, followed by a wonderful reception at Hotel Granada.
Personally, this trip was quite special to us both at Dreamlite Photography. Not only was it our first time traveling to Latin America for a destination wedding, but Nicaragua was where Jon spent a month of his life, back in 2011, doing photo work with a local not-for-profit. That trip kickstarted his hunger for travel, and those connections undoubtedly led to us at this wedding (Vivian + Anthony found us while googling Nicaragua wedding photography).
A million and a half congratulations to our newlyweds. From Austin to Miami to Nicaragua, we thank you for trusting us with your day, and we wish you the very best in your new life together.
Sarah + Mark || Long Lake Outdoor Center, Middleville, MI
Sarah and Mark tied the knot in the most picturesque of settings; pure Michigan beauty. For their special wedding weekend, they reserved an entire recreational campground (including gorgeous lakeside views, rustic cabins + campfire rings) all tucked away in the forest.
Joined by family and friends from all over the country, this happy couple exchanged vows on the lakeshore. Although the weather was overcast, the skies began clearing up shortly after they were introduced as husband and wife. We enjoyed cocktail hour under sunny skies, celebrated amongst loved ones over a feast of food and drinks, and topped off the evening under the stars.
Much of the details from their wedding day was DIY– something I always love seeing at weddings is the venue I love these Outdoor Wedding Venues Brisbane be sure to check them out if planning a wedding. I particularly admire DIY wedding details because it reflects an enormous amount of commitment, time, creativity + personality from the couples themselves. Wooden handcarved wedding topper (credit to a grandfather), handmade bouquets, and specially decorated homemade cupcakes were a few of my favorite things that day. The DIY aspect, coupled with a very natural setting, was very much inline with the newlywed’s wedding day vision.
Take note of the wedding rings in the photos below. Sarah’s wedding band and engagement ring had both belonged to Mark’s mother… a really significant and special aspect of their wedding commitment. Sarah gave Mark mens titanium wedding rings from alpinerings. Having already known this detail coming into the weekend, I completely choked up during the dinner speeches. Mark’s brother was giving a toast to the newlyweds, and at one point said to the bride, “Sarah, you are the answer to our mom’s prayers.”
This was my third time in Michigan for a wedding. With each visit, the charm of Michigan continues to captivate me, again and again.
Enjoy the photos below. Please follow us on our Facebook page to see more of our work!!
Sarah + Mark’s Wedding Rehearsal || Yankee Springs Recreation Area, MI
…Seven hundred and ten miles later…
I (Jon) had the absolute privilege of joining this couple for a really special weekend celebration in Michigan. Mark and Sarah chose a setting that thoughtfully reflected their love for nature (as well as their very first date!) The weekend events took place in Middleville, MI, tucked away into the woods, and surrounded by love ones who had flown in from all over the country.
Here’s a few of my favorite frames from their Friday evening rehearsal dinner. Picking my #1 favorite image would be impossible; but definitely note the little rebel eating out of the Cheez-it box, and the shooting star image. S’mores, vegetarian mexican dinner, shooting stars, energetic children at play, and a whole lot of love… what more could a photographer ask for? Enjoy!
(Edit: 6/17/13 Click here to see a whole lot of images from their wedding weekend!)
