Carrie and Bryan - A Surprise Wedding in Michigan

Carrie and Bryan share the kind of love that every couple could only hope to have. Their tenderness and care towards each other is evident to everyone around them. When I first met Carrie and Bryan, the plan was to have an intimate wedding at the national harbor. They were looking forward to being by the water and watching the sunset during their reception. A few months ago, I received word that Bryan would be going overseas. They decided to move up the wedding to August, relocate the wedding to Shelby Township, Michigan and......make it a surprise wedding for their guests! When they called to see if I would be willing to go to Michigan, my response was of course, YES! One...traveling? Love it! Two...these two are awesome and I totally wanted to be there for them. And three...surprise wedding? I'm in! Off to Michigan I went, and the wedding that awaited me was more wonderful then I could have imagined. Along with the help of designer Christie Yerks McGuire from Events in the City, they put together the perfect backyard wedding at Carrie's parents' home. The unsuspecting guests thought they were attending an engagement party, and little did they know what they had in store. The details were beautiful and they got to have their wedding by the water after all. Their backyard included a lake shared by Carrie's family and surrounding neighbors. It was such a beautiful backdrop. At the end of the night I was looking forward to the much anticipated "wish lanterns" the guests were setting off into the twilight sky. As the guests made a wish for the couple, they lit this large paper lantern that inflated like a hot air balloon and released it into the sky. As the lanterns made their way into the sky, the breeze pushed them over the lake creating this amazing picturesque scene. It was like a dream, and everyone was in awe. What an amazing way to share your well wishes with the couple and a fantastic way to end the night. Thank you, Carrie and Bryan, for allowing me to be a part of your special day. Best wishes to the happy couple!

~Elisha Maria