Emily and Niki found me while searching for Michigan LGBTQ wedding photography and reached out eager to tell me all about their backyard elopement plans! The couple had found an incredible lakeside mansion that offered the perfect location for their closest friends and family to gather for their nuptials. I have a special place in my heart for small intimate elopements, I find that it allows couples to be fully present with their loved ones while not conforming to outdated wedding traditions.

This backyard elopement was set on Allegan lake, we make the trek down ALLLL those steps before the ceremony to get some photos so they could focus on spending time with guests once they arrived. The whole day was so community centered which was just really lovely and a testament to all the folks who have supported them throughout the years.

In my experience with Michigan LGBTQ wedding photography a lot of my same sex couples choose really amazing out of the box outfits to wear and this wedding was no exception. Emily wore a gorgeous lace top with cropped pants while Niki sported a chic blue dress from Modcloth that suited her perfectly.

One of the other important things to note was the stunning handmade table for their epic charcuterie. All food and drinks were lovingly made by their families, it was truly a group effort! After food the handmade wedding cakes were cut and guests enjoyed dancing and s’mores toasts!

If you are interested in hiring Liv for your Michigan LBGTQ wedding photography needs or want to see more click the links below!

Gabby and Moe | Leland Art Center | Up North LGBTQ Wedding Photographer

T and R | Mason, MI | LGBTQ Wedding Photographer

Jayme and Nikki | Rocky Gap Park | Same Sex Wedding Photographer

Chelsea and Ben enjoyed the most beautiful and personal day for their wedding. The two are both singers, their passion for music and community shined throughout the whole day. We were able to get some amazing shots on the rooftop of their hotel before moving to their venue, Lions and Rabbits, and incredible wedding venue and art space in the Creston neighborhood of Grand Rapids. Their wedding party wore stunning jewel tones that paired perfectly with the eclectic art on the walls. Guests were greeted with a champagne toast before they gathered to witness the couple officially marry. It was beautiful to see all their friends and family who were a part of the ceremony sharing their love. After their first dance guests enjoyed a variety of food stations which made for a really lovely casual atmosphere perfect for mingling. It was such an honor to be a part of their wedding, it’s definitely one of the most special I’ve attended. As you can clearly see from the photos Chelsea and Ben were made for each other and I know they will have years of happiness to come.

Check out the blog posts linked below to see more from Grand Rapids Wedding Photographer, Liv Lyszyk Photography

Gabby and Moe | Leland Art Center | Up North LGBTQ Wedding Photographer

Liz and Dan | Grand Rapids, MI | Grand Rapids Wedding Photographer

Hollis and Kenny | Grand Rapids, MI | Grand Rapids Engagement Photographer

Gabby and Moe are two of the kindest, most incredible humans I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. These two wanted an intimate celebration of love and diversity. The pair got ready at an incredible summer resort, very dirty dancing vibes! We ate sandwiches while everyone slowly got ready and just enjoyed everyone’s company. It was such a joy to experience everyone’s beautiful energy and love towards the couple. They did a beautiful first look and exchanged gifts before we meandered around the property for photos. Heading to the ceremony and reception space it was great to see the buzz of last minute details being finalized. A huge part of their wedding was activism and inclusion. They offered pronoun buttons for folks to wear to create a safe space for community and also offered all gender neutral bathrooms. It was so lovely seeing the personal touches added throughout the whole day. I think the photos speak for themselves, so just enjoy!

To learn more and see more of Liv’s work check out the links below!

Jasmine and Cady // West Michigan // LGBT Engagement Photography

Ashlee and Allison | West Olive, MI | LGBT Wedding Photographer

Dan and Paul | Stetson Chapel | LGBT Wedding Photographer

 

Ellie and Martín have such a beautiful relationship that I was honored to photograph. Their wedding, held at Boatwerks Restaurant in Holland, Michigan was a perfect blend of their cultures and love for each other. Ellie told me they wanted it to feel like a tropical getaway without the destination wedding price. I think they did a stunning job, thanks in part to the gorgeous florals from Stems Market. I loved the modern fiesta vibe and the bright colors paired with neutral backdrops to create a fun environment. It was such a joy to witness and capture their nuptials and I’m so eager to see how they grow together in the future!

Julia and Robert were referred to me by a dear friend who thought my style and personality would mesh well with theirs. Well they were right and during Julia and Robert’s engagement session we hit it off. We had chatted back then about the woodland ethereal feel the couple wanted for their day. I knew it would be incredible and they didn’t disappoint. The florals that dripped from every inch of the setup from Brennan at Overgrowth Floral were so dreamy. I mean take a look at that completely handmade arch! I loved the elevated backyard feel that the venue and their personal touches gave. I’m just so giddy with how everything turned out and I got some pretty kick ass friends out of it!

 

Dajanae and Herman celebrated their love with their closest friends and family at the Bissell Treehouse. It was so inspiring seeing their friends share stories of how much the couple had impacted their lives. From the beginning Dajanae said this was not just a wedding, but a thank you, to everyone in their lives. That mindset was clear throughout the whole day. I was blown away by the florals and how perfectly their vision came to life! It’s pretty clear to see just how much these two love each other, it was such a fun time!

To learn more and book Liv for your wedding check out the website or the blog posts linked below!

Ashlee and Allison | West Olive, MI | LGBT Wedding Photographer

Day and Herman | Grand Rapids, MI | Grand Rapids Engagement Photographer

Josh and Ashley | Meijer Gardens, MI | Grand Rapids Elopement Photographer

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I knew Katrina when I was in middle school, we had met through a mutual friend (the maid of honor!) and when she and Sasha reached out years later about photographing their Loft 310 wedding I was SO pumped. I absolutely love connecting with couples that I know and getting to capture their love. It was clear when we me up for their Engagement Session that their wedding would be spectacular and they totally didn’t disappoint. Loft 310 is a great venue, the best in Kalamazoo I think. They offer such gorgeous spaces to allow couples to really cater their wedding to their personal taste. I loved that these two didn’t feel obligated to do any traditions they didn’t want. It just felt like a huge celebration of love and friendship. Sasha and Katrina are a perfect pair and their big day matched that perfection, thank you for allowing me to be there to capture it!

To learn more and see more of Liv Lyszyk Photography’s work check out the blog posts below or go to the website!

Ashlee and Allison | West Olive, MI | LGBT Wedding Photographer

Nikki and Carolyn | Delton, MI | Queer Wedding Photographer

Hollis and Kenny | Grand Rapids, MI | Grand Rapids Engagement Photographer

 

Liz and Dan are the perfect match. Their punny sense of humor shines through in everything they do, and their wedding day was no exception. I loved how positive and uplifting of a day it was. Their ceremony took place at City Life Church in downtown Grand Rapids. Their home church that means so much to them. Music filled the air and pure joy as they signed their license and made it OFFICIAL official. We then headed to Sparta, Dan’s stomping grounds, and celebrated at Long Lake Park. This is a gorgeous park with a super neat pavilion area for them to set up the reception. One of their favorite bands played as we enjoyed Two Scott’s BBQ for dinner. These two danced the night away and we roamed through the park to grab some more photos. I’m so glad these two found and chose me to be their photographer. It was the perfect laid back and fun wedding and I know Liz and Dan have so many great years ahead of them!

To learn more and see more work from Liv head to the Website or check out the blog posts linked below

Josh and Ashley | Meijer Gardens, MI | Grand Rapids Elopement Photographer

Ashlee and Allison | West Olive, MI | LGBT Wedding Photographer

Hollis and Kenny | Grand Rapids, MI | Grand Rapids Engagement Photographer

 

Ashlee and Allison’s wedding will always hold a special spot in my heart. It was truly the biggest honor being chosen by the professor who taught me so much about photography to photograph something so important. When looking for photographers having someone who was part of the lgbtq community was important to them and I was happy to be their lgbt wedding photographer! I had already photographed them last fall for a brewery engagement session and seeing their love for each other and general photogenic personalities made me so excited for the wedding.

The couple

When I asked them about their love story they told me “In classic lesbian style we actually were dating other people at the time we met at LEZ Connect. After a couple of years of friendship and breakups we connected and realized that we were what each other was missing. It was crazy to think each other was there the whole time and we never knew it. From there everything fit into place – our families, our dreams, and our paths. The rest is just history!” I absolutely love how they found each other when the timing was right.

The wedding

The wedding was held at Camp Blodgett in West Olive. The venue is set back by the beach with a stunning view of Lake Michigan. The couple chose a blush and floral theme to the day and did tons of appetizers rather than a full sit down meal. Guests were welcomed by a cocktail hour before the wedding which got everyone excited to take their beverage out to the deck and witness the stunning ceremony. The deck overlooks the lake and during the ceremony the reading of the supreme court decision that made marriage equality the law of the land had tears in everyone’s eyes.

I’m so excited to share these images and celebrate such a special union. Ashlee and Allison make me proud to be an lgbt wedding photographer and be able to celebrate love like theirs.

To hire Liv as your LGBT wedding photographer check out the website or the blog posts below!

Nikki and Carolyn | Delton, MI | Queer Wedding Photographer

Jasmine and Cady // West Michigan // LGBT Engagement Photography

Morgan and Abe // Camp Merrie Woode // Michigan Wedding Photographers

 

 

Nikki and Carolyn had the most beautiful, queer, powerful, love-filled celebration I’ve attended. These amazing humans were referred to me by their lovely officiant and fellow, Rachel Whitehurst of Adventure Photo Stories. They were looking for a queer wedding photographer for their summer camp wedding! If you remember the last camp wedding I photographed you will understand how excited I was to be photographing another one. When I met up with Nikki and Carolyn to chat more about their vision we immediately felt more like friends than just a professional relationship. I knew instantly that their story was one I wanted to tell.

The couple

“In the fall of 2016, the two of us shared a class together at Western Michigan University. I, Carolyn, had a crush on Nikki and Nikki…didn’t think twice about me, as I later found out. The closest we got to having a conversation was a desperate attempt on my end to compliment her by saying, “I like your style,” which came out more as a yell than anything else. Before she could even introduce herself, I ran out of the classroom. We would go on without another interaction until late the following semester….Nikki and I met each other for a second time and you would think I would have learned from our last interaction. But, no. After exchanging names, I immediately confessed my crush as if it were no big deal. From there, we became close friends – watching Parks and Recreation, driving an hour for the best pizza in Michigan and singing as loudly as we could in the car…but we remained just friends. In jest, Nikki would ‘plan our wedding.’ I eventually had to tell her that planning this imaginary wedding was not so funny if she was toying with me, as she knew I still had very real feelings for her. And you know what? I got what we wanted. We started dating – and we have been having a blast ever since, planning that very same wedding, but this time for Real.”

The wedding

The wedding took place at Circle Pines Center in Delton, Michigan. Carolyn had a long history of working there during summers and knew it would be a special place for their big day. The camp is set in beautiful woods surrounded by a gorgeous lake. It is peak Michigan to be honest. When I arrived the two of them had their cabins and were preparing with hair and makeup. It was fun to be surrounded by the wedding party while they got ready too. Everyone was dancing to Lizzo and eating the homemade soup that had been prepared. Bunks were filled with blankets gifted by Nikki and Carolyn and there was such a good energy surrounding the couple. We headed to the emotional first look and I don’t think anyone had a dry eye. Gifts were given to the parents and we headed out to explore the camp for wedding party photos! I absolutely loved all of the coordinating without matching outfits the wedding party wore. During the ceremony, held in a labyrinth, the couple chose to honor the native land they were marrying upon, and included a handfasting ceremony to honor the queer couples that came before. The ceremony had such deep heartfelt emotions that were felt by everyone present. After the ceremony guests headed over to the main house for cocktails and snacks to enjoy in their personal mason jars. The reception was held in a pavillion simply decorated with florals provided by Viavi Flower Farm. Twinkle lights were hung above and provided a magical space for celebrating. Since Nikki’s father had unfortunately passed they asked everyone to share a dance with a loved on in honor of their dance that they never got. You’ve Got a Friend in Me played while everyone honored their relationship! Everyone clearly enjoyed the whole day!

I am so honored to share these photos from the most stunning queer wedding. I loved the personal touches and commitment to inclusivity throughout the whole day. Nikki and Carolyn embody everything I want to celebrate as a queer wedding photographer. This celebration surrounded by both chosen and blood family and close friends made it clear how loved the couple is. I know that the two of them will have so much joy in the coming years as a married couple.

To hire Liv as your own queer wedding photographer or to see more of her work check out the blog posts linked below or check out the website!

Jayme and Nikki | Rocky Gap Park | Same Sex Wedding Photographer

Jasmine and Cady // West Michigan // LGBT Engagement Photography

T and R | Mason, MI | LGBTQ Wedding Photographer