Kiah & Blake’s Frederik Meijer Gardens Wedding

 

 

There are some wedding venues that have been on my photography bucket list for a long time, and Frederik Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids was definitely one of them.

When Kiah and Blake reached out late last year looking for a photographer for their wedding at Frederik Meijer Gardens, I was immediately excited. Not only did they seem like such a sweet couple, but I finally had the opportunity to photograph a wedding at a place I had wanted to work at for years.

And it did not disappoint!


 

 

From Their Engagement Session to Their Wedding Day

 

I first got to really know Kiah and Blake when we met at Frederik Meijer Gardens for their engagement session in early spring.

It was absolutely beautiful. We walked around the gardens, found some amazing little spots for photos and had so much fun together. Their engagement session also gave us a chance to explore the property before their wedding day, which made me even more excited to come back.

Fast-forward to their wedding day, and we were back at the gardens—but this time they were getting MARRIED!



A couple in white outfits holds hands outdoors, the man kissing the woman's cheek as she smiles at the camera.
Bride and groom share a kiss outdoors, holding hands, wearing a white gown and navy suit on their wedding day.

 

A Beautiful Sunny Wedding Day in Grand Rapids

 

Of course, Michigan weather likes to keep us guessing.

The forecast had been calling for rain, but Saturday ended up giving us beautiful sunshine. It couldn't have worked out better.

Kiah and Blake were surrounded by their closest friends and family as they celebrated such a huge moment in their lives. One of my favorite things about photographing weddings is getting to watch my couples together throughout the day. The little looks, smiles and quiet moments between everything happening around them tell so much of the story.

Watching these two together was beautiful.


Two grooms walk hand in hand down the aisle at an outdoor wedding ceremony on a sunny day.
Bride in white gown walks with bridesmaid in navy dress through a garden path on a sunny wedding day.
Emotional groom in navy suit with boutonniere wiping tears during outdoor wedding ceremony surrounded by floral arrangements.
Bride in white gown walks down outdoor aisle with woman in navy dress, holding pastel bouquet at sunny wedding ceremony.
Bride and groom exchange vows outdoors at an elegant garden wedding ceremony with floral arch backdrop.
Groom in navy suit exchanges rings with bride in white gown during outdoor wedding ceremony on green lawn.
Groom placing a wedding ring on brides finger during outdoor ceremony.
Bride and groom share first kiss at outdoor wedding ceremony before floral cross altar.
Newlyweds celebrate joyfully as they walk back down the aisle after outdoor wedding ceremony.

 

Wedding Photos Around Frederik Meijer Gardens

 

After the ceremony, we spent some time walking around Frederik Meijer Gardens for their group photos and, of course, photos of Kiah and Blake.

This is exactly why I was so excited to photograph a wedding here.

There are SO many beautiful backgrounds without ever having to leave the property. The gardens, pathways, greenery, architecture and sculptures give us so much variety for wedding portraits.

We were able to walk around, enjoy the beautiful weather and create some of my favorite images from their day.

Bride and groom share first kiss at outdoor wedding ceremony, bride holding pink and blue floral bouquet.
Bride in white gown holding colorful bouquet smiles at groom in navy suit outside greenhouse venue.
Bride and groom share a romantic moment outdoors, she holds a pastel bouquet, he wears a navy suit with floral boutonniere.
Bride and groom walking through a tree-lined garden path, bride holding a floral bouquet in a white gown with veil.
Newlyweds sit together in garden, bride holding pink and blue bouquet as groom tenderly cups her face.
Groom kissing bride on cheek under veil, bride smiling at camera in white dress, romantic wedding portrait.
A bride and groom share a romantic moment in a garden, her veil flowing in the breeze, as they touch foreheads tenderly.
A bride with a cane and groom in navy suit walk hand-in-hand along a garden path, surrounded by lush greenery.
Bride and groom share a tender moment on a garden bridge, she holds a colorful bouquet of pink, white, and blue flowers.
Bride and groom pose on a wooden bridge surrounded by lush greenery, bride holding a pink and white floral bouquet.
A joyful bride and groom embrace outdoors in a lush garden setting, sharing a happy moment on their wedding day.
Bride resting hand on groom's navy suit, showcasing wedding ring set, bracelet, and manicured nails at outdoor ceremony.
Bride in white gown sits holding floral bouquet beside groom in navy suit, posing in lush garden setting.
A bride and groom share a kiss outdoors, holding hands, with the bride's white gown flowing in the breeze.

 

A Wedding Day Focused on Their Guests

 

One thing Kiah and Blake did that really stood out to me was how much they wanted to do something special for their guests.

After portraits, everyone enjoyed brunch together. But instead of simply having dessert served, Kiah and Blake decided that they would serve dessert to their guests themselves.

I have photographed a lot of weddings over the years, and this was something I hadn't seen before.

I loved it.

It was such a simple thing, but it said so much about them. Even on a day that was supposed to be all about the two of them, they were thinking about the people who came to celebrate with them.

Those are the kinds of little moments that make every wedding different.

Bride and groom sharing wedding cake with elderly guests at a reception dessert table.
Bride and groom sharing cake at wedding dessert table with guests in elegant venue.

 

The Sweetest Ribbon Sendoff

 

Before we wrapped up their wedding day, everyone headed outside for a ribbon sendoff.

And it was ADORABLE.

Their friends and family lined up outside the venue waving ribbons as Kiah and Blake made their way through. There were huge smiles everywhere, and it was the perfect ending to such a beautiful day.

From worrying about rain to walking through the gardens in the sunshine, serving dessert to their guests and ending with a ribbon sendoff, their wedding was completely them.

Kiah and Blake, thank you for trusting me to photograph such an important day. I loved getting to know you during your engagement session and getting to come back to Frederik Meijer Gardens to watch you officially become husband and wife.

Congratulations, you two! 🤍


Bride and groom walk through a ribbon wand sendoff tunnel surrounded by cheering wedding guests at an elegant venue.
Bride and groom share a kiss during their wedding send-off, surrounded by guests holding ribbon wands outdoors.

 

Planning a Frederik Meijer Gardens Wedding?

 

 

If you're planning a wedding at Frederik Meijer Gardens or another wedding venue in Grand Rapids or West Michigan, I would love to hear what you're planning.

I photograph weddings throughout Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and West Michigan with a focus on the real moments happening throughout your day—the big ones, the little ones and all of those moments you might not even realize happened until you see your gallery.

Now booking 2027 weddings.

 

 

Oh Shoot Photography | West Michigan Wedding Photographer