It was round 2 for us with the Rathburn's, and we couldn't have been more excited to return to capture another special day! This time it was with Emily and Blake out at Camp Blodgett in West Olive, MI for an intimate beach wedding.
Here's a little something from their questionnaire about how they came to be:
"Our story began 15 years ago when we met and started dating in 6th grade when we were 11 years old. We grew up in the same hometown, Three Rivers, MI. We were each others best friends and hung out with each other and our friends all through school. We went to high school dances, cheered each other on in sports, and studied for countless exams together. After high school, we both decided to go to Michigan State University. Once again, we did everything together and made many great lifelong friends (many of which are in the bridal party 🙂 ). Go Green! After college, we moved to Philadelphia for Blake's career and loved living in a big city. We love to travel anywhere we can and are always willing to try something new! When we were home visiting family for a weekend at Emily's grandparents condo on the beach in South Haven, Blake put together the perfect beach picnic where he proposed to me. Following the picnic, our closest friends and family were waiting at a restaurant on the water nearby to surprise Emily. It was perfection! We moved back home to be with family after Emily's dad passed away in an unexpected accident. We are happy to be home with friends and family and have recently bought a home together. We have known each other so long and have shared so many memories together that we are always in sync with one another and can tell exactly what the other person is thinking. We have always been each others biggest fan and supporter and can't wait to get married!"
A morning full of laughter: Check
An intimate beach ceremony: Check
A rockin' reception: Check
And the perfect sunset for a photoshoot: CHECK!!!
Back in 2014, we had the pleasure of shooting Emily's sister's wedding in Kalamazoo, MI. This summer we were excited to travel out to Camp Blodgett in West Olive, MI, to celebrate this time with Emily and Blake.
We started our day laughing alongside both of them while they prepared to see each other. Emily's squeals of excitement upon seeing Blake at their first look proved just how excited they were to finally be at this day.
We then made our way over to the beach for a beautiful, intimate ceremony with just their closest friends and family. Blake couldn't help but double over at the sight of Emily and her mother walking down the aisle.
After "I Do's", everyone was invited up to the patio for cocktails by Tonic & Lime. Speeches followed, as well as dinner from the delicious Donkey - Taqueria. Emily and Blake stopped in at the dessert table for a slice of their cake, and a couple pieces of their macaroon tower(!) by Love and Macarons.
The love and dedication that Holden Michael Events puts into their services was extremely evident up in the reception space, and paired well with all of the cute touches that were provided by Events By I Candy and The Rental Company.
And remember that "perfect sunset" we mentioned above? Well it didn't take long for what seemed like the whole guest list to pack the patio and enjoy the fading rays as they danced the night away.
*We got to sneak away with the couple to capture some one-on-one moments down by Camp Blodgett's beach, and were ecstatic when Blake agreed to carry his bride out into Lake Michigan for a few shots 
😀
We hope your lives are filled with love and smiles, just like the ones you put on our faces all day. Congrats on Forever, Emily and Blake!
