SYDNEY & MATT
GYPSY DISTILLERY WEDDING
Petoskey, Michigan | August 2025
THE KIND OF MOMENTS I LOVE TO PHOTOGRAPH
Sydney and Matt’s wedding day was filled with the kind of moments I love to photograph. The quiet ones. The emotional ones. The ones that happen when people forget the camera is there and simply enjoy being together.By the time everyone gathered at Gypsy Distillery, the room was full of energy. Their first dance happened in the middle of the people who know and love them most, and that is exactly what this day felt like. Full of connection, joy and people who were genuinely happy to celebrate them.THE MORNING OF
The morning began at the Bay Inn of Petoskey with Sydney and her bridesmaids in pajamas and robes. Some of the girls chose to do their own makeup while everyone talked, laughed and enjoyed the morning together. They popped champagne, gave Sydney personal gifts and made sure she felt celebrated long before the ceremony even began.Before everyone got dressed, we stepped outside for some photos together. It was fun, relaxed and gave Sydney time to enjoy being with the women standing beside her. Once she was in her dress, she surprised her bridesmaids and took a quiet moment with her vow book before we headed to Gypsy Distillery.I love photographing mornings like this because the story is not only in the finished details. It is in the people sitting on the floor doing makeup, the reactions to meaningful gifts and the laughter that happens while everyone is still getting ready.
THE BOYS
Matt and the guys got ready upstairs in the attic space at Gypsy Distillery. They had drinks at the bar, spent time around the pool table and enjoyed the morning together without anything feeling overly formal. The character of the space also gave us so many great details to photograph while everything unfolded naturally.Just off the main room was a smaller space where Matt could open Sydney’s gift privately. She gave him a golf club to stand in for the custom one that was still being made for him. Watching him realize what it meant and become emotional was such a sweet and honest part of the morning.
THE CEREMONY
It started to rain almost as soon as Sydney and Matt’s ceremony began, but thankfully the ceremony space was covered. The white chairs and simple details felt so elegant without taking attention away from what everyone was there to celebrate. The ceremony opened with prayer, which I loved. There were tears, but more than anything, you could see how excited Sydney and Matt were to finally be marrying each other. Their eyes stayed locked on one another the entire time, and it was so special to witness.
THE WEDDING PARTY
After the ceremony, their wedding party was ready to celebrate. There was so much laughter and energy, and they made this part of the day so much fun. Their personalities came through in every photo, and I love how you can feel that when you look through them.
JUST THE TWO OF THEM
THE RECEPTION
The reception at Gypsy Distillery was such a good time. The speeches were thoughtful and hilarious, and at one point one of the maids of honor had to pause while someone else stepped in to finish. Once the dancing started, the energy never slowed down. There were glow sticks, light-up halos, incredible food and late-night pizza. They even had an audio guestbook where everyone could leave them a personal message, which I had to do too. It was such a fun way to end a day that felt completely centered around Sydney, Matt and the people they love.
HANDPICKED FOR THEIR GUESTS
One of my favorite details was the collection of vintage glasses Sydney and Matt gave to their guests. They spent the year between their engagement and wedding handpicking each one, so no two were exactly alike. It was such a personal gift and such a fun way to give everyone something unique to take home.
THEIR ENTRANCE + FIRST DANCE
THE SPEECHES
Dance the Night Away
LATE-NIGHT PIZZA
THE GLOW STICK EXIT
Sydney and Matt originally planned a sparkler exit, and we had everything ready. But with the energy of the reception and the safety of their guests in mind, I suggested switching to glow sticks. They trusted the change, and it ended up fitting the night so well. Everyone was already dancing and celebrating, so the exit felt like one final moment of fun before the night ended.
PLANNING A WEDDING THAT FEELS LIKE YOU?
Whether you are celebrating in Palm Beach, Petoskey or somewhere completely your own, I would love to document your day in a way that brings you back to the people, the moments and how it all truly felt.