A Church Wedding and a Reception on the Water

Michigan is such a wonderful place to live, work, and get MARRIED!

This is a 2024 wedding that I was a "second" photographer, meaning I worked alongside the lead photographer, capturing angles, viewpoints, and details different that the lead would be photographing. It's very beneficial to the couple, the lead, and also photographers like me,

who have been working towards photographing her own couples...and what better way than hand-on experience?! It's been an amazing ride over the last year, so let's get into it!

This particular wedding was photographed on behalf of Alyssa Marie Photos,

a world-wide travel wedding photographer who has been featured in Southern Bride Magazine!

An elegant white wedding dress with a ruched bodice hangs from a wooden hanger against illuminated window blinds.
Close-up shots of guests at casual gathering showing hands holding drinks and interacting at summer party.
Healthcare workers in light blue scrubs gather around and celebrate with colleagues wearing white during a social event. Rachel Martinez
Person in white robe holding champagne glass while sitting on bed with engagement ring visible on hand. Rachel Martinez Photography
A person in a white sheer robe puts on earrings while preparing for a special occasion, with an elegant updo hairstyle.
A stunning white satin wedding gown with corset back and full skirt photographed near a sunlit window.
A series of photos showing someone adjusting a white strapless wedding dress near bright windows.
Bride in elegant white wedding gown sits by window while adjusting her silver high heel shoe.
Groomsmen in navy suits and blue ties check their phones while standing near bright windows.
A groom in a navy blue suit with glasses and light blue tie poses by window while adjusting his jacket.
Getting dressed in a navy suit and adjusting brown leather dress shoes while wearing a boutonniere. Rachel Martinez Photography
A groom in a dark navy suit stands by bright windows in three similar posed photographs. Rachel Martinez Photography Metro Detroit Photo
Four wedding reception signs in blue text display welcome messages and wedding details for MS wedding on July 20, 2021. Michigan Wedding
Bride in flowing lace veil walks down church aisle during wedding ceremony as guests watch from wooden pews.
A traditional church wedding ceremony in progress with guests seated in wooden pews and stained glass windows lining the walls. Michigan
Several consecutive photos showing a wedding ceremony in a traditional church with warm lighting and wooden pews. Rachel Martinez
Traditional wedding ceremony procession walks down the church aisle decorated with beautiful stained glass windows. Rachel Martinez
The signing of a marriage register at a traditional church ceremony with a priest and witness present. Rachel Martinez Photography
A wedding party poses in front of a grand arched church doorway with red flowers and a flowing white veil. Rachel Martinez Photography
A series of wedding photos showing the bride in a flowing white dress with veil entering church doors while others look on. Rachel Martinez
A wedding party stands outside a stone church with grand wooden doors and arched architecture. Rachel Martinez Photography Novi Michigan
Groomsmen in matching navy blue suits and brown shoes stand together on church steps beneath an arched doorway. Rachel Martinez Photography
A wedding couple sits together outside a stone church building with ornate architectural details. Rachel Martinez Photography Metro Detroit
A bridal party in light blue bridesmaid dresses holding white floral bouquets stands together on church steps. Rachel Martinez Photography
Wedding party in navy suits and light blue dresses poses on stone church steps with elegant floral bouquets.

Mid-day Sunshine

We utilized the front of the reception venue that has a gorgeous boardwalk adjacent to the river for post-ceremony wedding-party pictures and couple portraits! It was hot and bright that day, but this group really pulled it off with nothing but joy and big smiles (and some cold bevvies!) The river was busy with boats of all kinds passing by, with many of them honking horns and yelling out wishes of congratulations to the happy couple.

Wedding party in navy suits and light blue dresses pose together on a waterfront lawn on a sunny day.
Someone in a navy suit with a boutonniere stands on a wooden dock by a lake on their wedding day. Rachel Martinez Photography Novi MI
Couple in wedding attire embraces on a wooden dock by the waterfront on a cloudy summer day. Rachel Martinez Photography Metro Detroit
A bride in a white wedding gown poses gracefully on a wooden dock overlooking a serene lake on her special day. Rachel Martinez Photography
A romantic sequence of wedding photos shows a couple sharing a tender kiss under a flowing white veil. Rachel Martinez Photography Novi, MI
A romantic wedding moment captured through a flowing white veil as the couple shares a tender kiss. Rachel Martinez Photography, Novi MI
A wedding couple shares an intimate moment on a wooden dock overlooking a serene lake on their special day. SE Michigan wedding photographer
White lace wedding veil details shown in a series of delicate close-up shots against a light background. Rachel Martinez Photography
Elegant table setting with blue and white flowers in mason jars, candles and greenery garland creating a romantic centerpiece.
Three-tier white wedding cake with textured horizontal lines and light blue hydrangea flower accents captured by Rachel Martinez Photography
A white lace ring pillow with a handwritten family wedding heirloom note in a gold frame displayed next to wedding photos. Southeast MI
Couple walks into their reception with arms raised and champagne, captured by wedding photographer Rachel Martinez Photography Novi, MI
Newlyweds cut their elegant three-tiered white wedding cake decorated with flowers at a bright reception venue in Metro Detroit, Michigan
Elegant wedding reception table decorated with white floral arrangements and candles at an indoor venue in Southeast Michigan
Newlyweds share their first dance on a hardwood floor while wedding guests look on. Wedding Photographer Rachel Martinez Photography
A couple shares their first dance at a wedding reception in a bright, modern venue with large windows and watching guests. Rachel Martinez
Wedding guests celebrate with a joyful reception dance as the bride's white dress twirls elegantly on the dance floor in St. Clair Michigan
A romantic newlywed couple embraces by a waterfront with golden grass at sunset, the bride in white and groom in navy. Rachel Martinez
A couple in wedding attire walks hand in hand along a waterfront path bordered by tall grass at sunset. Metro Detroit Wedding Southeast MI
A couple in wedding attire walks together on a wooden boardwalk by the ocean at sunset during their wedding in Metro Detroit Rachel Martinez
Newlywed couple shares romantic kiss on wooden boardwalk while bride's white dress flows in the breeze by the water. By Rachel Martinez.
A couple in wedding attire stands on a wooden dock overlooking a serene waterfront at sunset by Rachel Martinez Photography in Metro Detroit
Romantic wedding couple embrace and kiss by the waterfront in an elegant navy suit and white wedding gown. Located in Metro Detroit Michigan
A couple in white wedding dress and navy suit walks away along a waterfront boardwalk during their wedding in Metro Detroit.

There’s something undeniably special about a traditional summer wedding—the soft light filtering through church windows, the quiet reverence of vows spoken, and the joyful warmth of a reception filled with laughter and love. This Michigan wedding embodied all of that and more, blending timeless elegance with heartfelt celebration. As a Michigan wedding photographer, documenting these authentic, meaningful moments is what I love most. For couples dreaming of a classic ceremony and a summer celebration grounded in tradition, this day is a beautiful reminder that timeless never goes out of style.