Introducing The Bronze — Micro Wedding Photography

Why I Created This

I photograph families. I photograph seniors. And in almost every session, I end up hearing about how the couple got married. The ones who had a big wedding show me their album with pride. The ones who kept it small almost always say some version of the same thing: "I wish we'd had a photographer."

It broke my heart every time I heard it. These couples loved their decision to keep things intimate. They didn't regret skipping the big reception. But they did regret not having a single professional photo of the moment they became a family.

So I built something for them. The Bronze is a micro wedding collection designed for couples who are getting married without the big production — courthouse signings, backyard ceremonies, park elopements, living room vows with just their parents watching. The same quality, the same editing, the same care I bring to a full wedding — just scaled to fit the moment.

The Regret I Hear Most Often

Here's what happens: a couple gets married at the courthouse. It takes fifteen minutes. Their sister takes a few phone photos in the hallway. Everyone goes to dinner. It's perfect and beautiful and exactly what they wanted.

Then a year goes by. They want to frame a photo from their wedding day. They scroll through their phone and find three blurry shots with fluorescent lighting overhead and a stranger's elbow in the background. The moment was real. The photos don't match.

You can always throw a party later. You can renew your vows. You can have the reception next year. But you cannot go back and capture the look on your partner's face when they said "I do" for the first time. That moment happens once. A few minutes with a photographer is all it takes to preserve it forever.

The Bronze Collections

I designed two options to fit different kinds of micro weddings. Both include a private online gallery with full download access and a print release — your photos, your way, print them wherever you'd like.

The Signing — $150

Twenty minutes of coverage. The ceremony, the signing, the first kiss. One location. 15+ fully edited digital images delivered in a private gallery. This is for couples who want beautiful documentation of the moment without any extras. Show up, get married, get gorgeous photos, go celebrate.

Perfect for courthouse ceremonies, justice of the peace signings, quick backyard or living room ceremonies with just a witness or two. If the whole thing takes ten minutes, we use the remaining time for a few portraits right there — even five minutes of portrait time with good light produces stunning photos.

The Moment — $300

Forty-five minutes of coverage. Everything in The Signing plus couple's portraits after the ceremony and group photos with anyone present — up to 10 people. 30+ fully edited digital images. This is the sweet spot for most micro wedding couples.

The extra time means we can do real portraits — walking together, candid laughter, the quiet moments between the big ones. If you're getting married at a park or scenic spot, this tier gives us time to take full advantage of the backdrop and the light. Most couples who book The Moment tell me afterward that the portrait portion was their favorite part of the whole day.

What It's Actually Like

It's casual. It's fast. And it's genuinely fun. There's no timeline, no bridal party to wrangle, no first dance rehearsal. I show up wherever you're getting married — the courthouse, a park, your backyard — and I stay quiet during the ceremony. I capture the vows, the rings, the kiss, and the faces of anyone who's there to witness it.

After the official part is done, we take a few minutes for portraits. Just the two of you, in whatever light we have, being yourselves. If you want to walk around the block for some golden hour shots, we do that. If you want to grab your kids and your dog for a group photo, we do that. If you want to be done in twenty minutes and go celebrate with tacos, we absolutely do that too.

The whole thing feels natural because it is natural. You're not performing for a camera. You're having one of the most important moments of your life, and I'm there to make sure you have something beautiful to show for it.

Beautiful Places to Say I Do in Michigan

Courthouse & Municipal Buildings

The Livingston County Courthouse in Howell has beautiful architecture — brick, columns, and wide steps that photograph better than you'd expect. Even if the ceremony happens in a plain office, we step outside afterward and use the building and grounds for portraits. Five minutes is all we need to make something gorgeous.

Parks & Nature

Kensington Metropark, Island Lake, Maybury State Park — any of the locations I use for portrait sessions work beautifully for micro weddings. The advantage of getting married at a park is that nature does the decorating for you. Golden hour at the lake, bare trees in winter, wildflowers in summer — it's all stunning and it's all free.

Backyards & Private Homes

Some of the most intimate ceremonies I've seen have been in backyards and living rooms. Your porch, your garden, your parents' deck — if the space is meaningful to you, it'll be meaningful in photos. I know exactly how to find the best light in a backyard and make a simple setting look gorgeous.

Restaurants, Wineries & Unique Spots

A private room at a favorite restaurant. A local winery. A coffee shop where you had your first date. Wherever your story makes sense is where we shoot. Some of the most memorable micro wedding photos happen in unexpected places because they're so personal to the couple.

What to Wear

Wear whatever makes you feel like the best version of yourself. That might be a white dress and a suit. It might be jeans and a nice top. It might be the outfit you wore on your first date. There are no rules when there's no guest list to impress.

A few things that help: solid colors in rich or muted tones look beautiful in natural light. Avoid neon and busy patterns. If you want that classic wedding feel without a full gown, a white or ivory dress in any style — sundress, cocktail dress, jumpsuit — works perfectly. For the other partner, a button-down with nice pants is all you need.

Accessories make a bigger difference than the outfit itself. A bouquet, even a small one from the grocery store, adds gorgeous color and gives you something to hold. Comfortable shoes matter if we're walking to a park or shooting on grass. And obviously, the rings are the star of the show.

Micro Wedding FAQ

Can you come to any location?

Yes. Courthouse, park, backyard, restaurant — anywhere in Livingston or Oakland County. For locations outside the area, reach out and we'll figure it out. If the location requires a photography permit, that's on the couple to arrange, but I'm happy to help you figure out if one is needed.

What if our ceremony is only five minutes?

Most civil ceremonies are five to ten minutes, and that's completely fine. Even The Signing gives us twenty minutes total, so after the ceremony we use the remaining time for portraits. A five-minute ceremony still produces beautiful photos because the emotion is real and I'm fast.

Can we bring guests?

Absolutely. The Moment includes group photos with anyone present. There's no limit on guests, though these collections are designed for intimate groups of 2–15 people. If you're expecting a larger crowd, we should talk about one of the full wedding collections instead.

What if we want a bigger celebration later?

Many couples do a legal ceremony now and a larger party later — a reception, a vow renewal, a destination celebration. I photograph those too, and couples who booked a Bronze collection get priority booking and a returning-client discount on future events.

How far in advance do we need to book?

Micro weddings are flexible. I can sometimes accommodate requests with just a week or two of notice, especially for weekday ceremonies. The more notice you give me, the more likely I can get your preferred date, but don't let short timelines stop you from reaching out.

Do you do elopements at scenic locations?

Yes — and Michigan has incredible spots for it. Sleeping Bear Dunes, Pictured Rocks, Mackinac Island, Torch Lake. For travel elopements outside of my usual coverage area, reach out for a custom quote that includes travel time.

I'm not having a "real" wedding. Is this still for me?

If you're getting legally married, it's a real wedding. The number of guests and the size of the venue don't determine the significance of the moment. A courthouse signing with two witnesses is just as life-changing as a 200-person reception. Your photos should reflect that.