Aliya + Brandyn | Elegant, Lush Wedding | Black River Barn | South Haven, Michigan

He bowed gracefully as her father slowly passed her hand over to him. This bow that so many of their friends and family knew them by, a trait that was uniquely “them”. For years, these two had been known as a couple, but today, as he took her hand, he knew that this was the start of something completely new and beautiful. And suddenly, her father was gone and it was simply the two of them standing, looking at each other, about to say the words that would change their lives forever.

Aliya and Brandyn’s stunning wedding at Black River Barn was the beautiful culmination of almost two years of getting to know these two. From our first conversation with Aliya, through the engagement shoot, and giving them a hug as we left, these two made us feel like we were “home” whenever we were spending time with them. Even though their engagement shoot was almost a year ago, to first moment we saw them felt like we were picking up where the engagement shoot left off; and soon, we realized that this day was truly a celebration of not just two people coming together, but two families coming together as well!

In the wedding world, it’s rare to say that a vendor combination is “perfect,” but when someone brings together a venue like Black River Barn, a planning team like White Dahlia Events, stunning florals by Truer Design, incredible videography by Reflect Films, timeless beauty from Girl on the Glow, and an outstanding DJ from Kaleidoscope events, “perfect” is exactly the way we would describe the day. However, our favorite moments from the day were, by far, the little moments that happened when, if you blinked, you might miss them: a big brother carrying his little brother down the aisle, a cake made specifically for a special guest to celebrate her birthday, and a sister who spent time on her wedding day dancing away with her little brother. These are the moments we live for on a wedding day, because it clearly shows the heart for others these two have.

Aliya and Brandyn, we’ve had the honor of knowing so many couples over the years, but when we think of you two, we don’t think we’ve ever seen such a perfect balance of love, grace, and the tiniest bit of sass in a bride and groom: and we absolutely love that about you two! You both are so genuinely yourselves, and it is no more apparent than when you two are around each other. Even though we loved spending the first part of the day with you, you both truly came alive when you saw each other for the first time, and we hope that that excitement to be with each other never changes.

All our best!

J + A