Some weddings are about the details.
Some are about tradition.
And some are about getting everyone you love in one place and throwing an absolute banger.
Maya and Ronnie’s wedding at Frutig Farms was very much the third kind.
From the moment the day started, it was clear this wasn’t going to be stiff, overly curated, or concerned with perfection. It was loud (in a good way), joyful, emotionally generous, and completely unapologetic about being a party-first wedding — the kind where people hug hard, dance early, and forget what time it is.
As a documentary wedding photographer, those are my favourite days to photograph.
Getting Ready: Calm Energy, Zero Nerves
One of the things I loved most about Maya and Ronnie is how relaxed they were from the start. No frantic timelines. No “are we behind?” panic. Just good people, good music, and the quiet confidence that the day was going to be fun no matter what.
Maya got ready surrounded by friends who were clearly there for her, not just there for the photos. Ronnie’s morning had the same energy — laid back, laughing, fully present.
This is always a good sign.
When couples trust the day (and trust me to document it as it unfolds), it creates space for moments that actually mean something. The kind you feel when you look back at the photos years later.
A Frutig Farms Wedding That Didn’t Take Itself Too Seriously
Frutig Farms is one of those Michigan wedding venues that feels effortlessly beautiful. Rolling land, open skies, natural light everywhere — it gives couples room to breathe and photographers room to work without forcing anything.
Maya and Ronnie leaned into that.
The ceremony was heartfelt without being heavy. Emotional, but never performative. The kind where you could see people reacting in real time — wiping tears, laughing at the same moments, leaning into each other without worrying who was watching.
That’s documentary gold.
Documentary Wedding Photography for People Who Actually Want to Party
Here’s the thing:
If you’re planning a wedding where the reception matters as much as the ceremony, your photography needs to reflect that.
Maya and Ronnie’s reception kicked off early and never really slowed down. The dance floor filled fast and stayed full. People danced like no one was keeping score. Drinks flowed. Shoes were abandoned. Hugs turned into shouts turned into dancing again.
These are the moments I’m always watching for:
- friends absolutely losing it during the first song
- parents quietly taking it all in from the edge of the room
- couples locking eyes mid-dance like “this is exactly what we wanted”
Nothing posed. Nothing forced. Just honest, chaotic, beautiful joy.
Why I like to Photograph Weddings This Way
I don’t believe wedding photography should feel like a photoshoot that interrupts your day.
I believe it should feel like:
- being fully present
- trusting your people
- letting the day unfold naturally
Maya and Ronnie didn’t plan their wedding around the camera — and because of that, their photos are full of real emotion, movement, and energy.
If you’re looking for:
- a Frutig Farms wedding photographer
- a Michigan documentary wedding photographer
- someone who prioritizes feeling over trends
- photos that look how the day actually felt
…I’m right here.
Planning a Frutig Farms Wedding?
If you’re planning a wedding at Frutig Farms and care more about connection than perfection, I’d love to hear about it.
Especially if:
- your guest list is stacked with good dancers
- you want photos that feel lived-in, not styled
- your priority is celebrating hard with the people you love
You bring the party.
I’ll quietly document the hell out of it.
Get in touch here and tell me what you’re planning.
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