Carolyn + Elliot’s Wedding at The High Five GR
Carolyn + Elliot’s wedding at The High Five GR was centered around one thing: being with their people. From the moment the day began, they wanted to actually experience their wedding—hugging their guests, laughing with their closest friends, dancing, and soaking in every part of the celebration.
Located in downtown Grand Rapids, The High Five GR gave us the perfect setting for a wedding that felt modern, energetic, and completely focused on connection.
Getting Ready at The High Five GR | Grand Rapids Wedding
Carolyn began her day getting ready at The High Five before sharing a first look with her dad. We photographed their wedding party nearby before everyone gathered for the ceremony.
Having so much of the day in one downtown Grand Rapids location meant less time traveling and more time actually celebrating—which was exactly what Carolyn + Elliot wanted.
The High Five GR Wedding Ceremony
Carolyn + Elliot held their ceremony at The High Five surrounded by their closest family and friends.
Afterward, we photographed family and their full wedding party before heading outside for portraits, keeping everything close enough that they didn't have to disappear from their wedding for hours just to create beautiful photographs.
Downtown Grand Rapids Wedding Portraits | Lyon Square
For Carolyn + Elliot’s wedding portraits, we started on the streets surrounding The High Five before heading to Lyon Square in downtown Grand Rapids.
One of my favorite things about photographing downtown Grand Rapids weddings is the variety we can create in a short amount of time. City streets, architecture, greenery, and movement gave us plenty to work with before getting Carolyn + Elliot right back to their celebration.
A High Five GR Wedding Reception All About Their People
The reception was where Carolyn + Elliot's wedding really came alive.
They made their way around the room visiting every single table, hugging their guests and spending time with the people who had come to celebrate them. Their wedding party lifted them into the air on chairs during their entrance, they showed off the dance lessons they'd taken together during their first dance, and Carolyn and her dad surprised everyone with an incredible choreographed father-daughter dance.
It was joyful, loud, emotional, and completely them.
From Their Chicago Engagement Session to Their Grand Rapids Wedding
I first photographed Carolyn + Elliot during their incredible Chicago engagement session, where we raced an incoming storm along Lake Michigan and somehow ended the evening underneath a double rainbow over the city.
Getting to photograph them again on their wedding day made this one even more special—and their ability to simply stay present and have fun together carried straight from Chicago into their wedding day.
Planning a Wedding at The High Five GR?
A wedding at The High Five GR gives couples the energy of downtown Grand Rapids while keeping the day centered in one location, with plenty of opportunities for wedding portraits just outside the venue.
And Carolyn + Elliot's wedding was the perfect example of why I love documenting days this way.
Your wedding isn't a photoshoot. You experience it. I'll document it.
Looking for your Grand Rapids Wedding Photographer?
