Some summer days feel like they were made to order, and July 18th was one of them. Scott and Quintanya married on a gorgeous, sunny afternoon at Birchview Outdoor Wedding and Event Center in Linden, Michigan — with their dearest friends and family gathered all around them.

A ceremony by the pond

They said their vows in front of the pond, beneath a pergola, with the water and the trees doing all the decorating the day needed. There's something about an outdoor ceremony in mid-July here — the light is soft and generous, and everything just glows.

Quintanya walks down the stairs in her blusher veil on her father's arm

The staircase and the blusher

Quintanya's entrance is a moment I'll remember for a long time. She came down a cascading set of stairs wearing a blusher veil, string instruments playing as she walked, with Scott waiting at the end to lift it and see her face. Getting to photograph that reveal — the music, the quiet, the look on his face — is exactly why I love this job.

Quintanya with her bouquet beside Scott during their pondside ceremony

Cooling off before the party

Right after the ceremony there were fresh fruits and cold drinks waiting to help everyone beat the July heat, and it was the perfect way to bridge the ceremony and the reception. Guests mingled, laughed, and slowly wandered toward the celebration.

A relaxed, joyful reception

The whole reception had such an easy, unhurried feeling to it. There were yard games scattered around, a big dance floor, delicious food, and the kind of long, happy conversations that only happen at a wedding where nobody is in a rush. And Quintanya's dress? It twirled beautifully out on that dance floor — some of my favorite frames of the whole day came from right there.

Family and friends gather in a circle to pray over Scott and Quintanya

Cheers to the Schlichters! Thank you both for letting me tell the story of your day.