There’s something especially meaningful about the night before a wedding.

It’s when everything begins to feel real — the excitement, the anticipation, and the quiet realization that the day you’ve been planning for is finally here.

For Shannon and Teddy, their welcome party in Ann Arbor was exactly that — a heartfelt beginning to a weekend centered around love, connection, and the people who matter most.

There’s something about a summer wedding along Lake Michigan that feels effortlessly beautiful.

Soft light, warm air, and the kind of joy that lingers in every moment.

For Alyssa and Zeek, their wedding day at The Ivy House was exactly that — a celebration filled with love, faith, and the people who mean the most to them.

Chrissy and Zach’s August wedding day was the definition of a perfect summer celebration. Warm sunshine, joyful energy, and the love of their closest friends and family made every moment of their day feel incredibly special.

Some weddings just have an energy to them — the kind where you can feel the excitement the moment the day begins. Samantha and Aaron’s wedding in downtown Detroit was exactly that.

From the chic getting-ready moments at Shinola Hotel to the unforgettable celebration at The Brooklyn Detroit, every moment of their wedding day felt effortlessly cool, incredibly joyful, and perfectly Detroit.

The number one question I get asked by my couples after they book with me is: “What should we wear for our engagement session?” — and it’s a great question.

The outfits you choose play a big role in how your engagement photos come together. Thoughtful styling helps your images feel timeless, natural, and truly reflective of who you are as a couple. It also becomes the first glimpse your guests get into your wedding story.

They’re guided. And that’s not a bad thing.

One of the most common things I hear from couples is: “We just want candid photos.”

And I completely understand why. Candid images feel natural. Emotional. Unscripted. They’re the photos that look like real life — not a performance. But here’s something most couples don’t realize: Many of the “candid” images you see — especially on Pinterest — aren’t actually unplanned.

They’re guided. And that’s not a bad thing.

There are some weddings that feel like stepping into another world — and Alexis and Austin’s wedding at Etre Farms was exactly that. Their entire day felt like something straight out of Bridgerton: soft spring colors, endless florals, glowing candlelight, and a love story that was so clearly at the center of it all.

Choosing your wedding photographer is about so much more than beautiful images — it’s about trust. As a wedding photographer based in West Michigan, I’ve had the privilege of documenting celebrations across Michigan, Detroit, Chicago, and beyond.

For the last several months, I've been working with Alleigh on a project I knew, from the first conversation, would be one I'd remember. The brief was simple to say and harder to do: build a brand and website worthy of the work she's already making. Garden weddings. Quiet ceremonies. The kind of light most photographers describe but few actually find. The visuals existed. The story those visuals belonged to didn't, not yet.

The words we built everything around landed early in our discovery sessions:

Legacy, storytelling, modern romantic, intentionalOver the past few years, my work, my perspective, and even my understanding of what weddings truly mean have evolved in the most beautiful ways. As both a photographer and a recent bride myself, I’ve had the opportunity to experience weddings from both sides of the lens. That experience changed everything about how I approach documenting a couple’s story.

And it’s exactly what led to the rebrand of Alleigh Somers Photography.

As a wedding photographer currently based in West Michigan & originally from Southeast Michigan, I’ve had the opportunity to photograph celebrations in many beautiful places throughout the state. Each venue has its own personality, aesthetic, and atmosphere, which makes choosing the right one such an exciting part of the wedding planning process.