SHANNON + TEDDY’S WELCOME PARTY
THE NIGHT BEFORE: A WELCOME PARTY IN DOWNTOWN ANN ARBOR
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.
RETURNING TO WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
To begin their wedding weekend, Shannon and Teddy chose to return to a place that held special meaning in their story — Downtown Ann Arbor.
As alumni of The University of Michigan,there’s something incredibly intentional about choosing a location that reflects your history together. It adds a layer of depth to the celebration — a quiet reminder of where everything started before stepping into what comes next.
Surrounded by the familiar charm of the city, their evening felt both nostalgic and full of anticipation.
GOLDEN HOUR IN ANN ARBOR
Before the celebration began, Shannon and Teddy took a few moments for themselves.
As the sun dipped lower over Ann Arbor, golden hour created the most beautiful, soft light — the kind that feels almost cinematic. These quiet moments together allowed them to pause, take it all in, and simply be present with one another before the weekend fully unfolded.
It’s often these in-between moments that become some of the most meaningful.
After their photos were delivered, Shannon shared with me that due to timing and life circumstances, they hadn’t had the opportunity to take engagement photos — something she had always felt they missed out on during their wedding season.
Being able to capture these moments for them during such a meaningful part of their weekend made it feel even more special. In many ways, it became a space for them to slow down, be together, and create images they’ll cherish for years to come.
AN EVENING FILLED WITH WARMTH AND CELEBRATION
As guests began to arrive, the energy of the evening shifted into something celebratory and full of life.
Their welcome party was filled with laughter, conversation, and the kind of warmth that only comes from being surrounded by your closest friends and family. It set the tone for the rest of the weekend — not just a celebration, but a gathering of the people who have shaped their story.
There’s something so special about documenting this part of a wedding weekend. It’s more relaxed, more candid, and often where some of the most genuine moments unfold.
WHY WELCOME PARTIES MATTER
Rehearsal dinners and welcome parties are often overlooked when it comes to photography, but they hold so much meaning.
They give couples the opportunity to:
connect with guests in a more relaxed setting
share stories and laughter before the wedding day
create additional memories that become part of the full story
spend intentional time with loved ones ahead of the wedding, allowing the day itself to feel more present and less pressured
From a photography perspective, they allow space for moments that feel effortless and unhurried — a beautiful complement to the energy of the wedding day itself.
A MEANINGFUL BEGINNING
Moments like these are often quieter and more relaxed, but they hold just as much meaning. They’re where the weekend begins, where stories are shared, and where the anticipation of what’s to come truly settles in.
Capturing this part of their story was such an honor, and it was the perfect way to lead into the celebration that followed.
If you’re planning a wedding weekend and want every part of your story documented — from the night before to the final moments on the dance floor — I would love to be a part of it.
