Wedding at Zuccaro’s Banquets in Chesterfield Michigan

Getting Ready in Zuccaro’s

I am trying to write as fast as I can about ALL the weddings I took on in 2024. Trying to balance a regular posting schedule but also not spamming everyone’s feeds with something new to read! 2024 was such a good year for me and I’m excited to be writing about my experience working with Alexis and Daniel at their wedding back in October 2024. Let’s dive in!

Alexis and Daniel chose Zuccaro’s Banquets and Catering as their wedding venue. This was my first time working with Zuccaro’s and I will happily go back anytime. My couple had Billy as their maitre-d and he was outstanding. I can’t say enough good things about Billy because he was fantastic the whole night.

Alexis and Daniel both chose to get ready off-site before arriving to their venue, but we were able to utilize the bridal suite throughout the day as a spot to hang out and store gear in. Alexis arrived first and we immediately went to the suite for some getting ready photos. She put final touches on for makeup and then we moved into first look with her dad. First looks always have my heart. During this time, Daniel arrived at the venue with his groomsmen. I snagged him for a first look as well and then they both read private vows to each. I’ve written about how I photograph private vows before and I just love capturing this moment between my couples. It’s such a raw emotional moment, especially when it’s in private.

After reading their private vows, Alexis and Dan headed inside Zuccaro’s to wait for their ceremony. I met all the groomsmen, helped them with their pocket squares and boutonnieres, and took some quick pre-ceremony portraits. We were able to do some bridesmaids portraits as well after I finished up with the guys. Typically I like to work with a second photographer on wedding days. I love providing my couples with a full look at their day, but this couple opted out this time and it was just me. Photography timelines without a second photographer will always look a little different as I need just a bit more extra time to capture things! While I can freeze time, I haven’t learned how to be in two places at once.

Ceremony in Chesterfield

Alexis and Daniel held their ceremony at Zuccaro’s little white chapel outside. The weather was absolutely perfect. Alexis had tucked away until the ceremony started, careful to not let their groomsmen or Dan see her again before it started. Alexis and her bridesmaids were working to keep their kids entertained until the ceremony. Dan was chatting away with incoming guests and family and also keeping their kids entertained.

No one noticed when their officiant, Jill, pulled their older son away to plan something special during their ceremony. She told me afterwards that it was totally last minute and the idea just popped into her head. After Alexis and Daniel said their vows, Jill invited their son up to say his own vows about being a family. I cried. Alexis’s bridesmaids cried. I’m pretty sure I saw a parent crying. A guest was livestreaming or facetiming the ceremony for someone and the person on the phone was crying. I mean it can’t get any more special than that. Becoming a step-parent isn’t always an easy path, but seeing this moment was just beautiful.

After the ceremony, we stayed back at the chapel to sign the marriage license and take some family portraits. Family portraits are so important during a wedding day! To be honest, it’s not going to be your favorite part of the day but it’s so necessary. When will you ever be in a room with your entire family again? If you’re me, it’s every Thursday at a small diner just outside Marine City. One of my favorite moments from Alexis and Dan’s day is when I took a photo of Dan and his grandma. Both of them were cracking jokes like no other and watching them interact was sweet.

Party at Zuccaro’s

Cocktail hour kicked off for the guests inside the banquet hall. Alexis and Dan had chosen to take a moment alone to process everything and just be together in the bridal suite. I fixed them both a plate of appetizers, dropped it off, and went to capture their guests having some fun. Their guests were all smiles during cocktail hour. Every time I turned around, someone was laughing at a story told or smiling at one of the kids running around. It was infectious and I found myself laughing along with them.

The grand entrance kicked off the cake cutting part of the night. Alexis and Daniel’s oldest son was so excited to see that cake being served. His eyes were so big when they were cutting into it, he was ready to dig in! After this, Alexis did something unique with her bridal bouquet. Instead of tossing it to all the single women for someone to catch, she dedicated her bouquet to those who had passed prior to the wedding day. She laid her bouquet on the table with photos of their loved ones. I think this is a fantastic alternative for any bride that doesn’t like the idea of the bouquet toss. You can dedicate your bouquet and then take it after your wedding day to be preserved. Floral preservation ensures you get to keep your wedding bouquet forever!

After dinner ended, the DJ kicked off the dancing portion of the night with Alexis and Daniel’s first dance. It was so sweet to watch them dance for the first time as husband and wife. It’s always one of my favorite parts of the day! I was able to capture Alexis and Daniel dancing with their kids for the first time as a married couple. The kids absolutely loved the dance floor. The adults were dancing with the kids and it was just so cute watching all the interactions on that dance floor.