On December 5, 2025, I had the joy of photographing Tori and Matthew’s beautiful winter wedding at the stunning 2 Gather Elegant Event Space in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The day unfolded with a perfect blend of emotion, laughter, meaningful moments, and a touch of winter magic.

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A Morning of Beautiful Details

The day began with Tori getting ready, surrounded by soft light and the excited buzz that fills a bridal suite. I started with all her gorgeous details—the florals, the rings (beautiful Etsy finds), her elegant shoes, and her stunning gown from The Wedding Shoppe. Everything felt perfectly curated and so “her.”

Before Tori got into her dress, I took time to capture Matthew’s details as well. His classic look came together with the sharp suits from Wesner’s Tuxedos, and once he and the groomsmen were ready, we headed outside for group portraits and individual shots of Matthew. Even in the cold, the guys kept the energy high and made the portraits so fun.

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A Touching First Look With Dad

Once Tori was ready—hair and makeup beautifully done by Bali Lofts—we set up a first look with her dad, Larry. His reaction was filled with emotion and pride, and it was one of those moments that reminds me why I love this job so much.

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A Short, Sweet, and Meaningful Ceremony

The ceremony was beautifully intimate. Tori and Matthew exchanged heartfelt vows, filling the space with warmth and sincerity as friends and family looked on. It was short, sweet, and absolutely perfect.

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Portraits in the Winter Air

After the ceremony and family photos, we stepped outside to brave the chilly Michigan weather. Tori wrapped herself in a gorgeous green shawl that not only kept her warm but added a stunning pop of color to the portraits. We captured photos around the venue and took advantage of the striking rock wall across the street. Despite the cold, Tori and Matthew were amazing and the resulting images were totally worth the frozen fingertips.

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Dinner, Dancing, and the 65-Year Surprise

Inside, guests enjoyed delicious catering by Zio’s and later indulged in cake and ice cream from Sweet Escape & Treats.

The evening continued with the formal dances—Tori and Matthew’s first dance as husband and wife, followed by Tori dancing with her dad, and Matthew sharing a moment with his mom. DJ Josh from Cinderella Wedding DJ’s kept the evening flowing seamlessly.

One of the highlights of the reception was the anniversary dance, where married couples gradually left the dance floor based on how long they’ve been together. The final standing couple had been married for an incredible 65 years! In my 20+ years as a wedding photographer, that’s one of the longest-married couples I’ve ever witnessed during this tradition. The room erupted in celebration—not just for Tori and Matthew, but for a lifetime of love represented on that dance floor.

Guests enjoyed drinks throughout the night thanks to the fantastic team at Miss Mixology, who kept the bar lively and everyone refreshed.

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Vendor Team

Tori and Matthew had an amazing team of vendors who helped bring their day to life:

• Venue: 2 Gather Elegant Event Space
• DJ: Josh – Cinderella Wedding DJ’s
• Bartending: Miss Mixology
• Catering: Zio’s
• Cake & Ice Cream: Sweet Escape & Treats
• Rings: Etsy
• Dress: The Wedding Shoppe
• Suits: Wesner’s Tuxedos
• Hair & Makeup: Bali Lofts