A realization at the breakfast bar at the diner

Sunday morning I stopped for breakfast at a diner prior to helping my brother prep his fishing boat for the Summer fishing season.  I sat at the breakfast bar at the diner with my laptop working on images from the prior Wedding day.  The breakfast was good and I was enjoying my time.

As I looked down the bar I saw a man in a military hat enjoying his meal too.  My mind flashed back to my College course of US War and Peace and listening to the stories of the Veterans.  Then I pictured the 95 year old grandma from the Wedding night before.  The things these people have experienced in their lives and the stories that they can tell are amazing.  I knew that I needed to thank this man for his service.

I asked the waitress to please let me pay his tab and tip, and to not tell him who bought his meal, but to thank him for his service.  That made me feel really good and I know that he would feel good about himself too.  Random acts of kindness rock!

This makes me think that maybe I should donate a Wedding Photography Collection every year for a Veteran.   I may be able to round up a DJ, Cake, Dress credit, transportation, lodging, ceremony and reception site, and other cool donated items too.  That would be fun to have an annual event as a thank you to our troops.  Let me know what you think.  I am just throwing the idea out there and seeing what you all think.  Give me some ideas here in the comments please.

I will be showing Wedding images soon from Saturday. You have to see this beautiful Bride and Groom.

My baby girl is sleeping on me right now. Life is good. Happy Monday.

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    Niles, Michigan Wedding | South Bend, Indiana Reception

    Tara and Josh Wedding in South Michigan

    wedding in southern michigan at church and south bend reception

    April 10, 2010 took me to Southern Michigan in the town of Niles for the Wedding of Tara and Josh.  I had captured Tara’s sister’s Wedding and Tara told me that I had to photograph her Wedding.  I was honored to be part of their Wedding day.

    My day began early in the morning after staying the night in Grand Rapids.  This was my first time capturing images at
    Wesley United Methodist in Niles, Michigan
    www.wesleyumcniles.org
    302 Cedar Street
    Niles, MI 49120-2612
    (269) 683-7250

    Wesley Methodist is a beautiful church with a short isle and an overhanging balcony that sits real close to where the bride and groom stand.  It makes a nice shot from above.  I would recommend this church to future brides.  The officiant Edward is a hoot too.  He is a parrothead and a lot of fun.

    I scouted the surrounding area and found a nice island with huge old growth trees that were kind of knarly and fun.  I figured that we could make one stop between the ceremony and reception.

    We had about 1.5 hours to capture the bride and groom prior to the Wedding and only a short time between the ceremony and reception.  I had to really have my ideas planned in advance and work though the images as quickly as possible.

    Everything ran on time during the day and we really rocked it out.  It was a fun Wedding party.

    Prior to the ceremony I visited the Wedding reception location in South Bend, Indiana at

    Waterford Estates Lodge
    www.waterfordestateslodge.com
    52890 Indiana State Route 933
    South Bend, IN 46637-3294
    (574) 272-5220

    This is a nice location for a Wedding reception with a large venue area.   It is going through an ownership change right now but will have everything worked out soon.

    The cakes was beautiful and tasty and was designed by

    Arlene’s Wedding Cakes
    www.arlenesweddingcakes.com
    Phone: 269.683.3761
    1605 Bell Road
    Niles, MI 49120

    Wedding Reception DJ was

    Audiobahn Productions
    www.audiobahnproductions.com
    info@audiobahnproductions.com
    Phone: 574.273.3112
    Speak to Matthew Cole

    There was a photobooth at the Wedding reception by

    Amusement Specialists
    269.684.3702
    The flower design by
    The Flower Cart
    www.theflowercartmi.com
    1124 North 5th Street
    Niles, MI 49120-1606
    (269) 683-5454

    All of the vendors rocked.  I would recommend all the vendors for your Wedding in the Niles, Michigan and South Bend, Indiana region.

    Check out a few of the images from the day

    Thank you to Tara and Josh, family, and friends for the good times.

    Wedding Photographer in Niles, Michigan and South Bend, Indiana

    0 comments
    Add a comment...

    Your email is never<\/em> published or shared. Required fields are marked *

      Niles, Michigan Wedding | South Bend, Indiana Reception

      Tara and Josh Wedding in South Michigan

      wedding in southern michigan at church and south bend reception

      April 10, 2010 took me to Southern Michigan in the town of Niles for the Wedding of Tara and Josh.  I had captured Tara’s sister’s Wedding and Tara told me that I had to photograph her Wedding.  I was honored to be part of their Wedding day.

      My day began early in the morning after staying the night in Grand Rapids.  This was my first time capturing images at
      Wesley United Methodist in Niles, Michigan
      www.wesleyumcniles.org
      302 Cedar Street
      Niles, MI 49120-2612
      (269) 683-7250

      Wesley Methodist is a beautiful church with a short isle and an overhanging balcony that sits real close to where the bride and groom stand.  It makes a nice shot from above.  I would recommend this church to future brides.  The officiant Edward is a hoot too.  He is a parrothead and a lot of fun.

      I scouted the surrounding area and found a nice island with huge old growth trees that were kind of knarly and fun.  I figured that we could make one stop between the ceremony and reception.

      We had about 1.5 hours to capture the bride and groom prior to the Wedding and only a short time between the ceremony and reception.  I had to really have my ideas planned in advance and work though the images as quickly as possible.

      Everything ran on time during the day and we really rocked it out.  It was a fun Wedding party.

      Prior to the ceremony I visited the Wedding reception location in South Bend, Indiana at

      Waterford Estates Lodge
      www.waterfordestateslodge.com
      52890 Indiana State Route 933
      South Bend, IN 46637-3294
      (574) 272-5220

      This is a nice location for a Wedding reception with a large venue area.   It is going through an ownership change right now but will have everything worked out soon.

      The cakes was beautiful and tasty and was designed by

      Arlene’s Wedding Cakes
      www.arlenesweddingcakes.com
      Phone: 269.683.3761
      1605 Bell Road
      Niles, MI 49120

      Wedding Reception DJ was

      Audiobahn Productions
      www.audiobahnproductions.com
      info@audiobahnproductions.com
      Phone: 574.273.3112
      Speak to Matthew Cole

      There was a photobooth at the Wedding reception by

      Amusement Specialists
      269.684.3702
      The flower design by
      The Flower Cart
      www.theflowercartmi.com
      1124 North 5th Street
      Niles, MI 49120-1606
      (269) 683-5454

      All of the vendors rocked.  I would recommend all the vendors for your Wedding in the Niles, Michigan and South Bend, Indiana region.

      Check out a few of the images from the day

      Thank you to Tara and Josh, family, and friends for the good times.

      Wedding Photographer in Niles, Michigan and South Bend, Indiana

      0 comments
      Add a comment...

      Your email is never<\/em> published or shared. Required fields are marked *

        Petoskey, Michigan
        231-445-1793 Paul@PaulRetherford.com