Our Real Detroit Wedding: August 2, 2020
“My husband and I booked Mike Staff Productions for photography, videography, and our DJ for our wedding and WE COULD NOT BE HAPPIER! From the first time we went to the office to meet with them, everyone seemed so genuine and it was clear that they were not trying to screw us over with prices and did not try to upset us. They found the best photographer, videographer, and DJ to fit exactly what we wanted for our style and personalities. Communication was wonderful leading up to the wedding (customer service is also fantastic! Very responsive to emails whenever I had a question) and the day of the wedding could not have gone better. They all communicated with each other and kept everything on schedule. Our guests were extremely impressed, pleased, and had a wonderful night! From what we have seen of our pictures (we do not have them all yet), they are STUNNING, absolutely amazing quality. Our DJ kept the dance floor going all night and kept us on track as well. They were all so friendly, personable, and professional as well. Thank you so much Amy (photo), Daniel (video), and James (DJ)! We could not have pictured our big day with anyone else!! Mike Staff Productions has our highest recommendation!”
– Happy Bride, Amanda
Our Love Story
Being big travelers, we were on our second international trip together. While we were traveling all around Costa Rica, we had a relaxing day planned. We were scheduled to travel across the mountain and to the ocean to go on a sunset sailboat tour. On this tour, we would end at a private island, go snorkeling, have fresh Costa Rican fruits and drinks, and then sail back while watching the sunset over the ocean. Amanda was most excited for this out of everything on the trip and she had booked it weeks in advance. We left very early but during our car ride there, the GPS kept saying that traffic was getting worse and worse on our way over. We did not realize how bad Costa Rican traffic could be as there were no major highways or alternative routes to avoid traffic due to the landscape. As you can guess, we missed our departure time when we were originally going to be 2 hours early. We then decided it was not worth it to turn around because we had already gotten so far. We decided we would spend the day on the beach, explore, and watch the sunset ourselves. While relaxing on the beach, Logan decided this was the perfect time to pull out the ring he had been hiding in his camera bag all along. He had been waiting for the perfect location and while relaxing on Playa del Hermosa (“Beautiful Beach”), he set up his camera and GoPro as he had been doing the whole trip to take couple portraits and then got down on one knee.
Our Wedding Vision
When we started planning, we knew we wanted simple and small yet classy. We also knew we wanted nature incorporated into our wedding as we are big outdoors people so we brought this in with greenery, grapevine wreath centerpieces, and soft nature tones.
The only change to our plans was everything was moved outdoors. The reception was initially supposed to be indoors but was moved outside under a large pavilion where we also had our ceremony. Our guests sat in their seats for reception for our ceremony and a few aisles were set up up front for our family. We were very blessed to have our close friends and family there!
Our Wedding Photography
Our wedding photographer was amazing! We knew when we picked her months before our wedding that she was very talented and she was the expert. We are laid back and gave her the room to use that creativity and could not be happier with the results we received. She knew how to bring together and capture all of the details beautifully. She made sure to get everything that we wanted from the emotion of the day to the small details in the dress and rings.
Our Wedding Videography
Having a professional wedding video was important to us because it captures a lot of emotion and the memories in a way that pictures cannot. We also wanted the speeches and wedding ceremony to look back on. We loved the incorporation of our Officiant’s talk, our vows, and our loved ones’ speeches with our moments together and special details.
With this hectic time and wanting a small, more intimate wedding to begin with, our photos and wedding video really helped share our wedding day with everyone. We had several family members that live in other states that could not fly in so sharing the work from Mike Staff Productions made them feel like they could be there.
Our Wedding DJ
Our first dance was “Bless The Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts and it is now our song. We chose this song because it so beautifully describes our journey to one another. Although so worth it, the journey can be and has been very difficult to one another. We learned lessons that taught us how to love one another better on those broken roads. We now know why God chose those paths for us as he so graciously had His hand on us the entire time. As the song says, “I couldn’t see how every sign pointed straight to you.” The Lord knew the whole time as he orchestrated it all and here we are, stronger together and stronger with Him.
Our Wedding Memories
Our very favorite moment from our wedding day was heading up to the Pine Knob Gardens to take our newlywed romantic photos after our ceremony and family portraits. It was nice to go spend some alone time together that our photographer and videographer so wonderfully captured. It was lightly misting which made it perfect for photos and our video and made it fun and lighthearted. This time allowed us to take a deep breath, enjoy one another, take in everything that just happened, and truly embrace the new rings on our fingers.
Amanda and Logan’s Wedding Vendors
- Venue: Pine Knob Carriage House
- Bakery: Sugar High
- Florist: Austin’s Flowers and Gifts
- Dress: Bridal by Viper
- Tux Rentals: Men’s Wearhouse
- Beauty: BrieArtistry
- Mike Staff Productions: Wedding Photography, Wedding Videography, & Wedding DJ
Don’t trust your wedding to anyone else. Mike Staff Productions would be honored to bring your vision to life. Let’s get started!