I just returned from the Foyt-Hornshaw wedding and their gorgeous weekend in Michigan!

I’ve known Caitlin and Phil since college at Central Michigan University. We all worked for CM Life, the school’s newspaper. I have a ton of great memories from my time at CM Life even though there are only a handful of friends that I still keep in touch with.
Caitlin and Phil are two of those people.
During college I knew Caitlin a bit better than Phil, I think mostly because her and I always seemed to be in the office at crazy hours. We also both put in long nights between her writing and my managing the photo department. I remember her always sitting at one of the computers writing something or working on her classwork while waiting on stories to appear (via the police scanner or otherwise). This is also why we ended up joking around or talking to pass the time.
It led to moments of the utmost productivity, like this gem:

asdfh389

Clearly we were working very very hard that night.

Quite similar to how hard me, Phil, and the other editors were working this afternoon….

1m23sA
We got some serious distance with that launcher. Don’t worry, no one was around. But that fruit cup…um… didn’t survive.

After graduation I returned home to California, and then about a year later I moved to LA. An about a year after that was when Phil and Caitlin decided to move west and head to LA themselves.
It was still quite a while before our schedules and lives slowed down enough to a point that we finally crossed paths, but that’s LA for you. Everyone is busy a lot of the time and really you just need to schedule time to have time… plus it’s fair to argue that I’m not around that often, either.

Well, fast forward a bit and Phil and Caitlin are engaged! And I’ve been asked not only about their wedding photography, but also engagement photos, too!
Sweet! And we’re going to the Color Run in San Diego for them! Even more awesome.

IMG_7396-2

You guys might remember seeing these. It was a pretty fun morning but these were definitely the highlight for me. Something totally different for their engagement shoot!

IMG_7419

Well, since that day in November (wow! it was a while ago now, wasn’t it?!) the wedding has come and went.

Michigan turned out to be a bit chilly (for my Californian blood anyway) and I found myself turning on the heater in the morning when it was 58 degrees out and I left the house to go get my iced chai tea… Yep, I’m that guy at the coffee shop – the one that doesn’t drink coffee.
But the wonderful thing about Michigan in the Fall is the light. Hell, most of the year there is such incredible light to shoot with. I don’t know if the people there realize how great they have it. Blue skies and white puffy clouds are totally normal. We have to photoshop things like that back in Los Angeles.

I’ll get to the pictures here shortly and let them do the rest of the talking with some captions here and there. Save to say that my weekend with the Foyt and Hornshaw families was pretty awesome. I had such a wonderful time getting to know everyone. I had met a small handful of Caitlin and Phil’s friends back in LA, and a couple of them were there at the wedding, too. But to have more time to hang out, talk, and laugh with everyone was a blast.

So, with that… I’ll shut up. Click past the break for the remaining images in this 250 photo blog post about the Foyt-Hornshaw wedding out at Lake Orion, Mich.

 

IMG_9035

Heading out to rehearsal, it was chillier than the blue skies lead you to believe

IMG_9037

IMG_9041

Everyone lined up and being talked through the ceremony

IMG_9043

All done and we’re only doing one run-through! Everyone remember their positions!!!

IMG_9048

Opening their gifts from Caitlin

IMG_9051

IMG_9052

Toasting the Bride & Groom

IMG_9063

Up for an early start the next morning! I’m sure the girls were thrilled I showed up with a camera. hahaha

IMG_9065

Courtney setting up a display full of family photos

IMG_9067

IMG_9069

All the centerpieces and settings were put together by Caitlin and her girls! So much work and time put in to these

IMG_9071

IMG_9076

The place cards were all hanging with a small key on this door. Caitlin spent quite a while organizing everyones names in alphabetical order

IMG_9077

IMG_9078

Mr. Foyt had spent a lot of time putting the door hooks in after finding an old door from an old building to fit Caitlin’s theme and style for her decorations

IMG_9081

IMG_9085

After leaving the golf course we headed to the salon so the girls could get their hair and makeup started

IMG_9094

IMG_9095

Caitlin’s hair is coming along

IMG_9102

Dad stopped by to drop a few things off and took a quick look to see how his daughter was looking

IMG_9106

Checking placement for the headband

IMG_9111

IMG_9113

Busy instagramming!! haha!

IMG_9118

IMG_9122

IMG_9128

IMG_9131

IMG_9132

All the chairs were full, Caitlin’s girls filled the whole salon on both sides

IMG_9142

Pita Pit arrived and it was time for lunch! I definitely ate right after this photo, too. haha!

IMG_9146

Time for makeup.

IMG_9148

IMG_9152

IMG_9153

IMG_9156

“You’re takin a photo with these on my face?!” …. yes. Yes I am.

IMG_9160

IMG_9164

A few lip touchups and we’re ready to head back to the venue!

IMG_9166

Back at Myth Golf Course it was turning in a beautiful afternoon

IMG_9167

Wellllllp, I’m going to be in every single wide angle shot it seems…

IMG_9170

When you need help with setting the dress… borrow a bridesmaid. haha!
Saralyn was kind enough to come help me shoot Caitlin’s dress.

IMG_9171

IMG_9181

IMG_9185-Edit

Caitlin’s dress, simple and very pretty.

IMG_9187

IMG_9194

Signing her shoes

IMG_9195

Some of the other girls did their makeup back at the Myth

IMG_9197

The favors! they were custom made little versions of Phil, Caitlin, and Kiwi!

IMG_9198

IMG_9202

IMG_9205

IMG_9211

IMG_9212

IMG_9215

IMG_9219

IMG_9224

Going over everything making sure everything is still on schedule

IMG_9226

IMG_9229

All set up and ready for guests!

IMG_9231

IMG_9235

IMG_9242

IMG_9247

IMG_9248

IMG_9251

IMG_9281

Phil’s dad, attaching a boutonniere to his son

IMG_9282

IMG_9285

And Phil helping his father with his

IMG_9288

I love this shot

IMG_9290

IMG_9298

And helping his step-dad next

IMG_9303

Phil, looking sharp.

IMG_9307

Back inside Caitlin was tryin on her shoes

IMG_9311

IMG_9318

Had to get some shots of her girls’ signatures before she walked down the aisle!

IMG_9319

IMG_9321

Sister Courtney helping get Caitlin into her dress

IMG_9324

Mom watching in the back along with the girls

IMG_9325

And then Courtney almost lost it, along with the other girls…

IMG_9328

IMG_9329

Saralyn, taking care of the buttons

IMG_9331

IMG_9339

IMG_9342

Gotta get a few shots of the bride before we head out

IMG_9356

IMG_9358

My cameo in one of the photos! hahaha

IMG_9362

Everyone has their carts and are ready to head down to the ceremony. You can see it just above the cars on the left

IMG_9363

Quick shot with Caitlin before running out!… so quick I didn’t have time to check the focus

IMG_9366

IMG_9370

IMG_9374

IMG_9390

IMG_9393

IMG_9394

Phil was smiling pretty much the entire day, he barely stopped

IMG_9396

IMG_9398

IMG_9400

IMG_9403

IMG_9406

IMG_9410

IMG_9412

IMG_9415

IMG_9416

IMG_9428

A few pieces were read by their aunts

IMG_9440

IMG_9443

IMG_9451

IMG_9453

Tears were shed by most of the family, including the bride. It was an emotional wedding

IMG_9454

IMG_9456

IMG_9457

IMG_9458

IMG_9459

IMG_9461

IMG_9462

IMG_9463

IMG_9467

Exchanging of rings

IMG_9468

IMG_9469

Phil promises he’ll be Caitlin’s..

IMG_9470

IMG_9472

And Caitlin promises to be Phil’s

IMG_9477

IMG_9480

It was a bit breezy out and the unity candle was tricky. But everyone was in great spirits and laughed it off

IMG_9484

IMG_9486

IMG_9490

IMG_9493

Woo hoo! Husband and Wife!!

IMG_9499

IMG_9501

Mr. and Mrs. Hornshaw!

IMG_9503

IMG_9505

This moment as Phil and Caitlin crossed the bridge by themselves immediately after the ceremony was gorgeous with them silhouetted against bridge and fields.

IMG_9506

IMG_9511

IMG_9512

And after a couple signatures it’s now completely official

IMG_9514

IMG_9520

IMG_9539

Caitlin and her sister Courtney

IMG_9547

With all of our relatives getting older I can fully understand making sure to share important moments with them. My own grandparents are getting older

IMG_9567

The wedding party, looking sharp!

IMG_9584

IMG_9593

Mr. and Mrs. Hornshaw, looking amazing!

IMG_9596

IMG_9608

IMG_9615

Lighting and colors in Michigan are pretty amazing this time of year

IMG_9623

Getting situated on the bridge for some bridge photos. Don’t want to be that story of the bride who fell in the river before her reception!

IMG_9626

IMG_9630

IMG_9636

IMG_9637

IMG_9638

With such a cute location we made sure to take a bunch of photos

IMG_9639

IMG_9641-2

IMG_9642

IMG_9648

IMG_9651

IMG_9655

IMG_9659

One of us before we head in to the reception!

IMG_9660

As we turned to leave, we tried a few more photos with this lighting. It really was gorgeous

IMG_9664

IMG_9665

These images are straight from camera, with only a veryyy slight vignette added. That’s how awesome the lighting is this time of year.
YOU DON’T REALIZE HOW GOOD YOU GOT IT MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHERS!!!

IMG_9679

Shoes are still holding up!

IMG_9686

Phil and Caitlin take a minute before everyone’s entrance to thank everyone for being part of their wedding day

IMG_9701

IMG_9703

Speech time

IMG_9711

Maid of Honor, and sister to the bride, Courtney was up first

IMG_9715

“I haven’t tested this (speech) so I don’t know how long it is..” – Nick

IMG_9718

And every great author should quote a great author in a speech, right?

IMG_9719

IMG_9722

Nick’s speech was very heartfelt as he talked about growing up with Phil and their experiences in life

IMG_9724

IMG_9725

IMG_9727

Caitlin’s dad said a few words, too.

IMG_9730

IMG_9733

After speeches, as the sun began to set, everyone started on dinner.

IMG_9738

IMG_9741

The poor bridesmaids! All the air conditioning vents were right behind their chairs! Yikes

IMG_9749

Dana and Krista chatting with the bride. We all used to work at the news paper together.

IMG_9756

IMG_9758

Phil and Caitlin had a special vegan cake made since several people in the wedding party are vegan.

IMG_9761

IMG_9764

Figuring out the best way to do the cutting. haha!

IMG_9766

IMG_9768

IMG_9774

IMG_9778

IMG_9786

IMG_9794-2

First dance as husband and wife was next

IMG_9798

IMG_9799

IMG_9800-2

IMG_9807

IMG_9809-2

IMG_9812

IMG_9824

IMG_9825

IMG_9826

IMG_9832

IMG_9836

IMG_9843

Followed by the Daddy-Daughter dance

IMG_9848

Phil and his mom waiting for the Mother-Son dance, and watching Caitlin and her dad

IMG_9855

Caitlin’s aunt jumping in for a photo. haha!

IMG_9859

IMG_9862

IMG_9864

Really cute moment of Phil and his mom

IMG_9867

And her wiping away some tears

IMG_9871

IMG_9904

IMG_9943

Getting a little artsy with the rings. It’s great when there are things like this that I can incorporate into images and detail shots

IMG_9953

IMG_9962

IMG_9966

IMG_9967

IMG_9976

All ex-CM Life staff, including me! haha!

IMG_0014

Dad, breakin it down

IMG_0016

IMG_0026

DH and Dana, old friends from CM Life and school, the two of them got engaged earlier this year

IMG_0035

IMG_0044

And of course I had to get photos with everyone I knew, too!

IMG_0046

IMG_0047

IMG_0048

Me and the Mayo’s!  Krista and Jason!

IMG_0069

IMG_0080

Back on the dance floor, as the night was winding down, Caitlin and Phil are in their own little world together

IMG_0099

Dancing and laughing together

IMG_0134

Instagramming I’m guessing…

IMG_0138

Yep! Selfie time!

IMG_0139

Fine! I can do the selfie thing, too!

IMG_0149

Me and Jake

IMG_0145

And always the most important photo from the evening, me with the bride and groom!

 

So that’s it! That wraps up my time shooting the Foyt-Hornshaw wedding this past weekend! Again, I had a wonderful time with everyone and it was great to be able to be part the wedding of two old friends from school. Not many of us from the journalism program went on to become the writers and photographers we set out to be… but the three of us did. And now Phil and Caitlin are taking that whole next step in life together. How awesome is that? I’ll get there some day, but for now it’s just cool to capture it for everyone else.

Thanks again for having be part of it Phil and Caitlin! You guys are the best.

 

 

Leave A Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *