Skip to content

Regan & Shannon

It’s pronounced like the ex president. He’s been my friend for years and I still say it wrong; like rEgan, or redo, as in, can I get a redo on saying your name. Anyway, he and his beautiful bride Shannon were married back on October 15 and I had the good pleasure to be asked to photograph it for them. I was super excited because they had just transferred to Seattle last February and I thought I was going to do a little traveling, ha! But, it made more sense for them to come here instead of everyone going there. So alternatively the ceremony and reception were at Caberfae Peaks Ski Resort just west of Cadillac Michigan – which is still a pretty sweet location in the middle of October.

Being an outdoors lover, I was pumped to get some great outdoor fall themed shots from up on the ski hill. Regan is an outdoors & ski junky so I knew they would be willing to play along with whatever ideas I could throw at them – the day woke up to bitter cold rain and temperatures of which we hadn’t seen yet that season; and winds that would rip your face off if you sat around long enough. I arrived at the resort early to do some location scouting. The place also has a golf course – they loaned me a cart and I proceeded to motor around the course and hill base. I was fully clothed and with jacket; I couldn’t feel my finger tips on the steering wheel. It was time to change the plans. There was no way I was going to get women in dresses out in this weather. It was pretty miserable. That’s okay though, it’s not like the rustic lodge was going to be bad; it was a ski lodge for cripes sake.

I knew the day was going to be pretty emotional for everyone. I had never met Shannon in person, but had communicated with her online quite a bit. Shannon’s family is just coming out of a rough year as her mother passed away three days after Thanksgiving last year. It was quick and aggressive and the memory was very present. The place was decorated beautifully for the season and Regan and Shannon (I’m guessing more Shannon) picked a great color palette that went along with the knotty-pine lodge perfectly. There were touches of her mother throughout, as well as her mother’s favorite saying, “Live, Laugh, Love.”  It was going to be beautiful regardless of the weather.

I spent the next few hours with Shannon and the bridesmaids as they got ready. Those girls are a rowdy bunch (this, unbeknownst to me, would become the theme of the evening). Everyone, including Chipper the dog, was havin’ a blast when it came time for Shannon & Regan, and the rest of the bridal party, to meet up and do photos about 45 minutes before the ceremony. When we walked back into the main room of the lodge, we noticed something; daylight! The weather was breaking. The rain gone and ground dry, the sun was starting to peak, which allowed us to complete outside photos as long as we didn’t stray too far from the lodge. And then, as if right on cue, the sun came on strong just as the ceremony was about to begin. Though the temp only slightly came up and winds barely slowed, the sun made all the difference in the world.

The ceremony was perfect, and at one point while Regan read his page of vows (previously promising Shannon to keep it a max of five sentences), there was not a dry eye in the entire house. His words were beautiful. After the ceremony we all headed outside for a butterfly release in honor of Shannon’s mother. After a few more photos, it was time for the party to start.

It was at this time it became clear to me that this night was turning towards a ladies night. As I mentioned earlier, those ladies more than just the bridesmaids, knew how and were getting. it. done. At one point I was invited to an infamous women’s “group bathroom break” to see what really goes on. I was shocked. I had no idea. In a men’s room no one has ever seen the white’s of another man’s eye and all can tell you exactly what type of ceiling the bathroom offers. There was practically a full bar in that ladies room and I saw things done with a vodka bottle I didn’t even know were possible. The party spilled back onto the dance floor where for the remainder of the night everyone had a blast and Regan kept doing air-guitar.

As the reception came to an end, it concluded with a surprise early birthday celebration for Regan. It was a perfect finish for a perfect wedding celebration. The party, however, was not over; much of the guest-force simply walked across the parking lot to their rooms at the Mackenzie Lodge. The party went late, involved the outdoor jacuzzi, the majority of the second floor and it was loud. But those stories are reserved for another post – and there are no photos……

Regan & Shannon, congratulations and thank you so much for asking me to be your photographer. The day was a blast and I had a great time with a lot of great people. I look forward to seeing you guys again; let me know when you’re back in the mitten – that or I may take you up on your offer to come out west! Thanks again, you two are a riot.

Copyright ⓒ 2009-2011 by Patrick J Garrett. All rights reserved. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials under the domain patrickjgarrett.com are copyrighted. No part of these pages, either images, text, audio or video may be used for any purpose other than credited personal use, unless explicit authorization by Patrick J Garrett. Therefore, the reproduction, modification, storage, in a retrieval system or retransmission, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, or otherwise, for reasons other than credited personal use, is strictly prohibited without prior written permission.

2 Comments (Add Yours)