RF Wedding of the Week: Hitched at the Lake in Ann Arbor, Shot by Esme McClear and Kate Saler

I’ve done quite a few Weddings of the Week by now, so it was super insightful to be on the other side of the camera for this one—at my cousin Jamie and her husband Will’s wedding this past summer at Nordman Lake, outside of Ann Arbor.

I got to observe the way photographers Esme McClear and Kate Saler handled an August day, full sunlight and a laidback wedding with so many handmade touches (and when I say handmade, I mean Jamie, Will and their friends and family created the menu, cooked the food, assembled the bouquets and set up the decor in the days before the wedding. It was truly a communal experience).

All photos © Esme McClear and Kate Saler

“Will was cooking at his own wedding and Jamie was arranging wildflowers when we arrived,” Esme says. “They wanted to have a party doing things that they love, with the people they love. I appreciate that they didn’t follow every tradition and did what mattered most to them. It reflected them as a couple and meant more to them to follow their heart and not what was expected of them. I admire that.”

The ceremony—held on the lake—was serenaded by Depression-era trio The Jalopy Brothers, while Dan John Miller (former frontman of Goober & the Peas and Blanche, and the bride’s cousin) sang a song dedicated to the couple.

Also featured during this wedding was 15 full minutes of me crying. Here’s proof:

As far as photographic challenges, Esme and Kate say that the bright sun didn’t hold them back too much: “Overall, the light was awesome for photos! I just had to watch my ISO, focus, and exposure to make sure I was getting the couple’s faces,” Kate says.

Always taking my handwriting seriously.

And now for the party. Note the food: paella, wildflower salad, a charcuterie table, spa collins signature cocktails, pie and so much more.

As for equipment, Esme relied on Canon 5D Mark III bodies and Canon lenses: 35 f/1.4L, 85 f/1.8, 50 f/1.4, 70-200 IS USM f/2.8L and 24-70 f/2.8L

In Kate’s gear bag was a Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 5D Mark II, Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 USM lens, and Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens.

Obviously I’m biased, but Esme and Kate did a fantastic job of capturing my cousin(s)’ personalities and love for each other. xo

To submit a Wedding of the Week, email me.

Past weddings:

 An Antique Roadshow by Violet Short

Big-City Boston Milestone by Oriana Koren

An Earthy California Event By Brett & Tori