Augusta Creek Wedding Photo & Video | Delton MI

Chasing the Sun at Augusta Creek

When we first arrived at the property, our immediate question was: Where does the sun drop at golden hour?

Augusta Creek has so much land area, and as visual storytellers, we want to know exactly how much room we have to chase the light. It turns out, the entire back lawn meant for on-site ceremonies is an East/West structure. It didn't matter that the sun was slipping away, since the property had a full half-mile of space to find the light!

In late September, the sun settles right over the reception venue, bathing the lawn in warm gold. For a wedding photographer and videographer, it’s a dream layout. It meant we could slip away for just a few moments without wasting a single second traveling off-property. Golden hour scenes are so precious to capture.

Angel and Ryan's wedding at Augusta Creek

Angel and Ryan’s wedding day began at Augusta Creek, our getting-ready location. The wedding itself took place in a tiny Catholic chapel nearby in Delton, Michigan. Golden hour was captured on Augusta Creek's massive open lawn. And the fun also included a highly strategic fake dress reveal, a priest who stayed to enjoy the dance floor, and the couple's adorable dog on-site for a few memorable images. It was elegant and fun!

As a husband-and-wife photo and video team, this was our first time shooting at Augusta Creek (a relatively new West Michigan Venue). We’d met the owners at a bridal show in January, and had been counting down the days to see it all for ourselves.

A Tiny Delton Catholic Chapel

Before the party kicked off, Angel and Ryan exchanged vows at a tiny Catholic parish in Delton, Michigan, called St. Ambrose, just an eight-minute drive down the road.

Because one of them is Catholic and the other is not, they opted for a traditional ceremony without the full Mass. The parish priest was incredibly welcoming and kind.

What we didn't expect was for that same priest to stay all night to party on the dance floor. Watching the day transition from a quiet, sacred chapel service into an uninhibited, joyful celebration with all their favorite people was easily one of our favorite memories of the day.

The Champagne Pop That Went Everywhere

A wonderful perk of Augusta Creek is the getting-ready suites. Two suites, well separated from one another, BOTH with isolated outdoor patios, spacious, with running water and fridges! The bridal suite also features full showers as well as in-suite bathrooms.

While the guys were busy shooting some high-fashion, editorial portraits with our wonderful second photographer, Rachel Kaye, Angel and her bridesmaids stepped out onto the patio with a bottle of champagne. After the big pop, one of the bridesmaids called out "Give it one more good shake" for the camera and Angel took those instructions literally. We may have had a bit more than necessary! Luckily, hair and makeup were already locked in, so the girls just let it dry and kept laughing. A little sticky? Yes. Worth it for the moment? Absolutely.

Getting "Iced" Before the Reception

Because the morning timeline was packed, Angel and Ryan skipped a traditional first look. But after the ceremony, we decided to have some fun with the bridal party.

We set the groomsmen up for a "fake" dress reveal. It's true that they had just watched Angel walk down the aisle and had already seen the dress, but we told them we wanted the photo op, and that their assignment was to pretend it was the first time seeing her and that this was a surprise reveal. The guys absolutely nailed it, putting on massive, exaggerated expressions of shock when they got the green light to turn around.

The punch line was the Smirnoff Ice under her dress.

If you know the game, you know the rules. And the groomsmen's faces went from theatrical shock to laughing acceptance of the prank. It's the little things that make the moment. Later, for bridal party fun, we had Angel and Ryan run through a tunnel of "high-fives", and captured the action!

Lighting Up the Night with Luxx Entertainment

To cap off the night, Angel and Ryan's adorable dog popped into the reception for a quick cameo (because if your dog can't make the mass, they absolutely deserve a party portrait), and the DJ Mike from Luxx Entertainment opened the night with the HYPE entrance (where the whole bridal party enters all at once). Once the neon party foam sticks came out, the energy went through the roof. From a media perspective, those foam sticks are priceless. They give everyone something to do with their hands, which (along with the alcohol) lowers inhibitions and they throw fun, shifting colors into the crowd, making the party pictures and wedding film feel vibrant and alive.

Planning a Southwest Michigan Wedding

If you are currently touring Augusta Creek in Delton, Michigan, or planning a wedding across Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan, we would love to capture your story. This venue is perfect for couples who love evening light and golden hour, and we would be so honored to get you the photo and video coverage your day deserves. Get in touch to check your date.