Fine Art Detroit Wedding Photographer

Two decades of weddings in Detroit's most storied places.

Ali & Ryan’s Quirky Blue Dress Barn Wedding Reception in Benton Harbor, MI

April 5, 2013

Ali and Ryan are the sort of people you start to like right away. They’re not shy, they’re incredibly funny, and within 5 minutes of meeting them, they have you feeling (or at least wishing) you’ve known them your whole life. Ali and Ryan wanted their wedding to be intimate, keeping the focus on the two of them, so they eloped to Costa Rica. They still wanted the chance to celebrate their nuptials with their family and friends, so when they returned, they threw a huge party at The Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor, Michigan. The party was a blast, complete with handpicked dahlias, cowboy boots, and a live blue grass band.

The exterior of the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor Michigan, shot by wedding Photographer Heather Jowett. DIY Signage at Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor Michigan, shot by wedding Photographer Heather Jowett. A groom gets ready at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor Michigan, shot by wedding Photographer Heather Jowett. Antique details at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor Michigan, shot by wedding Photographer Heather Jowett. A bride gets ready at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor Michigan, shot by wedding Photographer Heather Jowett. A bride puts on her cowboy boots at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor Michigan, shot by wedding Photographer Heather Jowett. Bride and Groom share a first look at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor Michigan, shot by wedding Photographer Heather Jowett. Candid style Bride and groom photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor. Fun Bride and groom photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor. Bride's cowboy boots and DIY bouquet photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor. Funny Bride and Groom photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor. Bridesmaids in Floral Dresses and cowboy boots photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor. Casual groomsmen photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor. Wedding party casual clothing photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor. Wedding party hugs the bride and groom photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor. Rustic DIY details and centerpieces photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor. Dahlia flower vintage centerpieces with succulents photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor. Coffee wedding favors and Dahlias in vintage mason jar vases photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor. Bunting hangs from the ceiling of the Blue Dress Barn photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett in Benton Harbor. DIY cupcakes and wood cake stands photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor. The barn ready for a vintage reception photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor. DIY photobooth made by the bride and groom photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor. DIY photobooth photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor. Wedding guests enjoy cocktail hour photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor. The father of the bride makes a toast at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett. The maid of honor makes a toast at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett. The bride and groom laugh at a toast at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett. Wedding guests sit to enjoy dinner at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett. The Appleseed Collective plays blue grass music live at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett. The bride and groom share a first dance as The Appleseed Collective plays blue grass music live at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett. Wedding guests dance as The Appleseed Collective plays blue grass music live at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett. Wedding guests mingle on the balcony at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett. Wedding guests enjoy beer from mason jars at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett. The groom wears a cravet at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett. Groomsmen enjoy a celebratory cigar at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett. Wedding guests dance as The Appleseed Collective plays blue grass music live at the Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor photographed by Ann Arbor Michigan wedding photographer Heather Jowett.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Stay tuned for more updates!

previously

What do you think? Cancel reply

16 Comments

/mariahedengren
April 7, 2013

I love the warm tones in your images. And what awesome shots!

Reply
Marie
April 7, 2013

Wow – what a stunning barn, beautiful details and fabulous portraits Heather. x

Reply
Eliza
April 7, 2013

What a beautiful, and fun, wedding! I love the attendants’ shots, and the details are stunning.

Reply
Mary Sylvia
April 8, 2013

Adore that shot of her bridesmaid putting on the bracelet. You can totally feel the epic concentration.

Reply
David Childers
April 8, 2013

Beautiful day and shots, and he looks like a rugged Daniel Radcliff!

Reply
don barrington
April 8, 2013

luv ur B&W. great coverage! 😀

Reply
Natalie
April 8, 2013

This couple has pizazz – Love it! The photograph of her jumping up on him with her cowgirl boots… awesome!

Reply
Porter
April 8, 2013

bahh the leaf picture is so amazing. i love this couple and i dont even know them, you rocked this so hardcore heather!

Reply
Matthew Long
April 8, 2013

wow, I love the venue and details, and so full of humour.

Reply
tim riddick
April 8, 2013

private part cover up… amazeballs!

Reply
mathias fast
April 11, 2013

everything about these is straight up amazing

Reply
Paul Rowland
April 15, 2013

A wonderfully gorgeous wedding! Love the pictures in front of the silo.

Reply
kristi wright
April 29, 2013

Killer work, Heather.

Reply
Josh
May 4, 2013

Nice shots! The ring finger one is funny. My favorite one lol

Reply
Derek Martinez
May 9, 2013

You captured and told their wedding story beautifully, phenomenal work!

Reply
Cam Grove
September 14, 2013

Wow, incredible work – I love the colours and the backlit bw shots in the barn are fantastic.

Reply