In lieu of a typical blog post I am going to share the Maid of Honor speech I gave at Kadie and Mandy's wedding day.
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Hello. For those of you who do not know me, I, infact, am not Kadie.&nbsp;
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My name is Hannah. Exactly 741 days ago, I had the pleasure of taking Kadie and Mandy&rsquo;s engagement photos&hellip; and I haven&rsquo;t been able to get rid of them since.&nbsp;
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Back track a couple of months prior, I posted a giveaway for a couple's session. I &ldquo;very randomly&rdquo; selected Kadie to be the winner. Let&rsquo;s be real, I just thought Kadie and Mandy were a super cute couple, and I maybe selfishly wanted to photograph them. Little did I know I would gain friends for life with that little giveaway.&nbsp;
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At their session, Kadie, Mandy, my now wife Leah, and I all hit it off and uhauled our friendship in true lesbian fashion. Kadie and Mandy moved 30+ minutes away from home to live at the end of our street. Honestly, they would&rsquo;ve moved into our house if we let them. We are now to the point that the four of us are collectively known as the Botkins (the Bono-Watkins).&nbsp;
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I also recently found out that Mandy was reluctant to want to do their, FREE mind you, engagement session and if that doesn&rsquo;t sum up my relationship with her I don&rsquo;t know what will.&nbsp;
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Mandy. You are like my little sister I never wanted, we bicker and make fun of each other just like sisters but at the end of the day, we can feel the love. I don&rsquo;t think our bickering will change anytime soon. I look forward to continuing our weird dynamic into both of our separate married lives until the point that our future kids learn the healthy bickering sibling relationship from us.
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Now, Kadie. Looking all dapper in your green suit, copy cat. I love you. I love our friendship. I love having someone in my life who is just like me. Neither of us had that growing up throughout high school and college. Someone to share a closet with and figure out how to dress ourselves to match our femmes. Being your friend is like always having freshly grated parmesan on top of your chicken pasta. Being your friend has made my life fuller, louder, and so much better. I&rsquo;m endlessly grateful for you and our friendship.&nbsp;
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When I started working on this speech, um well 13 days ago I asked them if they wanted to laugh or cry to which they said both. More specifically, Kadie said she loves sentimental things but knows I am a goofy goober. And that is what I love about Kadie, her sentimental side, and her goofy side (especially after a couple angries *cheers*).&nbsp;
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So now, in all seriousness, I hope you both know how special you are. Individually and together, you are absolutely amazing people, and I am so happy to be in your lives and standing up here today.
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Thank you for choosing and trusting me to be not only your masc of honor but kind of still your wedding photographer.&nbsp;
You both are the weirdest people that I know. My hope for you both in your married lives is that you never lose your goofiness and playful young mindset. But underneath all that goofiness is something really beautiful. There is a deep love for each other, a love that feels rock-solid. You can tell just by being around you guys, you are each other&rsquo;s person, you are each other&rsquo;s home.
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Now if you can all raise a glass in honor of granola&rsquo;s parents finally getting married! Cheers to the Botkins, I mean the Bonos!
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Kadie and Mandy's Wedding Day: A Wyandotte October Wedding

Now, I've been a part of many weddings, but Emily and Nick's special day is high up on my list of unique celebrations! You see, Emily and Nick decided to tie the knot in Perry, Michigan, not in a grand ballroom or a rustic barn, but on Nick's mom's property.
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This wasn't just any property, mind you. It was a beautiful piece of land by a lake, adding a special touch of tranquility to the wedding. The calm water, rustling leaves, and the gentle hum of wildlife created an atmosphere that was nothing short of magical. It felt intimate, personal, and so special.
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The ceremony and reception were both held here, with loved ones gathered under the open sky, enveloped by the beauty of nature. From the vows to the toasts, every moment was filled with raw emotion and genuine joy - something that only such a unique setting could inspire.
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But here's the best part. As the sun began to set, painting the sky with shades of orange and red, Emily and Nick decided to add their own unique twist to the day. They hopped into a canoe and paddled out onto the lake. With fishing rods in hand, they cast a few lines into the water.
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Nick caught a fish on his second cast! I could see their faces light up with joy from the shore. It was a moment of pure, unfiltered happiness - a moment that perfectly encapsulated Emily and Nick's love for each other and their shared passion for life's simple pleasures.
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Looking back, what made this wedding truly memorable wasn't just the unique location or the fishing expedition. It was the fact that every single element of the day reflected Emily and Nick's personalities and their love story. It was a day filled with laughter, love, and a whole lot of unforgettable moments - and I feel incredibly lucky to have been a part of it.
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So, here's to Emily and Nick - a couple who reminded me that weddings don't have to follow a script. They just need to be a reflection of the love that two people share. And that's the most beautiful thing of all.

A Lakeside Wedding in Perry, Michigan: Emily and Nick's Unique Celebration

Imagine this: a peaceful farm, a horse-drawn carriage, a couple totally in love&mdash;and then, just as the dance floor opens, the skies let loose. Sounds like something out of a movie, right? Nope, this actually happened at Devon and Tyler&rsquo;s wedding in Hudsonville, Michigan, and it was magical.
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Post Family Farm was the perfect spot for their big day. Think rustic charm meets simple elegance, with cozy vibes and gorgeous scenery all around. Basically, a dream for both weddings and photos.
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Now, let&rsquo;s talk about one of the best moments of the day&mdash;Devon arriving in a horse-drawn carriage. Yes, a real one! It felt like something straight out of a fairytale, and everyone watching couldn&rsquo;t stop smiling. And the best part? Devon and Tyler also left the ceremony the same way. It was so sweet, and I loved capturing those beautiful, storybook moments.
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But the day had a fun twist&mdash;just as the dancing started, so did the rain. And we&rsquo;re not talking a little sprinkle&mdash;we&rsquo;re talking full-on downpour. But instead of ruining the fun, it turned into one of the best parts of the night.&nbsp;
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We grabbed some quick rain portraits, and wow... they were romantic, spontaneous, and full of joy. There&rsquo;s just something about photos in the rain that brings out the magic.
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So there you go&mdash;a little peek into Devon and Tyler&rsquo;s unforgettable day. It was filled with love, laughter, and a surprise storm that made it even more memorable.
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Can&rsquo;t wait to share the next love story with you! And hey&mdash;maybe your wedding will be the one I&rsquo;m blogging about next.

Devon & Tyler's Rainy-Day Romance at Post Family Farm

If it's even possible to pick a favorite part of a wedding day, mine would undeniably be the whole aura surrounding Emily and Casey's celebration. There was something incredibly unique about their day. The pace of the day, the rhythm, the calm flow... it was far from the usual rush we often see in weddings. They had a day that was genuinely theirs, a day they could cherish in every tiny detail, a day that did not seem to fly by in the blink of an eye. There was no hurry, no anxiety, just pure joy and an abundance of love. It was a day that truly allowed them to soak in every moment, to enjoy each other, their family and friends, and the beautiful surroundings of Clare, MI.
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Their wedding venue, the Tobacco Ranch Event Venue, was nothing short of amazing. It had a unique charm that added an indescribable yet deeply felt character to their special day. With Emily and Casey both having grown up on farms and surrounded by nature, the venue brought everyone back to that familiar, comforting feeling in the best way possible. The sight of horses greeting guests upon arrival was a perfect and thoughtful touch that made the experience even more memorable.
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Emily and Casey, the stars of the day, were an absolute delight. Their love story, their chemistry, their shared laughter, their stolen glances... it was all so heartwarming to witness. As I clicked away, capturing their day in my lens, I couldn't help but feel privileged to be a part of this beautiful day.
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With Emily and Casey's wedding, I once again realized how important it is for couples to truly enjoy their wedding day. To take it all in, to breathe, to laugh, to cry, to dance, to love... To simply be present in those fleeting moments that make up their 'forever'. Because, at the end of the day, that's what it's all about, isn't it?
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So, here's to Emily and Casey, to their beautiful day, to their love, and to the beautiful life they are building together. They have set a wonderful example of how a wedding day should feel, and I can't wait to capture many more stories like theirs. Cheers!

A Charming Wedding Day: Emily and Casey's Relaxed Celebration

Hi! Thanks for checking in to learn more about me! I am Hannah, owner of Hannah Jo Watkins Photo. My pronouns are she/her.
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The term 'camera enthusiast' doesn't even begin to touch who I am! When I'm not exploring the world through my lens, you'll find me in the vibrant, bustling Metro Detroit, my home! A city that's as diverse and dynamic as the images I capture. My love for photography started back in middle school when my mom gifted us a small digital camera for family vacations. Little did she know, she was igniting a passion that would define my life. I found it thrilling to immortalize moments and began taking portraits of my friends in high school. Capturing their smiles, their quirks, and their personalities was exciting and fulfilling in a way words could never describe.
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But hey, I'm not all camera and no play! I'm a board game aficionado, and nothing beats a night of friendly competition. Whether it's the strategic 'Phase 10', the hilarious 'Cards Against Humanity', or the classic 'Monopoly', I'm game for it all! My current favorite is National Parks Monopoly! And when I'm not indulging in board games, you'll find me on the pickleball court. If you've never tried it, it's a mix of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, and it's an absolute blast!
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At the end of the day, however, my favorite pastime is simply spending time with my beautiful fiancee Leah and our adorable dog, Winifred. Their love and support are the driving forces behind my work, and they are my biggest cheerleaders. Leah, especially, is a great model when I want to experiment with new photography techniques!
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So, here I am, ready to capture your moments, your stories, your realities. Ready to offer you photographs that will bring you joy for years to come. Because at the end of the day, that's what it's all about. Capturing moments in time that you can look back on with a smile. So, whether it's portraits, events, or just scenic shots you're after, I'm your photographer, ready and excited to work with you!

Meet the Photographer: A Peek Behind the Lens

I Just Got Engaged&mdash;What Should I Do First?
Congratulations on your engagement! You&rsquo;ve just said &ldquo;yes&rdquo; to spending forever with the love of your life, and now you&rsquo;re probably feeling a mix of excitement, joy, and maybe even a little bit of overwhelm. But don&rsquo;t worry&mdash;you&rsquo;re not alone! There&rsquo;s a lot to think about when you first get engaged, and it can be hard to know where to start.
To help you navigate the whirlwind of emotions and tasks ahead, here&rsquo;s a guide to the first few things you should do after getting engaged.

<h4>1. Celebrate the Moment</h4>
First things first: take a moment to soak it all in! Enjoy the excitement of being newly engaged. Whether it&rsquo;s popping a bottle of champagne, having an intimate dinner, or celebrating with friends and family, make sure to take time to enjoy this special moment. This is the beginning of a beautiful journey, and you deserve to savor it.
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<h4>2. Share the News</h4>
Once you've had some time to enjoy the moment, it&rsquo;s time to tell your closest loved ones. You&rsquo;ll likely want to share the news with your family and friends, so consider calling or FaceTiming them before you post on social media. Share your excitement with those who matter most, and let them join in on your joy.
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<h4>3. Take a Deep Breath (and Enjoy the Engagement Period)</h4>
Now is the time to enjoy being engaged. You&rsquo;ve just made a huge commitment, and the world is buzzing with excitement. Don&rsquo;t feel the need to dive into wedding planning immediately. Take a few days or weeks to just enjoy the fact that you&rsquo;re engaged and living in this beautiful, happy moment.
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<h4>4. Talk About Overall Wedding Thoughts</h4>
Before diving into the wedding planning, take a moment to discuss your timeline with your fianc&eacute;. Are you eager to get married soon, or do you want to take your time? There&rsquo;s no rush&mdash;some couples plan quickly, while others enjoy a longer engagement. Talk about whether you want a big celebration or something more intimate and start discussing potential wedding dates.
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<h4>5. Create a Budget</h4>
It&rsquo;s never too early to start thinking about your wedding budget. Discuss with your partner how much you want to spend, whether you&rsquo;ll have a big wedding or a smaller, more intimate one. Being on the same page financially will help make planning easier in the long run.
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<h4>6. Research your Most Important Vendors&nbsp;</h4>
Now is the time to research what types of venues you like and begin setting up tours. Once you pick a venue, use their information as much as possible! They have recommendations for catering (if they don't include it) and other major vendors such as photo, video, floral and decor, coordination, etc. This is also a great time to consider what types of photo styles you want.
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<h4>7. Enjoy the Engagement Period</h4>
Finally, remember that the engagement period is about more than just wedding planning&mdash;it&rsquo;s a time to deepen your connection with your partner. Take this opportunity to enjoy being engaged, go on dates, travel, or work on strengthening your relationship before the wedding whirlwind begins.

I Just Got Engaged—What Should I Do First?

Hannah was perfection. We had our wedding on the Ovation Yacht, and it rained the whole day. Hannah helped things go seamlessly and was helpful beyond expectations. Thank you for making our day so special.

Danielle & Matt

If you are searching for a photographer, look no further. Our session with Hannah was so much fun, and the photos just blew us out of the water with how great they are. We were constantly laughing, and Hannah made us feel so comfortable in front of the lens. We have found our photographer for all our milestones in the future

Kadie & Mandy

Hannah did an absolutely amazing job with our wedding photos! She has such a great personality. We will definitely be booking her for future events!

Dharma & Jake

Hannah was my favorite vendor I hired for my wedding. She answered every question I had and explained how to pose for pictures well. We got our wedding pictures back to us way earlier than what was in the contract, and does incredible work! I highly recommend her!

Hailey & Kyle

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Write in the following style of this sample text which is surrounded by parentheses. (I am your most out-of-the-box soul, the term "goofball" does not even begin to describe me! When I am not traveling I am stationed in the amazing Great Lakes State of Michigan! I love potatoes, in most forms (with the exception being cheesy potatoes because I am lactose intolerant, lol) I am a complete animal lover! I cry when the dogs die in movies, not the people... whoops. Most importantly, I'm here to take beautiful photos of you that you will cherish for years!)