Brittany + Nate: The Porter Wedding Trailer

How do I even begin with this wedding? How do I sum up all of these emotions, memories, and feelings? This wasn't just a wedding, this was Brittany+Nate, two people that I've known for years, have grown incredibly close to, and love so dearly. This wedding, their wedding, was potentially the most amazing, and most emotional wedding I've ever filmed. Where do I even start to tell their story?

I met Nate on a Tuesday night on campus. It was the start of his sophomore year, my junior. Our mutual friend Savi introduced the two of us, knowing we both shared a similar passion- film. I won't lie, I was a little unsure of Nate, and was actually really closed off. I knew his older brother, and knew how great of a filmmaker he was, therefore Nate must have been just as amazing. This was intimidating.

We didn't talk much, in fact I tried to get away as soon as I could. It wasn't until about a month later, when I was in the middle of trying to pull a video together on my own, that Nate walked into the corum and saw the panic and madness I was in. He came up to me and asked a simple question, "do you need some help?" Little did I know that would be the start of one of my dearest friendships.

Im sure I had "met" brittany in passing before the night she came to my house in downtown GR, but my earliest memory of her is that night when this girl that Nate had been going on and on about, came to our Friday night Movie Night. She made and brought the most amazing baked goods for us and I told Nate that night, "you're to marry that girl." Little could I have known that this breathtakingly beautiful girl who sat on my couch would sure enough, be the girl that my best friend would come to make his wife.

Over these last few years I have had the amazing ability to watch these two fall in love, grow together, and become a true reflection of God's image. They have stuck together through thick and thin, have encouraged each other to be a better person than they were the day before, and have sought God with everything within themselves. I know beyond a doubt these two were meant to be from the beginning of time. I don't say this lightly- they are absolutely perfect for one another.

I couldn't have been more blessed to have had the honor of sharing the day with these two in such a special and unique way. Having the ability to see all those little looks, all those "my breath was just taken away" moments. I couldn't have been more thankful to be there with them on that special day this past summer, but more so, I couldn't be more thankful to call these two my friends.

There are an uncountable number of words that I could try and use to describe Brittany+Nate, their wedding day, and their love. How could I sum all that up? Where would I begin? Well, this trailer is probably a good place to start. From all of us at the Shadow|Shine team, we are wishing our very own Mr+Mrs Porter the absolute very best, and an eternity of happiness. Here’s to these two beautiful people!

-Matthew

Ashley + Joseph: The Giovannucci Wedding Trailer

There is something so awesome and wonderful about sharing in the wedding day of a dear friend and long time colleague. You're not just coming to celebrate the day, or even the love story that lead to this extra special day; you're coming to celebrate and cheer for someone close and dear to you. For our team, we could not have been more excited to have celebrated Ashley's HUGE DAY when she married the man of her dreams, the love of her life, Joseph.

We've known Ashley since she was a freshman in college. Even back then you didn't have to be around her for long to feel the joy and energy that she exuded. From the moment that most of us met her we knew this was an extra special girl, whom there was an extra special guy that God had made ready for her. Cue Joseph, an awesome, super friendly, loveable guy that she had met back in their home school days. Their story started out ironic enough that Ashley didn't quite find herself attracted to Joseph at first, but he slowly found himself falling for her regardless. Eventually he built up the courage to pursue her, and after winning her heart he asked to make her his wife.

We could go on and on about how perfect these two are for each other, how much we love and adore them, or even how amazing of a Godly couple they are, but we're pretty sure their wedding day sums it up better than we could- just look at those smiles! Theirs is a love that lasts for the ages. So excited for you both, and can't wait to see where the Lord takes you next. Here's to Mr + Mrs Giovannucci!

Margaret + Kevin: Live United. Love Forever.

Meet Margaret+Kevin

Formerly Michiganders. Colorado Adventurers. Friends. Hillsdale Chargers. Husband + Wife. These two are adorable, in every sense of the word, and they compliment each other in the most perfect of ways. You can just feel the joy when you're around them! Spending the day with them down in southern Michigan was so nostalgic. We've known Margaret for a very long time now -ever since our youth group and Youth In Government days back in highschool- so there wasn't a second thought for us when she asked us to photograph her and Kevin's special day. Their Three Rivers + Centerville fused wedding was so gorgeous. Scroll through some of their wedding photos if you're a fan of breathtaking church architecture, crazy fun bridal parties, moments that take your breath away, and a couple too cute for their own good!

MEET ME AT THE CHURCH

LIKE SOMETHING OUT OF A 1920'S FILM

SPEECHLESS MOMENTS

LET'S PARTY!

LIVE UNITED. LOVE FOREVER.

AND THEY DANCED ALL NIGHT...

Night of Nets @ CU

We are extremely excited about taking part in the final Night of Nets event of the Fall season, happening at Cornerstone University tonight. It has been so amazing being a part of this journey, and helping lend our talents to spreading the story of Malaria, bed nets, and a world that we desperately long to see- a world without Malaria, and more so a world without disease or sickness.

These are the stories we live to tell; the story of two communities, nearly a third of a world away from each other, engaging with one another to learn from the other, and to help make a difference for a world we want. We could not be more thankful to have the chance to help tell this story, and to help raise awareness about how we can work to end Malaria worldwide.

It's so easy to get involved, and so simple to help make a huge change in places like Zambia, or other Sub-saharan African countries. How could we not help for only $6.00? 

If you're in the Grand Rapids area tonight, we would love to see you at the CU Men's Soccer Night of Nets game tonight starting at 7pm. Come be a force for change, come be a part of the story.

The World You Want: A Conversation about Malaria

In May of this year I journeyed to the small Sub-saharan African country of Zambia as part of a relief and global outreach team to see first hand the extreme poverty and disease that is common in this land. As part of the journey, I set out to help document and tell the story of the injustices that the large majority of the people face every day. One of these issues is the crisis of Malaria. Malaria is a disease of the blood that is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted from person to person by a particular type of mosquito, the Anopheles Mosquito.

Once the parasite enters the human body it travels to the liver where it multiplies approximately 10,000 times, and approximately two weeks after entering the body, the parasite bursts into the bloodstream where it infects red blood cells. Once there, if drugs are not available, or if the parasite is resilient to them, the malaria infection can rapidly develop into hypoglycemia, anemia, or cerebral malaria, in which capillaries carrying blood to the brain are blocked. If the disease develops into Cerebral malaria, it can cause coma, lifelong learning disabilities, and death.

Malaria medication, in places such as Sub-Saharan Africa, is difficult for most families to purchase or acquire as it is expensive and is sometimes non-affective on certain strains of malaria, for which there are more than a 100 species of. In cases where parents or caregivers develop malaria, they most commonly develop a high fever and become bedridden, making it that much more difficult to work and provide for not just their families, but also to purchase medication to get better. Further more, because the female Anopheles primarily bites between 9pm and 5am, it is extremely effective to help prevent the spread of Malaria through the use of practical mosquito bed nets.

Speaking with the Zambians, it was overwhelming to hear their optimism and outlook on the issue of Malaria, and to hear just how effective and ideal the solution to ending the disease is through the use of bed nets.The concept of a simple bed net as a preventative, one in which a child or parent does not have to worry if they will get sick, or if they will need to choose between medication or food, was one that was eye opening and completely compelling. How could I not share this story, a story of how simple it is to help get involved and end the spread of Malaria, and effectively end malaria itself.

This is a discussion on malaria, it's effects, it's victims, and it's preventatives. Is this the world you want?

-Matthew

Skye + Eric: The Pokoyoway Wedding Trailer

You know those couples you meet and are instantly great friends with? That was totally Skye+Eric for us! Skye connected with us way back in the spring of 2013 to tell us about her and Eric's June Leland wedding, and it took no time at all to realize that spending the day with these two would be awesome- we didn't quite expect, though, just how much we would fall in love with them!

Every moment from their rehearsal, all the way to the end of their wedding day, at a campfire on the beach, these two were a blast to hang out with. More so their entire wedding was so very personal and authentic. You could not find a single detail that Skye and Eric hadn't thoughtfully chosen and selected to help create a wedding celebration that was true to them, their family and friends. From the breathtaking Joye's Cottage overlooking Lake Michigan, where their bridal party stayed for the weekend, to the Old Art Building in downtown Leland where their ceremony+reception were held, they threw a wedding party where everyone felt at home.

We loved every minute of this wedding, and really wish we could relive it every week! Skye and Eric, you two are amazing and so kind, we can't thank you enough for letting us share in your day- cheers to you, and looking forward to the many years ahead of you both!

Jamie + Vlad: The Taralunga Wedding Trailer

We have shared in many a wedding days, and filmed many joyous occasions. Over the years we've seen patterns, trends, and one thing that remains clear is that "love" is proven through selfless devotion. If ever there were a couple to life as a testament to this truth, it would be Jamie and Vlad.

Their story is honestly one of the deepest commitment, compassion, and character we've seen. They balance each other out so perfectly, and strengthen the other so completely. Spending the day with these two, and their families and friends from all across the world, was one of the highlights of the spring for sure.

Thankful for the example they give to each of us, and so excited to see what's next for their beautiful family!