Editorial Venue3Two Grand Rapids Wedding

August 10, 2026

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Cynthia Mae is a fine-art wedding photographer based in Michigan, with a passion for traveling the world to capture love stories through the lens of her camera. Specializing in weddings, her work is driven by an unwavering dedication to artistry and emotion.

Getting Ready & First Looks

Lauren and Ben got ready separately in Venue3Two’s Bridal Suite and Grooms Suite. Lauren wore a fitted strapless gown with a sculpted neckline and sweeping train, while Ben chose a classic black tuxedo and a bow tie. The suites gave them each a beautiful space with natural lighting to spend the morning with their closest people.

Before seeing Ben, Lauren shared an emotional first look with her father, and then her bridesmaids downstairs. She and Ben then met at the venue’s front entrance, surrounded by stone architecture and cascading greenery. Their first look was emotional and intimate, giving them a quiet moment together before the rest of their Venue3Two wedding began.

Elegant wedding invitation suite with white flowers, rings, and gold cufflinks.

Bridal shoes, perfume, earrings, and wedding rings arranged together in the sunlight.

Bride having her makeup applied while getting ready, reflected in a vintage mirror at Venue3Two in Grand Rapids.

Strapless wedding dress hanging in front of a window inside Venue3Two.

Black and white photo of a bride looking out the windows to her ceremony setup at Venue3Two.

Close-up black-and-white film photo of the bride’s robe, ruffled sleeves, and engagement ring.

Bride popping champagne in the gourmet kitchen at Venue3Two in Grand Rapids.

Bride and bridesmaids celebrating with champagne while getting ready for the Venue3Two wedding.

Black and white photo of a bridesmaid helping a bride get into her dress.

Black and white photo of a bride putting her earrings in.

Photo of the bride getting her dress done up in the mirror.

Father smiling as he sees the bride during their first look at Venue3Two.

Groomsman adjusting the groom’s black bow tie while they get ready for the wedding.

Groom buttoning his tuxedo jacket in front of large windows while getting ready at Venue3Two.

Wedding party peeking out the window to see the bride and grooms first look.

Couple holding hands during their outdoor first look beside the ivy-covered walls at Venue3Two.

Bride wiping away a tear during her first look with the groom outside Venue3Two in Grand Rapids.

Outdoor Venue3Two Wedding Ceremony

Lauren and Ben held their ceremony outdoors. The space was surrounded by tall trees and beautiful overflowing arrangements of white flowers and greenery. The sunlight moved through the space so beautifully, giving the entire ceremony such a warm, romantic glow.

With a setting this gorgeous, I also had to bring out the drone for a few overhead photos. It gave us a completely different view of the ceremony and showed just how beautifully everything came together across the Venue3Two grounds!

An outdoor wedding ceremony setup at Venue3Two in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Potted florals for a Venue3Two wedding ceremony in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Overhead drone shot of a bride being walked down the aisle by her father for her outdoor Venue3Two wedding ceremony.

Close up shot of a seated guest holding a white flower during the ceremony.

Film photo through a window of an outdoor Venue3Two wedding ceremony in Grand Rapids.

Film photo of a bride and groom holding hands during their Venue3Two wedding ceremony.

Bride and groom kissing during their Venue3Two wedding ceremony.

Black-and-white photo of the newlyweds smiling as they walk back down the aisle after their Venue3Two ceremony.

Lauren & Ben’s Venue3Two Wedding Portraits

After the ceremony, we made our way around the grounds for couple and wedding party portraits. Venue3Two has so many beautiful places to photograph, from the arched stone entrance and tall windows to the courtyard, greenery, and ceremony florals. We created a mix of timeless portraits and more playful, candid images with their wedding party. The gorgeous afternoon light made every corner of their Venue3Two wedding feel even more beautiful on film!

Bride holding a white bouquet outside the arched entrance of the Grand Rapids wedding venue.

Wide wedding portrait of the couple outside the stone exterior of Venue3Two.

Couple smiling together beneath the arched stone doorway at Venue3Two.

Couple holding hands outside the stone entrance at Venue3Two in Grand Rapids.

Couple kissing inside Venue3Two, photographed through the venue’s tall windows.

Couple posing together among the white floral arrangements after their outdoor ceremony.

Close up black and white photo of a bride wearing her wedding ring.

Black-and-white wedding party photo as the couple kisses and friends raise their bouquets around them.

Film photo of the groom and groomsmen walking towards the camera outside of Venue3Two.

Bride and bridesmaids holding white bouquets outside the ivy-covered stone entrance at Venue3Two.

Cocktail Hour on The Patio & Courtyard

After the ceremony, guests gathered on Venue3Two’s Patio & Courtyard for cocktails, appetizers, and time together. The patterned linens and string lights brought so much charm to the space while everyone settled in, getting ready for the reception to follow.

Indoor cocktail tables covered in green floral linens near the fireplace at Venue3Two.

Framed signature cocktail menu displayed beside flowers and glassware at the wedding bar.

Black-and-white film photo of a bridesmaid lifting the bride’s train in the afternoon sunlight.

Black-and-white candid photo of a smiling wedding guest photographed through a window.

Cocktail hour on the Venue3Two Patio & Courtyard with linen-covered tables, string lights, and garden landscaping.

Bride holding a lemon-garnished cocktail during cocktail hour at Venue3Two in Grand Rapids.

Venue3Two Wedding Reception in The Conservatory

The reception took place in Venue3Two’s Conservatory. It’s a beautiful open space with chandeliers and walls of windows overlooking the trees. Before joining their guests, Lauren and Ben shared a private cake cutting in the Gourmet Kitchen. They then made their grand entrance, shared their first dance, and celebrated the groom’s birthday with the cake the bride had planned for him.

After dinner and speeches, we stepped outside for golden hour portraits before returning for the formal dances. Later, the bride changed into a short white party dress with a sparkling bodice, and she looked incredible! The dance floor stayed full until the couple ended their Venue3Two wedding with a fun end of the night sparkler exit.

Table place settings with a lime garnished drink sitting nearby.

Venue3Two Conservatory reception with white tables, wooden chairs, small lamps, and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Film photo of Venue3Two Conservatory reception with white tables, wooden chairs, small lamps, and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Bride and groom cutting into their two tiered white floral cake.

Couple eating their floral wedding cake in the Gourmet Kitchen.

Black-and-white photo of the couple kissing beside their floral wedding cake in the Gourmet Kitchen.

Black and white film photo of the bride and groom dancing during their Venue3Two wedding reception in The Conservatory.

Black and white film photo of the groom lifting up the bride during their first dance in The Conservatory.

Bride giving a speech during their Venue3Two wedding reception in Grand rapids.

Bride lighting candles on a birthday cake slice for the groom during their wedding reception.

Candlelit tables from a Venue3Two wedding reception.

Bride and groom raising their glasses during speeches.

Film photo of a bride and groom posing against a wooden fence with a horse grazing in the background.

Black and white photo of a bride and groom kissing with a horse in the background.

Black and white photo of the brides hand resting on the back of the grooms head and showing off her wedding ring.

Bride and groom walking to Venue3Two for their indoor reception.

Bride and groom kissing through the mirror of their welcome wedding sign.

Black and white photo of a bride sharing a dance with her father.

Black and white photo of the bride and groom kissing during their Venue3Two wedding reception.

Candlelit table 7 with florals and drinks.

Wedding cake slices, champagne, white flowers, and small table lamps arranged on patterned linens.

Black-and-white candid photo of the bride dancing during the Venue3Two wedding reception.

Black and white photo of the bride getting into her second look for her reception.

Black-and-white photo of the couple embracing on the dance floor after the bride’s outfit change.

Motion blur photo of a band playing during the reception.

Couple dancing during their sparkler wedding exit at the end of their Venue3Two wedding.

Couple sharing a kiss beneath sparklers at the end of their Venue3Two wedding.

Planning Your Venue3Two Wedding?

Venue3Two is such a beautiful choice for couples who want a wedding venue that feels elegant and full of variety. With the historic stone architecture, lush grounds, intimate getting-ready spaces, and light-filled Conservatory, every part of the day can unfold in one place.

For Chicago couples planning a wedding in Michigan, Venue3Two offers the perfect mix of destination-weekend charm and beautiful design. If you’re looking for a fine art wedding photographer who blends film, digital photography, and an editorial approach, I’d love to hear from you! You can learn more about me on my about page, inquire through my contact page, or see more wedding days on the blog.

Love From Lauren & Ben:

“We cannot say enough wonderful things about Cynthia. From our engagement shoot on, she felt like a friend and made us feel instantly comfortable. On our wedding day, she took the time to get to know our families and made everyone feel at ease in front of the camera.

Her photos truly tell the story of the day through movement and emotion. She’s not just photographing, she’s storytelling. As a bride who chose not to have a videographer, this meant everything to me. Our families were amazed by how many beautiful moments she captured without hours of stiff, posed portraits. Cynthia’s work is real, pure, and emotional with a stunning editorial edge that perfectly matched our wedding aesthetic. We will cherish these photos forever.”