Ellen & Pete - Sutton's Bay, MI

What do you get when you cross a dozen debaters with a few debate coaches and a bunch of wineries? You get Ellen & Pete's Wedding.  Meet Ellen Zwarensteyn and Pete Battey.  Longtime debaters, longtime friends and now newlyweds.  Both hailing from the western part of Michigan, I've known Ellen since the summer of 1994 when we were debate partners at SDI (Spartan Debate Institute) and am proud to say still friends to this very day.

When Ellen & Pete came to visit in DC last winter, our dinner at Rosa Mexicano's quickly turned into an impromptu engagement celebration.  Who knew I would be photographing the very day all these months later.  AND WHAT A WEDDING!  The ceremony at the beautiful Willow Vineyards up in Sutton's Bay, MI---and if you've never been up there, I highly recommend it.  Just look at the gorgeous scenery, beautiful weather and crystal blue lake.  You can't ask for a better locale...and did I mention this was a winery?  I got to spend 3 whole days with the wedding party, winery hopping, boating, eating, etc.  And it's by far the best wedding I've had to date.  

So a big Thank You and huge Congratulations to Pete & Ellen.  I'm super excited to see how the wedding album turns out.  With a wedding like this, it should be fantastic.  Thanks guys!

Rockin' vendors:

*** Willow Vineyards

*** The University Club of Grand Rapids, MI 

*** The Amway Grand Plaza

Pete made a bottle of wine for every guest at the reception...sweet!

I love this photo!

All the wine at the dinner was provided by the vineyard.

Ellen wanted to make sure we got a picture with the gate.

This was the view from where I stayed.  Hmm....it was OK. :)

Just look at Ellen in this picture...priceless.