Vianca and Gerald were married on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Leona Road in Grand Rapids, and their wedding was full of color from the first detail shot to the last song. Burnt orange bridesmaid dresses, a rust orange suit, peach and orange florals everywhere you looked, and a room full of family and friends who came ready to celebrate. If you’re touring Leona Road or you’ve already booked it, this is a great look at what the venue can do across a full wedding day.
About Leona Road
Leona Road sits at 1351 Leonard Street NW, inside the former West Leonard School. The turn-of-the-century elementary school has been fully renovated into a Scandinavian-modern event space. You can still see the building’s history in the brick exterior and the original “West Leonard School” lettering over the front doors. Inside, it’s clean white walls, light wood, tall windows and a lot of natural light, which makes my job as a photographer so much easier.
The venue seats up to 300 guests and has large, open spaces for both the ceremony and the reception, plus an outdoor terrace with big shade trees. It’s run by the team behind The Cheney Place, Fringe Events and PUNCH Bar Catering, so you’re in experienced hands from the first tour to the last dance.
Getting Ready at Leona Road
Vianca got ready in the bridal suite with her bridesmaids, everyone in matching robes on the couch against that deep green wall. The suite gets soft window light all afternoon, and her gown looked beautiful hanging against the green paneling. Her bouquet of orange and peach roses set the color story for the whole day.
Gerald got ready at the Amway Grand Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids, in a rust orange suit that matched the bridesmaids perfectly. I loved using the big hotel windows for his getting-ready portraits, and his details were simple and classic: brown leather shoes, his watch, sunglasses and cologne.
First Looks with Her Bridesmaids and Her Dad
Before the ceremony, Vianca shared a first look with her bridesmaids, who were all in burnt orange, and then a quiet first look with her dad in front of the wood slat wall. First looks like these give family and friends a private moment before the day gets busy, and they’re some of my favorite photos to deliver.
The Ceremony
Leona Road’s ceremony space is one of the prettiest indoor ceremony spots in Grand Rapids. The aisle runs under a row of starburst chandeliers toward a wood slat feature wall, and Vianca and Gerald framed it with large orange and peach floral installations. Even for a 4:00 ceremony indoors, the window light keeps everything bright and true to color.
One of my favorite details was the hand-drawn chalkboard welcome for Mr. and Mrs. Perry. In a building that used to be a school, a chalkboard sign just feels right.
Gerald’s reaction when Vianca walked in said everything. They exchanged rings, lit a unity candle, and shared their first kiss in front of that slat wall before heading back down the aisle to a room full of cheering guests.
Cocktail Hour and Portraits
While guests mingled during cocktail hour, we grabbed portraits. Leona Road’s grounds are absolutely beautiful for photos. The brick exterior and the original school entrance make a great backdrop for classic portraits, and the lawn out front gives you a softer, greener look just steps from the door. The building also meant a lot to this family: the couple’s aunt once taught here, back when Leona Road was West Leonard School.
If you’d like to go off-site for photos, one of my favorite places in Grand Rapids is Riverside Park. That’s where Vianca and Gerald’s wedding party photos were taken, under the big trees along the walking paths.
Reception at Leona Road
The reception hall has skylights and exposed steel trusses, so it feels open and airy even with every seat filled. Vianca and Gerald’s tables were set with orange napkins, gold flatware and menu cards, and their sweetheart table sat in front of a black slat backdrop with more of those gorgeous orange florals. A simple white buttercream cake finished it off.
The bridesmaids made their grand entrance holding marquee signs that read “V & G 08.30.26” and “Let me hear you say hey Mrs. Perry,” which set the tone for the rest of the night. After their first dance, the dance floor stayed packed.
Tips for Your Leona Road Wedding Photos
- Use the bridal suite window light. Plan hair and makeup so the last hour is in the suite. The light there is soft and flattering.
- Make the slat wall your ceremony focal point. Florals on either side frame it beautifully, and the chandeliers make the aisle shot look stunning from the back of the room.
- Save time for the front entrance. The “West Leonard School” doors are one of the most unique portrait spots in Grand Rapids. Ten minutes there is worth it.
- Think about a Sunday. Vianca and Gerald got married on a Sunday, and the day felt just as full and festive as any Saturday. Sunday dates also fall under my off-peak rates.
Wedding Vendors
If you’re planning a Leona Road wedding, here’s the team behind Vianca and Gerald’s day:
- Couple: Vianca (@viancaxp) and Gerald (@geraldthesecond)
- Venue: Leona Road
- Photography: Kara Hanes Photography
- Videography: A Celec Film
- Entertainment: PJ Da DJ
- Catering: Kangaroo Kitchen & Catering
- Flowers: Pat’s Flower Market
- Hair & Makeup: Lorraine Woods and Giselle Herrera
- Dress: Badgley Mischka from True Society
- Beauty & Accessories: YSL Beauty and Prada
Planning a Leona Road Wedding?
If you’ve booked Leona Road or you’re deciding between venues, I’d love to hear about your plans. I know this space, I know where the light is best at every point in the day, and I’d love to be the one capturing yours. You can also see Rachel and Peter’s Leona Road wedding and more of my favorite Grand Rapids venues.
I’m now booking 2027 weddings. See my wedding experience and pricing, or reach out to check your date.
