by admin | May 31, 2022 | Downtown Detroit Wedding, Fall Weddings, Intimate Weddings, Weddings
A great way to celebrate in Detroit, The Whitney wedding of Shannon and Sam was a perfect way to celebrate in a low-key, yet beautiful way.
Shannon and Sam are a super groovy, cool couple. Their fall engagement session at the Dequindre Cut was such a fun expression of their personalities. I loved chatting with them about all of their interests as a couple.
The Whitney is one of my favorite spots in Detroit for an intimate wedding because it is gorgeous inside and out. I’ve photographed another wedding at The Whitney back in 2018, but Shannon and Sam’s day started early because it was a brunch wedding! I kind of loved it – I got up early, started early, and then ended early! This is kind of weird for a wedding photographer who is used to working afternoons and evenings.
Shannon and Sam got ready separately and then had a private first look on the stairs of The Whitney. They read private vows to each other and then we had a portrait session both inside and out in the garden. Their ceremony took place in The Whitney’s garden, which is a gorgeous spot tucked into the back of the home.
One of the things I love to do at an intimate The Whitney wedding is to take a photo of everyone present. When you have a smaller gathering, it’s easier to make this happen. When you have lovely steps like The Whitney does, it’s even easier to get done!
After a cocktail hour outdoors, everyone filed inside to enjoy a brunch, complete with cake. I loved the adorable details, including the couple’s cats as part of the wedding favors and decor.
Looking for a photographer for your own The Whitney wedding? Contact me today!
Vendors:
venue/catering/cake: The Whitney Detroit
florist: Floribunda Flowers
officiant: The Rite Officiant
gown: Maggie Sottero / Bombshell Bridal
by admin | May 10, 2022 | Ballroom Weddings, Downtown Detroit Wedding, Summer Weddings, Weddings
I was so excited way back in early 2020 when Matt and Nicole booked me for their Detroit Masonic Temple wedding! The Detroit Masonic Temple had been a dream venue for me. When the pandemic hit, they postponed (twice actually!) but they still were married in a small courthouse ceremony on the anniversary of their first date. So when their big wedding came around, I was so excited for their Detroit Masonic Temple wedding!
It was a very warm day in downtown Detroit – typical August. Everything was taking place at the Masonic Temple, except the couple really wanted to do a first look at a beloved bar – the Bronx Bar, just up the street in Midtown. I was totally on board as anything you can do to make the day more personal is amazing in my eyes.
I met the couple for getting ready (separately) at the Masonic Temple. I loved both of their details – Nicole gave Matt some really cool cufflinks – the Millennium Falcon. It’s always cute when you can personalize parts of the day – especially attire.
When these two had their courthouse ceremony, I asked Nicole if she was going to wear her original wedding dress. She chose not to, and once I saw the dress (a Jenna in White!) I totally understood. It was gorgeous and perfect for this venue!
I really did adore the Detroit Masonic Temple. It really shined in the portrait session and the ballroom there is truly gorgeous. Nicole really wanted to showcase the venue – they choose it for a reason- so we took all the portraits on site, except for the first look. We even got to take some twilight photos on the roof – which was a special treat as I guess there is a bird that hates humans living up there! Doesn’t have to be a perfect sunset to get some gorgeous shots.
I loved working with these two and am so happy they got to have their amazing day, just a little later than anticipated!
Are you planning a Detroit Masonic Temple wedding? Get in touch!
From the couple: “I was nervous about finding a photographer for our wedding as my now husband and I don’t necessarily love being in front of the camera, but as soon as I met Madalyn I knew we had found our perfect match. Madalyn was so much more than just a photographer. She helped keep me organized and provide direction in so many more aspects of the day than just the photos. She provided calm in stressful times and was also flexible beyond belief when it to came to scheduling, re-scheduling, and scheduling again due to our ever-changing timeline as an outcome of the pandemic. I would absolutely recommend Madalyn, and have done so to multiple of my friends already, and plan on returning for future photo sessions for our newborn and capturing family photos through the years to come.”
Vendors:
venue: The Masonic Temple
floral: Maple Lane Florist
gown: Jenna in White
hmu: Configure Beauty Detroit
invites: MintyPaperieShop
dj: TJ Monte Productions
by admin | Mar 22, 2022 | Ballroom Weddings, Downtown Detroit Wedding, Weddings
Emilee and Sheldon had the absolute perfect late July summer day for their Roostertail wedding in Detroit. The day started off in separate getting ready spaces; Emilee at the Element Hotel at the Metropolitan and Sheldon at a private office space overlooking the city. The excitement was in the air as I entered the bridal suite – Emilee and Sheldon had originally planned their day for July 2020 but had to postpone like so many others. The day was finally here!
When I met Emilee back in fall 2019, I knew this wedding day would be magical but also that I’d be working with such a sweet couple. Emilee is truly one of the nicest, happiest brides I’ve ever worked with! So go with the flow. I think Sheldon was my best dressed groom – his suit fit him absolutely perfectly and even had some personal touches – his initials embroidered on the sleeve and some beautiful personal cufflinks from his bride.
After everyone was dressed to perfection, we headed up to the Metropolitan rooftop at The Monarch Club for the first look. Overlooking Comerica Park and downtown, Sheldon and Emilee saw each other for the first time. We took some group photos on the rooftop and then headed over to Parker’s Alley for more. Family photos by the riverfront capped off our portrait session, with an appearance by the couple’s dog, Murphy. Always bring your dog, they’re totally welcome!
With all of the major portraits done, we headed to the Roostertail which is right on the Detroit waterfront. I had never been before and I was impressed with the views. A Roostertail wedding in Detroit isn’t complete without boats flying by on the water.
The ceremony, presided over by a family member, took place outdoors under the Roostertail’s pavillon right on the waterfront. Readings by the couples’ siblings made it a special, memorable ceremony.
After receiving their guests, Emilee and Sheldon joined their cocktail hour in the Roostertail’s Palm River room, which had beautiful views of the city and waterfront. The Roostertail does a fabulous job with lighting – the room was absolutely gorgeous. A fun grand entrance led to beautiful toasts from the maid of honor and best man, both siblings. A final heartfelt speech from the father of the groom and the reception kicked off!
We didn’t get a perfect sunset, but the blue hour photos we took on the balcony overlooking the water and the Roostertail’s fountains were some of my favorites of the day. Something about the way the sky looks just after the sun goes down is just magic, sometimes more magical than a sunset.
A Roostertail wedding in Detroit wouldn’t be complete without photos on their long dock. We ended the night as I always like to do at a wedding – with some amazing nighttime shots to cap off the evening.
See more summer weddings here.
Vendors:
venue: The Roostertail
florals: Viviano’s
cake: Love and Buttercream
band: Bluewater King’s Band
dj: Michael’s Entertainment
video: Timothy Scott Films
HMU: Primp Beauty
gown: Luxe Bridal Rack
bridesmaids: Azazie
by admin | Aug 10, 2021 | Church Ceremonies, Downtown Detroit Wedding, Fall Weddings, Weddings
I was so fortunate to not only capture Jordan and Nathan’s engagement session, but also their St. Joseph Shrine wedding last October. St. Joseph Shrine is one of the most gorgeous churches. I cannot believe the light we got during the ceremony – some of the prettiest I’ve ever seen in a church!
Jordan and Nathan are so sweet and I loved working with them. They were just so happy to be married at their St. Joseph Shrine wedding and to celebrate it in a simple way. After a full mass ceremony, they welcomed family and friends to the church hall for a meal and some wedding festivities.
We captured their engagement session at St. Joseph Shrine as well. This church is important to them as a couple so using it was super special! I just love both the engagement session and wedding images we were able to create – your girl is a sucker for those big doors and archways. Love using architecture when we can!
I feel like a wedding gallery like this just goes to show that you don’t need to go to all the trendy places or even that far to find good portrait locations. We literally used the exterior and interior of the church, as well as a tree that was colorful across the street. Getting creative like this is one of my favorite parts of the job. Of course I love a skyline shot as much as the next wedding photographer, but it’s not NECESSARY!
vendors:
makeup: Rosa Alcantara
floral: M. Dawn Floral Design
Catering: Lazybones Smokehouse
Cake: Milano Bakery
Hair: Danielle Cassimy
Gown: Maggie Sottero
Veil: The Veiled Beauty
by admin | Jun 9, 2021 | Couples, Downtown Detroit Wedding, Weddings
With covid impacting so many couples, it’s been a year with less weddings, but not necessarily less portraits. Shallana and Randy were married in a private, small ceremony over the summer and asked if I could take some Detroit Institute of Arts wedding portraits to celebrate their marriage. I said, of course!
I love photographing these two! Their Stony Creek engagement session was so beautiful and I’ve seen them a few times at my mini sessions with their pups.
Detroit Institute of Arts wedding portraits hold a special place in my heart because this location is where we took our wedding photos. Something about the classic look of the marble just always makes everyone look incredible. We used the back and front of the building, went across the street to the Detroit Public Library (another favorite of mine) and then stopped at the McGregor Conference Center on Wayne State University’s campus which has some amazing architecture that I’ve always wanted to use.
These two are too chic – don’t we love that burgundy suit? I’m so glad the trend is these non-black and grey suits, makes things so much more exciting! And Shallana’s dress is just to die for. So gorgeous. I wish them all the happiness in the world – they deserve it!
You can always do a session to celebrate an anniversary or just because. There’s nothing wrong with documenting your relationship right now – not just for a big event. Plus portrait sessions are much more laid back than weddings. More time to really relax and have fun in front of the camera!
by admin | Feb 18, 2021 | Church Ceremonies, Downtown Detroit Wedding, Summer Weddings, Weddings
July is always a beautiful time for a wedding, but perfect for the Divine Child wedding of Leah and Dan. After making the difficult decision to cancel their reception, they decided that getting married on their original date with their closest family was perfect for them. Their Divine Child wedding in Dearborn was followed by some incredible Downtown Detroit wedding photos on literally the most beautiful July day. I don’t think we could have asked for more.
Despite not having the “traditional” wedding structure, Leah and Dan still wanted major aspects of their day captured, so we started with getting ready photos of them separately (Dan at the couple’s home and Leah at her parents’). I got to work alongside videographer Diffuse Media which was such a treat for me! These two did not opt for a first look but wrote each other letters which they read after getting dressed. They were absolutely beautiful to hear. Letters are one of my favorite ways to make a wedding day special without a first look.
Should I Do A First Look at My Wedding?→
The Church of the Divine Child in Dearborn is a gorgeous church to be married in, and I was lucky enough to capture a Divine Child wedding twice in 2020! After a beautiful mass, we headed downtown to the Detroit riverfront for some downtown Detroit wedding photos. Then we made sure to end at Woodward Avenue and Parker’s Alley for a few urban shots. I just love the images of the Renaissance Center in the backdrop – too gorgeous! I’m lucky for clients who listen to my location suggestions and let me take the reins to make gorgeous images.
Though COVID threw these two some curveballs, as Leah said, the important thing to them was to be married. And they did just that and had such a beautiful day, even if it wasn’t the Masonic Temple large reception they envisioned.
