Gem Theatre Detroit Wedding

Monday, August 8th, 2022

Elizabeth and Max had all of the ingredients for a perfect day, including celebrating with a Gem Theatre Detroit wedding reception.

Where do I even begin? I recently wrote in an Instagram post about how this year’s wedding season has been the best one to date. Every wedding has gone so smoothly and yielded incredibly beautiful portfolios. Max and Elizabeth’s wedding is no exception. If anything, their wedding set the bar! It was that spectacular and special. Every element of their day seemed like it was designed for awe, inspiration, or an incredible time.

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Max greeted us in the lobby area of the Westin Book Cadillac with a smile and a confidence that only a man marrying his best friend could have. Max was helped by Elizabeth’s brother Jonathan while getting ready. As he put on the finishing touches to his tuxedo, some of his friends joined for a few photos.

After Max was done getting ready, we headed over to the stylish Shinola Hotel, where Elizabeth was getting ready with the help of her mom and Max’s sisters. Elizabeth was equally excited for her day to begin and to marry Max. She glowed and filled the room with a warmth that you couldn’t help but feel and share in her excitement. I knew during their prep shots that I was going to capture some beautiful and expressive moments between these two.

I had to laugh a little behind my camera as I saw Elizabeth’s demeanor change from appreciation to pure joy when she went from opening a gift of jewelry to opening her favorite Lions jersey. That is a true fan right there! #onepride

A bride wearing a white silk robe examines her hanging wedding dress in a Shinola Hotel room.

A bride holds her pearl necklace in front of her by Brian Weitzel Photography.

A seated bride looks out the window while adjusting her shoe at the Shinola Hotel in Detroit.

A mom helps her daughter put on her veil on her wedding day in Shinola Hotel in Detroit.

Waiting outside of the hotel was Max and his family. Max was going to share a moment with Elizabeth prior to seeing each other at the altar. We used this as an opportunity to create a few family portraits as well.

A family photo taken on a wedding day in Parker's Alley Detroit.

Although they didn’t want to see each other prior to walking down the aisle, Max and Elizabeth did want to share their excitement with each other. They decided to do a “first touch” at the Shinola Hotel.

A bride and groom react to holding hands hand without seeing each other on their wedding day in Detroit.

A groom reacts to feeling his wife's hand without seeing her on their wedding day in Detroit.

A bride and groom hold hands while hiding behind a corner on their wedding day.

A beautiful 1958 Rolls Royce was waiting to take Elizabeth to Sts. Peter and Paul Jesuit Church. On our way out of the hotel, I couldn’t help but to take this photo in the hallway. I was drawn to the warm copper tones of the hallway and how they matched Elizabeth’s complexion.

A bride looks down at her dress in the hallway of the Shinola Hotel in Detroit.

A bride steps into a black Rolls Royce outside of the Shinola Hotel in Detroit.

A red-headed bride smiles looking out of the window of a 1958 black Rolls Royce on her wedding day.

The view from the balcony at Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Church in Detroit.

A view from the balcony of the bride walking down the aisle at Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Church in Detroit.

A groom hugs his father-in-law during a wedding ceremony at Sts Peter and Paul Jesuit Church in Detroit.

A bride and groom smile at each other at Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Church in Detroit.

A bride and groom stand up at the altar of Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Church in Detroit.

A bride puts the wedding ring on her groom at altar at a wedding at Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Church in Detroit.

A bride and groom hold hands at the altar their wedding at Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Church in Detroit.

A view from the balcony of Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Church in Detroit.

A bride and groom kiss in the aisle at their wedding at Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Church in Detroit.

A bride and groom walk down the aisle holding hands at Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Church in Detroit.

A bride and groom pose for a formal photo at the altar of Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Church in Detroit.

A bride stands alone in the center aisle of Sts. Peter and Paul Jesuit church in Detroit.

Having just said “I do,” Max and Elizabeth were ready to celebrate their Gem Theatre Detroit wedding reception.

A bride and groom pop champagne and celebrate with family standing outside of Sts. Peter and Paul Jesuit Church

Champagne is poured into flutes with the bride and groom in the background.

Anytime the couple can find time to be alone on their wedding day, I suggest they take it. Renting a classic car is a great opportunity to create those intimate moments…and create some beautiful images in the process. This beautiful Rolls Royce was our mode of transportation for the day, taking us to the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Detroit Public Library before dropping us off for their Gem Theatre Detroit wedding reception.

Shot through the car window, a groom smiles at his bride on their wedding day.

A couple smile and snuggle while sitting in the back of a Rolls Royce on their wedding day.

A bride caresses the face of her groom while riding in a Rolls Royce.

A groom relaxes against a black Rolls Royce with one hand in his pocket.

A bride and groom pose together in front of a black Rolls Royce outside of the DIA Detroit Institute of Art.

A groom leans against a black Rolls Royce while buttoning his tuxedo jacket.

A groom and bride pose facing and holding each other at with white marble behind them at the DIA Detroit Institute of Art.

A bride and groom look at each other as she hold onto his arm at the DIA Detroit Institute of Arts.

A groom hugs his bride from behind outside of the Detroit Institute of Art.

A groom kisses the forehead of a bride outside outside of the Detroit Institute of Art.

A bride and groom hold hands on their wedding day on the steps of the Detroit Public Library.

A groom holds the arms of his bride from behind on the steps of the Detroit Public Library.

A groom holds his bride's dress as they walk outside of the Detroit Public Library.

A groom twirls his bride on their wedding day outside of the Detroit Public Library main branch.

A bride and groom hug on their wedding day outside of the Detroit Public Library.

A bride and groom hug with closed eyes on their wedding day outside of the Detroit Public Library.

A groom picks up and swings his bride with a flowing wedding dress outside of the Detroit Public Library.

A groom kisses the hand of his wife while walking away from the Detroit Public Library.

As we arrive for Max and Elizabeth’s Gem Theatre Detroit wedding reception, guests were already outside enjoying a cocktail and taking in the sights and sounds of Detroit. We snuck downstairs to photograph a few of the details before guests joined.

As dinner wrapped up, we headed up stairs for a few more pictures before guests joined and the dance floor opened.

A bride and groom snuggle together sitting in red theatre chairs during their Gem Theatre Detroit wedding reception.

A bride and groom kiss in the balcony overlooking their Gem Theatre Detroit wedding reception.

A groom twirls his bride on the dance floor of their Gem Theatre Detroit wedding reception.

A bride and groom hug while cutting a wedding cake during their Gem Theatre Detroit wedding.

There are so many tiny moments that go unnoticed by most; however, these moments add color to the wedding day story, like this moment of Elizabeth reacting to a little snafu during cake cutting. I love it!