Henry Ford Museum Wedding

Thursday, September 22nd, 2022

Timmy and Emily held their ceremony at Sts. Peter and Paul Jesuit Church before hosting a Henry Ford Museum wedding reception.

I have long said that the best part of wedding photography are the people you meet and the relationships you form. Years ago on a blistering cold February day, I met with Meredith and her future mother-in-law to location scout for Meredith’s upcoming wedding. Bundled up in the back seat was Emily, Meredith’s best friend. Together, we bravely exited the SUV, walked the grounds, and struggled to tolerate the winds that ripped through our coats. At some point during our walk, Emily mentioned that she was dating Timmy, the brother of the groom-to-be. Jokingly, I told her to “take good notes. Maybe you are next!” A few months after Matthew and Meredith’s wedding, I got an email from Timmy, asking if we could meet and do our own location scouting; he was going to propose to Emily! In one of the most funny, memorable, classy, and heartfelt proposals, Emily said “yes” (and a few other colorful words as the proposal was happening) to the question she was waiting to hear. What will always stand out to me about their proposal was the length that Timmy went to in order to make the day perfect: he flew in Emily’s family and childhood dog to help celebrate the occasion. After some phone calls and celebration, more family and friends joined for a night of pizza, champagne, Busch Lite, cigars, and celebration. It truly was an insight into the couple and their values: family and loved ones first. These values were center stage on their wedding day as guests travelled as far as British Columbia to join in their wedding and celebration.

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Emily got ready at the iconic Westin Book Cadillac. Her simple, yet elegant dress tastefully complimented her natural beauty. Truly, she made creating beautiful images easy.

The outside of the Westin Book Cadillac.

A bride looks at her wedding dress in a window by Brian Weitzel Photography.

A bride holds her bouquet in the lobby of the Westin Book Cadillac on her wedding day.

A bride holds her dress in a hotel lobby.

A cathedral bridal veil photo by Brian Weitzel Photography.

After Emily got ready with the help of her mom, she wanted to share a special moment with her dad.

A family portrait at the Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit.

Since her bridesmaids also got ready at the Book Cadillac, she decided to give them a little sneak peek as well. It is safe to say, they were excited to see their best friend as a bride.

Bridesmaids cover their eyes before seeing a bride for the first time.

Bridesmaids react to seeing the bride at the Venetian Room in the Westin Book Cadillac.

In the hierarchy of photography, emotional photos top everything in my opinion. It is easy to take a “pretty” picture, but much more difficult to take an emotional one. Humans are guarded. The most emotional moments of a wedding day isn’t at the altar when everyone is watching, it is when no one is watching. Cards, letters, or vows that couples write to each other always provide an opportunity for these emotional moments to unfold. In Emily’s case, Timmy must have wrote something funny because she was all smiles.

With a few minutes remaining before Emily and her bridesmaids left for the ceremony, we walk around the corner to take a few photos.

While Emily was getting ready at the Book Cadillac, Timmy was getting ready at the nearby Detroit Athletic Club.

Next, it was time for Timmy to see his bride. It was touching to see him experience a range of emotions as she walked down the aisle.

The balcony view of a wedding at Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Church in Detroit.

A bride and groom smile while listening to a homily by Brian Weitzel Photography.

A maid of honor fixes the veil during a wedding ceremony at Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Church in Detroit.

A bride smiles at the groom while saying their vows at a Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Church wedding ceremony.

The exchange of rings during a wedding at Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Church in Detroit.

A bride and groom share a first kiss at the altar at Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Church in Detroit.

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

A bride and groom kiss while walking down the aisle at Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Church Detroit.

Formal family portraits at Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Church in Detroit.

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

With every wedding, I try to take a few photos at the end of the family formals that are more painterly portraits, influenced by the lighting of Old World Masters. The depth and darker shadows in this image remind me of such.

A bridal portrait at the altar of Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Church in Detroit by Brian Weitzel Photography.

After their ceremony, we stopped by the Detroit Public Library on Woodward for a few photos before heading to their Henry Ford Museum wedding reception.

A bridal party wearing blue and black tuxedos and champagne dresses outside of the Detroit Public Library.

A bridal party walks and laughs outside of the Detroit Public Library.

After the formals, it was obvious that the bridal party was ready to let loose and have a little fun.

A bridal party walks and celebrates outside of the Detroit Public Library.

Groomsmen in blue and black tuxes pose outside of the Detroit Public Library.

A big group wedding photo on the steps of the Detroit Public Library.

After the group photos were done, it was time for Timmy and Emily to take a few photos.

Bride and groom almost kiss while stand on white marble steps of the Detroit Public Library.

A bride holds the lapel of her groom's jacket on the steps of the Detroit Public Library.

A bride holds the train of her dress and poses on the steps of the Detroit Public Library.

Bride rests her head on her groom and sits on marble steps outside of the Detroit Public Library.

Bride and groom sit on marble steps outside of the Detroit Public Library and kiss.

A bride, holding her dress, walks with her husband outside of the Detroit Public Library on their wedding day by Brian Weitzel Photography.

A bride, holding her dress, poses by her husband outside of the Detroit Public Library on their wedding day.

A bride, holding her dress, is kissed by her husband outside of the Detroit Public Library on their wedding day.

A groom, holding his tuxedo jacket over his shoulder, walks with his bride at the Detroit Public Library.

As their photos wrapped up, it was time to head to Dearborn for their Henry Ford Museum wedding reception. Fun was definitely had on the ride over and set the mood for the rest of the evening.