A bride and groom kiss in the fountain area of their Royal Park wedding.

Royal Park Wedding

Wednesday, July 26th, 2023

When Lori called to ask me about my availability, I wasn’t excited for her Royal Park wedding – I was excited for her. In her Maid of Honor speech, her daughter Sydney said it best, “Here is to a second chance at love.” With the kindest of hearts, I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of a wonderful life and marriage than Lori.

~

I have had the pleasure of knowing Lori and her family nearly ten years. While I spent the most time photographing her daughter Sydney’s dance recitals, Lori was always there showing her support. Her calm demeanor was always a nice reprieve amongst the chaos of the backstage of a ballet production. It is that same calm demeanor and kind heart that drew Mitch into Lori.

After photographing their engagement session, I knew their wedding was going to be a beautiful, relaxed, memorable day. Lori and Mitch decided to have an intimate Royal Park wedding and reception with a handful of their favorite people. Originally, we were going to spend the entire day on the grounds of Royal Park, but after seeing a recent wedding I shot at Meadow Brook Hall, Lori called me and asked whether or not photographing there would be a good compliment to their day. Anytime you can incorporate a Tudor style mansion in your wedding, I say go for it! After getting ready at the Royal Park, Lori and Mitch shared a first look at Meadow Brook Hall before returning to their Royal Park wedding.

Rings on the train of a wedding dress.
Three generations of women on a wedding day.
A bride poses in the hallway before her Royal Park wedding.
A bride poses in the hallway before her Royal Park wedding.
A bride and groom share a first look at Meadow Brook Hall on their wedding day.
A groom reacts to seeing his bride during a first look at Meadow Brook Hall.
A groom kisses his bride during a first look at Meadow Brook Hall.
A bride and groom pose on their wedding day at Meadow Brook Hall.
A bride and groom pose on their wedding day at Meadow Brook Hall.
A bride and groom pose on their wedding day at Meadow Brook Hall.
A bride and groom hold hands and walk on wedding day at Meadow Brook Hall.
A bride and groom pose in front of a sunroom on their wedding day at Meadow Brook Hall.
A bride and groom pose in front of a sunroom on their wedding day at Meadow Brook Hall.
Standing under a tree, a bride and groom embrace on their wedding day at Meadow Brook Hall.
Standing under a tree, a bride and groom embrace on their wedding day at Meadow Brook Hall.
A bride and groom embrace at the front entrance gate of Meadow Brook Hall on their wedding day.
A bride and groom embrace on the bridge of Meadow Brook Hall on their wedding day.
A bride and groom embrace on the bridge of Meadow Brook Hall on their wedding day.
A bride looks back over her shoulder on the bridge of Meadow Brook Hall on her wedding day.
A bride and groom pose in the gardens of Meadow Brook Hall on their wedding day.
A bride and groom pose in the gardens of Meadow Brook Hall on their wedding day.
A family portrait at a Royal Park wedding.
A family portrait at a Royal Park wedding.

After Lori and Mitch returned to the Royal Park, their bridal party joined them for some photos prior to the ceremony.

Groomsmen pose outside during a Royal Park wedding.
Groomsmen pose outside during a Royal Park wedding.
A bridal party poses outside during a Royal Park wedding.
A bridal party poses outside during a Royal Park wedding.

Just as it was the bridesmaids turn for photos, grey clouds and thunder rolled in. We decided to play it safe and photograph inside.

A bride looks outside a window before a Royal Park wedding.
A bride and groom privately embrace in the lobby of their Royal Park wedding.
Bridesmaids pose in the lobby of the Royal Park hotel.

Guests were treated to live music, compliments of Stacy Mason, as they took their seats.

Mitch was all smiles seeing his bride walk down the aisle.

A Royal Park wedding in the Conservatory.
A bride looks at her groom during their Royal Park wedding.
A couple looks at each other during their Royal Park wedding in the Conservatory.
A couple looks at each other during their Royal Park wedding in the Conservatory.
A bride and groom exchange rings during their Royal Park wedding.

After a quick champagne celebration, Lori and Mitch stepped outside for a more private moment while guests enjoyed cocktail hour.

A bride and groom kiss in the fountain area after their Royal Park wedding.
A bride and groom pose in the fountain area after their Royal Park wedding.
A bride and groom kiss in the fountain area after their Royal Park wedding.
A bride and groom, sitting at a sweetheart table, laugh during their Royal Park wedding reception.

After an incredible dinner, Mitch and Lori shared a first dance and opened up the dance floor.

Bride and groom share a first dance in the Conservatory at their Royal Park wedding.
Bride and groom share a first dance in the Conservatory at their Royal Park wedding.

Entertainment: Sound Dog Productions

Violin: Stacy Mason

Officiant: Kevin Mason

Floral: Viviano Flower Shop

Venue: Royal Park Hotel

Venue: Meadow Brook Hall