Shinola Hotel Wedding

Monday, January 9th, 2023

Surprise! This New Year’s Eve Shinola Hotel wedding is actually a two year anniversary party!

Oh man, I have been waiting a LOOONG time to write this blog post. For a little back story to this wedding, Amy and Kyle were supposed to get married on 2020 New Year’s Eve; however, Covid had other plans for them. Secretly, they decided to push through and instead have a secret elopement on NYE instead, marrying in the presence of just four people – Becky, myself, Kyle’s best friend Richard and his fiance. It was a beautiful, intimate, and humble experience to be a part of. Truly, it will always be one of the most special and memorable photography assignments I have been a part of. You can see some of those images and read about their elopement here.

Fast forward two years and Amy and Kyle got to finally host the Shinola Hotel wedding they were dreaming of. The day was perfect and flawless. Both Amy and Kyle were so relaxed and enjoying every moment of their day. The pressure and anxiety was nonexistent because to them, this was a party! Their entire day took place on the grounds of the beautiful Shinola Hotel. Kyle was the first to get ready with the help of his best man Richard.

A groom gets ready for his Shinola Hotel wedding with the help of his best man.

Meanwhile, Amy was getting ready in a nearby room. We wanted to capture the essence of Detroit throughout their day and suggested Amy get ready on the balcony in order to do so. It was the perfect start to her Shinola Hotel wedding day.

A bride gets ready for her Shinola Hotel wedding outside on a balcony.

A bride is framed in a doorway, standing on a balcony overlooking Detroit, on her Shinola Hotel wedding day.

A bride causally leans against a railing looking down Woodward in Detroit on her Shinola Hotel wedding day.

While Amy was putting on the finishing touches, Kyle was relaxing outside, waiting for his first look with Amy.

A groom causally leans against a railing looking down Woodward in Detroit on her Shinola Hotel wedding day.

A bride and groom share a first look inside the Shinola Hotel wedding.

A bride and groom hold hands and laugh during their first look at their Shinola Hotel wedding.

A bride and groom pose in the Shinola Hotel wedding ceremony area.

After their first look, it was time to utilize the beautiful backdrops Shinola Hotel offers.

A bride holds her wedding dress and bouquet inside a hallway on her Shinola Hotel wedding day.

A bride and groom hugs inside a hallway at their Shinola Hotel wedding.

A couple kisses on an outdoor balcony at their Shinola Hotel wedding.

A bride laughs as she twirls on an outdoor balcony at a Shinola Hotel wedding.

A couple kisses in a romantic lobby at a Shinola Hotel wedding.

The drizzle held off long enough for us to head outside to Parker’s Alley for some portraits.

Groomsmen pose for a formal portrait in Parker's Alley in Detroit, Michigan.

Groomsmen walk in Parker's Alley in Detroit, Michigan.

Bridesmaids pose for a formal portrait in Parker's Alley in Detroit, Michigan by Brian Weitzel Photography.

The bridal party poses for a formal portrait in Parker's Alley in Detroit, Michigan by Brian Weitzel Photography on New Years Eve.

A bride and groom pose with lights in the background in Parker's Alley in Detroit, Michigan.

A bride poses with lights in the background in Parker's Alley in Detroit, Michigan.

The alley was a touch narrow for the entire bridal party and I really wanted to create an image with a little more attitude for them. Shinola’s event lobby was the perfect spot for a Vanity Fair inspired image.

Next, it was time for their Shinola Hotel wedding ceremony to start. The glass “birdy” room created a magical ambiance for the evening.

A groom walks towards the altar at his Shinola Hotel wedding.

A bride walks down the aisle towards the altar at her Shinola Hotel wedding.

A father hugs his daughter bride on her wedding day at her Shinola Hotel wedding.

A bride and groom hold hands during their ceremony in the Birdy at a Shinola Hotel wedding.

A bride and groom hold hands during their ceremony at a Shinola Hotel wedding.

The bride and groom share a kiss after they exchange vows.

The bride and groom celebrate as they walk down the aisle of their Shinola Hotel wedding.

After the ceremony, guests made their way to cocktail hour before entering into the ballroom.

As we slowly approached the new year, guests made their way back to the Birdy for dancing. Amy and Kyle opened the dance floor with a formal first dance.

A bride and groom share a first dance at their Shinola Hotel wedding reception.

Accented with purple uplighting, a bride and groom share a first dance at their Shinola Hotel wedding reception.

Once the floor was open, there was no shortage of fun being had. Guests filled the dancefloor all night with some help from The Block Party.

As midnight approached, we pulled Amy and Kyle away for some evening photos to help commemorate their Shinola Hotel wedding on New Year’s Eve. We decided to head back to the balcony and recreate one of their favorite shots from their elopement with the help of a confetti popper. As confetti rained down on Woodward, Detroiters cheered below and helped celebrate the “newlyweds.”

A bride and groom pop confetti on the streets of Detroit.

A bride and groom pose in front of San Morello on Woodward in Detroit.

A groom hugs his bride from behind with twinkle lights overhead on Woodward Avenue in Detroit, Michigan.

To me, this image captures it all. With two years of marriage under their belt, tonight it a victory lap. That laugh, that smile, the lover between them…this moment is their own little victory lap.