A bride and groom stand forehead to forehead as her veil blows in the wind, passing in front of the camera.

Wedding at Detroit’s Colony Club

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023

Sean and Anne had a elegant and timeless wedding at Detroit’s Colony Club and St. Anne de Detroit.

They say that good things come to those who wait. Sean and Anne’s wedding is no exception. I remember receiving the call that they would need to postpone their wedding due to Covid. My heart sank. Not another one, I thought to myself. I was looking forward to their wedding for what already felt like years. I met Sean when I photographed his sister’s wedding and remembered him fondly. I knew Anne from photographing several of her cousin’s weddings and always seeing her at the events. By the time their wedding rolled around, it would practically be a little reunion for me!

Sean and Anne had all of the ingredients for a perfect wedding. Brisk October weather. Colorful leaves. One of Detroit’s nicest hotels, the Shinola Hotel for their prep. The beautiful St. Anne de Detroit for their ceremony. A friends and family-filled wedding reception at Detroit’s Colony Club. But most importantly, they had the right attitude going into the day. It wasn’t about the physical or aesthetic elements of their day that Anne and Sean were looking forward to the most; it was seeing each other, being with each other, and celebrating each other every step of the way. One of the things I loved about their portfolio was all of the moments I caught them laughing. Having fun was clearly their natural state with each other.

Both Sean and Anne got ready at Shinola Hotel before sharing a first look at nearby Parker’s Alley.

I always like to give guys a few shots that make him look like he just walked off of a shoot for cologne or a GQ cover. I would say Sean nailed the look.

Groom prep with a bowtie hanging around his shoulders at Shinola Hotel.

Right down the hall from Sean, Anne was also getting ready.

On our way down to the first look, we briefly paused for a stunning shot using some nearby mirrors.

Around the corner from the Shinola Hotel was Sean, patiently waiting to see his bride. As soon as they saw each other, the fun and laughter began.

A bride looks over her shoulder while walking down Parker's Alley.

A groom holds his jacket over his shoulder while a bride holds his arm on the streets of Detroit.

After their first look in Parker’s Alley, we headed to a few other spots in Detroit, including the Detroit Institute of Art and the Detroit Public Library.

A bride and groom pose for a full length portrait outside of the Detroit Institute of Art on their wedding day.

A bride, holding her bouquet, poses for a full length portrait outside of the Detroit Institute of Art on her wedding day.

A bride and groom walk on the grounds of the Detroit Institute of Art on their wedding day.

A bride and groom pose on the steps of the Detroit Institute of Art on their wedding day.

On our walk around the DIA, Becky noticed the colorful trees and suggested we use it as a backdrop. Sometimes, nature does not disappoint.

With her hand on his chest, a bride and groom pose with yellow trees in the background at the Detroit Institute of Art.

A bride twirls under the arm of her groom on her wedding day at the Detroit Institute of Art.

A bride and groom embrace on the sidewalk of the Detroit Institute of Art.

A groom hugs his bride from behind and kisses her on the forehead outside of the Detroit Institute of Art.

A bride and groom walk up the stairs of the Detroit Public Library.

A bride poses, showing off the back of her dress, on the steps of the Detroit Public Library.

A bride leans her back against the chest of her groom on the steps of the Detroit Public Library.

Soon after arriving at the Detroit Public Library, the bridal party joined us.

Bridesmaids pose outside of the Detroit Public Library.

Groomsmen pose with hands in their pockets outside of the Detroit Public Library.

Groomsmen pose outside of the Detroit Public Library.

A bridal party walk together outside of the Detroit Public Library.

A bridal party pose on the stairs of the Detroit Public Library.

A groom escorts his bride down the stairs of the Detroit Public Library.

A bride and groom kiss on the stairs of the Detroit Public Library.

Here, I was drawn to the open shade and backlighting as it highlighted the couple.

A bride and groom hold hands and walk across the grounds of the Detroit Public Library.

A bride holds the lapels of a grooms jackets as they look at each other on the grass outside of Detroit Public Library.

A groom gently kisses his brides head standing outside of the Detroit Public Library.

While we wrapped up shooting in Detroit, guests were slowly trickling into St. Anne de Detroit for the ceremony. I love the stunning architecture of the church. It is one of Detroit’s best (and oldest!)

A father hugs his daughter as she gets married at St. Anne de Detroit.

A black and white interior photo of St. Anne de Detroit.

A vow exchange at St. Anne de Detroit wedding.

Because church services are quite formal, it isn’t until the end of the ceremony that the personalities of the couple get to come out a bit. Sean and Anne was a little excited to hear themselves introduced as husband and wife.

A bride and groom celebrate after being announced as husband and wife at St. Anne de Detroit.

A bride and groom walk down the aisle at St. Anne de Detroit.

A bride and groom stop for a kiss in the aisle at St. Anne de Detroit.

After family formals, we had a few extra minutes to photograph in the church. I love creating images that show a harmony between the beauty of the bride and the beauty of the church.