Wedding at the Detroit Opera House

Tuesday, May 31st, 2022

Katie and Blad had a gorgeous rooftop wedding at the Detroit Opera House.

I sat and waited, looking around the cafe for someone who matched the vague mental image I had of a person I had yet to meet. I fondly remembered the warm, welcoming, and disarming demeanor of Katie during our initial phone call; now I got to meet her for the first time. After making eye contact, a smile crossed her face. “Brian? Hi, I’m Katie” she said, extending her hand out. “This is my fiance Blad.” I felt like I was seeing an old friend after a long absence.

That same feeling hit me the morning of Katie and Blad’s wedding. Walking into the room where the groomsmen were getting ready and seeing a smiling and jovial Blad, I knew we were in for a day filled with some photogenic moments. Blad got ready in newly renovated lobby of the Atheneum Hotel. The white marble only added to the classiness of Blad’s custom tuxedo.

four men with their hands in their pockets wearing blue suits in the lobby of the Atheneum hotel in Detroit
four men wearing blue suits in the lobby of the Atheneum hotel in Detroit

While Blad put on his finishing touches, Katie was patiently waiting in her room. Once Blad returned to his room, it was Katie’s turn to get ready.

a bride gets ready with the help of her bridesmaid

Within minutes of being in her presence, Katie was already having fun and giving me plenty of candid moments to capture. Her laugh and presence is unmistakable. It’s not just a smile but a joy that she brings into every room.

a bride laughs while holding her dress in the lobby of the Atheneum Hotel in Detroit
a bride smiles while holding the end of her dress in the lobby of the Atheneum Hotel in Detroit
a bride smiles while holding a bouquet in the lobby of the Atheneum Hotel in Detroit

Once Katie was ready, she shared a first look with her dad.

a father hugs his daughter on her wedding day in the lobby of the Atheneum hotel
a father hugs his daughter in the lobby of the Atheneum hotel
a bride poses for a formal photo with her mom and dad on either side of her at the Atheneum Hotel in Detroit

Next, it was time for Katie’s first look with Blad on top of the Detroit Opera House. She was all msiles as she approached her groom.

a bride walks to her first look with a tall building behind her
a bride approaches her groom with the Detroit skyline in the background

Blad was equally excited and emotional to see his bride.

a groom reacts to seeing his bride for the first time
a bride and groom share a kiss  standing on top of the Detroit Opera house rooftop with Comerica Park in the background
a bride and groom share a kiss  standing on top of the Detroit Opera house rooftop with the GM Headquarters in the background
a groom and groom almost kiss at their wedding at Detroit Opera house rooftop
a groom kisses a smiling bride's cheek at their wedding at Detroit Opera house rooftop
a bride and groom laugh candidly with an arm around each other on the Detroit Opera house rooftop

After their first look, we walked the city of Detroit and stopped at some of their favorite spots. First stop: Parker’s Alley.

a bride and groom smile with an arm around each other in Parker's Alley Detroit

It didn’t take much to make Katie and Blad smile and enjoy the moment. They just need to be around each other.

a bride and groom laugh candidly with an arm around each other in Parker's Alley Detroit
a bride and groom pose with one arm around each other in Parker's Alley Detroit
a smiling bride holds her bouquet in Parker's Alley Detroit
a smiling groom holds his jacket in Parker's Alley Detroit
a bride hugs a groom from behind in Parker's Alley Detroit

I love all of the candid, fun moments between these two.

One of katie and Blad’s “musts” on their wedding day was to visit Vincente’s, a Cuban restaurant in downtown Detroit. Blad is Cuban himself and asked Katie to meet him here for their first date. In their vows, Katie described driving over an hour through a snow storm to meet Blad at Vincente’s. It marked the beginning of their relationship; now it marks the beginning of their marriage.

Vincente's cuban cuisine
a groom hugs a bride from behind with a red Cuba sign behind them

After Vincente’s, we walked over to Woodward to capture a little urban feel.

a bride and groom look at each other on a city street
a bride, with her back to the camera, looks over her shoulder on a city street

Next, it was time to meet up with their bridal party…

bridesmaids, wearing pastel colors, laugh in Parker's Alley Detroit
bridesmaids, wearing pastel colors, laugh in Parker's Alley Detroit
groomsmen, wearing blue tuxedos, pose in Parker's Alley Detroit
groomsmen, wearing blue tuxedos, pose in Parker's Alley Detroit
groomsmen, wearing blue tuxedos, walk in Parker's Alley Detroit
a bridal party wearing pastel colors pose in Parker's Alley Detroit
a bridal party wearing pastel colors walk in Parker's Alley Detroit

…and their dog!

With about an hour before their ceremony, we stepped into the gorgeous Detroit Opera House for some photos. The lobby drips elegance and is the perfect place to capture more of the environment. Their wedding at the Detroit Opera House would take place on the rooftop, overlooking the Detroit skyline.

a bride and groom kiss holding an ornate railing with chandeliers in the foreground and background at the Detroit Opera House
a bride and groom stand with chandeliers in the foreground and background at the Detroit Opera House
a bride and groom stand with chandeliers in the foreground and background at the Detroit Opera House
a bride and groom sit in the Detroit Opera house theatre
a bride and groom sit in the Detroit Opera house theatre

Next, it was time for their wedding at the Detroit Opera House rooftop. Blad led the ceremony by escorting Katie’s mom to her seat.

a groom and his groomsmen wait for the wedding ceremony to start
a bride hugs her dad  during her wedding cermeony

Blad’s reaction to seeing Katie at the altar was pure emotion.

A groom reacts seeing his bride for the first time after she walked down the aisle at a wedding at the Detroit Opera House
a groom, dressed in a blue tuxedo, smiles at his bride with groomsmen in the background
a wedding ceremony on the Detroit Opera House rooftop with the skyline behind the bride and groom
a bride smiles at her groom
a wedding ceremony on the Detroit Opera House rooftop with the skyline behind the bride and groom
a crowded rooftop wedding overlooking the Detroit skyline at the Detroit Opera House

There were several moments throughout the ceremony where Blad and even some guests were found teary eyed.

bride and groom exchange rings at their wedding at the Detroit Opera house
bride and groom exchange rings at their wedding at the Detroit Opera house
bride and groom exchange rings at their wedding at the Detroit Opera house
bride and groom share a first kiss at their wedding at the Detroit Opera house
bride and groom smile, looking at the crowd, after being announced as husband and wife at their wedding at the Detroit Opera house

One of my favorite moments of the wedding day is the bride and groom walking down the aisle after being announced as husband and wife. It is an emotional and exciting time when couples, for the first time, get to fully express themselves outside of the formalities of a ceremony. Katie and Blad’s reaction did not disappoint.

bride and groom celebrate after getting married at their rooftop wedding at the Detroit Opera House
bride and groom kiss with guests behind them at their rooftop wedding at the Detroit Opera House
 a bride hugs a groomsman after getting married at their rooftop wedding at the Detroit Opera House
a groom, wearing a blue suit, hugs his groomsman after getting married at their rooftop wedding at the Detroit Opera House
a bride holds her ring bearer at their rooftop wedding at the Detroit Opera House

After the ceremony, I suggested they spend a few minutes just letting it all soak in. Private or alone time is pretty hard to come by on a wedding day. When I saw the opportunity for them to sneak away for a minute, I encouraged them to take advantage of it.

a bride and groom, leaning against a railing, share a moment after their rooftop wedding at the Detroit Opera House
A bride and groom share a kiss with skyscrapers behind them

Ater an enjoyable cocktail hour on the rooftop, guests made their way downstairs and took their seats for Katie and Blad’s grand entrance. The rest of the night flowed smoothly as guests showered Katie and Blad with love and support.

A woman, wearing a blue dress, looks on during speeches with a crowd behind her at the Detroit Opera House
A bride and groom dance at their wedding at the Detroit Opera House
A bride and groom dance at their wedding at the Detroit Opera House
A bride and her dad dance holding hand at the Detroit Opera House
A packed dance floor with purple lighting at the Detroit Opera House
bride dancing with a young boy at the Detroit Opera House

As the evening wound down, we headed upstairs for one last shot to capture the mood of the evening. Staying true to the rest of their day, Katie and Blad were all smiles and laughter as they shared a celebratory moment.

A nighttime photo of a groom hugging a bride from behind with the GM building in the background
A nighttime photo of bride and groom snuggling up, nose to nose with the GM building in the background
bride and groom walking away from the camera in black and white on a rooftop

Floral: Emerald City Designs

Video: Black Tie White Dress Productions