Westin Book Cadillac Wedding

Thursday, February 16th, 2023

I am going to be perhaps a bit too honest: I was a little nervous to photograph Meghan and Erik’s wedding. I get a little nervous the first wedding of every season. Am I still creative? Is my work getting stale? Am I confident in my flash work? This is one of the most important days in a couples’ lives; I need to bring my A game! However, when it came to Erik and Meghan, I wasn’t nervous for any of those reasons. I knew their ceremony at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament would be beautiful and their Westin Book Cadillac wedding reception would be fun and memorable. Instead, I was nervous simply because I had never met Erik and Meghan! They both lived in Chicago but were getting married in Detroit, where Meghan has family. The first time we would meet would be their wedding day. However, my worries were immediately dissolved when I met Erik. He was one of the most relaxed, approachable, and kind hearted grooms. By the time we were driving him to the first look, it felt like we were friends. It was no surprise then, when upon meeting Meghan and seeing how kind and friendly she was, that they found each other. With my nerves calmed, it was time to capture their love.

Erik and Meghan both got ready at the beautiful Westin Book Cadillac. Granted, I may be a little biased as I did get married their myself, but I love photographing there. Whether it is prep, ceremony, or a killer reception, anything Westin Book Cadillac wedding related is going to come out gorgeous.

Erik got ready with the help of his dad and brother. We were planning on it, but we found the groomsmen also hanging around and decided to have them put on their finishing touches too.

Groomsmen gets ready in the lobby at a Westin Book Cadillac wedding.

Groomsmen get ready in the lobby at a Westin Book Cadillac wedding.

Groomsmen pose at a Westin Book Cadillac wedding.

Meghan got ready for her Westin Book Cadillac wedding in a nearby suite before putting her finishing touches on outside of the Venetian Room.

Meghan’s smile was radiant and only enhanced the beauty of her as a bride. One of my favorite aspects about photographing Meghan was she always seemed present, in the moment, and enjoying every bit of it.

A bride, holding her bouquet and laughing while looking over her shoulder, gets ready for her Westin Book Cadillac wedding.

A bride gets ready for her Westin Book Cadillac wedding.

Meghan and Erik decided to share a first look at the nearby Townhouse arches. It was a bit windy, but that didn’t stop them from enjoying the moment.

First look photos between a bride and groom in Detroit, MI.

On our way up to the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, we stopped at the Cadillac Place Apartments for a few shots. The ornate architecture complimented the timeless look of their wedding.

Newlyweds pose in front of a brass doorway at the Cadillac Place apartments.

Newlyweds kiss in front of a brass doorway at the Cadillac Place apartments.

A candid moment between a bride and groom during their Detroit wedding.

A groom looks at the camera while his bride looks away.

A bride and groom pose elegantly under the arches of the Cadillac Place Apartments on the wedding day.

Groomsmen pose in front of the Cadillac Place apartments in Detroit, MI.

Groomsmen casually pose in front of the Cadillac Place apartments in Detroit, MI.

Bridesmaids wearing blue dresses poses in front of the Cadillac Place apartments in Detroit, MI.

A bridal party poses in front of three giant arches at the Cadillac Place apartments in Detroit, MI.

A bridal party walks away from the Cadillac Place apartments on a wedding day.

The groom kisses the temple of his bride outside of the Cadillac Place Apartments.

It isn’t often I get a chance to ride on party busses, but when I do, I know I am in for a good time…and often a sing along.

As guests were pouring out of the cathedral, we had a few minutes to spare. I asked the driver to turn around and head back into the city. I have driven by this location a number of times and always thought it would look beautiful as a wedding backdrop. I was so happy to share my first time shooting there with Meghan and Erik. As we walked back into the bus, my hunch was affirmed: one of the bridesmaids was gushing how gorgeous they looked.

As guests took their seats, it was time for their ceremony. One of the things that makes the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament so beautiful is the sheer scale of it. It reminds me of the European churches I feel in love with while living abroad.

Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament wedding.

Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament wedding ceremony.

A couple kisses as they are announced husband and wife at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament church in Detroit, MI.

This is always one of my favorite moments in the wedding ceremony. For the first time during the ceremony, they get to break with the formalities and show a little of their personalities, excitement, and emotion. Needless to say, I think they were happy to officially be married.

A couple celebrate as they are announced husband and wife at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament church in Detroit, MI.

A couple smiles as the walk hold hands down the aisle of the the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament church in Detroit, MI.

Newlyweds kiss at the end of the aisle during their the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament wedding ceremony.

As Erik and Meghan signed their marriage license, guests filtered outside, waiting to cheer the newlyweds on during a grand exit.

A bride and groom kiss during their grand exit outside of the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

A groom holds his bride outside of the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit, MI.

A bride receives a kiss from her husband at their Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament ceremony.

A bride poses in the aisle of the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament on her wedding day.

A bride and groom pose in the aisle of the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Following some photos at the church, it was time to head to their Westin Book Cadillac wedding reception. The ballroom was beautiful and ready for guests to enjoy a unforgettable evening.

A gorgeous, decorated ballroom from Emerald City Designs at a Westin Book Cadillac wedding reception.

Erik and Meghan started their Westin Book Cadillac wedding reception with a bit of cake and a first dance.

A bride and groom dance their first dance at their Westin Book Cadillac wedding reception.

A MOH laughs during her speech at a Westin Book Cadillac wedding.

A bride reacts to a speech given by her sister at her Westin Book Cadillac wedding.

The bride and maid of honor toast glasses during a Westin Book Cadillac wedding.

While Meghan’s sister gave a heartfelt speech honoring her sister, Erik’s Best Men weren’t as kind. They launched joke and after joke and had everyone in the room laughing. Luckily, it was all done in good fun.

A groom laughs during speeches during his Westin Book Cadillac wedding reception.

The father of the bride reads a speech at a Westin Book Cadillac wedding.

As dinner wrapped up, the First Call band opened the dance floor and quickly got the party started. As it was time for our end-of-the-night shot, it was hard to find Erik and Meghan as they surrounded by fellow guests on the dance floor.