Downtown Detroit Wedding at the Detroit Opera House

Getting Ready Moments at The Siren Hotel

Zach and Jennings got ready at the beautiful Siren Hotel here in Downtown Detroit, Michigan. The Siren Hotel has so much style and character and really played into the overall look of the day that we were trying to achieve. Unlike a traditional wedding where the couple gets ready at separate locations and/or rooms, Zach and Jennings had something else in mind. Both of them got ready together in the same room during their stay at the Siren Hotel. This is some of my favorite things that couples choose to do on their wedding day. Not only because it’s out-of-the-box and untraditional, but it creates a space of intimacy and sweetness for the couple. Friends and family were also staying on the same floor as the soon-to-be newlyweds, so it was a very go-with-the-flow type morning. The remainder of the morning was spent finalizing their wedding looks, doing first looks with parents and capturing some beautiful shadow-work inside the hotel.

First Looks w/ The Wedding Party

It was important for Zach and Jennings to really include that “wow” factor. Which is why they decided to do a first look with their entire wedding party outside in the patio area of the Siren Hotel! Their entire wedding party was dressed to the nine’s and were utterly shocked at how amazing both Zach and Jennings looked. You could tell how much their friends and family truly love and support both Zach and Jennings and it made for the most beautiful first look moment.

Downtown Detroit Wedding Portraits

One of my favorite parts about being in Downtown Detroit for weddings, is really being able to use the beauty of the city as our backdrop. The city has so many beautiful textures, moods and colors that really add a certain dimension to your photos, as well as give off some beautiful editorial-type feels, which I love. Photographing in the city also is never boring. It gives you the opportunity to always have something going on and many impromptu moments that truly speak to the beauty and elegance of this beautiful city. We spent that afternoon soaking up the beautiful brick buildings, high-rise buildings and the love that was clearly floating in the air.

Rooftop Ceremony at the Detroit Opera House

Before we knew it, it was time for us to head to their venue. The Detroit Opera House is an un-expected wedding venue but one that truly radiates an elegant and timeless nature. Throughout the entire opera house you are surrounded by golden crown moldings and rich red tones which make you feel transported back to the gilded-age. We took some flash photos inside and really wanted to bask in the ambiance of this unique and stylish wedding venue before their ceremony.

Zach and Jennings really wanted their wedding day to focus on being with friends and family in celebration. Their ceremony truly did emulate that. Located on the roof of the Detroit Opera House is the Sky Deck. It’s 6,000 sq. feet and has 360 views of Downtown Detroit and quite literally makes you feel on top of the world. Their weather couldn’t have been more beautiful either, with the gorgeous bright sun making its debut. Throughout the entire ceremony, you could just really tell the pure love and passion that radiated off Zach and Jennings. Together, they were and are unbeatable and it was evident. After exchanging their vows, they sealed everything with their first kiss and that was it. They were married and it was pure bliss. Of course, it wouldn’t be a celebration without a celebratory champagne toast.

Mingling with Champagne at Cocktail Hour

One thing you should know is that I am an absolute fanatic for cocktail hour. Cocktail hour is a time where not only the couple can mingle, but I am able to interact with guests and capture the true essence of their day. Typically, couples don’t have much time to chat with their guests especially during cocktail hour because of how jam-packed their day is. However, with a perfectly curated timeline and well throughout plan, you are able to have your cake and eat it too.

Dancing To Dolly Parton at the Reception

As you could probably pick up by now, Zach and Jennings are incredibly high-energy. From jumping down the aisle, locked hand in hand to even making their grand entrance with a bang, these two are head over heels in love. As guests trickled in from cocktail hour into the beautiful reception space inside the Detroit Opera House, you could just feel the anticipation in the air. Something was about to happen and everyone knew it. Zach and Jennings made their grand entrance and the room roared with so much love and cheer. Speeches from their closest family members were made and it was clear that these two were whole-heartedly loved by many.

It wasn’t until their first dance where things really kicked off. Rather than choreographing their first dance, Zach and Jennings decided to “wing it” to one of their favorite songs… Dolly Parton’s “Baby I’m Burning”. Things took off from there as friends and family joined in on the fun and really engulfed themselves into the high-energy that radiated off Zach and Jennings.

Blue Hour and Billy Joel

Before leaving though, I just knew I needed to get these newlyweds back on the roof to soak up the beautiful sunset/blue hour. Now, to many these may look just like your ordinary blue hour portraits. However, it was so much more than that. Right across the street from the Detroit Opera House is the Detroit Stadium. Coincidentally on the same night as their wedding, the ever so famous Billy Joel was hosting a concert directly behind us. So not only did we have a gorgeous sunset and blue hour, we were blessed with the sounds of Billy Joel in the background. A 10/10 way to end an absolutely perfect way to end a wedding if you ask me.

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