Two Classic Venues – Two beautiful people – two beautiful vows: Brigitte and Kevin had the classic elegant American wedding. They were married this July 2011 at St. Josephs through a full Latin Mass in downtown Detroit and had their reception at the soigne Detroit Athletic Club. Words will just not do justice to this event so I’m going to let the photographs do the talking. Enjoy!

Church: St. Joseph’s
Reception: The Detroit Athletic Club (The D.A.C.)
Flowers: Scarlet Poppy Floral Design

I just think the classic Tiffany setting is the perfect Diamond setting…I think the purse pictured here was the one her mother used on her wedding day as well…pretty neat.

The flowers by Cyndi Hicks at Scarlet Poppy were amazing. Many of these were made out of wood.

Mum and Dad.

Kids were running everywhere while Brigitte was getting ready!

The groomsmen were totally set up in the morning.

The ring bearer wasn’t the happiest camper during the ceremony.

What a beautiful church and ceremony; the whole service was done in the traditional Latin mass style.

The ceremony ended with a classic bearded Irish bagpiper.

I love the dreamy 1st kiss on the right…

kids kids kids kids everywhere

Kevin surprised everyone and was even more emotional than Brigitte!

Rooftop fireworks from the DAC. It was an awesome view of tiger stadium!

Ben Shanky and his Sinatra Quintet belted out some beautiful Sinatra classics all night.

The DAC ballroom with its European Salon feel.

DeeDee & John had a picture perfect wedding this July at the Ritz Carlton Battery Park New York NY.
Over the top florals, an awesome band, and plenty of romance and love made this wedding one to remember. All DeeDee’s family flew into NYC from all over the world to attend the event and the Ritz staff took great care of everyone. The ceremony, reception, and ketubah signing all were located in the elegant ballrooms. And we got to take photographs around battery park which has amazing views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis island. It was the perfect rainy moody NYC day and I think their outdoor images are reminiscent to Alred Steiglitz early 20th century photography of the city. Enjoy the images!

“I want it big!”

John Calls DeeDee “bobo”. Pretty cute relationship really.

DeeDee’s hair piece was just so elegant. I love this shot of the table and the girls too. I used a tilt shift lens to throw the plane of focus horizontal to make everything sharp. Pretty cool technique.

Classic DeeDee. She always turns her head when she smiles.

The Ritz and the couple.

Signing the marriage license.

Like how you can see the taxis in the left half the image. The perfect juxtaposition for a NY wedding.

Heading down the aisle.

Completely gorgeous ceremony.

DeeDee’s Sister was the maid of honor. She gave a really touching speech and also teased them about their funny lovey dobey nick names.

The guys wore hand tied bowties. If you decide to make this leap of bowtie faith you really need to allow 45 minutes just for tieing the bow ties. Seriously. The day of If you can’t figure keep “Lucky Levons Down in Columbia South Caroline’s” youtube video handy for reference: for the key bowtie beta click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJv4Qh7zR3E

When they first saw each other. I like the imperfection of this image. Its raw emotion.

Guests watching the hoorah.

You can only get a piece of challah bread this big in NYC.

The ritz brought out some amazing dessert tables.

The quintessential elegant Townsend wedding paired with an absolutely Hollywood beautiful couple. The perfect old cathedral in Downtown detroit and an amazing team of vendors. Ralph Belissario did the florals (amazingly), Carolyn Hefner did the coordinating and planning, Scandinavian string quartet serenaded during cocktail hour, Joanne from Cartoleria did the cards, and Mel Ball did the entertaining. The day turned out so well and the wait was totally worth it for Ryan and Laura. Enjoy the photographs!

Christian Louboutins – eat your hearts out ladies.

I just love the tea room at the Townsend. Lit with 3200 degree lights to match that warm glow.

Guests arriving to the church.

Ryan in the waiting room just before the wedding. They had a peep hole so the clergy could keep track of the ceremony.

Thats my church shot as well in the brochure. I know I know….

I love the layers here. So much to look at.

So sweeett!! This is such an amazing idea and actually quite affordable! After 6 in the summer the light hits the building beautifully too for a shot like this.

The 2nd wedding dress! Totally worth it I think. Its fun, easier to dance in, and a total luxury.

Oh man – these girls wanted that bouquet bad.

The perfect backyard reception and gorgeous ceremony at Christ Church Cranbrook. That afternoon the sun lit up Christchurch cathedral and its stained glass and Lizzy and James had the quintessential gorgeous ceremony. I dont’ know if there is a more architecturally perfect church in Detroit. Post ceremony we took a few shots of the family and then Lizzy and James raced off in their vintage GTO. You may have saw them drive through the corner of Maple and Old Woodward with me snapping off shots from the sidewalk.
Great weather, great food, and plenty of beer and wine made the reception feel like so comfortable and fun. They chose bright green colors to really liven things up and give the event a really fresh summery feel. A huge white tent was set up with beautiful linens and contemporary branch florals to give everything a splash of uniqueness. Weddings are just so amazing because there rarely a time where you get to have all your best friends and all your family to your own huge party. Not only are they all there but they desperately want to talk to you and shower you with love and good times. When you go to your friends or families wedding you may know 20 or 30 people there but thats its. There is nothing like being a bride and groom and its awesome. Any bride and groom is going to have an amazing time but I’m particularly sure Lizzy and James enjoyed it all. Before I got married I couldn’t comprehend why my parents would spend so much on an event and party but after going through and having been married 3 years now I can see why. Its worth it and there is nothing else like it. Enjoy the photographs and memories!

Lizzy double dipped at her wedding wearing one set of earrings for the ceremony and one for the reception. Great idea!

This guy was the perfect wedding dog. Calm cool and confident. I enjoyed photographing all day.

Who has a minnie the mouse mirror for make up? This bridesmaids right here.

All the people pooped him out there.

Theres something so fun and awkward and bonding about having other people help dress you.

Right after she got her veil on.

I love this shot of her and her dad. Lizzy is so focused. This is right before they opened the doors to walk down the aisle.

The tent fit perfectly and the landscaping made it feel so inviting.

Whooopsss….I didn’t see exactly what happened to the cork…but I can imagine 3 or four funny scenarios. Every table had a bottle of champagne too so this same story line was happening all over the room. Good times like I said!

Look who interrupted the 1st dance.

Trying to make a Michigan Alum sing the State fight song. It just won’t happen.

Think twice before you choose your best man. As in think about the story he just might bring up.

Awesome!