On a sunny summer day, Brittany and Jon tied the knot! They had the most beautiful Detroit Opera House Wedding, complete with elegant details and a ceremony at the historical St. Anne’s Church.

Brittany was a bridesmaid in a wedding we photographed the previous year. It was so fun to get to take photos with her and her friends again! We’re so honored to have been invited back into the lives of people we’ve worked with before.

Book Tower Wedding Getting Ready Photos

Brittany and Jon really love Detroit, so they made every effort to include it in their wedding day story. The couple got ready at Book Tower, which is another historic building downtown. The views are absolutely stunning!

Some of the first photos we take as Detroit wedding photographers are the details. Brittany made sure all of her items were in a box so we could quickly get to work capturing these special items. While our lead photographer focuses on the bride and bridesmaids, the second photographer is able to photograph the groom getting ready. 

The couple chose not to do a first look, so we took as many photos as possible before the ceremony. Our second shooter took the guys around downtown for some awesome groomsmen shots, and our lead photographer documented a first look of the bride and her father and a few bridesmaid photos.

Basilica of Sainte Anne de Détroit Ceremony

After Book Tower, we prepared for the ceremony. The Basilica of Sainte Anne de Détroit, sometimes referred to as Saint Anne’s, was founded in 1701. This historic landmark is one of the most beloved churches for Detroit wedding ceremonies. They often hold multiple weddings in one day, so we had to be sure not to interrupt the service that took place before Brittany and Jon’s.

Before their wedding ceremony, Brittany and Jon opted for a first touch in a smaller chapel of the church. We made sure they couldn’t see each other, but they were able to hold hands and privately read vows. This was such a sweet moment to witness!

After the first touch, we prepared for the ceremony. The couple hosted a traditional Catholic ceremony. The architecture of the church is absolutely stunning and transports you back in time. The church does not allow flash photography during the service, so we made sure to really capture the ambience of the hour.

Detroit Wedding Photography

Since its renovation, Michigan Central Station has become a popular choice for Detroit wedding photography. The architecture is beautiful, and in the summer, the gardens are gorgeous! Michigan Central closeby to St. Anne’s, so we hopped over there for a few bridal party portraits.

After the train station, we met the couple back in the heart of downtown to capture a few portraits at the David Whitney building. Hotel David Whitney is one of the most beautiful hotels you can find downtown! The couple booked a room for their wedding night, so the staff graciously allowed us to take a few photos around the building.

Detroit Opera House Wedding

After our short photoshoot at the David Whitney, we walked a block to the Detroit Opera House. The Opera House transports you to a whole new world! The articulate detail in every part of the building is truly magical.

Cocktail hour and the first dance were hosted on the Opera House rooftop. This provided some of the best views of the city, and the best view of the Tiger’s game! Guests were able to watch the game by looking right down into the ballpark.

Brittany and Jon also had a live wedding painter at their wedding! Julia, the live wedding painter, captured every detail of their first dance and the beautiful background of Detroit. Guests loved to watch her paint throughout the night, and guests could follow the progress of the painting!

For a Detroit Opera House Wedding, tables are split between the first and second floors in order to fit the guests. The sweetheart table was placed on the staircase. Brittany and Jon truly leaned into the romance of the building and used candlelight all around the reception area. 

Another special addition to the night was a small exhibit of past wedding dresses the bride included. She had her mother’s dress on display with wedding day photos from previous generations. This was such a special way for the family to be involved in the wedding day.

As always, reception dancing was an absolute blast. DJ Michael with Prestige got the party going, and we even did a group photo on the dance floor to capture the couple with all their guests! A good DJ is a must to help your guest feel comfortable and have fun on the dance floor.

Booking Your Detroit Wedding Photographer

Brittany & Jon’s wedding was an experience we will never forget! If you are planning a Metro Detroit Wedding or Downtown Detroit Wedding, contact us today to start dreaming together! We specialize in Detroit wedding photography and engagement photography. We focus on true-to-color tones to make sure your wedding day is documented as accurately as possible.

Our team at Savvy Shoots is dedicated to helping you have a smooth and seamless wedding day, which is why we partner with various Detroit wedding vendors and even have in-house coordination available. You can view our updated pricing guide by contacting us today!

Wedding Vendors:

Dress: Piera’s Bridal Couture (@pierasbridal)

Shoes: Kailee P. Inc. 

Special Event Group for Floral/Rentals/Stationary: Emerald City Designs (@emeraldcitydesigns)

Live Painter: Julia McNally (@juliamcnallyart)

Bridal Hair: The Beauty Gals (@thebeautygalsoffical)

Bridal Make-Up: Nuha Roumayah (@beautybynuha)

Wedding Dress: Piera’s Bridal (@pierasbridal)

Groom’s Tux and Groomsmen Suits: The Black Tux (@theblacktux)

DJ: Prestige Weddings & Events (@prestige_weddings_events)

Cake Bakery: For The Love of Sugar (@fortheloveofsugardetroit)

Food: Continental (@continentalserves)

Ceremony Venue: Basilica of Ste. Anne Detroit (@detroitsteanne)

Reception Venue: Detroit Opera House (@detroitoperaevents)