Danielle and Andrew’s downtown Detroit wedding was absolutely gorgeous! They hosted their ceremony at Fort Street Presbyterian Church in the heart of the city. After their ceremony, we spent time taking downtown Detroit wedding photos at the Detroit Institute of arts and the Fort Street Church.

Detroit Church Wedding

Fort Street Presbyterian Church is a historic church located in downtown Detroit. The church was founded in 1849, and the current building was completed in 1855. The architecture is truly unique to the decade in which the church was built! 

The main sanctuary seats up to 900 people, so whether you’re having a large or small wedding, all your guests will find a seat! It is worth noting that the main sanctuary does not have air conditioning. If you’re planning a summer wedding, keep this in mind! The church does provide getting ready areas that are equipped with AC, thank goodness!

One of my favorite parts of the church was the getting ready area for the girls. The church provided a large open space complete with couches and a large table for plenty of room for your girls to sit, get ready and enjoy the morning with you. The best part of the room was the beautiful gothic-style window. We used this window for so many photos! How could you not?

For this wedding, the guys got ready at home and later convened in a community room at the church. We did a first look with Andrew and Danielle right before the wedding so they could say their private vows together. It’s worth mentioning that the event coordinator for the church was on top of everything and made sure all needs were met! She was great about making sure we were on time and everyone was where they needed to be.

Detroit Wedding Photos at Institute of Arts

After the ceremony, Danielle and Andrew panned ample time to take tons of pictures in the church and downtown. With their 10-hour wedding package, we were able to take our time to create some beautiful images! If you want downtown Detroit wedding photos, I highly recommend coordinating with your photographer to make sure you have plenty of time for travel between locations.

First, we stayed back at the church to utilize the gothic architecture. The arches and symmetry of the church helped us make some stunning photos! I’ve definitely taken some of my favorite Detroit wedding photos of all time at this church.

After the church, we made our way to take wedding photos at the Detroit Institute of Arts. The DIA is a popular location for wedding venues because it is so elegant. The white marble is not something you can find just anywhere. 

We used both main entrances of the DIA to create elegant, classic wedding photos. I loved having the opportunity to take photos both indoors and outdoors. This really gave the couple a variety of wedding photos! Your wedding is only one day of your life, but your wedding photos last forever! Really, they will outlive you so future generations can see them. Isn’t that neat?

Tips for Detroit Wedding Photos

Are you hoping to capture some Detroit wedding photos for your special day? Here are some tips I recommend to make sure your day runs smoothly:

• Plan at least an hour to two hours for pictures. One hour will be enough time to take photos at one or two locations within close proximity of each other.
• Account for Parking and walking time. This is the biggest mistake I see when planning downtown Detroit wedding photos. Finding parking and walking can add up and sometimes take an additional half hour!
• Utilize a party bus. Party buses make navigating downtown with a bridal party so much easier. You can keep your entire party together, avoid parking fees, and most of the time they can drop you off right where you need to be!

How to book Your Detroit Wedding Photographer

Are you planning a Detroit wedding? Make sure you book your photographer as soon as you book your venue! Detroit wedding photographers typically book about a year out. Detroit wedding venues are very popular, so it’s important to reserve your date soon!

If you’re looking for a Detroit wedding photographer who is familiar with the area, we’d love to be considered! Our team at Savvy Shoots is made up of local photographers who photograph downtown Detroit often. You won’t have to worry about your photographer getting lost or confused when trying to find your locations!

If you are still looking for Detroit wedding venues, check out our list of Downtown Detroit Wedding Venues here. One of our goals at Savvy Shoots is to make wedding planning easier for you. Our blog has many resources to take the stress out of planning!

We’d love to chat with you if you’re still looking for a Detroit wedding photographer. Contact us today to learn more about our packages and see if we’d be a great fit!