Urban Engagement Photos at Eastern Market

October 17, 2015February 1, 2017Leave a comment

The engagement photos are in!

I’ve divvied up them up and because I was eager to share a few, I plucked the photos from Eastern Market – taken in front of several new murals that had been freshly painted during Detroit Design Fest – to post on our social channels for family and friends.

I love the way that these shots in particular turned out, where we’re just a part of a more exciting visual that fills up the photo frame so nicely. Takes a bit of the pressure off, ya know?

If you read my initial engagement photo post, you know that this was just ONE of several locations we dragged our photographer to (she was so sweet to oblige, especially given her long haul from Grand Rapids). I’m saving the others to use for some of our wedding materials… the riverfront shots for our save-the-dates, the DIA shots for the guestbook and one in particular pic for our wedding website. I’d hate to fatigue our guests with the same shots over and over… 😉

Engagement Gifts for Metro Detroit Brides

October 5, 2015February 1, 2017Leave a comment

Someone popped the question… and now it’s time to celebrate the bride-to-be over a champagne brunch or a festive cocktail party. While clinking glasses and toasting the happy couple is plenty, it’s not unusual for family and friends of the duo to come bearing a small gift.

But, what to bestow? I’ve rounded up some of my favorite options for gifting (and some that I received myself from my fave gals). Let the gifting begin:

Bubbly is always a good idea.

Michigan winery M. Lawrence makes a few lovely – yet affordable – bottles, including the sweet and fruity “Fizz” or, if you’re on the more risque side, “Sex,” a fruity rose. Of course, nobody will mind if you swing by Costco and pick up an orange-label bottle of Veuve Clicquot, which comes in around $43.

A stack of glossy bridal magazines.

Start with Metro Detroit Bride since it sums up all the dirty details on local venues, then add some of the classic, current choices. I like Martha Stewart Weddings and The Knot magazine. Tie ’em up with bakers twine and a few paper-mache flowers atop. Voila!

A safe spot to store all that bling.

Sweet, little ring dishes were the gift of choice when I announced our engagement. I have one pale-blue dish by Kate Spade that sits next to the kitchen sink, one “Me and You” heart-shaped dish from Nordstrom in the master bathroom, and one small Greek bowl from our vacations on my nightstand. This organic, metal dish, however, is personalized with initials and a date of choice (engagement? anniversary? upcoming nuptials?) and is made just down the road in Berkley, Mich. by Berkley and Bean.

Perfectly polished finger tips for flaunting.

Oh, swoon, you guys. I’m a sucker for a fine nail polish and I’m drooling over this chic set of Deborah Lippmann “Undressed” set of nude hues at Sephora. For the same price ($34), Julep has packaged up a tempting red, pink and cream gift set that’s just a touch vampier.

Caffeine-fueled wedding planning sessions.

Gift a bag of Great Lakes Coffee Co. “Detroit French Roast” beans or Biggby Creme Brulee inside these cheeky Mr. and Mrs. mugs by The Lovely Glass Jar out of Grand Rapids, Mich.

Legit instruction manuals when you’re feeling lost.

My mother-in-law-to-be (that’s a lot of dashes, huh?) gifted us the Bride and Groom version of these handy booklets. Not only are they coffee-table cute, they’re chock full of real advice that’s proven pretty helpful as the planning process has gotten underway. You can pick them up at Barnes and Noble or order on a zillion sites and have sent directly to the couple’s door.

Downtown Detroit Engagement Shoot Locations

September 10, 2015September 8, 2017Leave a comment

Okay, Detroit ladies. You know that I love the Comerica Park tiger sculpture and the Fox Theater marquee as much as y’all, but it’s feeling a bit overdone, no?

When we were asked to pull together some of our desired engagement photo shoot locales, I constructed the below list, which we then narrowed down… a lot. I tried to include some scenic scapes, some interesting backdrops that spoke to the city and some plain, old romantic spaces, too.

We’ll be shooting the photos next week, the day after I close on the sale of my condo and the day before we take off traveling (I’m getting tired just thinking about it all). I’ve still got to fine tune our wardrobe, but the thought of our first professional photos is pretty stinking exciting, I’ve got to admit.

Do you have ideas to add? Share them in the comments! I’d love even more to see some snaps of your own, so link away 🙂

Woodward Esplanade

This curvy walkway, stretching from Campus Martius to the new Spirt Plaza is perfect for strolling hand-in-hand or posing on the oversized swings.

Woodward Esplanade

{via Curbed}

Apparatus Room at the Foundation Hotel

I mean, these lights, right?! Pair that with leather lounge furniture and a statement booth chandelier, that I think there’s plenty of inspiration on hand here …

ApparatusRoom Detroit.jpg

{via Eater}

The Old Train Station

With new windows! A Corktown icon and an architectural gem, no matter its current state.

{via MarekD.com}

Detroit Institute of Arts Front Steps

All that gorgeous marble makes for a clean backdrop for dressier photos. Inside, Kresge Court has luxe couches for softer shots and the Rivera mural is an ideal background as well.

{via ErynSheaPhoto.com}

Cliff Bell’s

Dimly lit and includes a stage. Need I say more?

{via BreakfastwithAdam.com}

Z Garage and Z Garage Alley

One of the newer artistic scenes in town. Lots of graffiti appeal on the garage itself, while the alley beside it has sweet hung lights and commissioned art installations.

{via MegDarketPhotography.com}

Eastern Market

On a Saturday with the crowds buzzing around (including food trucks!) or a quiet weekday with lots of space to wander the sheds. Consider popping into Germack Roasting across the street for coffee shots.