Shannon + Andrew | a Detroit Madison Building wedding

a Detroit Madison Building wedding

Shannon + Andrew’s Detroit Madison Building wedding was one I have been looking forward to for awhile. These two are the sweetest and love Detroit as much as I do :) Their wedding day was for me, one of those days you wake up with giddy excitement. These two are insanely in love and a couple I had grown a relationship with over the last year. They believe in me and what I do and like I’ve said before, that’s why it’s important to find right fits with your wedding vendors.

The week before their wedding, I watched the weather report. It was calling for rain and a lot of it. I crossed my fingers, put positive vibes out there and even did a reverse rain dance. And it still rained all day. But as you scroll through their photos, you’d never know it. Allison & I shot the sh*t out of their wedding. Rain sucks, especially if half of your reception was planned for a rooftop (shout out to R&R sound and lighting for setting up, then breaking down, then setting up and then setting up again to make Shannon and Andrew’s dreams come true!).

Their ceremony was at SS Peter Paul Cathedral and it was especially sentimental, because that is where Andrew’s parents had gotten married years before. Their reception at the Detroit Madison Building had chic personal touches, like their food stations – they were three different stations indigenous from the three different places that they had lived while they were together. After some yummy food, everyone headed to the roof for one of the best dance parties of all time. Shannon + Andrew, you guys really are the best. I can’t thank you enough for really trusting me and I am so glad to be able to call you friends :) xo, e

Shannon, HR Program Manager

Andrew, Marketing & Sales

Their Wedding in 3 words:

Best of Detroit

Shannon’s favorite memory of the day:

Andrew and I chose not to do a “first look” and keep the tradition of not seeing each other until I walked down the aisle. This put so much anticipation and emotion into that moment. When I heard my song and the doors of the church opened , my dad walked me through the doorway, around the baptismal font, and I saw my best friend at the end of the aisle… I couldn’t wait to feel his touch! On the way, I saw my family and closest friends smiling at me, and overcome with emotion themselves. I felt so loved and overjoyed… then my dad gave me away to Andrew. Andrew whispered how beautiful I looked and how my dress was not what he was expecting! It was by far the best moment.

Andrew’s favorite memory of the day:

Our first dance on a rooftop downtown Detroit. We were so excited for the venue and knew it was an awesome place for the reception, but when we came together for our first dance, I was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, like that was the moment the entire year of planning was for. I felt like everyone else disappeared and I was on top of the world with my bride, getting different amazing views of my favorite city every time we turned.

Wedding planning advice for newly engaged couples:

Don’t underestimate the value of Erin’s ‘Vendors That Slay’ list… it helped me lock down the most amazing vendors and everything went so smoothly on our wedding day! 2. You will hear a lot of advice along the planning journey, “don’t sweat the small stuff” is always a common phrase, however, if personalized coasters are important to you – remember it’s your day! 3. I can imagine having a wedding planner is incredibly helpful, however, the amount of appreciation Andrew and I felt on our wedding day, to see all the details come together and make all of the planning – worth it – was a feeling unlike any other!

Honeymoon location:

Saint Lucia

– The Jams –

Grand Entrance:

Trick Trick ft. Eminem – Welcome 2 Detroit

First Dance:

Chantal Kreviazuk – Feels Like Home

Father/Daughter:

Stevie Nicks – Landslide

Mother/Son:

One Republic – I Lived

Cake Cutting:

Flo Rida & 99 Percent – Cake

Anything else you’d like to add:

The new “cliche” is that your wedding day will be the “best day ever” – this is not a cliche, simply because it is true. I cannot think of a better way to describe having your family and closest friends by your side for such an emotional day. You will feel so incredibly happy to marry your best friend and know you get to do life with them every day after that, for the rest of your life. You will feel overcome with joy that all of those decisions you made independently (cake, decor, linens, floral…) came together better than you could have imagined. You will feel welcomed and a part of a bigger family. You will eat amazing food! You will laugh and dance with your friends. And it will all happen very quickly – remember to take time, talk about what’s happening and absorb as much as you can.

Jen House Design slaying the day as per usual with their incredibly chic flower girl hoop!