[real wedding] Christyn and Ismael’s Detroit wedding

March 26, 2013March 25, 2013 by Steph | 2 Comments

Christyn and Ismael planned their Detroit wedding with almost 200 guests in just five weeks! How in the world did they do that? Read on to find out about their June 2012 wedding at two beautiful Catholic churches in the city. Enjoy the images by Tessa Bird Photography!

Christyn said that getting married in Detroit was a no-brainer: “We couldn’t imagine getting married anywhere else. We met here, we live here, we go to church here, we work here, we play here. This is home. Ismael and I met next door to St. Anne’s over 13 years ago. It was as if we were coming full circle.”

Venues: Ceremony at St. Leo’s Catholic Church / Reception at St. Anne’s Catholic Church Hall
Rehearsal Dinner: Polish Village Café
Catering: Canapé Cart http://www.canapecart.com/
Cake: Supreme Bakery, 5401 Proctor St, Detroit, MI 48210
Flowers: Eastern Market (centerpieces) and friend of family (bouquet/corsage)
Favors: Made by Ismael
Music: Ceremony – Coleman Ward (Detroit School of Performing Arts) & Suzanne Camino / DJ – Dexter Dubois
Photographer: Tessa Bird Photography
Makeup: Rita Leigl of Green Room Spa
Hair: Ezelli Salon http://ezellisalon.mobi/
Event Planner: Melinda Anderson of Swoon Rental and MeMe Designs
Invitations: Artist Loralei Byatt
Linens: Lyndsey’s Linen

How did you incorporate Detroit into your wedding?

We probably were a bit more limited or should we say, flexible, since we planned the wedding in 5 weeks! Not a shotgun wedding…just making sure our VIPs were in the country to attend. Looking back, that seems unbelievable, but it turned out perfectly….at least in our eyes. We had just under 200 people and were so glad to have them share in our Detroit wedding.

With the short notice we didn’t get to prepare for our out of town guests as much as we would have liked but we had a few opportunities to show off the city. We were able to secure rooms at a hotel on the riverwalk, which gave guests a great place to walk and view the city. We had our rehearsal dinner at Polish Village Café, I hear the wedding after party was at Green Dot Stables just a couple blocks from the hall… although we didn’t make it! And our Green Acres home was open the day after for our out of town guests.

What socially or environmentally conscious choices did you make during the wedding planning process?

The hall we used was completely bare bones, so we found a caterer that could really work with us to brainstorm. This gave us the benefit of taking home food. I’m not so sure the take out containers were eco-friendly, but the food did not go to waste! We had out of town guests over to our house the day after, so that was helpful.

Ismael created favors from recycled pop and beer caps. He punched out sayings with the date imposed over the invitation background, making a magnet that was placed at each place setting.

We’ve always admired our friend and artist Loralei Byatt’s photography. She was generous to work with us to design our invitation with an image of a bright purple flower, Spiderwort (!), from her garden.

What was your favorite moment of the wedding?

Standing on the altar with Ismael by my side and all our friends and family there with us. We could not stop smiling.

The music. We both love music and dancing, so everything from Brenda Fassie as we entered, Sade as our first dance, the father-daughter waltz, or the last song – Fedde Le Grand’s Put Your Hands Up For Detroit…..I love this city!! They all made the day memorable!

Hearing our guests say: “It was like an old fashioned wedding!” “…The best wedding food we’ve ever had!” and “You both never stopped smiling!” Perfect!

What words of advice do you have for those planning their own Detroit weddings?

Look for nontraditional spaces: There is a wide range of options for weddings in Detroit – something to suit every budget. While there are plenty of beautiful hotels and conference halls, there are also many museums, church halls, public buildings, parks, galleries, and random spaces that could host your wedding.

Don’t break the bank: There are options. Short notice gives you great negotiating ability. We bought all our own liquor and drinks. We skipped a large wedding party and had opted for flowers bought the morning of the wedding at Eastern Market.

Get off of Pinterest. Kidding! A little. It stressed me out.

[real wedding] SiRui and Jesse’s Gem Theatre wedding

March 19, 2013March 17, 2013 by Steph | Leave a comment

I am excited to share SiRui and Jesse’s Gem Theatre wedding from September 2012. I met SiRui a few years ago through a mutual friend and remember when she asked about the best spots in Detroit for engagement photos. It’s a good thing when folks living outside the city ask questions out of a genuine desire for answers and local knowledge. Check out the lovely images by Special Moments below.

…And how much do you love SiRui’s red gown??

Tell me about your love for Detroit.

We really enjoy the times we’ve spent in Detroit. It’s a fun and friendly city with a tragic beauty about it. It’s rich in history and potential. Jesse and I picked the Gem Theatre in Detroit because we wanted somewhere memorable for our wedding, not just some generic banquet hall.

Venue: The Gem Theatre
Photographer: Special Moments
Gown: Designed by Moonlight Bridal, purchased at B-Ella Bridal
Jewelry: Reaver Diamond Company
Flowers: Bill Hamilton Designs (LGBT-owned)
Cake: Mid East Bakery
Music/Video: Mike Staff Productions
Makeup & Hair: Imagine Three
Wedding coordinator: Luna Soiree
Officiant: Lindsey Anderson (Detroit)
Guest accomodations: Marriott in Renaissance Center

How did you incorporate Detroit into your wedding? What socially or environmentally conscious choices did you make during the wedding planning process?

Our theme for the guest welcome bags in the hotel was “Favorite things from Michigan.” We included Better Made potato chips, tortilla chips from the Ann Arbor Tortilla Factory, Faygo, chocolate-covered cherries from Cherry Republic and caramel corn from Kilwins. Even the welcome card was from the printer Gwen Frostic.
We are big supporters of marriage equality. Our guests name cards were done in different colors and arranged like a rainbow. Many of our friend identify themselves as “bears” we had custom-made bear cake toppers.

What was your favorite moment of the wedding?

My favorite moment of the wedding was walking down the aisle. My Dad was incredibly supportive. It really meant a lot to me! Also when we were introduced as newlyweds at the reception.

What words of advice do you have for those planning their own Detroit weddings?

Definitely go visit the places that you may be interested in for your wedding. While you’re there find somewhere that’s not wedding related to explore. It keeps you sane by creating a date like moment with you and your future spouse. Also there are lots of amazing things happening in Detroit that if you don’t live in the city you get a chance to be a part of.

R&R: Jewelry by Sparklegarden …reused and reinvented

March 14, 2013June 10, 2013 by Steph | 11 Comments

Are you a jewelry lover? If so, this post is for you!

Mavis Farr-Smentkowski is a Detroit resident whose jewelry and metalsmithing studio is located in Southwest Detroit. If you are a bride or groom looking for some locally-made, environmentally friendly jewelry for your wedding day or for bridesmaid/groomsmen gifts, check out her company, Sparklegarden, on Etsy! One of my favorite things I learned about Sparklegarden is that Mavis can create custom cufflinks or guitar picks for you!

Check out these adorable bridal earrings….

How did you get into metalsmithing and jewelry?

After a lifelong fascination with both tools and jewelry, I officially got into metalsmithing in 2006. I’m trained as a painter, but my attention span shifted when my daughter was born. I found it more fulfilling to express myself with a medium I could literally and figuratively pick up and put down many times while completing. My goal is to provide high quality affordable future heirlooms with a streak of sass and a lot of heart. The majority of my work is custom, with the customer choosing the stones, and the personalized stamping. What I love about making jewelry and gifts for people is that I get to give folks a means to express themselves in a lasting way.

I understand you use recycled silver and other metals. Can you tell me more about that process? Where do you find your metal sources and how did you decide to go this route?

Up to 10 percent of the world’s energy consumption comes from the mining of precious metal, with most mining currently happening in open pit mines. Pit mines are often created by blasting beautiful natural areas and using chemicals like cyanide to extract the metals. Without getting too political, I’d like to point out that there is an alternative which is using, reusing, and reinventing our current supply.

When creating my jewelry, I upcycle vintage tea tins and other elements to give them a new life. I purchase my sterling, fine silver, gold and copper from a certified “green” wholesaler. When I can, I locally source copper and bronze to use again.

The guitar pick above makes me wish I hadn’t passed up that $20 guitar at the Lafayette Park neighborhood yard sale a few years ago…

How did you come to live in Detroit? Why Detroit for your studio space?

I grew up near Detroit, and my family has deep roots here. After a long stint (20 years) in the Lake Superior bioregion, my husband and I decided on an urban pioneering adventure. We packed up our daughter and our hound dog last summer and headed back to the Motor City. Detroit is the perfect place for creative people who don’t mind rolling up their sleeves and making things happen.

How would you describe the style of the bride or groom who might shop at Sparklegarden for customizable jewelry?

My typical wedding client is someone who wants a unique personalized gift at a great value. A lot of my customers choose my work because of my quick turnaround time, and use of recycled precious metals. The styles range anywhere from classic pearls and gold to boho eco chic to punk rock Audrey Hepburn.

Is there any advice you would like to share with newly engaged brides or grooms in Detroit on finding the right accessories and wedding party gifts?

My best advice is to take your time. Breathe deep. And shop local.

[real wedding] Ashley & Raimi’s wedding at the Wright Museum!

March 7, 2013March 7, 2013 by Steph | 9 Comments

Have you ever seen a photograph that captured happiness so simply, so clearly?

If you look at even just one of the photos below taken by photojournalist Marcus Parham, you will realize that Ashley Whitfield and Prof. Raimi Gbadamosi had a blast at their December 2012 wedding at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History! Ashley and Raimi met when they were involved in social justice issues in London. She’s a youth worker and curator; he’s an artist.

Ashley and I met during college at the University of Michigan. Doesn’t she look radiant? I love that Riana, one of the bridesmaids and another college friend, was a flower maiden!

Tell me about your love for Detroit.

I have an affinity for Detroit for many reasons. It has helped to raise my community – some of my most dear family and friends. Detroit is a center for radical histories and contemporary social justice struggles. And I love the culture that seeps through it all from gator shoes to Dilla!

The details

Venue: Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Photographer: Marcus Parham, photojournalist
Gown: Runaway Bride budget friendly sample dress store
Catering: Jackson’s Five Star Catering
Cake: Holiday Market, plus a dessert table with peach cobbler and cheesecake
Flowers: Goodness Gracious Flowers
Favors: Art pieces created by the groom!
DJ: DJ Sicari
Ring: Sculpted by Mark Woods
Make-up: Shalonda A
Hair: Meatta B
Officiant: Hon. William G. Lipscomb, Jr (Ashley’s uncle)

How did you incorporate Detroit into your wedding?

I was fortunate to have my wedding at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History a national but also local gem. The Wright Museum is an essential part of Detroit’s landscape. Also, I requested a set of some of my all time favorite music: Detroit Ghetto Techno (DJ Snowflake & DJ Assault). Finally, our lovely guests were some of my favorite Detroiters.

What socially or environmentally conscious choices did you make during the wedding planning process?

I was determined to stick to a modest budget. We donated flowers to a nursing home after the wedding. I felt uncomfortable with the history of certain “traditional” wedding elements such as the wedding veil, so I did not wear a veil, toss a bouquet or have my groom find a garter belt! All accessories (except my shoes) were family heirlooms: my mother’s headpiece and great-grandmother’s earrings. Finally, I asked my friends to select their own dresses.

What was your favorite moment of the wedding?

My four favorite moments were: (1) Dancing with lifelong friends to some of my all time favorite music: Detroit Ghetto Techno! (2) Seeing one of my best buddies, Riana Anderson, walking down the aisle as the flower maiden (she always teased about wanting to be a flower girl). (3) Our first dance to Wayne Shorter’s Bachianas Brasileiras No.5 from the album Alegria. (4) Being ‘sprayed’ with money, a fun Nigerian custom.

What words of advice do you have for those planning their own Detroit weddings?

Relax and enjoy the process. Allow space for the incidental. Many of my most memorable details emerged organically!

[real wedding] Michelle and Monique’s Belle Isle celebration

February 18, 2013March 4, 2013 by Steph | 6 Comments

“Detroit is home.”

That is what Michelle and Monique Lin-Luse had to say about their love for Detroit! Although they now live on the East Coast, they come back to Detroit for the holidays and continue to call Detroit home. In fact, they plan to move back to Detroit in a few years! I met Michelle and Monique when they were juniors at the University of Michigan and I was a freshman. Michelle and Monique were more seasoned student activists from whom I was grateful to be able to learn!

On September 18, 2012, Michelle and Monique were married at the Belle Isle Casino. Take a look at these lovely photographs by Wendy Martin Photography!

How did you incorporate Detroit into your wedding? What socially or environmentally conscious choices did you make during the wedding planning process?

We utilized mostly local vendors, prioritizing Detroit, then the state of Michigan. The only things we brought from outside of Michigan were the vodka (Pennsylvania-based distillery which was a reference to where we were living at the time) and the champagne.
We purchased local flowers that were in season.
DJ was a local who played Motown. He also helped lead a line dance routine!
We purchased local brands like Faygo, McClure’s, Better Made Chips for welcome packs.
We specifically asked caterer to not serve bottled water. Read “5 reasons not to drink bottled water.”

Venue: Belle Isle Casino
Photographer: Wendy Martin Photography
Caterer: Brown Bag Catering
Cake: Mrs. Maddox
Cupcakes: Just Baked – Faygo flavored cupcakes
Floral/Décor: Goodness Gracious, Inc.
Music/DJ: Miguel Mickey
Lion Dancers: Derek & Ying Gee
Favors: Custom m&m favor bags
Photobooth: Rock the Booth
Video: Wedit.com
Make-up: Mary Pryor
Hair: Self (Monique); Jenny Lee (Michelle)
Wedding Planner: Two-Foot Creative
Violinists: Judith Teasdle and Beth Kirton
Graphic Designer: Jee Chang
Officiants: Rev. Dominique Atchinson and Rev. Nora Shumake

What was your favorite moment of the wedding?

Our favorite moment was in between the “reveal photos” and arriving at the ceremony location. It was the moment when our wedding party joined us in downtown Detroit to take photos before the wedding. We felt safe; we were with our family. We were super excited about everything that was going to happen and it was the moment we could (had to) relinquish all control. We were able to enjoy, truly enjoy, the day. Everything was going to be okay!

What words of advice do you have for those planning their own Detroit weddings?

Anyone who has decided to have their wedding in Detroit knows that the city is more than meets the eye. There are so many locations for wedding venues or receptions that are historic, beautiful, and one-of-a-kind. To plan a wedding in the city, you have to tap into the network of amazing network of small business owners, event planners, musicians, caterers, etc. Take advantage of the impressive creative ‘brain trust’ that is available to you. If you are having out-of-town guests who are unfamiliar with the area, remember that the D is different from other cities. Don’t forget to help them take advantage of all there is to offer (and the things we may take for granted) in the city we all love.

LoveintheD

Socially conscious Detroit weddings and happenings

Tag Archives: detroit wedding

[real wedding] Christyn and Ismael’s Detroit wedding

[real wedding] SiRui and Jesse’s Gem Theatre wedding

R&R: Jewelry by Sparklegarden …reused and reinvented

[real wedding] Ashley & Raimi’s wedding at the Wright Museum!

[real wedding] Michelle and Monique’s Belle Isle celebration