Detroit Masonic Temple and Laurel Manor

Melissa and Josh’s wedding in Detroit was wonderful and gave me a chance to fall in love with the city.

Please enjoy, Scott Shaw Photo | Cleveland Wedding Photographer

Their ceremony was at the Detroit Masonic Temple-what a gorgeous place!
It’s the world’s largest with over 1000 rooms and too many features to mention.
Built in 1926 it’s had quite a colorful history.

The ladies readied for the day in an amazing craft lodge room like
nothing I’ve ever seen before.

When Melissa asked me about my availability I asked how she found me.
She said she’d search online for wedding photojournalists in the
states of Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Indiana so it was a huge
honor that she booked me.

Although I’d been to Detroit a fair amount over the years it was
mostly the suburbs and I didn’t get to see the city. With their
troubles over the years the city gets a bad rap. I found so many
great places in and around the city and I’ve been back several
times since this wedding.

Just a few weeks ago we enjoyed the Woodward Detroit Cruise with
thousands of old cars driving down on Woodward Avenue for days
and before that saw a Brian Wilson concert at the Fox Theatre.
The lavish buildings downtown are unbelievable. Less than three
hours from Cleveland it’s a great weekend trip. Check it out!

Melissa and her mother Rachel are ready for her to get in her dress.

Love this moment of Melissa’s cousin Kaitlyn eyeing her
dress like she’s in a movie.

Her shoes, bracelet and earrings were from Kate Spade.

Josh hangs out with the guys and his best man Dave.

This is one of my favorite bridesmaids photos ever.

We made some photos where the Detroit Derby Girls have their meets
and on the way everyone in the lobby had to turn so they
didn’t see Melissa before the wedding.

Melissa and her parents Tony and Rachel.

Father Tony and grandfather Larry walked Melissa down the aisle.

Her grandfather whispered something in her ear before
her father took her to Josh.

It’s so fun finding different photos than the normal.

They were married by Pastor Kathy in the Commandery Chapel.
What a gorgeous space!

We were able to check out the view from the roof of the 16 floor building.

We made some photos at the Detroit Public Library which was built in 1921
and has an Italian Renaissance exterior. There are impressive
murals throughout the building.

This is one of a triptych of murals on the west wall by John Stephens Coppin
called Man’s Mobility, an homage to the progression
of transportation, completed in 1964.

These three murals centering on early Detroit history were painted
in 1921 by Detroit-born artist Gari Melchers.

We needed to get to the reception at Lauren Manor in Livonia but
first I was able to spend five minutes with the wedding party
at this gorgeous wall of color I had found the day before while
driving around Detroit looking for fun locations.

Every guest was given a personalized coaster as a gift. What a great idea!

Melissa dances with her father Tony.

Just one of the great faces Melissa made while dancing with her mother
Rachel. I wonder what they were talking about.

The couple met at the University of Michigan and the school’s song
was vocalized toward the end of the night.

It was great to experience Detroit with Melissa and Josh’s wedding in Detroit.
Thanks so much for finding me and I hope to photograph more weddings in Detroit!