A Detroit Wedding with Style and Soul: Why I Love Photographing Weddings at the Shinola Hotel
If you’re anything like most of the couples our team works with, you’re not just planning a wedding. You’re dreaming of a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The decor matters of course, but there is usually something more that stops you from just planning an amazing vacation to the Amalfi coast and saying ‘I do’ while you were there.
And it’s usually well, grandma.
A celebration is an expression of the two of you as a couple, but there is so much more to think about. The experience of your family, the style of the venue, and creating a party that’s full of connection and fun. Ultimately, something that’s completely, unapologetically the two of you.
This is yet another reason that your wedding venue selection matters deeply. When I hear someone is looking for a venue that’s as beautiful as it is effortless, as elevated as it is warm, I often suggest looking at the Shinola Hotel in Detroit, Michigan.
Because this place? It’s magic.
Now, if you know me at all you know I have a soft spot for all things Michigan. Having spent so much time there growing up it’s an easy yes for me to want to encourage you to plan a celebration there. Have you actually seen a Michigan summer? Ok then.
Where Industrial Edge Meets Boutique Romance
Tucked right into the heart of downtown Detroit, the Shinola Hotel is both iconic and inviting. It’s where Detroit meets classic and refined design, and the result is the kind of venue that photographs like a dream. Think soft morning light pouring into their glass-walled conservatory and marble fireplaces for cozy portraits.
Most of our couples are interested in venues that hold a timeless feel to them, and you’ll find that at the Shinola. But I think one of the things I love the most about this wedding venue is that it feels like it was made for celebrating. It’s designed in a way that people just naturally mix and mingle and well. It feels like it was designed for special moments. Hopefully, it is one of the main reasons you didn’t run away and elope to begin with.
So Many Beautiful Spaces, All Under One Roof
One of the reasons I recommend Shinola so often is because of how seamless the whole day can be. You don’t need to bus your guests across the city or scramble for photo spots. Everything you need is right there. Here’s a quick peek at some of the standout spaces:
- The Birdy Room: A literal glass house filled with light. It’s intimate, airy, and feels like a secret rooftop garden in the middle of the city.
- Bixby Hall: More formal, with intricately designed ceilings and an understated elegance. Great for bigger receptions.
- The Outdoor Terrace: Perfect for a golden hour ceremony or cocktail hour with skyline views.
- The Brakeman + Penny Red’s: Your built-in after party. Because yes, you deserve a late-night fried chicken biscuit after dancing your heart out.
From an artist’s perspective, the layout of the hotel makes for an incredible storytelling flow. We can move with you from your suite to your ceremony to your first dance, never missing a beat, never wasting a moment. From a logistics perspective, that’s a bit of a dream. You waste so much time on a wedding day just trying to get places; it’s pretty nice that everything is in one location.
Culinary Experience that Wows (and Photographs Well Too)
Can we talk about the food for a second? Because this isn’t your standard banquet menu.
Shinola’s culinary program is powered by Chef Andrew Carmellini’s NoHo Hospitality Group, which means every plate is a work of art. Keep in mind that our team eats a lot of catering and some of it is incredibly good. There are many times by the time we get to our food, it’s cold, or wasn’t timed right. Let’s be real, we’re not the priority on a wedding day. But after working for 10 hours on our feet without a second to breathe, it’s the most incredible feeling to sit for 10 minutes with a hot meal. The first time I had a vendor meal at Shinola I almost fell out of my chair. Chef Andrew’s food is stunning. It’s wildly good. It’s think about it the next day good.
If you care about food for your guest experience, this needs to be on your tour list. Whether you opt for their family-style service or a full plated meal, everything is fresh, intentional, and visually stunning (which obviously photographs beautifully). Bonus: They also offer elevated late-night bites, so your guests are still raving about the chicken sliders after the lights come on.
Shinola Hotel Wedding Cost
Located in downtown Detroit, it’s pretty perfect if you’re looking for a Detroit wedding. There is plenty of space and they can accommodate up to 350 guests within the venue. They also have boutique accommodations: 129 stylish rooms, suites, and penthouses, with room block options and a complimentary bridal suite that is something you have to see to believe. There is a patio that is made for mimosas and celebrating with the people you love, all while listening to the joy that summer in Michigan brings. Typical costs for a Shinola Hotel wedding will come in around $230 -$300 per guest, plus an additional $2,000 onsite ceremony fee.
Here’s What I’ll Say, Photographer to Couple
If you’re getting married in Detroit and you have a classic style, you’d be missing out if you don’t give this venue a chance.
Shinola is a venue that gives you space to breathe and beauty to be in. It photographs effortlessly. It feels special without trying too hard. And it lets you focus on what matters – each other, your people, and the big wild joy of saying yes.
If you’re dreaming of a day that’s stylish and soulful, rooted in the city but built around your story, it might be the perfect spot for your celebration.
Whether you’re still venue-shopping or already envisioning florals under the Birdy Room glass, reach out. Our team would love to chat with you and hear a little more about the celebration you’re planning.
