Taylor & Chad first fell in love in the wintertime and it only made sense that they tie the knot then as well! Their first date was ice skating in Campus Martius downtown and they felt an instant connection. Fast forward five years to the last weekend of 2018 when they became husband and wife. They had a classic Lovett Hall wedding surrounded by all of their family and friends! Whenever I photograph Lovett Hall weddings, it always reminds me of Beauty & the Beast, especially the secret library on the first floor and all of the chandeliers throughout. Taylor thought the exact same thing and had a subtle Beauty and the Beast theme running throughout the day, which I LOVED! When I walked into the library after taking portraits, her bridesmaids had “Tale as Old as Time” playing. Her string quartet then played it again at the ceremony right before Taylor walked down the aisle and at the reception, her gorgeous antique mirror seating chart displayed the words “Be Our Guest” in gorgeous calligraphy and she had ornate gold candelabras running the length of the longer tables! Of course, if you know me, you know I couldn’t resist taking a few photos of Chad twirling Taylor around in the library to complete the Beauty & the Beast moment!!
The morning of their wedding day started at the Dearborn Inn where both Taylor & Chad were getting ready! Taylor and her bridesmaids popped the bubbly while getting their hair and make-up done, and Taylor’s mom helped zip her into her stunning Hayley Paige wedding dress. One of my favorite photographs of the day is the one of Taylor’s mom & grandma placing Taylor’s veil in her hair after her dress was on and fluffing it out around her.
The lobby of the Dearborn Inn was decked out with the prettiest Christmas decorations and it served at the backdrop for their first look. One of my favorite parts of the day was seeing Chad’s face (pure joy) when he saw Taylor for the first time and Taylor then tearing up. It was such a sweet and special moment between the two of them and it’s one of the reasons why I love first looks so much!
Everyone headed over to the Henry Ford Museum to take portraits and I was so happy to get to photograph Taylor & Chad on the museum’s iconic staircase all decked out for the Holidays before it was time for their wedding ceremony to begin. Taylor’s dad walked Taylor down the staircase at Lovett Hall and down the aisle to where Chad was waiting. It was another emotional moment for Taylor and her parents and many of the guests there were tearing up in their seats as Taylor walked past them.
After toasts and dinner, the party got started! Taylor & Chad kicked the evening off with their first dance and I love how Chad was twirling her all around the dance floor! Taylor then danced with her dad and Chad shared an emotional dance with his mom before everyone headed out to the dance floor to dance the night away!!
Taylor & Chad, I couldn’t think of a better wedding or a better couple to end my 2018 wedding season with!! Your day was beautiful and full of so much emotion from start to finish and I’m so happy I was able to capture every last bit of it for you! It was a pleasure getting to know you over the past year or so and I wish you both a lifetime of love & happiness! Much love, Jen. xx
