Christine and Dawie were married the first Saturday of 2019. It was the merging of two people. Of two countries. Of two cultures. Christine was born here in the US and Dawie was born in South Africa. Work brought him to Michigan, which in turn, brought him to Christine. Friends and family traveled from near and far to be with the two of them as they celebrated being husband and wife. Christine and Dawie recited handwritten vows to one another at the ceremony and Christine incorporated part of Dawie’s heritage in hers when she spoke a bit of her vows in his native language. After an epic dip of a kiss, the two of them walked back down the aisle together while their guests waved American and South African flags.
The morning of the wedding got started at the Siren Hotel where Dawie and Christine were both getting ready. Christine’s mom and sister helped her into her dress, her Dad fluffed her veil and Dawie’s sister helped him into his dark blue velvet tux jacket. Dawie was waiting for Christine in the lobby of the majestic Siren Hotel (which looks like it’s straight out of a Wes Anderson movie, btw, and has the coolest spots around every corner) for their first look. From there it was a quick tour of Detroit for photos at places meaningful to them, like the Grand Trunk Pub, where they had their first date before finishing up at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Christine and Dawie lived in Detroit for most of their relationship and planned a Henry Ford Piquette Plant wedding that was very true to them & their love for their city.
The Piquette Plant was Henry Ford’s Model T assembly plant and his Model T’s lined the reception space. That, along with the twinkle lights overhead and exposed white washed brick, make this one of the coolest and most “Detroit” venues in the city. After toasts and dinner, which was catered by another Detroit Institution, Slows Bar B Q, guests were served cake from Saunder’s and then the dancing began!!
I have known Christine since college since she was in a sorority with one of my best friends and it’s always such an honor when people you know ask you to photograph their wedding day! So Christine & Dawie, thank you so much for trusting me to tell your story! I hope you love and cherish these photos for decades to come! Wishing you both many, many years of happiness and a lifetime of love! Go Blue!! ;) Much love, Jen. xx
