Old Detroit’s history and glamour. That’s what this wedding is all about. I capital LOVE that. Well, old Detroit and a ridiculously adorable couple. VLD put together a “Four Seasons” soiree (with the help of Parsonage Events‘ fabulous florals) all the while honoring the sweet couple and all that was Detroit in it’s glory days. A winning trifecta, captured by Jess + Nate Studios. The gallery whisks you away to another time and place. Click here to see it!
To celebrate the completion of my PhD, Viet planned a week and a half escape to the island of Bora Bora. It was a dream trip. We stayed in one of those over-water bungalows and everything! Little did I know it really turned into our engagement trip! On the second night, he planned a special 4-course private dinner on the beach. HE popped the question after the first course, because he said he was too excited and couldn’t wait til the end. I really don’t remember the rest of that dinner at all. It was the proposal of my dreams!
We love the glamour and history of old Detroit and the Westin Book Cadillac is the epitome of that. It is absolutely gorgeous and was the perfect setting for the look and feel we were going for. We also loved having a hotel as the venue, which easily accommodated everyone and allowed us to skip dealing with limos or having our guests drive from place to place. We wanted a location that allowed everyone to have a great time and still be safe.
We were very lucky to be able to reserve the entire fourth floor of the Westin Book Cadillac for our event, which consisted of four separate spaces. Our incredibly talented wedding planner, Alison from VLD, immediately conceptualized the “Four Seasons” theme. Having access to 4 separate spaces is so rare, so we really took advantage of it.
Guests were brought to the fourth floor by escalator and arrived in the Italian Garden room, which was decorated to resemble Spring. Submerged tulips lined the room and pastel colored French macarons and flavored water was offered.
Guests were then allowed to enter into the Crystal Ballroom, which was where the ceremony took place. It’s theme was Summer and the lighting set the mood to a beautiful summer sunset with candles everywhere.
After the ceremony, guests were led to another room decorated for Fall for our cocktail hour. The room was decorated with different Fall elements and images of Fall trees were projected onto the walls. A specialty Fall cocktail made with apple cider also added to the effect.
Finally guests entered the Venetian Ballroom for the reception, which was decorated for the season Winter. This room made the biggest impact and we really wanted our guests to feel like they were walking into a completely different world. Branched trees lined with little white flowers lined the tables and gave the effect of snow on branches. The lighting gave the entire room a cool, yet welcoming feeling. Our team did an incredible job with this room and even the staff at the Book Cadillac were in awe of how the room looked. They kept commenting on how they had never seen it transformed like that before. It was pretty incredible!
One aspect of the wedding that was very special was a handkerchief that my Mom made from the fabric and lace details of her wedding dress from when my parents were married. I carried the handkerchief with me down the aisle and will always cherish it. It will be something that I will pass to my daughter on her wedding day.
My favorite memories from the wedding is dancing and celebrating with all of our friends and family. The whole day went by so fast, but we were prepared for the reception and made a point to enjoy ourselves there. After being told when to walk and where to go all day, it was great to just let loose and dance the night away as a newly married couple. Our goal was to just throw an amazing party and I think we did just that!
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Photography: Jess & Nate Studios | Videographer: Two Penny Productions | Wedding Planing & Design: VLD | Lighting: Shane P. Designs | Venue: The Westin Book Cadillac | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bride’s Gown: Two by Rosa Clara from Le Salon Bridal | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Allure from ChiChi Styles | Men’s Fashion: Vera Wang, The Men’s Warehouse | Rings: Metals in Time | Veil: Nuage | Hair: Katie Terranova, Hairs to You | Makeup: Renata Makeup Inc & Andrea Duchesneau | Flowers: Parsonage Events | Cake: Decadent Delights | String Quartet: Panache Entertainment | DJ: DJ Addison