Eternal Devotion at the Shinola Hotel - Jessica & Henry's Timeless Urban Romance

Love Story

Jessica and Henry's love story began in a delightfully serendipitous way - as bridesmaids and groomsmen at a mutual friend's wedding back in September 2018. "We had not met before, but after being introduced we were inseparable," Jessica shared with a smile. Despite the looming challenges of a long-distance relationship with Henry stationed at Fort Campbell and Jessica starting nurse anesthetist school, they knew their connection was worth fighting for.

A few years later, their journey reached a new milestone when Henry popped the question during an idyllic October day on the beaches of Lake Michigan. "It was everything I thought it would be and more," Jessica reminisced about the proposal at her family's generational lake house.

With shared passions for travel, outdoor adventures, and quality time with loved ones, Jessica and Henry envisioned "a classic, timeless wedding with a modern vibe in a beautiful setting that felt intimate." Jessica dreamed of a glass atrium ceremony venue, which made the Birdy Room at the Shinola Hotel their top choice. "I wanted all our guests to feel involved in our day," she added.

The couple's dream became reality on January 20th, 2024, when they tied the knot at the stunning Shinola Hotel in downtown Detroit before 121 cherished guests. After 14 months of planning, their "classic, timeless black tie wedding with a modern vibe in the city" unfolded into an elegant, intimately memorable affair.

For Jessica, one moment stands apart as the most pivotal of the day: "The ceremony. Standing in the beautiful Birdy room in front of a stunning floral arrangement, locking eyes with Henry the whole time, with our closest friends and family witnessing it all, I’m still speechless. It’s something I will remember forever. I’m still on an emotional high from that moment."

Morning details

The morning of Jessica and Henry's long-awaited wedding day dawned bright with promise. As the rising sun bathed Detroit's skyline in a warm glow, an air of excited anticipation permeated the bridal suite at the Shinola Hotel.

Amidst a whirlwind of final preparations, Jessica's artistic vision for their romantic union began taking shape through countless thoughtful details. Exquisite paper creations from The Knot, bearing the elegant scripted names of the soon-to-be newlyweds, whispered of the joy to come. Stunning wedding bands from Brilliant Earth awaited to forever bind two souls.

The deft hands of Emerald City Designs lent their artistry to the day's stationery accents - the warmly welcoming signage and the deftly calligraphed seating chart promising to guide loved ones to their seats. With each curated element, the stage was set for an affair steeped in timeless sophistication and heartfelt connection.

Bride getting ready

In a penthouse suite at the Shinola Hotel, Jessica slipped into her breathtaking Louvre Couture gown from The Wedding Shoppe, complete with custom mesh sleeves adorned with the designer's exquisite appliques. "I fell in love with the dress, and the alterations department at The Wedding Shoppe made my sleeves custom with Louvre Couture appliqués and mesh. My sleeves were my favorite part of the dress!" she exclaimed.

A cathedral-length veil, shimmering Badgley Mischka heels, and radiant earrings from The Wedding Shoppe completed Jessica's bridal look, culminating in a vision of ethereal grace.

Alongside her closest friends and bridesmaids, who donned elegant dresses from Birdy Grey, Jessica gathered her lush bridal bouquet overflowing with blooms meticulously curated by Emerald City Designs. "All the florals at the wedding were the most gorgeous flowers I have ever seen in my life," the beaming bride marveled.

Groom getting ready

Meanwhile, Henry prepared for their momentous day alongside his groomsmen in the Canfield Suite. Dashing in a timeless tuxedo from The Black Tux, he embodied the perfect complement to Jessica's elegant style.

First Look

The iconic Shinola hallway leading to the Birdy Room set the scene for Jessica and Henry's first look - an emotionally charged moment they'll cherish forever. "It was truly the most raw, and beautiful moment in my life. It was like everything stopped moving and it was just me and him," Jessica recalled through joyful tears. "Pure joy and happiness."

As for Henry's first thought upon seeing his stunning bride? "That I never wanted to forget this moment and how you looked."

Photoshoot before the ceremony

Even before uttering their everlasting vows, an aura of forever surrounded Jessica and Henry as they posed for precious keepsake portraits. The urban landscape of downtown Detroit provided a storied backdrop,where classic architecture and modern flair intertwined - much like the couple's own timeless romance met with contemporary styling.

The chic urban backdrop of the Shinola Hotel, from its architecturally striking hallways to the buzzing Woodward Avenue, provided an ideal canvas for the couple's pre-ceremony photoshoot. Parker's Alley and the stylish San Morello restaurant also made cameos, echoing the wedding's classic-meets-modern aesthetic.

Ceremony

Like something from a fairytale, Jessica made her way down the aisle of the glass-enclosed Birdy Room to "Turning Page" by Sleeping At Last. With the guests looking on, Reverend Bob Cooper officiated a heartfelt ceremony infused with personal touches. “My Aunt Linda Kisabeth read a poem and lead our guests in a standing group vow. I loved how that made all of our guests feel involved in our ceremony,” the bride commented. “Henry and I also read our own personal vows in front of all our guests at the ceremony. I’m so happy we did that. It was so incredibly special and made our ceremony personal.”

Photoshoot after the ceremony

In the embrace of Shinola's grand Bixby Hall and the intimate Birdy Room, Jessica and Henry wove their new memories, capturing the essence of their 'I dos' in spaces as remarkable as their love.

Wedding Venue & Decor

In keeping with their timeless-yet-modern vision, the couple selected a refined color palette of white, black, champagne, blush, and deep purple with shimmering gold accents. The real showstopper, however, was the venue itself - the Shinola's striking glass atrium, which Jessica lovingly called "magical."

"Shinola’s event space allowed us to have our ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all in one location, which I loved. The venue itself is stunning. I fell in love with it the first time I saw it. It’s the perfect space for a winter wedding in Detroit."

Reception

As day melted into evening, the joyous celebration continued with lively music, delectable fare, and libations - not to mention, special personal touches. Jessica beamed, "The food and drinks at the Shinola were next level. Everything was absolutely delicious! Definitely one of the best parts about having a wedding there."

For their first dance as newlyweds, the couple swayed to the melodic strains of "Joy Of My Life" by Chris Stapleton. And thanks to the artisanal talents of The Home Bakery in Rochester, a scrumptious wedding cake concluded the night on a sweet note.

But the icing on this metaphorical cake? The unexpected surprises that made the celebration all the more magical: "We had a display of wedding photos of our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. Each photo had a description of who each couple was and when they got married. It was very special and beautiful," Jessica revealed.

Amidst the revelry, a live saxophonist serenaded guests during cocktail hour, while Modern Social Detroit provided an entertaining photo booth. "I know all of our guests absolutely loved this! It was a great way for everyone to get high-quality pictures from the evening."