Grosse Pointe Yacht Club Wedding | Michele Maloney Photography

The Grosse Pointe Yacht Club is one of Detroit’s most extraordinary locations for a wedding. Sitting on the edge of Lake St. Claire, the views are breathtaking everywhere you look. A thoughtful couple like Ryan and Ashley deserved nothing short of this elegant place to tie the knot! Before their wedding, we talked about what was most important to them in regards to their Grosse Pointe Yacht Club wedding. Without hesitation, they both agreed they just wanted to spend as much time with their friends and family as they could. As a Detroit wedding photographer, that is the kind of thing I can get on board with!

On the morning of the wedding, the girls got ready at Detroit Foundation Hotel, and the guys prepared for the day at their home.

The ceremony took place at Saint Clare of Montefalco Parish. Both Ashley and Ryan carried details that represented family members that are dear to their hearts. Afterward, guests traveled a few miles to the Yacht Club.

Cocktail hour took place on the water which allowed for a sweet breeze from the lake. Ashley and Ryan attended cocktail hour (a great way to make sure that they got to have meaningful conversations with loved ones and guests). The atmosphere was relaxed and enjoyable. We snuck out for a few more photos after dinner, and that was SO worth it. These two are just simply beautiful.

Later that evening, The Jerry Ross band kicked off their first dance. This group took advantage of the dance floor and showed off ALL the moves.

Congratulations, Ryan and Ashley!

Getting Ready

Ashley spent the morning getting ready with her girls at the Detroit Foundation Hotel, while Ryan prepared for the day at home with the guys. It gave each of them a relaxed start to the morning before heading into the rest of the celebration.

Hair stylist is doing the bride's hair before the ceremony; shot of the wedding dress hanging on the door with the light spilling in

Detailed shot of the bride's shoes, rings, garter to keep and garter to toss, etc.

Close up of putting makeup on bride's lips

Mother of the bride helps bride put on her wedding dress; close up shot of bride putting on shoes from the waist down

Bride sitting and reading a card and opening a gift before the ceremony

A shot of the bride holding her pearl earrings

Bride fastens her earrings; sits and smiles on a couch; bride looks out the window after getting ready

Close up portrait of the bride sitting and smiling

Groomsmen pour a shot; groom adjusts his sleeves

Groom looks out the window as he's getting ready

Wedding Ceremony at Saint Clare of Montefalco Parish

Ashley and Ryan’s ceremony at Saint Clare of Montefalco Parish included some especially meaningful personal touches. Both carried details that honored family members who are dear to them, adding an extra layer of sentiment to an already emotional part of the day.

Shot from the back of bride and father of the bride about to walk down the aisle

Black and white photo of groom watching his bride walk down the aisle; black and white shot of bride and father of the bride walking down the aisle

Faraway shot of the wedding ceremony with the guests watching the bride and groom at the altar

Bride and groom grin at each other as they sit up front at the ceremony; close up shot of the bridesmaids holding their wedding bouquets

Faraway shot of the bride and groom holding hands and facing each other during the ceremony and the entire wedding party watching

Shot of the groom holding the brides hands and watching her during the ceremony

The groom kisses his bride; bride and groom hold hands up as they get ready to exit the ceremony

Bridesmaid and groomsmen sign as witnesses to marriage certificate, bride and groom hold hands and watch

Faraway shot of bride and groom holding up hands as they get ready to exit the ceremony by Detroit Wedding Photographer Michele Maloney

Bride and groom grin ear to ear as they walk back up the aisle after their ceremony

Shot of the wedding guests outside the church

Grosse Pointe Yacht Club Wedding Portraits

With its waterfront setting and elegant architecture, the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club gave us no shortage of beautiful places for portraits. We took advantage of the scenery throughout the day, including slipping away after dinner for a few more photos as the light changed. Those quieter portrait moments also gave Ashley and Ryan a chance to step away together for a few minutes before heading back into the celebration.

The groomsmen pose for pictures with the groom; the bridesmaids pose for a portrait with the bride at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club

Grosse Pointe Yacht Club wedding portrait

The bride and groom cozy up close outside

The bride and groom smile for portraits outside of the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club

The bride and groom hold hands and take a stroll while smiling

Grosse Pointe Wedding Reception

One of the best parts of Ashley and Ryan’s reception was how much of it they were able to spend with their guests. Cocktail hour took place right along Lake St. Clair, and instead of disappearing for photos the entire time, they joined their friends and family to enjoy it.

That choice really reflected what they had told me from the beginning: spending time with the people they love was one of their biggest priorities.

Later, the celebration quickly turned into a full-on party! Between the waterfront setting, an incredible group of guests, and a packed dance floor, it was such a memorable ending to their Grosse Pointe Yacht Club wedding.