Allie and Ryan’s summer wedding combined some of our favorite downtown Detroit locations into one unforgettable wedding day. They started the morning getting ready at the Shinola Hotel before sharing a private first look at the Detroit Institute of Arts. From there, we explored the DIA and Detroit Riverwalk for portraits before heading to the historic Gem Theatre for their ceremony and reception.
The ceremony took place on the Gem Theatre’s upper level beneath twinkling lights before guests enjoyed cocktails on the rooftop patio overlooking downtown Detroit. The evening concluded with an incredible reception inside the theater, making the most of one of Detroit’s most unique wedding venues.
If you’re planning a Gem Theatre wedding, this celebration shows how easily you can combine the Shinola Hotel, the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Riverwalk, and the Gem Theatre into one relaxed wedding day with very little travel between locations.
Wedding Day Snapshot
Getting Ready
Shinola Hotel
First Look
Detroit Institute of Arts
Portrait Locations
Detroit Institute of Arts
Detroit Riverwalk
Ceremony
Upper Level, Gem Theatre
Cocktail Hour
Rooftop Patio
Reception
Gem Theatre
Favorite Moment
Exploring downtown Detroit before celebrating with family and friends inside the historic Gem Theatre.
Planning a Gem Theatre Wedding? Here’s What We’ve Learned
Because the Shinola Hotel, Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Riverwalk, and Gem Theatre are all located in downtown Detroit, it’s possible to experience several iconic portrait locations without spending a large portion of the day driving between them. We typically recommend allowing 60–75 minutes for portraits, plus travel time, to keep the day relaxed and on schedule.
Getting Ready at the Shinola Hotel
The Shinola Hotel is one of our favorite getting-ready locations for downtown Detroit weddings. Its modern design creates a beautiful contrast to the Gem Theatre’s historic architecture, giving couples two distinct looks while keeping travel between locations quick and easy.
First Looks at the Detroit Institute of Arts
Even on busy Saturdays, we’ve learned how to find quieter corners and timeless architecture at the Detroit Institute of Arts that feel private in photographs. Experience makes a big difference at popular portrait locations like this.
Portraits Around Downtown Detroit
For couples wanting both architecture and city views, pairing the DIA with the Riverwalk creates two distinctly different portrait locations without spending the day driving around Detroit.
Ceremony & Cocktail Hour at the Gem Theatre
One of the things we love about the Gem Theatre is that couples can use different areas of the venue throughout the day—from the upper-level ceremony space to rooftop cocktails before celebrating in the historic theater.
Rosy & Shaun Tip: The Gem Theatre’s outdoor patio is one of our favorite places to photograph cocktail hour. Guests naturally mingle, the downtown views create a beautiful backdrop, and it gives us the opportunity to capture genuine, candid moments before everyone heads inside for the reception.
Review from the bride:
“Rosy & Shaun are amazing!!! We love love loved having them there to capture our wedding day. They arrived early and stayed late. We’re incredible when it came to planning and suggesting photo locations. They took tons of photos, catching us at just the right moment and making sure to get every detail.
They put us at ease so everything looked super natural and not overly posed. I really wanted to take photos at the DIA but it was filled with 15 other wedding parties. They quickly scoped it out and found the perfect spot for us to sneak in so our photos would look like we were the only ones there. This is just 1 example of the many things they did that made our photos perfect!!
We received a preview collection of about 50 photos just a few days after the wedding. This was such an exciting surprise. Now we can’t wait to get the rest of them. We know we will treasure them for the rest of our lives. 10/10!! Love Rosy and Shaun! They are so talented and were such fun to be around!”
Explore More Gem Theatre Wedding Resources
We’ve photographed multiple weddings at the Gem Theatre over the years and continue to recommend it to couples looking for a historic downtown Detroit wedding venue with incredible portrait opportunities nearby. If you’re planning your own Gem Theatre wedding, we’d love to hear what you’re envisioning and help you create a timeline that makes the most of your day.
- See another real Gem Theatre wedding featuring Hotel David Whitney, Cadillac Place, and the Detroit Institute of Arts.
- Why Two Photographers are Better Than One
- Detroit Wedding Photography
- Wedding Photography Pricing
Planning Your Own Detroit Wedding?
If you’re looking for photographers who know downtown Detroit inside and out, we’d love to hear what you’re planning.
From helping you choose portrait locations to building a timeline that keeps your day relaxed and enjoyable, we’re here to make the experience just as memorable as the photographs.
Wedding Team
Venue
Gem Theatre
Getting Ready
Shinola Hotel
Wedding Planner
The Silver Spoon Wedding Co.
Florist
Violet Rose
Videographer
Red Byrd Creative
Band
Mainstreet Soul
Hair & Makeup
Refeyeance Makeup and Hair
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