Winter Wonderland Wedding at The Daxton Hotel | Kate and Josh

Kate and Josh’s winter wonderland wedding at The Daxton Hotel in Birmingham, Michigan was truly magical. They wanted a romantic and timeless winter wedding, fully embracing the holiday season in Michigan and that’s exactly what they planned. As a Michigan-based wedding photographer, I’ve noticed a rise in winter weddings and for good reason. If you’re willing to brave the cold, the ambiance around metro Detroit can be beautiful glamorous and unique. 

Kate and Josh met online and went on their first date to a Tiger’s game. They had so much fun with one another that they followed that up with three more dates across the next three days! After five years of long distance for jobs across Michigan and Ohio and seven years together, everyone was so excited for their wedding day to finally be here. 

Kate got ready in the Colby Suite while Josh got ready across the hall in the Artisan Suite, both at the Daxton. While I started the morning with Kate and her bridal party, my teammate Kate (lol), started the day with Josh and his groomsmen. I had such a fun time playing with all of Kate’s details including their art deco inspired invitations to her lacy cathedral length veil. 

They each opened gifts and read a letter to one another before getting dressed. Kate chose to get ready with the help of her mom while keeping the final look a surprise to her entourage. Once she was ready, she did a first look with her best friend Kurt, along with her bridesmaids and then her dad and brother.

Josh got ready with the help of his dad and best man before heading out to meet Kate for their first look. They were willing to brave the cold for a few minutes, so we stepped out onto the terrace surrounding the Colby Suite for their first look. Josh was floored by how beautiful Kate looked! It was one of my favorite moments of the day. After taking in the moment together, Kate and Josh chose to read personal vows to one another on the terrace with downtown Birmingham in the background. 

Now together and excited for the day ahead, Kate and Josh spent some time with Josh’s parents since they hadn’t seen Kate’s dress yet. Years of long distance showed them the importance of home and family, which has led us to develop a closeness and connection with each other’s family. And that love for their families was evident on the wedding day with how much time they set aside for personal moments with those that matter most to them. I know these family moments and photos will be some of the most cherished as the years go by.

We did some portraits of Kate and Josh along with their wedding party in front of the fireplace of one of the Daxton’s parlor rooms before heading outside and braving the cold. Their wedding party looked timeless and classic in all black amidst the holiday lights and decor outside of the hotel and along the street. The Birmingham Theater even had a congratulatory message on the marquee for Kate and Josh so of course we walked down the street. Between Kate’s fur shawl and the marquee, they were giving all of the old Hollywood glamor you could ask for. 

 From there, we did their family photos in front of their ceremony backdrop, full of twinkling Christmas trees before guests began to arrive. Between the Christmas Trees and florals by Stem Event Designs, Beautiful Day Planning transformed the ballroom into a total winter wonderland for their ceremony and guests. Married by one of Joshs’ former co-workers and mentors, their ceremony was funny, personal and beautiful. With family at the center of the day, their mom’s even lit their unity candle towards the end of their ceremony. 

Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktail hour and hors d’oeuvres in the hallway while the ballroom was quickly flipped for their reception. Kate and Josh chose each detail with intention, including winter themed champagne welcome drinks for everyone set at their seats before their arrival. I loved the way the christmas trees transformed into a romantic backdrop for their sweetheart table, setting the mood for the entire space. 

After an epic grand entrance into their reception, they went right into their first dance before inviting everyone to the dance floor for about 20 minutes of dancing prior to speeches, cutting their cake and dinner. While guests finished up eating, Kate and Josh stepped out for a few more photos around the hotel, some fun playing with artificial snow in the hotel’s alley with their wedding party, and a cocktail at the hotel’s bar.

To kick off the rest of the evening, Kate and Josh each danced with their parents and soon after, the dance floor was full for the rest of the evening. The glow sticks they handed out to everyone also made for some fun, colorful photos on the dance floor. Burgers came out as a late night snack and their cake was laid out for guests when they needed a break from the dance floor. 

As a wedding photographer, I see all the different ways couples make their Michigan weddings unique and special to them. For Kate and Josh, they chose intentional details that made the day fun and a great experience for their guests and prioritized time together and with their families. Their winter wonderland wedding at The Daxton Hotel was a wonderful celebration, perfect for the holiday season. 

Kate and Josh’s Team:

Venue: Daxton Hotel | @daxtonmi
Wedding Coordinator: Beautiful Day Planning | @beautifuldayplanning_
Photography: Emily Kyle Photography | @emilykylephoto
Stationary: Minted Wedding | @mintedweddings
Hair & Make Up: Bridesmaid Beautiful | @bridesmaid_beautiful
Florist: Stem Event Design | @stemeventdesign
Dress Designer: Justin Alexander | @justinalexander
Dress Shop: Becker’s Bridal | @beckersbridal
Dress Alterations: Sarah Kolis Designs | @sarahkolisdesigns 
Veil: Becker’s Bridal | @beckersbridal 
Bride’s Shoes: Nina Shoes | @ninashoes
Wedding Rings: The Diamond Factory of Ann Arbor | @diamondfactoryaa
Groom’s Suit: The Tux Shop on Woodward | @thetuxshoponwoodward
Groomsmen’s Suits: The Tux Shop on Woodward | @thetuxshoponwoodward
Cake: The Home Bakery | @homebakeryroch
Caterer: Daxton Hotel | @daxtonmi
DJ: Mike Staff Entertainment | @mikestaffproductions
String Quartet): Star String Quartet