Danielle and Zac’s Ferndale Michigan wedding at Detroit Fleat was one of those days that felt personal in every possible way. From our first client meeting over cheesecake at a coffee shop, I could tell they were such special people. Their wedding brought that same personality into every detail.

They had a handmade moon ceremony backdrop and custom Slooshies to a typed love letter, a keepsake hammer, and so many space-themed touches. We bonded over our shared love of space, which made documenting a wedding this intentional and completely them feel even more special!

The Night Before: Dog and Pony Show Brewing

The night before Danielle and Zac’s wedding, everyone gathered for a laid-back rehearsal dinner at Dog and Pony Show Brewing. It was relaxed with Jet’s pizza, donuts, drinks, and everyone mingling before the big day. The night felt less like a formal rehearsal dinner and more like a cozy night with their favorite people. It truly fit the whole energy of their wedding day ahead.

The Details & Getting Ready For a Ferndale Michigan Wedding

Danielle and Zac’s Ferndale Michigan wedding started in two places that felt completely like them. Zac got ready at home with his groomsmen, and so many of his details were pieces he made himself, including the metal pocket squares and suit buttons. Danielle got ready at the cutest Airbnb in downtown Ferndale, and the colorful, artsy space fit her energy so well.

Her Hayley Paige dress from The Brides Project in Ann Arbor had the prettiest celestial feel, especially with her starry black shoes. They matched the space theme perfectly and honestly looked way more comfortable than traditional heels. I also loved that her ring included actual moon dust/rocks, which felt so personal to their day. Zac wore a deep plum suit with purple details, purple laces, and a galaxy-inspired tie that tied everything together perfectly.

Before heading to Detroit Fleat, Danielle shared a sweet first look with her family, surrounded by all the colorful, handmade, space-inspired details that made the morning feel so true to them. The Brides Project was also such a meaningful place to find her dress, since their gowns help support families touched by cancer through the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor.

First Look & Gift Exchange

Danielle and Zac shared their first look outside Detroit Fleat. It was the perfect mix of emotional and very them. They were laughing almost immediately, and after seeing each other, they celebrated with a double high five, which honestly tells you so much about their relationship.

Afterwards they exchanged gifts. Zac brought a vintage typewriter with a typed letter for Danielle to read, and Danielle gave him a custom hammer engraved with, “Zac, I love building memories with you.” Their whole day had so many personal details, but this part felt especially sweet. These two have the kind of joy that is impossible not to smile around!

Bride, Groom, & Wedding Party Photos at Detroit Fleat

For their Ferndale Michigan wedding portraits, we used the colorful wall murals around Detroit Fleat as the backdrop. The color fit Danielle and Zac’s day perfectly. Their wedding party brought so much fun to the photos, and every detail felt connected to the space-inspired theme, from the dresses to Zac’s galaxy details to Danielle’s Sola Wood Flower bouquet. They kept florals minimal, but this bouquet was such a cool choice because it matched the day beautifully and can be kept forever.

Space-Themed Ferndale Michigan Wedding Ceremony at Detroit Fleat

Their Ferndale Michigan wedding ceremony took place in the outdoor space at Detroit Fleat. It was surrounded by colorful chairs, string lights, and the perfect amount of shade. It felt intimate and relaxed, and of course, completely theirs from the start!

One of my favorite details was the moon backdrop Zac made himself. He literally turned a crane into their ceremony backdrop. You can see the full process on his YouTube channel, IPFRacing, in his video, How I Turned a Crane into our Wedding Backdrop. So many pieces of this day were handmade by Zac, from metalwork to 3D-printed details, and I loved how much care they put into making their wedding feel personal!

A Laid-Back Reception at Detroit Fleat

Danielle and Zac’s Ferndale Michigan wedding reception felt just as personal as every other part of the day. It was relaxed and full of details that actually meant something to them. Their space theme carried into the reception. They also had the cutest hand-drawn map called “a map chronicling our amazing and epic quest to the top of the love.” They also had custom cups made for their Slooshies, with flavors named apple-y ever after and mint-to-be, which felt so fun for a Detroit Fleat wedding.

Their guests mingled, grabbed drinks, enjoyed cookies from Detroit Cookie Company. It was the kind of laid-back reception that lets people actually enjoy themselves. Some guests did puzzles at the tables, while the kids played with giant legos outside. The whole night felt easygoing and so true to Danielle and Zac. It was such a good reminder that a wedding day should feel like you. Personal and filled with the things you love most!

Some Film Shots From Danielle & Zac’s Wedding

I also took a few film photos here and there throughout Danielle and Zac’s Ferndale Michigan wedding, which felt so fitting for a day with this much personality. I loved using it to document some of the in-between moments and a few details! It added another layer to their gallery without taking away from the flow of the day.

Planning a Metro Detroit or Ferndale Michigan Wedding?

Detroit Fleat was the perfect space for Danielle and Zac’s intimate Ferndale Michigan wedding. It had that relaxed, come-as-you-are feeling that works so well for a micro wedding, while still giving them room for a ceremony, dinner, drinks, and all the personal details that made the day theirs.

Their wedding was a great reminder that your day can look however you want it to look. It can be space-themed. It can have handmade details, custom slooshies, puzzles, cookies, and a moon backdrop built by the groom himself. What matters most is that it reflects you, your love, and the way you want to remember it.

If you’re looking for a Detroit wedding photographer who cares about documenting your day in a way that feels true to you, we might be a great fit. You can learn more about me on my about page, and if I sound like the right photographer for you, you can reach out through my contact page. In the meantime, you can see more wedding days in Detroit and the surrounding areas on the blog!

Love From Danielle & Zac:

“Sheree was a delight to work with, from our very first message interactions. She is such a fun, warm, friendly person who makes it easy to be comfortable in front of her camera. We love our photos, but even better — love how many of our friends and family commented about how much they enjoyed having her at our celebration. Absolutely recommend! I am happy we have stayed in social media touch even after our big day, as I feel like she is a friend. We wanted our day to feel like an intimate gathering of friends, and I couldn’t imagine having anyone else there after getting to know her!”

Sheree Danel Photography | Detroit Wedding Photographer

Vendors:

Photographer: Sheree Danel Photography
Wedding Dress Designer: Hayley Paige
Shop: The Brides Project in Ann Arbor
Alterations: Express Alterations
Grooms Attire: Nordstrom Rack
Florist: Sola Wood Flower
HAMU: Bridal Beauty Couture
Cake/Bakery: Detroit Cookie Company
Officiant: Lyth Alobiedat
Rings: Honest Hands Ring Co.