14 Detroit Murals That Will Add Color & Personality to Your Wedding Photos
Downtown Detroit is full of unique, historic venues to get married, have your reception or simply use as a backdrop for your wedding photos! Of course, there are some of the standard hot spots for photo ops, but so many couples want to incorporate Detroit murals and graffiti into their wedding photos. It is, after all, what gives Detroit its colorful personality.
While some of the Detroit murals are easy to find, others are hidden gems throughout the city. Since Mike Staff Productions wedding photographers have documented thousands of Detroit weddings, we wanted to put together a list of some of our favorite Detroit mural locations in case you want to add a dash of Detroit flare to your wedding photos.
Important note: Please confirm photography permit or availability with your preferred location. Many properties will only allow photography with advance permission if your ceremony and/or location are not on the property.
Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts
Location: 350 Madison St, Detroit, MI 48226
What better place to start your Detroit photoshoot than the iconic Greetings from Detroit mural on the side of the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts? Embrace your Motor City pride by taking some fun engagement photos here. Or celebrate your downtown Detroit wedding day celebration by making a stop at the Music Hall Center mural. Look up and you’ll see the newly added Stevie Wonder mural.
Checker Bar
Location: 124 Cadillac Square, Detroit, MI 48226
Checker Bar is located in the center of Downtown Detroit. They’re known for their delicious burgers, and of course the cannot-miss mural outside. This mural features red and white checkered design with the Spirit of Detroit.
Detroit Institute of Arts Museum
Location: 5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
Inside the Detroit Institute of Arts Museum, you’ll find The Detroit Industry murals by Diego Rivera in Rivera Court. These murals were started in 1932, and display the geological, technological, and human history of Detroit. These murals are the perfect stop for your wedding day photos. The murals make a stunning and elegant backdrop for your romantics.
Dequindre Cut
Location: Dequindre Cut Greenway, Detroit, MI 48207
The Dequindre Cut is a 2-mile long public path that goes from the Riverfront through Eastern Market. The Dequindre Cut is home to various murals and urban graffiti. The colorful variety of murals are a fun detail for your engagement shoot. Instagram will love these photos!
The Belt
Location: Between Broadway and Library Street and links Gratiot and Grand River
The Belt in downtown Detroit is a unique alley space that has been redefined. The alley is home to various murals by artists from around the country. The Belt is also part of Library Street Collective’s effort to ensure artists have a space to create. Mike Staff Productions photographers think The Belt is the perfect backdrop for your engagement photos.
Eastern Market
Location: South wall of Cost Plus Wine Shoppe at 2448 Market Street in the Eastern Market district.
Eastern Market, home of many events in the heart of Detroit, including Murals in the Market. This event is an annual festival that brings together local and international artists. Public art has always been part of the Eastern Market District experience. This festival brings additional art to the city and additional photo opportunities for YOU.
Spirit of Detroit Plaza
Location: 2 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
The Spirit of Detroit Plaza opened in 2017 as a space for all citizens to gather together. Since then, city officials have decided to make the plaza a permanent park in downtown Detroit. In 2018, Summer of the City painted this 1,900-square-foot abstract street art – the perfect engagement shoot location.
St. Andrew’s Hall
Location: 431 E Congress St, Detroit, MI 48226
The art-filled walls of the alley at St. Andrew’s Hall will be on the list for all Marvel fans. Located downtown between Beaubien and Brush off Congress St. is a wall full of your favorite Marvel characters including Captain American and Iron Man. This wall was practically made for your Instagram feed!
Z Lot
Location: 1234 Library St, Detroit, MI 48226
They call Detroit the Motor City for a reason. Only in Detroit will you find a parking garage with over 500,000 square feet of unique Detroit murals. The Z lot is at the corner of Library Street and Gratiot Avenue. With literally thousands of square feet of Instagram-worthy backdrops, the Z Lot makes the perfect location for your engagement session or romantics on your wedding day.
Detroit Riverwalk
Location: Between GM plaza and the Port Authority
A 160-feet wide mural of an ice cream truck and cars? How cool! Artist, Mitchell Schorr’s work has been done in various locations around New York City, and now in Detroit. While taking your beautiful romantics at the Detroit Riverwalk, take a short walk to capture some fun photos with this mural.
Engine 1 Detroit Fire Dept.
Location: 111 W Montcalm St, Detroit, MI 48201
Just a quick walk from the Colony Club, and you’ll see this amazing mural on the side of Engine 1 Detroit Fire Dept. This detailed graffiti piece is a fun change of scenery for your wedding day photos. Just a warning, this one is usually blocked by cars or an engine! If it’s not blocked, don’t miss out on the opportunity!
City District 6
Location: 2605 Newark Street, Detroit, MI
Perhaps one of the overlooked Detroit murals. This piece by Ledania was added in 2018. A little more unknown, this is a great option for your engagement or wedding shoot. This mural offers a unique background to your photos. Your Instagram followers will definitely be asking where you took the photo!
Baltimore Street in Milwaukee Junction
Location: 314 E Baltimore Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
Since opening in 2015, the Baltimore Gallery has been an important place for young, particularly African-American artists to get their start. Unfortunately, the gallery closed in June of 2019. However the popular murals on the outside of the building act as the building’s last legacy. This is a very popular location for couples and bridal parties to snag a few romantic shots because who isn’t ‘smiling’ on their wedding day?
The Roostertail
Location: 1357 Division St, Detroit, MI 48207
The Roostertail is a premiere wedding venue in Detroit. It truly is a one-stop shop for couples who want to make the city a focal point of their wedding day. They not only offer two outdoor ceremony sites, 3 reception options, and over 7 acres of waterfrontage but turn the corner and check out the colorful mural that acts as a perfect backdrop to your wedding photos without leaving your reception!
Ready to start planning your Detroit wedding?
The Mike Staff Productions Guarantee
At Mike Staff Productions, we trust that you’ll choose the perfect person to work with because you know what you want on your wedding day! There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all wedding DJ, photographer or videographer – we get that, that’s why we invite you to be a part of the planning process.
Let’s bring your wedding vision to life!
Mike Staff is the founder and CEO of Mike Staff Productions, one of the most highly acclaimed wedding services companies in the country, providing award-winning Wedding DJs, Wedding Photographers, and Wedding Videography for over 25 years.
