Unforgettable Metro Detroit Wedding Photography Locations

Unveiling Metro Detroit’s Most Romantic Locations for Wedding Day Photos

*Updated for 2024 / 2025 weddings 

We know your wedding day will be packed with moments you’ll want to freeze in time. Now, let’s talk logistics – you need a stunning spot for those wedding day photos, and it might help if those spots are close to your venue. Good news: Metro Detroit’s got you covered. Whether you’re in Macomb, Oakland, Wayne, or Washtenaw County, all those areas have cool city vibes with nature’s best, offering a variety of photo ops that won’t have you trekking far from your reception. Whether you’re aiming for iconic landmarks or those under-the-radar spots only the locals know about, here’s a practical guide to finding those metro Detroit wedding photography locations that seamlessly fit into your day’s schedule and vibe.

Your Wedding Photography Style 

Iconic Detroit Landmarks 

Detroit’s history and architecture provide grand settings that add a touch of drama and elegance to your wedding day photos. Consider these iconic wedding photography locations:

• The Detroit Institute of Arts: Its classic Renaissance art and magnificent marble exterior provide an elegant backdrop.
• The Guardian Building: Known for its Art Deco design, its colorful, intricate tile work makes every photo pop.
• Fisher Building: Its golden tower, especially gleaming at sunset, offers a stunning setting for those golden hour photos.
  • Permission required
    • The Fisher Building welcomes photography on the first floor of the arcade. Contact their team to coordinate professional photo shoots and access other parts of the building.

Unique Downtown Detroit Backdrops for Wedding Day Photos 

Murals and Street Art

1. Eastern Market Murals: This vibrant area is filled with colorful and large-scale murals by local and international artists, perfect for a dynamic and colorful backdrop.
2. The Z Garage (“The Belt”): Besides its murals, this area offers a unique urban setting with its creative use of space and lighting.
3. Library Street Collective: Surrounding this contemporary art gallery, the alleyways and buildings are adorned with captivating street art that makes for edgy and artistic photos.

Cafes and Small Businesses

1. Astoria Pastry Shop (Greektown): Offers a quaint and charming backdrop with its delightful pastries and cozy café setting.
2. Madcap Coffee Company: Known for its minimalist and modern design, providing a sleek and sophisticated setting.
3. The Siren Hotel’s Candy Bar: For an intimate and retro vibe, this beautifully designed bar within The Siren Hotel offers a dreamy, pink-hued backdrop.

Hotels with Character*

None of these locations allow couples inside for photo sessions unless you’re getting married at this location. But you could use their architecture as a backdrop. 

1. The Shinola Hotel: Features stylish interiors and a beautiful alley that’s been transformed into a chic outdoor space, perfect for elegant and modern photos.
2. The Detroit Foundation Hotel: Located in the former Detroit Fire Department Headquarters, it combines historic architecture with modern luxury.
3. The Book Cadillac Westin: Its restored 1920s architecture and luxurious interiors offer a backdrop of timeless elegance.

Obscure and Unique Locations

1. The Belt Alley: Filled with lights and art installations, this redefined alley provides a magical setting, especially at night.
2. Parker’s Alley behind the Shinola Hotel: Offers a blend of old Detroit charm and modern sophistication, with string lights and curated shops.
3. Alley behind The Majestic Theatre: For a touch of Detroit’s music scene and some colorful murals, this spot is great for couples who love the city’s artistic side.

Nature Meets City: Beautiful Parks in Downtown Detroit for Wedding Pictures

Combining natural beauty with urban scenery, these parks are perfect for a picturesque setting:

• Belle Isle Park: Offers historic fountains, a beautiful conservatory, and panoramic views of Detroit and Canada.
  • Permit required 
    • Regulated by the Michigan DNR, requires permits for photography, with restrictions on weekends from May through September. Permit Fees: $75 for wedding photos, $50 for engagement photos.
• Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory: Offers lush greenery and exotic plants for a tropical vibe.
• Detroit Riverwalk: Features picturesque views of the Detroit River with the city skyline as a majestic backdrop.
• Palmer Park: An urban oasis with lush woods, a historic log cabin, and charming bridges.
• Campus Martius: With its vibrant urban park setting and the stunning Detroit skyline as a backdrop, Campus Martius offers a unique blend of nature and city life that captures the spirit of Detroit in your wedding photos.
• Detroit Riverfront: The Detroit Riverfront provides a picturesque waterfront setting, where the tranquil waters and views of the Ambassador Bridge add a serene and romantic touch to your wedding photos.
• Hart Plaza: Hart Plaza, known for its iconic sculptures and expansive views of the riverfront, offers a dynamic and artistic environment that adds a distinctive urban elegance to wedding photographs.
• Midtown (Comerica Park, Ford Field, Fox Theater): Though bustling on game days, Midtown’s iconic sports and entertainment venues, like the historic Fox Theater, offer a vibrant and culturally rich backdrop for wedding photos on quieter days, capturing the excitement of Detroit’s revitalization.

Metro Detroit Wedding Photography Locations for Every Season

Each season brings its own charm and possibilities for wedding photos in Metro Detroit:

• Spring: Matthaei Botanical Gardens – Bursting with spring blooms, offering a vibrant natural setting.
• Summer: Kensington Metropark – Sun-drenched landscapes and serene lake views await.
• Fall: Cranbrook House and Gardens – A tapestry of fall colors provides a warm, rustic backdrop.
• Winter: Campus Martius Park – The city’s twinkling lights and festive decorations add a magical winter wonderland feel.

Ann Arbor Wedding Photography Locations

The region offers an unparalleled variety of settings, from the architectural splendors of Detroit to the charming locales in Ann Arbor. Here’s a closer look:

• U of M Law Quad: Offers a romantic, European vibe with its gothic-style buildings.
• Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum: Perfect for nature-infused photography with lush landscapes and blooming gardens.
• Graffiti Alley in Ann Arbor: Provides a cool, edgy backdrop with vibrant street art.

Macomb County Wedding Photography Locations

1. 1. George George Memorial Park (Clinton Township): Features charming bridges, waterfalls, and landscaped gardens, perfect for romantic shots.
   2. Stony Creek Metropark (Shelby Township): Offers natural backdrops like open fields, dense woodlands, and serene lake views.
   3. Heritage Gardens (Shelby Township): This serene and stunning location serves to provide relaxation as well as a celebrated backdrop for photography sessions. Heritage Garden is available to reserve on an hourly basis for wedding ceremonies, wedding photos, family photos and more.
   4. Lake St. Clair Metropark (Harrison Township): Known for its stunning waterfront views, beaches, and marina, offering a beautiful setting by the water.
   5. Freedom Hill County Park (Sterling Heights): Features a scenic amphitheater, rolling hills, and open green spaces, ideal for capturing joyful moments.
   6. Huron-Clinton Metroparks (Various Locations): With several parks in Macomb County, these areas offer varied landscapes, from lush trails to riverfronts, suited for diverse photo aesthetics.
   7. Waldenburg Park (Macomb Township): A hidden gem with a charming walking path, bridges, and a small creek, offering quaint and natural scenes.
   8. Downtown Mount Clemens: Offers a vibrant urban backdrop with historic buildings, colorful murals, and lively streetscapes.
   9. Clinton River Park (Sterling Heights): With its access to the Clinton River, this park provides natural beauty and water views, perfect for nature lovers.
   10. Ford House (Grosse Pointe Shores): Although just on the edge of Macomb County, the Ford House presents elegant gardens and the grandeur of a historic estate, ideal for luxurious and timeless photos. 
       • Reservation & approval required 
         • Fill out the online request form here.
         • Please note: We ask that sessions be booked 3 weeks prior to the guest’s arrival.
         • A member of our Visitor Experience team will reach out to you to ensure we have all the details of your session, including the preferred date and time.
         • A contract will be created, emailed, and e-signed by the client, photographer, and videographer (if applicable).
         • A confirmation document detailing arrival and departure information will be sent to the client.

Oakland County Wedding Photography Locations

1. Cranbrook House and Gardens (Bloomfield Hills): Offers stunning architecture and meticulously maintained gardens for an elegant backdrop.
2. Meadow Brook Hall (Rochester): This Tudor-revival mansion with its opulent interiors and lush grounds makes for fairy-tale photography.
3. Orion Oaks County Park (Lake Orion): A natural setting featuring serene lake views and rustic woodlands.
4. Downtown Rochester and Rochester Municipal Park: Offers a quaint and picturesque setting with a mix of lifestyle shops and serene park backdrops. 
5. Heritage Park (Farmington Hills): Features historical buildings, beautiful gardens, and scenic walking paths for a variety of photo backdrops.
6. Addison Oaks County Park (Leonard): A beautiful venue with rolling landscapes, mature woodlands, and a picturesque lake.
7. Independence Oaks County Park (Clarkston): Offers stunning natural beauty with its clear lake, wooded areas, and open meadows.
8. Kensington Metropark (Milford): Known for its scenic views, open spaces, and beautiful sunsets over the lake.
9. Indian Springs Metropark (White Lake): Offers sprawling meadows, a sparkling spring-fed lake, and dramatic landscapes.
10. Van Hoosen Farm (Rochester Hills): A historical farm offering rustic charm with its barns, museum, and natural surroundings.
    • A permit is required. 
      • $50 per day
      • $250 annual permit available per calendar year
      • $75 per hour for wedding photography
      • All annual photographers must wear our distinctive identification badges while on our site.
      • Fees are required regardless of whether the Museum is staffed or open to the public.
      • The interior of any building is not available for photography, even in inclement weather.
      • The Rochester Hills Museum reserves the right to monitor the appropriate use of the property and props for photographs on our grounds.
11. Elizabeth Park (Trenton): Although closer to the Wayne County border, its beautiful riverside setting and historic structures make it a lovely choice for those willing to venture a bit.
12. Downtown Birmingham: Offers chic urban backdrops with its stylish streets, boutique storefronts, and elegant lighting.

Washtenaw County Wedding Photography Locations

1. Downtown Ypsilanti: With its historic buildings and vibrant street art, Downtown Ypsilanti offers a blend of urban grit and artistic flair.
2. Hudson Mills Metropark (Dexter): Features expansive green fields, dense forests, and the scenic Huron River, providing diverse natural landscapes.
3. Barton Nature Area (Ann Arbor): Known for its beautiful dam and tranquil natural surroundings, it’s a hidden gem for intimate outdoor photos.
4. Peony Garden at Nichols Arboretum (Ann Arbor): Best visited in late spring, the peony garden is a burst of color and a romantic setting for photos.
5. Island Park (Ann Arbor): Situated on a small island in the Huron River, this park features picturesque bridges, river views, and lush landscapes.
6. Dominos Farms Office Park (Ann Arbor): For something different, its prairie-style architecture and the presence of a small herd of bison offer unique photo ops.
7. Delhi Metropark (Ann Arbor): This park provides rustic scenery with its historic Delhi Bridge, Huron River, and mature trees, perfect for a natural, relaxed setting.

Tips for Including These Locations in Your Wedding Photos

• Permission and Access: Always check if you need permission to shoot at these locations, especially for private properties like hotels and cafes.
• Timing: Consider the time of day for the best light and to avoid crowds, especially for popular public murals and parks.
• Theme Consistency: Choose locations that resonate with your wedding theme or personal style for a cohesive look in your photos.

Permit Requirements Across Locations

Obtaining a photography permit is a key step in planning your photo sessions at many of these locations. Below are notable points about permit requirements:

• Belle Isle State Park: Regulated by the Michigan DNR, requires permits for photography, with restrictions on weekends from May through September. Permit Fees: $75 for wedding photos, $50 for engagement photos.
• Meadow Brook Hall: Personal photography is allowed, but professional sessions require a permit. Outdoor photography during regular hours is permitted. For professional shoots, contact the Sales Department at (248) 364-6220.
• Heritage Park, Farmington Hills: All commercial photography now requires a permit, enforced to maintain the park’s integrity and visitor experience.
• Ann Arbor locations: While incredibly picturesque, Ann Arbor’s U of M Law Quad and public parks like the Nichols Arboretum may have specific guidelines or permit requirements for photography sessions. Always check in advance to ensure compliance and secure permissions.

See more locations in metro Detroit that require a photography permit. Our team did extensive research at venues and locations across the state of Michigan and metro Detroit to provide you with a cheat sheet to help ease any permit pain while you plan.