Kelly and James | Royal Park Hotel Wedding | Rochester Hills, MI

Kelly and James said I do at the Royal Park Hotel in downtown Rochester, MI…

Because the venue is just steps from where they live, they tend to visit the Royal Park Hotel often, so when it came time to choose a wedding venue, the decision was a no-brainer! The couple got married in August of 2020 during the height of COVID-19, but thanks to the Royal Park Hotel’s safety precautions, and their elegant open-air event space, Kelly and James were able to safely celebrate their big day with friends and family. 

Kelly and James were introduced by mutual friends in July of 2010. They met at a popular bar in downtown Mt. Clemens, and they hit if off imminently. They have been together ever since!

James’ proposal to Kelly was (in my opinion) incredibly impressive.

He proposed to her in their favorite vacation spot, Laguna Beach, California. They walked to an overlook with an expansive view of the ocean and he got down on one knee. Kelly was completely surprised, and James was fully prepared with an undercover photographer to capture the big moment. According to Kelly, her favorite part of their trip was what came after. From California, she was supposed to fly solo to Las Vegas for a work conference, but instead of flying home to Detroit, James surprised Kelly by sitting in the seat next to her just before takeoff! From there, the surprises just kept coming. Not only did he fly to Vegas with her, but he arranged for her entire family to meet them so they could celebrate their engagement together!  

The couple’s intimate wedding ceremony took place in the Belgium Glass Conservatory, which is a remarkable feature of the Royal Park Hotel. The open and airy ceremony space was seriously breathtaking, and it provided the perfect backdrop for Kelly and James’ wedding photos. 

Throughout the day, Kelly and James’ friends and family were sweet and accommodating, and I even got to photograph the couple’s pup, Lola, who was given an adorably special collar for the occasion. Lola is an important member of the family, and she was thrilled to be a part of the wedding festivities!

After the ceremony and a few photos, Kelly and James finally got to hit the dance floor with their loved ones. The reception took place under an elegant outdoor tent decorated with greens and a variety of bright flowers. 

These two were an absolute joy to work with, and as a couple they strike the perfect balance. Kelly was energetic and organized while James was laid back and attentive.

They wanted an intimate wedding ceremony, a reception space that was light, bright, and filled with flowers, and an opportunity to celebrate the beginning of their lives together with friends and family. It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to see their wedding vision come to life.

Kelly and James, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for letting me be a part of your wedding day. I know that planning and organizing a wedding during a pandemic was not an easy task, but your wedding was truly beautiful, and I’m so glad you got to celebrate with your friends and family. 

Weddings would not be possible without all of the amazing vendors! Here are the vendors who contributed to Kelly and James’ Royal Park Hotel Wedding: 

Venue/Catering: Royal Park Hotel

Florist: Parsonage Events

Cake/Desserts: Nancy Raz

Hair Stylist: Heather Olender

Makeup Artist: Cassandra Fergusan

Formal Attire: The Tux Shop and Bella Bridal 

Musician/DJ: Dan Rafferty Band/ Derek Raffery

Jewelry/Rings: Birmingham Coin and Jewelry

Day of Details: Leah Moss Designs

Cake Topper: Trina Clay Creations 

Graphic Designer Details: Emerald Hound