DetroitweddingsBest Of DetroitVideo

Detroit Weddings: Ashley and Raimi's Budget Celebration At Charles H. Wright Museum (PHOTOS)

LOOK: Detroit Couple's Beautiful Museum Wedding
Stephanie Gray Chang
|
Open Image Modal

This post comes to us courtesy of Love in the D.

Have you ever seen a photograph that captured happiness so simply, so clearly?

If you look at even just one of the photos below taken by photojournalist Marcus Parham, you will realize that Ashley Whitfield and Prof. Raimi Gbadamosi had a blast at their December 2012 wedding at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History! Ashley and Raimi met when they were involved in social justice issues in London. She’s a youth worker and curator; he’s an artist.

Ashley and I met during college at the University of Michigan. Doesn’t she look radiant? I love that Riana, one of the bridesmaids and another college friend, was a flower maiden!

Q: Tell me about your love for Detroit.

A: I have an affinity for Detroit for many reasons. It has helped to raise my community – some of my most dear family and friends. Detroit is a center for radical histories and contemporary social justice struggles. And I love the culture that seeps through it all -- from gator shoes to Dilla!Q: How did you incorporate Detroit into your wedding?

A: I was fortunate to have my wedding at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History, a national but also local gem. The Wright Museum is an essential part of Detroit’s landscape. Also, I requested a set of some of my all time favorite music: Detroit Ghetto Techno (DJ Snowflake & DJ Assault). Finally, our lovely guests were some of my favorite Detroiters.See the rest of the photos from Raimi and Ashley's wedding -- plus more socially conscious Detroit weddings around town -- at Love in the D.

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Detroit Wedding Locations
Colony Club(01 of23)
Open Image Modal
The Colony Club, which is on DJ Dan Nichols' list of top spots, was built in 1927 as a women's club. It's not quite under the radar -- they're currently booking for 2013. (credit:Facebook)
Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit(02 of23)
Open Image Modal
"MOCAD as a building is versatile and unique," said MOCAD Special Events Coordinator Leto Rankine of the museum, which used to be car showroom. "There is a sense of history contained in the space but it can be re-imagined with every event giving each its own specific and distinctive feel."Image by Melissa Squires (credit:Melissa Squires)
Detroit RiverFront(03 of23)
Open Image Modal
The Detroit RiverFront has many gorgeous spots, with Hart Plaza and Rivard Plaza favorites for weddings. (credit:Flickr:123 Chroma Pixels)
Fisher Building(04 of23)
Open Image Modal
The Albert Kahn-designed Fisher Building has one of Detroit's oldest theaters. TwoFoot Creative has some details about how the venue is used for weddings. (credit:Flickr:Dig Downtown Detroit)
Ford Piquette Plant(05 of23)
Open Image Modal
The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, the birthplace of the Model T, is a perfect venue if you're looking for raw space and history together.To get a sense of the space, check out the beautiful wedding photos over at the Simmer Down! blog. (credit:Flickr:Ash D. Nowak)
Campus Martius(06 of23)
Open Image Modal
Jeanette Pierce made the city a part of her wedding -- she and husband Rich Peresky married in a public ceremony at Campus Martius."Campus Martius is where the point of origin for the entire city of Detroit is," Pierce said. "It's the point of origin for Detroit and the point of origin for our future together."Photograph by Cybelle Codish (credit:Cybelle Codish)
Guardian Building(07 of23)
Open Image Modal
The Art Deco Guardian building, built in the 1920s, has jaw-dropping detail. Inside Detroit's Jeanette Pierce says that while many people know the building and the beauty of the first floor, there's an auditorium on the 32nd floor that often gets overlooked. (credit:Flickr:Michigan Municipal League (MML))
Scarab Club(08 of23)
Open Image Modal
The Scarab Club, a legacy in the Detroit arts scene, can accomodate outdoor and indoor weddings. (credit:Flickr:PunkToad)
Detroit Opera House(09 of23)
Open Image Modal
If you've ever been to the Detroit Opera House you know the interior is breathtaking. (credit:Detroit Opera House)
Comerica Park(10 of23)
Open Image Modal
Comerica Park, the perfect place to get married if you love the Tigers and happen to have 40,000 friends. No, really. It's been done. (credit:Flickr:Ben+Sam)
Dossin Great Lakes Museum, Detroit Historical Museum(11 of23)
Open Image Modal
The Detroit Historical Museum and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum both hold weddings, it all depends on if you want to get married on cobblestone streets or on an island. (credit:Flickr:Loren Sztajer)
Detroit Yacht Club(12 of23)
Open Image Modal
The Detroit Yacht Club is one of the city's most popular wedding venues. Get a better look at Edward John Photography. (credit:Wikipedia)
Belle Isle(13 of23)
Open Image Modal
If you're looking for something more casual -- or budget-friendly -- than the Detroit Yacht Club, there are several places to get married on Belle Isle, from the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory to the Casino. (credit:Loren Sztajer)
Gem Theatre(14 of23)
Open Image Modal
The Gem Theatre can hold up to 300. But unlike some of Detroit's larger theaters, will also work well with smaller parties. Check out photos at Mod 4. (credit:Flickr:Dave Hogg)
Fisher Mansion(15 of23)
Open Image Modal
Now the Bhaktivedanta Cultural Center, the Lawrence Fisher Mansion has unique architecture and maintained gardens . Detroit 1701 has some tidbits of the site's juicy history. (credit:Flickr:ellenm1)
Detroit Institute Of Arts(16 of23)
Open Image Modal
The Detroit Institute of Arts is another museum that hosts weddings, and many couples put the Rivera Court on the top of their wedding wish list. Check out the beautiful shots on photographer Jessica Johnston's blog. (credit:Flickr:Craig Blackmoore)
Masonic Temple(17 of23)
Open Image Modal
The Masonic Temple is one of the largest of its kind in the world, and its Gothic style makes for stunning photographs. (credit:Wikipedia)
On A Boat(18 of23)
Open Image Modal
Getting married "at sea" on the Detroit Princess is a popular option, says wedding DJ Dan Nichols. (credit:Flickr:PunkToad)
Detroit Zoo -- Butterfly House(19 of23)
Open Image Modal
The Detroit Zoo holds several possibilities for marriage locations, but the most romantic by far is the butterfly house. (credit:Flickr:ellenm1)
The Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village(20 of23)
Open Image Modal
The Henry Ford Museum and sprawling Greenfield Village are able to accomodate weddings on the grounds and in several indoor locations. According to DJ Dan Nichols, one of the most unique, and best, receptions he's worked was at the museum's Eagle Tavern, where they can serve you 1800s-style food in period costume to give your wedding that 19th century flavor. There are more modern menus available as well. (credit:Flickr:marada)
Detroit Public Library(21 of23)
Open Image Modal
The Detroit Public Library makes a great ceremony or reception site for bookworms. To see an example of love in the stacks, check out Anne Ruthmann's photographs. (credit:Flickr:calamity_sal)
Detroit Athletic Club(22 of23)
Open Image Modal
The Detroit Athletic Club hosts weddings of all sizes, and has overnight accommodations to boot. (credit:Wikipedia)
Endless Possibilities(23 of23)
Open Image Modal
That's not all -- the knot and Metro Detroit Bride have also compiled lists of wedding venues in the metro area, from casinos to music venues to hotels.But if you're looking for something even quirkier, we've heard suggestions -- and rumors -- of unique wedding spots, from the airport to a Coney Island to under the Uniroyal Tire. While these locations don't have rates listed easily online, with a little work you might be able to figure out how to make your wacky wedding dream come true. Get inspired with a list of the weirdest wedding venues around. (credit:Wikipedia)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip