Marya + Mike

Detroit Michigan wedding photography at the stylish International Banquet Center inside the Atheneum Hotel located in Greektown was provided by Kellie Saunders and her team.

If you want to see a couple of stunning Detroit rooftop wedding pictures along with a beautiful Old St. Mary's ceremony in Greektown, then this is the post for you. When I first met with Marya at my studio she brought her dad Peter along. I have to admit I was a little nervous. I’m never one to back down from a challenge but Peter works in film – like real films – movies and commercials and stuff like that. Being a professional in the creative field, he knows his stuff and he knows photography – that’s for sure. I thought to myself, “Well, if Marya hires me I better bring my A game on her wedding day.” Now to all of my other brides, I always bring my A game of course – but with a film producer for a dad I knew I had a very special assignment. He’s one of us – an artist. Marya is his little girl. I needed to do this right because one day someone will be photographing my little girl on her wedding day and I want that person to put just as much love into their job as I did for Marya and her husband Mike.

Our day started out at the Atheneum Suites hotel for Marya and Mike's preparation for their big day. Marya and Mike had side by side suites so it made my job a lot easier. I hadn't met Mike before the wedding day so I spent a little time getting to know him. I discovered that he is a firefighter and everyone knows how I love first responders. My husband is a police officer so I have a special place in my heart for them. Mike's firefighting background would soon come in handy because later that evening we had a few walls to scale to get on top of the roof at the Atheneum for some special rooftop photos. We left for Old St. Mary's where Marya and Mike had a full catholic mass with a very special priest who was their family priest. After the ceremony we headed to the Detroit Institute of Arts where my team took Marya and Mike's wedding portraits. We had a blast and Mary and Mike were the perfect subjects. After that we headed back to the Atheneum where inside is the International Banquet Center. The staff at the International Banquet Center is simply fantastic and the food amazing. I work at many amazing venues but this is one of my most favorite. The banquet manager asked if we wanted to go on the roof and well - who am I to say no? It wasn't as simple as walking onto the roof. We had to scale a few walls and poor Mike, he had to help my big butt over a wall or two as well (but that's where his firefighter background came in handy - lol). In the end it was the perfect decision and wow - I was in love with the images we created.

Marya and Mike gave me a gift whether they realize it or not. Just being chosen to photograph their wedding was a privilege and honor. They presented me the gift of the most beautiful wedding, lovely warm and friendly personalities, beautiful inviting friends and families, a historic venue, and BONUS to me – they wanted to scale a rooftop to get a few photos. It’s true that even after all of my years photographing weddings I still get excited to work every single wedding I photograph. Every one. This was no exception. To Marya and Mike – I wish you a lifetime of happiness and love. Thank you for giving me this honor.

Michigan wedding photography by Kellie Saunders, Detroit Michigan wedding photographers. Kellie Saunders is one of the best Metro Detroit Wedding photographers around. She is a professional artistic wedding photographer located in Birmingham, Michigan. Her work has been published both locally and nationally in print and online. Her studio serves the entire metro Detroit area and offers wedding photography at it's best. Each wedding is treated with love, creativity and care not found in larger studios. She has an authentic documentary style and specialized in creating sophisticated and timeless wedding portraits.