
Detroit Film Wedding Photographer | A Romantic Wedding at the Colony Club
There is something beautifully different about the way a wedding day is held on 35mm film.
The softness of the grain, the subtle movement of light, the imperfect edges of an analog frame—it all creates a sense of stillness that digital photography cannot quite replicate. Rather than simply recording what happened, 35mm film has a way of preserving how a moment felt.
For this Detroit wedding at The Colony Club, I photographed the day on 35mm film alongside a documentary approach, allowing the photographs to unfold naturally while creating space for the couple, their families, and their guests to simply be present.
As a Detroit 35mm film wedding photographer, this is one of the reasons I am drawn to analog photography. There is an intimacy in knowing that each frame is intentional. Consequently, a light passes through the lens, onto the film, and becomes a physical record of a moment that can be held onto for generations.
A Timeless Detroit Wedding at The Colony Club
Located in the heart of downtown Detroit, The Colony Club provided an elegant setting for a celebration filled with rich color, romantic details, and an atmosphere that felt both classic and distinctly Detroit.
With 130 guests in attendance, the wedding brought together family and friends for an evening filled with music, movement, and celebration.
The color palette centered around jewel tones, with deep purples and burgundy throughout the wedding design and emerald green. Furthermore, against the architectural character of The Colony Club, the colors created a romantic and timeless atmosphere that translated beautifully onto 35mm film.
There were four bridesmaids, four groomsmen, and three ushers, creating an intimate wedding party within the larger celebration.
Romantic, Analog Wedding Photography
Film photography asks you to slow down.
Unlike digital photography, where hundreds of frames can be captured within minutes, shooting 35mm film encourages a more intentional way of observing. I am watching for the moment before the moment, the way someone’s hand reaches for another, the quiet expression between conversations, or the movement of a dress as a bride walks through a room.
These are the photographs that often become the most meaningful over time.
A documentary approach allows those moments to happen naturally. Rather than asking every interaction to become a photograph, I look for what is already unfolding—the laughter between friends, a parent watching their child get married, the movement of guests across the dance floor, or the quiet pause between portraits.
Combined with the romantic quality of analog film, these photographs become something more than documentation. They become pieces of memory.
The Beauty of 35mm Film
Likewise, there is a physical relationship between the camera, the film, the light, and the subject that makes analog photography feel different.
Light enters the camera and exposes the film. The image exists first as something tangible before it becomes the photograph you eventually hold in your hands.
That process creates a certain stillness.
Grain becomes part of the story. Light falls softly across skin. Colors shift subtly. Motion can blur at the edges. Nothing feels overly perfect—and that is precisely what makes it timeless.
For couples who value art, tradition, and photographs that feel as though they could have been discovered in an old family archive, 35mm film offers a different kind of visual language.
It feels romantic without being overly posed. Editorial without losing authenticity. Documentary without sacrificing beauty.
The Colony Club Detroit Wedding Photography
The architecture and atmosphere of The Colony Club made it an especially beautiful setting for this approach.
The historic Detroit venue provided layers of texture and character throughout the day. While the jewel-toned palette added warmth and depth. From the details of the invitation suite and bridal attire to the movement of the reception and live music, there were countless small moments that deserved to be photographed with intention.
The wedding was planned and designed by Bunny and June Events. With florals by The Flower Alley and catering provided by The Colony Club. The couple’s celebration also included a live band, Weekend Comeback, bringing an energetic sense of movement to the reception.
The bride wore a Justin Alexander designer gown, with her bridal look completed by Ash Beauty Couture Bridal Beauty Couture. Her invitations were designed through Zazzle by Cheri Design, while the engagement ring came from Brilliant Earth.
Videography was captured by Supperbaby Films, allowing the couple to preserve their wedding story through both moving and still imagery.
A Wedding Story Meant to Be Remembered
The photographs from this day are not meant to simply show what the wedding looked like.
They are meant to bring you back.
Back to the feeling of standing inside The Colony Club. Back to the movement of the evening, the richness of the colors, the sound of the band, the way your dress moved, and the expression on someone’s face when they looked at you.
That is what I love about photographing weddings on 35mm film.
Years from now, the photographs can become something you return to. Not simply as evidence of a beautiful wedding, but as a tangible connection to the people and the feeling that existed within that room.
As a Detroit 35mm film wedding photographer, my approach is rooted in the belief that photographs should feel lived in, romantic, and enduring. I photograph with a documentary eye while creating editorial portraits that feel intentional and artfully composed.
Because some moments deserve more than to be remembered.
They deserve to be held.
Wedding Details
Venue: The Colony Club, Detroit, Michigan
Photography: Sol Luna Photography
Bridal Designer: Justin Alexander
Bridal Store: Renee Austin
Planning & Florist: Bunny and June Events
Florist: The Flower Alley
Live Band: Weekend Comeback
Engagement Ring: Brilliant Earth
Caterer: The Colony Club
Dessert: Home Bakery Rochester
Hair & Makeup: Ash Beauty Couture Bridal Beauty Couture
Color Palette: Jewel tones, purple, burgundy, emerald green
Wedding Party: 4 Bridesmaids, 4 Groomsmen, 3 Ushers
Guest Count: 130






































































Detroit Film Wedding Photographer
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