Collins at the Clocktower Wedding

Why Couples Are Choosing Collins at the Clocktower for Their Wedding Day

Uniqueness and making a statement are some of the top things couples of today are looking for when it comes to their wedding day. Couples are being more intentional about their venue and vendor selections, and that is totally a good thing! There are a wide variety of unique venues that make a statement in Michigan. Collins at the Clocktower is absolutely one of these venues.

I love couples who choose non-traditional when it comes to their wedding day. You can truly see who they are, what they wanted, and everything in between on their wedding days. The Collins at the Clocktower definitely gives a blank slate, however, provides a unique, industrial vibe to your wedding day. It’s elegant, but also bold and edgy.

Kristianna and Collin chose this venue purposefully. They went with simple decorations and florals to let the venue shine. Their colors were as simple as just black and white. I’m a huge fan of a true black and white wedding.

As a wedding photographer who has had the privilege of working here, I’ve seen firsthand why couples fall in love with this space.

Where is Collins at the Clocktower?

Located in downtown Chelsea, Michigan, Collins at the Clocktower is less than 30 minutes west of Ann Arbor and around an hour from downtown Detroit. It is also located just around the corner from their main location, The Collins Off Main. This venue is highly accessible to those guests from out of town. Chelsea, MI is located right north of i-94 and has hotels located near town or a short drive to Ann Arbor area. Chelsea, itself, is a very charming town. The architecture and history, alone, provide a beautiful atmosphere.

The Venue Itself – What Makes Collins at the Clocktower Unique

The Industrial Aesthetic

The exposed brick, steel beams, high ceilings, and other dramatic architectural details provide an over welcoming atmosphere. The way they have remodeled the building helps to keep things feeling modern, but also the historic parts of the building at clocktower still shine through. The clean and still coziness provides such a wonderful place for portraits.

Since Kristianna and Collin kept their colors to just black and white, it helped to keep their wedding cohesive with the photos I was able to get here. It was an unusually warm and humid day in May when they got married so we kept portraits inside, but that didn’t hinder my ability to get a variety of beautiful portraits of them. The Collins has so many great areas and set-ups throughout the space that helped to set up the shots.

The Clocktower Element

The Clocktower here is the defining feature of this venue. It’s striking ability to stand out over a bright blue sky is one thing, but once you go up inside the clocktower, there’s something to be said about that. It’s a tough climb up the narrow and steep spiral stairs, but it’s totally worth the climb to get stunning couples’ portraits inside the clock. Kristianna and Collin were totally down for it. Plus, they got to sign their name on the inside wall.

 

Natural Light and Interior Atmosphere

The windows in the first floor chapel come in from the left and provide a dramatic light over the couple as they say their vows. Upstairs in the reception hall, the room is surrounded by huge windows that let in some of the most beautiful light throughout the whole day. With white walls and black accents, this venue provides some of the best places for photography. This is why Kristianna and Collins wedding was perfect for this space.

Kristianna looked stunning in the bridal suite as she got ready. Collin fit in perfectly with his black tux. And the bridesmaids glowed with their gold-colored dresses.

How a Wedding Day Flows at Collins at the Clocktower

Getting Ready at the Collins

Collins at the Clocktower has a bridal suite and a grooms suite for getting ready. There’s plenty of space and they are located on different floors so less likelihood of getting a sneak peek of each other. The bridal suite has beautiful, huge windows in the room that provide wonderful light. Plus, the furniture helps to bring together the aesthetic. The bridal suite is also located right off of the reception area. This provided the best space to do first looks where I could keep the bride in the suite and then bring her father out and then her fiance.

The Ceremony Space

The ceremony space here is huge. There is plenty of space for guests to sit on either side of the aisle. The space is warm and inviting despite still having that industrial feel. The way they set up the whole space checks all the boxes where some other wedding ceremony spaces don’t. The ability to have the wedding party stage in a different space than where the guests arrive, is number one for me. There’s no trying desperately to hide the bride and/or groom from guests who just want to talk to them. This also goes for after the ceremony when the couple is trying to get other things done like signing their marriage license and on to portraits. The bride and groom can easily be tucked away after the ceremony so they don’t get caught up talking to guests.

Portrait Locations at Collins at the Clocktower

Holy moly are there so many spots for great couples’ portraits here! Inside and outside. However, since it was so humid on Kristianna and Collins wedding day, we decided it would be best to stay inside. This did not hinder my ability to get some great portraits of the two of them. Because Kristianna and Collin chose to do a first look and built in a generous amount of time before their ceremony, most portraits were finished before they ever walked down the aisle.

The reception hall became our primary backdrop for their couples portraits, offering the kind of dramatic, industrial character that makes every frame feel intentional. Family and wedding party portraits followed on the venue’s stunning black and white striped dance floor. That dance floor was one of those unexpected details that photographs beautifully and adds a graphic, editorial edge to the gallery.

There are so many great spots outdoors as well despite us not going out there. There is a beautiful courtyard behind the clocktower plus other buildings nearby.

Their first look was stunning with the glowing light from the windows behind them and the black and white striped floor guiding the two of them together. Collin’s reaction when he first saw Kristianna is one of my favorite frames from a wedding in a long time. I always encourage couples to do a first look. The number one push back I get from couples is that they want their fiance’s strongest reaction to be when they see you walk down the aisle.

After nearly a decade of photographing weddings, genuine groom reactions are rarer to capture than most people think. One of those times was from Collin. They still did a first look and I still captured him with a tear running down his cheek when he saw Kristianna walking down the aisle. First looks always give me better reactions. It’s more of an intimate moment for the two of you. Most men try to hold back their emotions in front of their family and friends during the ceremony.

The Reception

The reception hall is the perfect transition from the ceremony downstairs to upstairs. Kristianna and Collin’s wedding reception felt like it was just made for this space. The flow of their reception worked so well. After their main entrances, we went straight into speeches that were meaningful, funny, and emotional.

Dinner was simple, but amazing. You usually cannot go wrong with some BBQ and Livingston BBQ definitely stood out for this reception.

Like the speeches, the first dances with father and daughter, mother and son, and bride and groom were meaningful and emotional.

Kristianna and Collin did a private cake cutting which I was so thankful for. As a photographer, some times it can be a little difficult to combat the guests as they gather around to get their own photos or video of the couple cutting their cake. Rightfully so. However, it felt a little more meaningful, less rushed for them to take the time to cut their cake around the corner from their guest with no announcement.

Their open dance floor ended the night with the sunsetting beautiful colors in the windows behind all of them.

Want to see the full wedding gallery? View Kristianna and Collin’s Wedding

What to Know Before Booking Collins at the Clocktower

It’s best to verify up to date information directly with the venue. However, as a vendor, my favorite part of working with this venue was their staff. I worked primarily with Chelsea all day and she was a fantastic coordinator. When I needed something, she was there. She worked so great with the couple to make sure they had and got what they needed throughout the whole day. She made sure everything was flowing well all day as well.

The Collins at the Clocktower has a preferred list of vendors for catering that you can find on their website. Kristianna and Collin chose Livingston BBQ as their caterer and the Barbecue was to die for. For the bar, you are required to use their bartenders for liability reasons. However, in my experience, they did a great job.

Kristianna and Colling got married in May so they had a late spring wedding. However, the weather, like always in Michigan, was unpredictable and very warm and humid so plan accordingly. However, the advantage of this space is that you don’t even need to leave the building for any of your photos.

Planning your wedding timeline? Read my guide to building a stress-free wedding day schedule. 

Choosing Your Vendors for a Collins at the Clocktower Wedding

There is something to be said about choosing vendors who have already worked at your venue. However, do not dismiss those who are professional and do their job well no matter what. I am one person who can walk into most venues and figure out what I need to do to get the best shots. This is what I had done for Kristianna and Collin’s wedding at the Clocktower.

I had never photographed at this venue, but I was able to walk in, look around, and figure out the best spots and what all I needed to do to be able to get the best shots for Kristianna and Collin.

Why Your Photographer Matters Most at This Venue

Industrial spaces require a photographer who understands mixed light, high contrast, and dramatic compositions. Mixing the natural light from the windows and adding in my own artificial lighting in the inner, darker areas, helps to keep balance in a space like this.

Especially if I’ve never shot at a specific venue before, I show up early enough to be able to scout out the venue. I do my due diligence to help make your wedding day smooth and without fear that I don’t know what I’m doing. I’d love to bring that same intentionality to your day. View my work.

Ready to Plan Your Collins at the Clocktower Wedding?

Every wedding I’ve photographed has its own personality, its own light, its own moments. Kristianna and Collin’s day at Collins at the Clocktower is one I’ll never forget and I can’t wait to say the same about yours. This venue deserves a photographer who sees what makes it special. The venue owners have created a wedding location that checks all the boxes so check off that photographer box with a photographer who knows how to capture it. If you’re envisioning your wedding day at Collins at the Clocktower, I’d love to hear about it. Send me a message!

Kristianna and Collin’s Wedding Vendors:

Photographer: Erika Black Photography

Venue: The Collins at the Clocktower

Lead Coordinator: Chelsey with The Collin’s Off Main

Caterer: Livingston BBQ

Bartenders: Collins Cocktails

DJ: DJ Array

Florals and Decor: DIY