The Whitney Detroit Wedding

Posted in: Detroit Wedding Venues

What Makes The Whitney a Unique Wedding Venue in Detroit?

The Whitney is a historical Detroit mansion built in the late 1800s. The Whitney is primarily an upscale restaurant located in Midtown however, they host some of the most beautiful intimate weddings in the city. With the beautiful architecture and grounds, there are so many options to create something beautiful.

The atmosphere is not your typical banquet hall with candlelit lighting and historic and romantic vibes throughout. The Whitney creates luxury with meaning for couples who are looking for that unique venue in Detroit to host their intimate celebration.

A blonde bride stands in a white satin dress and white cathedral veil. She stands with her hand up on the brown wooden molding and looking out the large bay window

 

The Whitney’s Spaces at a Glance

The Whitney offers a variety of different spaces within the property. There are a handful of different spots to hold your ceremony. Inside the mansion, there is the second floor Great Hall and the second floor landing. The landing is spectacular with a huge stained glass window as a backdrop. You can also get married outside the mansion in the garden. They offer discounts on the ceremony location if you are also hosting your reception here.

For receptions at The Whitney, they have a variety of rooms that will host from 8 guests and up. You are also able to rent the entire mansion for large weddings of up to 350 guests. The possibilities are endless.

What a Wedding at The Whitney Actually Looks Like

As I say with anyone looking for any venue with purpose, make sure you plan your day appropriately. This will help you to get what you want out of your wedding. If you are excited for those emotional and purposeful editorial portraits, this is the spot for you. However, we have to make time for it.

The advantage of picking a venue like The Whitney is that you can have it all in one location. The flow of your wedding day can be seamless with this type of venue. From ceremony, to portraits, to your reception. The architecture also speaks for itself. You don’t even have to decorate. Maybe some floral arrangements, but you don’t have to worry about decor in general.

Since The Whitney is primarily a restaurant, this is definitely a focus in choosing it as your wedding venue. A food and beverage package is required to have your wedding here.

The Whitney for Elopements and Micro-Weddings

The wedding venue works perfectly for elopements and micro-weddings in Detroit. Many venues in the city are large and require a large minimum of guests. Host your wedding with just the two of you and a handful of the people who matter most.

A garden ceremony followed by an intimate, upscale dinner is completely within reach here. And if a private elopement is more your speed, Belle Isle is perfect for just the two of you, The Whitney makes a gorgeous landing spot for a celebratory dinner with family and friends after.

The advantage of eloping or having a smaller, more intimate wedding, is that you have fewer guests to interact with and you can be more present with the meaning of why you are all there.

The Whitney for Non-Traditional Couples

Couples who want elegance without a cookie-cutter wedding head to The Whitney. This venue is definitely deeply Detroit. I work with couples often who love Detroit to the core and they pick venues that reflect that fact. While you still can have larger weddings at The Whitney, the spaces are definitely perfect for those smaller intimate ones.

Not quite ready to get married or elope? Still haven’t proposed? The Whitney has proposal packages as well! It’s a great way to celebrate each other and the monumental moment.

Getting Ready Nearby and Portraits Around The City

The advantage of the location of The Whitney is that is centrally located not far from the center of downtown Detroit and surrounding areas. If you are looking for a variety of backdrops for your portraits, we can travel all over the city. The Detroit Institute of Arts is right up Woodward and the riverwalk is just south. As for getting ready before your ceremony, there are a variety of different locations around the city. I highly recommend The Shinola Hotel in downtown where you can both get ready. The defining spaces and rooms help to round out your Detroit wedding day. The clean lines in the rooms help to contrast against the dark, historic vibes of The Whitney.

 

Photography at The Whitney

The Whitney is a dream location for wedding photographers. However, it’s perfect for those photographers who understand composition and how to “stage” those editorial shots. With the woodwork, fireplaces, ironwork, chandeliers, stained glass, and grand staircases there is an endless supply of places for photos.

There are also a number of different fantastic locations around Detroit and nearby that provide the perfect backdrop for your portraits.

Groom in a black tuxedo and black bowtie sits in a dark colored low chair with his hands on his knees while he looks out to the right towards a black-framed window.A bride with her hair in an updo and wearing a white robe looks at and holds her white, lace gown that hangs from a large wall of black-framed windows.a black and white photo of a bride and groom. They stand close to each other with the bride's hand up on the groom's chest and they kiss.

A blonde bride looks back smiling while a groom in a black tuxedo holds her hands, smiles at her, and guides her up white marble stairs A blonde bride and brunette groom kiss while he dips her on a sidewalk in front of a green bronze statue representing the Spirit of Detroit

Tips for Getting the Best Photos at The Whitney

The best way to get the most out of your photos here is to make a plan with your photographer. Really spell out what the day is going to look like in terms of where portraits will take place and don’t be afraid to get specific. I know, personally as a photographer, I am able to walk into a venue and find some of the best spots. Not everyone is like that. So trust your photographer in finding the best spots.

Looking for a photographer who knows how to work historic, intimate spaces? Browse the portfolio!

Blonde bride stands in a white, satin wedding dress with white veil looking out towards a window.

Planning Your Whitney Detroit Wedding: Practical Details

For the best answers to any of your questions about The Whitney and weddings there it’s best to contact their event coordinator. You can find a lot of the information about weddings on their website. You can find all information about different ceremony and reception spaces plus pricing for those spaces.

Vendors That Work Well at The Whitney

It’s so important to round out your team of wedding vendors to be cohesive. Florists who understand the historic aesthetic. Music and entertainment options for intimate rooms. For small intimate elopements, I am more than happy to help you research other vendors and even recommend vendors that I have worked with in the past and absolutely love!

FAQ – The Whitney Detroit Wedding Round-Up

  • Is The Whitney Detroit available for small weddings and elopements?
    • Yes! absolutely
  • How many guests can The Whitney accommodate?
    • 8-350
  • Can you have both ceremony and reception at The Whitney?
    • Yes, there are a variety of different spaces indoors and outdoors for both ceremony and reception
  • Does The Whitney Detroit require in-house catering?
    • Yes, they have an excellent culinary team
  • What is the cost of hosting a wedding at The Whitney?
  • Is The Whitney a good venue for outdoor ceremonies?
    • Yes, they have a beautiful garden space for outdoor ceremonies
  • What should I know about photography at The Whitney?
    • Make sure your photographer knows lighting (it’s darker in the venue especially with the dark wood) and composition to get the most out of your photography that’s not just snapshots.

If The Whitney is calling your name, let’s make a plan! Reach out and we can get started planning your elopement at The Whitney!

 

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