A Classic, Elegant Wedding at the Colony Club in Detroit, Michigan

Mike Wilczynski (25 and a corporate recruiter) and Erin Dezio Wilczynski (25 and a multi-media designer) met while in high school when Mike was on the baseball team and Erin was on the softball team. The two teams road together to games and one day Mike struck up a conversation with Erin through the fence at one of their games. Like many high schoolers in 2004, their first date was to see Mean Girls in 2004. Erin believes Mike was sent to her early in life to be by her side in her weakest moments. Mike was with Erin while her father battled an illness. Her father even called Mike, "Saint Michael." Erin's father lost his battle in spring 2010. "Mike’s love and commitment to me mimicked my fathers and I knew I was lucky to have two exceptional men a part of my life for so many years," Erin said. In March 2012, Erin planned a surprise birthday party for Mike with all of their family and friends. Unbeknownst to Erin, Mike planned a surprise proposal for the following night with all of the same family and friends. While out to dinner the next night, the waitress brought over a plate chocolate covered strawberries and champagne. On the plate was a ring box. As waiters gathered around, Mike got down on one knee and proposed. Adding to the surprise, all of the guests from the surprise party the night before were waiting in a nearby lounge to celebrate. Growing up in the suburbs of Detroit, MI., Mike and Erin knew they wanted to pay homage to their city roots with their wedding. The chose to have their ceremony at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament on the famous Woodward Ave. in Detroit. They decided to have their reception at the Colony Club. "The ballroom was on the third floor of the venue and had tall ceiling, pillars, ornate detailing and gold tones that made you feel like royalty," Erin said. Erin knew exactly what she was looking for when she was deciding on a dress, "I was looking for a gown that encompassed three words: bridal, glamour and elegance. She found her perfect dress on the floor at a bridal event. The strapless, ball gown style dress set the style for the entire wedding. "I themed our wedding “chic elegance”, inspired by my gown, the reception venue, the colors ivory, gold, and black and the pattern chevron," Erin said. The reception was decorated with white floral centerpieces with roses and hydrangeas and gold chevron table runners. A lighting vendor created a demask-like pattern on the ceiling of the room and with added candlelight, the reception had a golden ambiance. In lieu of a father-daughter dance, Mike and Erin danced to "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles. "My dad taught me about the Beatles and the song symbolized to me the next chapter of my life and that it was okay to smile again," Erin said. Mike and Erin's elegant affair turned out to be the wedding they had always dreamed of.