1. Real Weddings

An Elegant, Contemporary Wedding at The Rattlesnake Club in Detroit, Michigan

Kayliegh McEachern (27 and a clinical study coordinator) and Paul McEachern’s (31 and a project manager and estimator) wedding was all about timeless

Kayliegh McEachern (27 and a clinical study coordinator) and Paul McEachern’s (31 and a project manager and estimator) wedding was all about timeless elegance with a contemporary twist. Finding a venue on the water was key for Kayliegh and Paul, as was a prime location in downtown Detroit, Michigan, a city they both love. The Rattlesnake Club was the perfect fit, offering a picturesque patio overlooking the Detroit River and beautiful views of the city skyline and Canadian shore. The couple spent a year and a half planning the sophisticated soiree, but the day took an unexpected turn when rain put their original plans for an outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour on the back burner. “Time lines and minutes suddenly went through the window. But it didn’t bother us. We were so ready to marry each other,” Kayliegh says. “On May 30 nothing else mattered—the hot, rainy weather, the soaked wedding dress, messed-up makeup from the rain. Even the piano stopped working. When you marry your best friend, all you need is each other to show up and say ‘I do.’ ” The Rattlesnake Club quickly executed a plan B, organizing an indoor ceremony in record time in the venue’s impressive six-story Atrium, a breathtaking blend of marble, brick and glass. The club then flipped the space for the reception, while the couple and their guests enjoyed a decadent cocktail hour, dressing each table with white linens and modern arrangements of white tulips and baby’s breath displayed beautifully in sleek hurricane vases. The decor perfectly reflected the couple’s style, a blend of elegance and simplicity, but still fit the space’s contemporary aesthetic. After a sit-down dinner, Kayliegh, Paul and their guests hit the dance floor, where they danced the night away to the sounds of Elysium Entertainment, pausing only to visit the couple’s playful photo booth. A tip from Kayliegh: “Just have fun. Nothing will happen exactly like it's supposed to. Things will go wrong, things will go perfectly right, and the things that weren't planned will be your favorite memories. Don't lose sight of why you are there; as long as your partner shows up, nothing else matters. Enjoy every minute!”

Kayliegh’s elegant satin mermaid-style gown from Alessandra’s Bridal and Formal had a classic feel, which was only heightened by her simple tulle veil and sophisticated diamond stud earrings. But her bridal look wouldn't have been complete without a touch of glamour, so Kayliegh walked down the aisle in an eye-catching pair of shimmery gold, bow-embellished heels, which paired nicely with the subtle beaded and crystal embellishments dotting her gown's bodice.
Paul planned his proposal for Christmas Eve at the couple’s home before joining their families for holiday dinners. After opening gifts, Paul told Kayliegh there was one final present for her, but he was unable to find it. “When I got up to help him find it, he turned me around and there he was on one knee,” Kayliegh says. “After he said the most romantic things and asked if I would marry him, he pointed up to the top of the tree and there was my beautiful engagement ring.”
Traditional White Tulle Flower Girl Dress
Wedding Ceremony at the Rattlesnake Club
Wanting to make the most of their venue’s prime waterfront location, Kayliegh and Paul planned to host their ceremony and cocktail hour outdoors on the Rattlesnake Club’s Talon and East Patios overlooking the Detroit River. But rain pushed the elegant affair indoors, with the couple exchanging vows in the impressive six-story Atrium, a breathtaking blend of marble, brick and glass. “The Rattlesnake staff has it down to a science and they turned over the Atrium from ceremony to reception in such a short time,” Kayliegh says. “They were amazing.”
Alessandra's Bridal Satin Mermaid-Style Wedding Dress
Simple, Classic Wedding Veil
To go with the wedding’s elegant, contemporary style, Kayliegh and Paul opted for a black-tie-optional dress code. For a timeless, sophisticated look, the bridesmaids wore long, black gowns with thin straps from Renee Austin Weddings; the groomsmen wore traditional black Calvin Klein tuxedos.
Long, Thin-Strapped Bridesmaid Dresses
Cocktail hour and dinner were packed with mouthwatering eats that went over big with the couple’s families and friends. The Rattlesnake Club whipped up an inspired assortment of delectable dishes like mini Maryland-style crab cakes, seared Atlantic swordfish and pineapple skewers, sweet tangerine-and-chile-glazed chicken and crisp Parmesan and Gruyere beignets.
Kayliegh and Paul wanted an elegant, classic and understated look for their decor, and they looked to their individual styles to create a theme that was reflective of their personalities and aesthetics. The couple chose a simple black-and-white palette and created arrangements of tulips and baby’s breath in sleek hurricane vases to match the modern feel of the Rattlesnake Club’s Atrium.
When it came to cocktail hour, Kayliegh and Paul let their laid-back personalities shine through, opting for no-frills signature drinks, like a cosmopolitan and Bud Light, their go-to drinks. “Neither of us like anything with too much syrup or garnish,” Kayleigh says, “so we kept things simple.”
Whimsical Calligraphed Chair Signs
Kayliegh and Paul wanted a venue on the water in downtown Detroit, Michigan, a city they love. The Rattlesnake Club was the perfect fit, offering a picturesque patio overlooking the Detroit River and beautiful views of the city skyline and Canadian shore.
Wanting their guests to enjoy the evening, Kayliegh and Paul made sure that the different parts of the wedding—the ceremony, the cocktail hour and reception—happened back to back, minimizing any awkward time gaps that would leave guests wondering what to do. “We wanted it to be easy to be a guest at our wedding,” Kayliegh says. In addition to dinner and dancing, the couple also had a photo booth on hand for guests to enjoy when they needed to rest their dancing feet.