An Intimate and Classic Wedding at The Grosse Pointe War Memorial in Michigan

Anthony Hughes’s (27 and a business developer) wedding to William Hamilton (29 and a nonprofit fundraiser) was his 32nd to plan. He used to design weddings in Arkansas. For their own celebration at Grosse Pointe War Memorial overlooking Lake St. Clair, a nautical theme took shape. “Our style is kind of old-world travel,” Anthony says. “We have a boat and live close to the water, so the setting was absolutely perfect.” Anthony and William filled their wedding with gold, maritime blue and pops of maroon, and tapped friends to make the ceremony extra special—one officiated and another played piano. As for décor, “We wanted to keep the flowers more on the masculine side with a touch of feminine,” Anthony says of their arrangements that included roses, amaranthus and eryngium. William’s dad gifted the couple hand-carved, engraved knives, which they used to cut their semi-naked carrot cake. The newlyweds danced to the French version of “La Vie en Rose,” then invited couples to join them on the floor for the English rendition.