1. Real Weddings

Taryn & Michael: A Formal Wedding in Detroit, MI

Once the details fell into place, high-school sweethearts Taryn and Michael (their first date was Michael’s senior prom) were able to pull off the wed

Once the details fell into place, high-school sweethearts Taryn and Michael (their first date was Michael’s senior prom) were able to pull off the wedding of their dreams while still maintaining two busy careers. The Bride Taryn Stoller The Groom Michael Cannarsa The Date August 21 Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, even for the most detail-oriented bride. But sometimes all you need is one detail to fall into place, and the rest of the wedding takes shape around it. For Taryn, 26, and in pharmaceutical sales, and Michael Cannarsa, 28, and in manufacturing, the wedding site (the Max M. Fisher Music Center—the home of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall) set the stage, literally, for their bold, fun-filled fete.

Playing with the bouquets, Taryn chose three different types for the bridesmaids: two in shades of green, two in lavenders and purples, and two in deep oranges. The maid of honor carried a combination of all three. Flora Design Studio, Clawson
The band brought everyone to their feet after the newlyweds took their first dance to “When You Say Nothing at All.” After guests grooved to a variety of tunes, the atrium was reopened to reveal a loungelike area with leather couches, low glass tables, and large palm leaves. Mel Ball and Colours, Farmington Hills
Taryn and Mike married beneath huppah made out of vines and adorned with sprays of yellow mini orchids. Both a priest and a rabbi officiated, and the couple exchanged personally written vows surrounded by the glow of “what seemed like thousands of candles in every size and shape,” says Taryn.
Dinner was served at large rectangular tables topped with custom-made lime-green and paprika-color linens. In the center of each table, three tall glass vases filled with yellow mini orchid sprays were surrounded by smaller vases of blooms and glowing votive candles. The ceiling was hung with linen lanterns, which created a sense of intimacy in the soaring space. Flora Design Studio, Clawson
Her veil, a cathedral-length sparkler with Swarovski crystals, was handmade by her mother and grandmother.
Guests indulged in the blueberry compote–filled wedding cake, which was covered in meringue icing and toasted coconut. Epoch Events Catering
Taryn made her way toward the stage, resplendent in an ivory strapless alençon-lace gown by Monique Lhuillier. A champagne satin sash highlighted the waistline and was accented in the front with an antique diamond brooch.
Mike and Taryn kicked off their cocktail hour in the soaring, four-story atrium of The Max, with its grand stairway and cozy high-top tables covered in paprika-color linens. A piano player entertained while guests sipped “Taryntinis”—a pink libation with a white orchid floating on top—and sampled hors d’oeuvres like lamb lollipops and tuna tartare.