Moody Summer Vibes: WeddingDay’s Exclusive Detroit Cover Shoot

Photos ByReese Oliver Photography

Written By

Date

October 13, 2026

The Vision

Perched above the city with sweeping views of the downtown skyline, our spring/summer Detroit cover shoot challenged the idea that summer weddings must revolve around bright, pastel palettes. Designed by Haley of Haley Makay Events, the editorial embraced a rich color story of burgundy, purples, dusty mauve and rose mauve, proving that deeper hues can feel just as fitting for a summer celebration. Haley was inspired by a desire to give couples a fresh perspective to warm-weather nuptials, fittingly dubbing the concept, "I hate pink but I'm having a summer wedding". "Lately I've been noticing if brides don't like summer colors, they feel they cannot get married in the summer, and I wanted to change that!" she shares. Bringing the vision to life came with its own creative challenge, particularly when it came to sourcing seasonal blooms in darker tones. "We wanted to find a way to do dark colors in florals because what grows in the summer is bright," Haley explains. By weaving in shades of purple to bridge the feeling of both summer and winter, the result was a sophisticated rooftop editorial that reimagined seasonal wedding style in an unexpected and inspiring way!

The Venue

With its panoramic views of downtown Detroit, Madison Loft + Rooftop provided the perfect backdrop for our bold editorial. "A rooftop wedding—how could you not?" asks Haley, whose vision came to life entirely within the venue's iconic rooftop space. This picturesque 6,750-square-foot rooftop offers a one-of-a-kind setting overlooking Comerica Park and Detroit's entertainment district. "The view is something you cannot get away from," Haley raves. Captured beautifully by Reese Oliver Photography, our ceremony unfolded on the northeast side of the rooftop while the reception took place on the northwest, allowing each scene to showcase a different perspective of the skyline. We also incorporated the stylish bar area into the editorial, further highlighting the versatility of this unforgettable event space!

The Florals

Lush, garden-inspired florals by Mother of Pearl softened the rooftop setting while reinforcing the editorial's rich color palette. "We tried to bring in more natural florals—even a garlic stem. We wanted to utilize what grows in Michigan to help save cost," Haley shares. That thoughtful approach resulted in organic arrangements in varying shades of purple and burgundy, accented by abundant greenery with plenty of texture and movement!

The Décor

Every décor element was thoughtfully curated to reinforce the editorial's rich, moody palette while embracing some of today's most sought-after wedding trends. The ceremony featured flowing drapery from Luxe Event Linen, arranged in a unique installation by Haley's team that felt fresh and modern while putting a unique spin on the ever-popular draped ceremony backdrop. For the reception, sleek Emma chairs from Detroit Chiavari—with their black frames and textured rattan backs—introduced a contemporary, organic touch to the rooftop setting. The tablescape echoed the shoot's burgundy, purple, dusty mauve and rose mauve palette through luxurious linens, layered purple glassware, lush florals and coordinated paper details, while clear, gold-rimmed chargers from Elegant Events added just the right amount of understated elegance. Together, the carefully layered textures and colors created a sophisticated design that proved dark, dramatic details can feel perfectly at home in a warm-weather celebration!

The Looks

Two gowns from CBTK Bridal perfectly captured the moodiness of the shoot, beginning with a dramatic long-sleeve lace gown with an off-the-shoulder neckline, allover floral appliqués and a striking leg slit. The second look shifted to a playful, fashion-forward mini dress with a strapless silhouette, delicate 3D floral accents and a flowing sash that added movement and an editorial flair to the reception scenes. "Once you decide dark and bold it must come through in every way. This bride is supposed to represent a bride that is a little more moody," Haley explains, regarding the hair and makeup styling. Ashley Burns Artistries embraced that vision with an intricate updo featuring layered, twisted details and a few soft cascading curls, while Danielle Paquin Beauty completed the look with a bold burgundy lip, dramatic eye and editorial-inspired blush. The groom balanced the bride's statement style in a sleek all-black suit, black dress shirt and burgundy tie, creating a polished look that perfectly complemented the editorial's sophisticated aesthetic!

The Cake

The cake from Homestead Kitchen embraced the editorial’s moody aesthetic with a design that felt both dramatic and effortlessly refined. "Dark fruit is in but moody vibes are in, too. We made the best of both!" Haley shares. That philosophy came to life through an oversized, round one-tier cake topped completely with rich blackberries, cherries and plums. Ornate piped icing details along the sides added an elegant, vintage-inspired touch, creating a beautiful contrast between the simplicity of the structure and the richness of the styling.

The Stationery & Signage

The stationery and signage from Shaytionery Designs continued the shoot’s moody summer aesthetic with a collection of pieces that balanced rich colors with playful seasonal details. The invitation suite featured a deep burgundy envelope with floral-patterned liners, complemented by crisp white pieces accented with elegant gold lettering. Oval place cards displayed against a fruit-patterned backdrop and finished with delicate white tassels added a unique touch to the tablescape, while burgundy menus tied the stationery into the reception design. A bold burgundy welcome sign created a memorable first impression, but the standout detail was the pair of playful folding paper fans, complete with the couple’s monogram, which not only added personality to the design but also created a fun, functional element for rooftop portraits and warm-weather celebrations!