Tessa + Michael | Tradition-filled, Spring Wedding at Shepherd’s Hollow | Detroit, MI

April 17, 2025

Weddings

A single, thin ribbon hung between their hands. Wrapped around each other’s pinky finger, the red strand shown vibrantly amidst the dark backdrop of their venue. The ribbon represented so much more than the bond that Tessa and Michael had created over the past years; it harkened back to an ancient Chinese tradition which believed that this thread symbolized the fate that had bound their stories to each other since the moment they took their first breath. As their friends and family looked on, it was as if the stories of their lives had come to a meeting place; and now, their two stories would leave this day not separate, but as one.

Although slight traces of snow could still be seen in far off shadows, the grounds of Shepherd’s Hollow glowed with a sense of excitement that can only come from the fact that spring had finally arrived. The excitement of the season’s change still paled in comparison to the energy and fervor felt as Tessa and her bridesmaids descended the stone stairway and began to prepare for the wedding she had always dreamed of. Tiny splashes of red throughout the design of the day pointed back to Tessa’s Chinese culture, where the vibrant color symbolizes good luck, happiness, joy and celebration. These emotions and so many more could be felt throughout the day, but none more apparent than the first moment Michael was allowed to see his bride. With the full scene behind them, Tessa and Michael were finally able to say hello and share sweet words face to face before the main festivities began. After a few individual portraits, their time spent together and with their closest friends came to an end as the outer courtyard began to fill with the people who defined Tessa and Michael’s lives up to this point. Before saying “I do,” they both took part in the “red thread of fate,” a beautifully symbolic gesture that displayed their inner connection to the world. Eager to celebrate, the crowd was ushered inside the stunning “Station at Shepherd’s Hollow,” a striking structure that held wonders for all of the guests who entered. Good food and great times were had around the tables, and as the formalities concluded, celebration spread to the furthest reaches of the venue, all in celebration of Tessa and Michael finally coming together as husband and wife.

Tessa and Michael, although we already shared this with you before we left, we could not have been more thrilled that we were able to begin our 2025 season celebrating you. Your friends said it best during the speeches; you both are such a beautiful and powerful force in each other’s lives, and we can so clearly see how you both draw each other into the best versions of yourselves. Your celebration was honoring to the legacy of your parents, the legacy of your cultures, and ultimately, the legacy of your relationship up to this point. Looking forward, we already have high hopes for the journey you are embarking on, and we are so pleased to share just a few of the beautiful moments from your wedding.

All our best!

J + A

All photos are property of Josh and Andrea Photography LLC.