Amanda + John: a Trinity Lutheran/Sycamore Hills Wedding

It's hard to believe another wedding season has come to an end (wow - where does the time go....?).  Looking back, we're amazed and thankful for all the weddings we've had the pleasure of filming and the fabulous couples we've met along the way.  And, it seems, every year, we've been fortunate enough to wrap up on a high note.  This year was no different.  I knew Amanda + John's wedding was going to be special from the first time I spoke to Amanda.  Her excitement about the day, her wedding film, and having us be the ones to capture it was, well, just infectious!  At the time, I really wished her wedding had been sooner in the year but, as it turned out, it was a great way to top it off.

Amanda + John were married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Clinton Twp and held their reception at Sycamore Hills Golf Club in Macomb.  We first met up with Amanda as she put the finishing touches on her hair/make up at Bianchi's Salon in Clinton Twp.  Next up, preps for her and John, and then it was off to the church where Amanda's uncle officiated a very sweet ceremony.  One of the highlights of the day was traveling to the Edsel + Eleanor Ford Estate in Grosse Pointe Shores for our creative session.  It was such a beautiful location!  Being on the lake (and being November), it was a bit chilly.  But, the bridal party were troopers and we, along with photographer Jamie Fodale, captured some great footage.  The celebration continued at Sycamore Hills as Ron Miller from Elite Entertainment kept the place rockin'.

Thanks Amanda + John for having us a part of your day!


"Hesitate" by Stars Go Dim.  Licensed from The Music Bed.com

Vendor Team:
cinema: lee thomas films
stills: jamie fodale (great working with you!)
MC/DJ: ron miller/elite entertainment
location: sycamore hills golf club
creative session location: edsel + eleanor ford house
salon: bianchi's salon
cake: mannino's bakery
florist: conner park florist
dress: alfred angelo / house of brides couture, chicago, il
shoes: benjamin adams

Lee Thomas Films is a boutique video studio specializing in cinema-style wedding films.  Based in Metro Detroit, available for travel throughout Michigan, and beyond.

Brittany + Mike: a Devil's Ridge Golf Club Wedding

Brittany + Mike were married in late fall at Devil's Ridge Golf Club in northern Oakland County.  This wedding was particularly extra special for us... you see, that beautiful bride in the photo below is our niece!  And, it's not everyday we have the pleasure of filming a family members' wedding.  In fact, this was our first and to say we were super excited would be an understatement!  It was so neat to film a wedding where we knew so many family and friends in attendance.  It was a beautiful day all around and we couldn't be happier for Brittany + Mike.  Congrats you two!!


"Brighter Than The Sun" by Colbie Caillat.  Licensed from Songfreedom.com

cinema: lee thomas films
stills: ryan southen photography
planner: stephanie craft
location: devil's ridge golf club
florist: a new leaf flower studio
cake: sweet and savory bake shop
dress: vera wang / macys bridal salon at somerset
shoes: vera wang

Lee Thomas Films is a boutique video studio specializing in cinema-style wedding films.  Based in Metro Detroit, we're available for travel throughout Michigan, and beyond.

Maggie + Sean: a Colony Club/Downtown Detroit Wedding

Downtown Detroit was the backdrop for Maggie + Sean's beautiful fall wedding.  From their preps at the Book Cadillac, to their ceremony at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, onto their photo/cinema session on the banks of the Detroit River, wrapping things up with their fabulous reception at the beautiful Colony Club, this was indeed a "Made in Detroit"-type wedding.  Only thing is, Maggie + Sean live in Chicago!  But, luckily for us, they decided to hold their wedding here :)  They also brought in their favorite band from Chicago - Maggie Speaks - to rock the house at their reception.  And rock it, they did!  I don't think many of their guests were anywhere but the dance floor that evening.

It was also great to have the chance to work with event planner Misty Trompeter and photographer Kara Purtell again.  They are both great at what they do and it's always a pleasure to hang out with them.  And, of course, the Colony Club is one of my fave venues, without a doubt!

Congrats Maggie + Sean!!  Many thanks for having us a part of your day!


"Best Days" by Aaron and Andrew. Licensed from The Music Bed.

cinema: lee thomas films
stills: kara purtell
event planner: misty trompeter/bells and bliss events
church: ss. peter and paul catholic church
reception: the colony club
band: maggie speaks
preps location: book cadillac

Lee Thomas Films is a boutique video studio specializing in cinema style wedding films.  Based in Metro, we're available for travel throughout Michigan, and beyond.

Lauren + Jason: their Inn at Bay Harbor Wedding

So, I'm sitting here thinking "what can I write up about Lauren + Jason's wedding...?" Maybe how beautiful the bride is?  Or, how handsome the groom?  Or, maybe how wonderful their families are?  Well, all that's true.  But, there was just something special about this wedding that I can't quite put my finger on.  Maybe it was the amazing view during Lauren + Jason's wedding ceremony - wow!  Or, it could have been the cool, fresh "up north" air of Petoskey, Michigan - I don't know.  Whatever it was, it was special.  And, for those that were there that weekend, they know what I'm talking about.

What I do know, is it was definitely a pleasure hanging out with Lauren, Jason, their families and friends capturing their most special day.  The Inn at Bay Harbor is a great venue for a wedding and we're already looking forward to going back.  Thanks so much to event manager Samantha Migiel: you did an amazing job!.  We had a blast working with Kerri and Breegan from Kerri Banyas Photography (I'm sure they captured some amazing images, so check them out!), The Groove Party had the outside dance floor shakin', Monarch Floral had the place looking elegant, and Bella e Dolce created one beautiful wedding cake.  Miriam Jerris (from the Wedding Connection) performed the wedding ceremony and made it a very personal and touching ceremony, as only she can - bravo!


"Good Life" by One Republic. Licensed from Songfreedom.com

cinema: lee thomas films
still: kerri banyas photography
celebrant: miriam jerris
floral: william santos/monarch floral
cake: bella e dolce
band: the groove party
venue: the inn at bay harbor
dress: vera wang/maria'a bridal couture/west bloomfield, mi
shoes: jimmy choo

Lee Thomas Films is a boutique video studio specializing in cinema-style wedding films.  Based in Metro Detroit, we're available for travel throughout Michigan, the Midwest, and beyond.

Melissa + Josh: a Bay Pointe Golf Club wedding

Melissa + Josh were married at the very beautiful Bay Pointe Golf Club in West Bloomfield overlooking Middle Straits Lake. If you've never been there, trust me, it's a very scenic location for a wedding ceremony (just take a look at their trailer!).  We first met up with Melissa + Josh at their hotel in Novi to capture their preparations before heading over to Bay Pointe for a traditional Tea Ceremony prior to their wedding ceremony.  Then it was time to celebrate!  RJ Spangler Jazz Band keep the guests toes tapping during dinner and Ron Miller from Elite Entertainment had the place a-rockin' well into the evening!  Melissa's good friend Rebecca Arnold handled the day of coordinating and did a knockout job, as did Candice Lamarand from Dave Lamarand Photography.  Melissa + Josh are an extremely nice couple and it was a real pleasure spending this amazing day with them!  Enjoy their wedding trailer!


"The First Time" by Michael Castro. Licensed from the Music Bed.com

cinema: lee thomas films
stills: candice lamarand
MC/dj: ron miller from elite entertainment
location: Bay Pointe Golf Club
dress: monique lhuillier
shoes: christian louboutin

Lee Thomas Films is a boutique video studio specializing in contemporary wedding films.  Based in Metro Detroit, we're available for travel, both in Michigan and beyond.

Rachel + Andrew: Rockin' the Fillmore!

We've all heard the expression "party like a rock star".  Well... in this case, we're not kidding!  Rachel + Andrew literally partied like rock stars during their rockin' wedding reception at the Fillmore in downtown Detroit.  I mean, seriously, how many couples can say their Grand Entrance took place on a stage where so many rock stars and musicians of all types have performed - and, to a White Stripes song, no less!  Check out their entrance in the trailer - it was soooo cool!  I have seen many a-concert at the Fillmore but this was my first time filming a wedding reception there.  I was blown away - the place looked amazing!  A lot of it due to the expertise of Carolyn Hefner and her team at the China Closet.  Kudos to Carolyn, as well as Jennifer and Patrick at the Fillmore!  The rock 'n' roll theme continued in the lobby where guests arrived and signed well wishes on vinyl records from the likes of Iggy and the Stooges to Kid Rock.

It was also fun working with Ray Anthony.  Ray is a great photographer - and all around great guy - and it's always a pleasure to work with him.  DJ/MC Wayne Kinney and the band Cancel Monday had the house rockin' like it should be rockin' - well into the late night/early morning hours!  Be sure to check out the vendor list below (it was literally a who's who of Detroit talent) and enjoy Rachel + Andrew's wedding trailer... love is all you need, indeed!



cinema:  lee thomas films
stills:  ray anthony photography
planner:  carolyn hefner/the china closet
florist:  bellisario florist
decor:  chair covers and linens
cake: buttercream bakeshop
cookie favors:  designer cookies by the crate
hair/makeup:  luigi bruni salon
photo booth:  shutterbooth
church:  old st. mary's
reception:  the fillmore detroit
DJ/MC:  Wayne Kinney/rockoutentertainment
Band:  Cancel Monday

Lee Thomas Films is a boutique video studio specializing in cinema style wedding films.  Based in Metro Detroit, available for travel.

Ashurina + Marc: the wedding trailer!

Ashurina + Marc's wedding was one that I had been looking forward to all year.  They were so excited about their wedding - and their wedding film - that there was no way I could NOT be into it!  Ashurina + Marc's wedding day was perfect - of yeah, except for extreme humidity, wow! - and we were able to capture some truly magical moments throughout their day.  From the preps to the ceremony to the creative session in downtown Birmingham to the rockin' reception at Petruzellos in Troy: a great day all around!  Small foot note: Lisa and I held our wedding reception at Petruzellos a "few" years back and it was actually the first time we had both been there together since we were married - it brought back lots of memories!

Ashurina + Marc's vendor team was top notch: Kathy Byrum from Dream Wedding + Event Planners handled the planning + coordination , Kristen Taylor did an amazing job as usual (check out the images on her blog), The Lighting Guy had the room looking fantastic,  Jimez from Cloud 9 had the guests tearing up the dance floor, Petit Fleur and Corrina Hahn created the flower arrangements, and their cake was a Militello's Bakery creation.

Here's the trailer for their upcoming wedding film - enjoy!


"Everything's Right" by Matt Wertz. Licensed from Songfreedom.com


Here's a few images from Kristen... check out her blog for more goodness!

Lee Thomas Films is a boutique video studio specializing in cinema-style wedding films. Based in Metro Detroit, available for travel throughout Michigan and beyond.