Juneteenth is upon us and it’s important to take time to celebrate equality and freedom–a time to come together as a country and celebrate how far we’ve come and talk about how far we have yet to go. An incredible team of Detroit creatives united to bring us this Motown-inspired shoot that is all about Black love and community (they even involved community leaders and public officials!). The love is absolutely palpable; the strength and joyful bright colors pop right off the screen.
These photos by My Touch Weddings beautifully showcase this vibrant city. Denise Lillie O’Neal, B Posh Events, The Direct Her, and The Collective worked tirelessly to create an amazing team and organize every detail of this wedding inspiration. These beautiful florals by BK Floral and Event went on to serve an even greater purpose in the community after the shoot! Iris Films was there to film and commemorate this moment at the historic Motown Museum. All the images are in the full gallery, so be sure to click through and read on to hear more from Denise Lillie O’Neal about this stellar team and their vision for this shoot.
THE MUSIC THAT SHAPED THE FUTURE
“We are celebrating ‘Black Love’ in this styled shoot, while also highlighting the rich history of Motown and rising stars from Detroit that continue to exude Black creativity and excellence”, says O’Neal. Named for the origin of the American Car Industry, Motor City, Detroit is also the birthplace of Motown Records. Established in 1959, it is the first prominent black-owned music record label in America. Motown shaped popular music worldwide with such legendary acts as Diana Ross and the Supremes, The Temptations, Michael Jackson, and The Jackson 5. Today, the Motown Museum welcomes Motown fans from around the world to see and experience the space where history was made.
SHARING THE LOVE
The intention of this shoot is not only to showcase wedding inspiration but also to represent an authentic sense of community in celebration of Black Love. The wedding party and guest models are made up of local elected officials, business owners, and non-profit community leaders with ties to Metro Detroit. The bride and groom are a real couple who intend to get married later this year. At the conclusion of the photoshoot, all were invited to help organize the flowers to be used as donations to Living Arts Detroit and Golden Connection Senior Services. Living Arts Detroit is an organization that ignites creativity in the lives of Detroit youth through performing, visual, and media arts. The donation of the flowers will be shared with their talented Teaching Artists and graduating Seniors. Golden Connection Senior Services provides customized fun experiences with older adults utilizing their knowledge, skills, and abilities. Their motivating activities replace loneliness and boredom with joy and purpose.
THE BRAINS BEHIND THE BEAUTY
Founder of Fusion Nclusion, O’Neal is a world-renowned wedding planner and designer who specializes in South Asian and Fusion weddings. She was named one of the “Best Wedding Planners in America” by Brides Magazine. Additionally, her work has been featured in Grace Ormonde, Perfete, The Knot, and PopSugar for her Wakanda Wedding Styled Shoot. On February 4, 2020, she founded Fusion Nclusion a collective of wedding professionals that specializes in luxury, cultural weddings, which strives to inspire, educate, and celebrate each other while promoting diversity within the wedding industry.
Collective Member and Motor City Planner, Lorri Lewis is a wedding day Logistical Expert. Known as “The DirectHer” in the metro Detroit area, she’s been a featured contributor in several publications: The Jewish News, Detroit Wedding Day Magazine, Munaluchi Bride, and the Michigan Chronicle. She hosts a weekly wedding planning podcast, “Before the Big Day” and just published her first book, The 7 Must Do’s Before I Do: Making Wedding Planning Memorable and Easy.
Brandi Peart is the owner and lead planner of B Posh Events that specializes in producing elevated weddings and events. She has been awarded The WeddingWire Couple’s Choice Award 5 years in a row. She has also been featured in Munaluchi Bride. Her company is one of the most sought out wedding planning establishments in Metro Detroit and has been featured on WDIV Channel 4.
