A Tropical Detroit Style Shoot

Kayla Dunn of Pineapple Union, a wedding and event design company based in Detroit, Michigan, was inspired by her own life when creating a tropical shoot within the urban city. She says, “It was a culmination of everything I love. I started my wedding planning career in Hawaii, where I lived during and after my college years. That’s how I got the name Pineapple Union Weddings & Events. I wanted to bring my adoration for the islands into a project that would also reflect the hard, industrial nature of Detroit.”
 

Curating this tropical dream was just one part of the overall goal for Kayla. She also wanted to show her clients and any potential couples planning their weddings - that anything is possible with any budget. She adds, “I want to present something realistic to my clients, something tangible for the couples who are down to earth and have a budget. I want to show people that they can have something gorgeous that is still cost effective, without giving up the more important things.” And she did just that. From the florals to the stationery - this shoot is a testament to how beauty is possible even through the smallest of details and low budgets. This dream was brought to life through the lens of Stefanie Russo Photography, whose skills with light, frames and placement are seen throughout this entire shoot.

"We chose the location of the Detroit DNR Outdoor Adventure Center because of its raw brick and stark, white setting,” says Kayla. “Its location right along the Detroit River makes it a dream venue and gives you the feeling that Detroit is not the dead space it’s made out to be.” To pair with this organic, edgy space, GLDN Florals + Events brought in pops of unique greenery and bold florals to curate that exotic feel.
 

Adding to the overall theme, the stationery and desserts were a much-needed detail. Kayla says, “The stationery by Lyndsay of Cordial Punch Press showed her fun-loving personality in the finished products with the happy colors and block letters.” The fun design brought in life to the shoot. As for the desserts, Kayla says, “After stalking Finely Frosted on Instagram for months, I finally asked Diane to join our shoot.” Bringing in sugar cookies and a small buttercream was the perfect idea for the shoot. They were daring, sweet and creative all at the same time.

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