The Treasury in Pontiac, Michigan: Ashley and Matt’s Classical Elegance Wedding
On October 2nd, 2021, I had the honor of photographing Ashley and Matt’s wedding held at The Treasury and this venue is hands-down a new fave. Oakland County is known for its endless picturesque golf courses, private country clubs and historic estates, an event planner’s dream region for selecting a venue. While thinking through all of the dreamy options, one area most people don’t give much thought to is Pontiac. Until now, that is! This eight-story gem was built in 1921 as the Community National Bank, just three years after the City of Pontiac had been settled. So many original details remain in the building including the epic safety deposit boxes, marble-top tables and floors and more. One of the most incredible features lies directly above you, a 35’ coffered gold-leaf ceiling that is too good to be true. The venue was brought back to life and restored as an event space on the main floor and mezzanine with private residences above in 2018. The space is full of elegant character that made for amazing photographs and the staff was incredible to work with as well- highly recommend!
I arrived around noon to find Ashley getting primped and prepped with hair and makeup alongside her three bridesmaids and mum in what once was the President’s office, overlooking the entire venue on the mezzanine. The wood paneling is timeless and the massive windows flood the space with beautiful light making for a very dreamy getting-ready space for the bride and her girls. Ashley had purchased a dress from Infinity Bridal in Bay City, Michigan and selected bridesmaids dresses that fit seamlessly with the venue’s timelessness. The ladies’ hair and makeup were on point and perfect thanks to the stylings of Amanda (hair) and Mary (makeup) of Salon Bliss. Even better than the visual beauty in the President’s office was the laughter and smiles beaming from Ashley’s bridesmaids, who kept her calm and collected while they soaked up the joy of the day. I have photographed a number of weddings recently including intimate bridal parties of only a few attendants on either side, if any at all, and I have to admit that I am loving it! Don’t get me wrong, big groups are fun to photograph but the close-knit relationship that is usually held between two to three bridesmaids and bride often bring a calmer, more sentimental feel to the moments with a bride-tribe and I am all for it. Chelsie, Courtney and Hailey were beautiful girls attending a radiating bride. Their shared love for Ashely was evident at every moment throughout the day.
Matt arrived to the venue to get dressed with his groomsmen on the main level before we headed outside for their portraits. The down-town scenes surrounding the Treasury provides scenic city-scapes and we were lucky enough to make use of them thanks to fantastic weather for early October in Michigan. Another stellar photo-op at The Treasury is the bank’s original vault on the lower level which contains hundreds of golden safety deposit boxes and the original cork floor. The gents and I may or may not have traded a few jokes about Matt looking like the mafia boss and Cameron, Alex and Tim his dapper henchmen… In all seriousness, it is definitely an intriguing locale with endless portrait options for the creative mind.
The short and sweet ceremony took place on the mezzanine that overlooks the first floor and gives a beautiful view of the surrounding city skyline out the expansive Palladian windows. If you are in search of a breathtaking backdrop for your wedding ceremony, The Treasury should be high on your list of options to consider.
Throughout the day, Ashley and Matt’s demeanor demonstrated they are both rather reserved, professional people. This was most noted prior to the ceremony when they were separated. Following their “I Do’s”, we began their portraits outside of the venue, in the vault and on the mezzanine and while they were clearly happy to be newlyweds, they kept quite calm and collected for the most part. But every once in a while, something would strike them both as incredibly funny and each would get this massive grin on their faces, Matt’s eyes squinting shut and Ashely laughing out loud. These were definitely the most genuine emotions the whole day and made for some of my favorite photos. Watching them laugh together made me smile too and I could see who they were as a couple: just perfect for one another, a young couple starting out, head-over-heels in love with a grand new life adventure together lying before them. These images may not be the ones they frame for their walls but they are the types of images I am always drawn towards when they are of my own family- shots that remind me of what I loved most about a person or a moment because what was captured was authentic and unique to their personality. Check out one of those moments below.
Ashley and Matt’s reception kicked off with their grand entrance down the staircase from the mezzanine to a crowd that was ready to party. Toasts were given by Ashley’s mum, Matt’s Dad and some very entertaining speeches by their bridal party. Bridesmaid Courtney proved to be a top-notch hype girl, not just by flooding the dance floor with her non-stop energy but by going so far as to bring the “money gun” out making it rain time and time again over the crowd as they got their groove on. I suggested to Ashley that Courtney could hire herself out as a professional bridesmaid to pump up wedding crowds to which she promptly agreed. Pro DJ Services kept the dance floor packed and lively, a testament to every great wedding. The dinner was catered by From Scratch Catering and was hands down one of the most delicious dinners I have ever had, no joke. I had a true appreciation for the simplistic elegance of Ashley and Matt’s wedding cake which was flanked by cupcakes on either side, all from Holiday Market. Desserts can be extravagantly beautiful but this design perfectly kept with the classic beauty of the event space and looked to be well enjoyed by all!
Ashley and Matt’s loveliness as a couple was a solid fit for the beauty of The Treasury.
I am honored to have photographed the beginning of your life together as husband and wife, may these images always remind you of the joy you have found in one another from day one. Wishing you two a lifetime of health, prosperity, love and friendship as you begin this new chapter. -Pamela xoxox
