About Us

La Donna Wedding Officiating & Ceremony Coordinating Services was established in 1986 (originally known as La Donna Wedding Expressions), when it opened as a unique wedding accessory shop in Warren…one of the first in Macomb County, located in southeastern Michigan.  La Donna's, nestled between a bridal gown salon and a florist, specialized in wedding invitations and accessories and offered a one-stop shopping experience with many other wedding-related services available such as bridal consulting, entertainment, photography, videography, transportation, etc.

Owner/operator, Donna Schonhoff, prior to opening the shop, had obtained experience in floral design and specialized in silk bridal bouquets.  It was during this time that she started offering wedding invitations to her clients and is now a specialist in this area.  In 1987 Ms. Schonhoff joined the Association of Bridal Consultants, the only international trade organization for wedding professionals, and became Michigan’s first State Coordinator of the organization.  She held that position for 13 years before stepping down to devote more time to her business.  During that time she greatly enhanced her knowledge of and experience in the wedding industry and related services.

After closing the shop in Warren in 1990, Ms. Schonhoff expanded her operations in bridal consulting and coordinating.  Her offices were moved to the Shelby Township, Michigan area and then in December of 1996, she established and opened the doors of Loving Hearts Wedding Chapel in Shelby Township, which she owned and operated for the next three years. 

Ms. Schonhoff’s experience also includes teaching bridal consulting classes through several Macomb County school systems.  East Detroit Schools approached her in 1998, to create a career course on bridal consulting that could be taught through their Continuing Education Program.  She created the course and then taught it for approximately 4 semesters before moving the class to the Utica Community Schools and Chippewa Valley Schools districts, where the class continues to be offered.

On February 13, 1998, Ms. Schonhoff was ordained as a non-denominational minister by the Universal Life Church.  The original purpose was to enable her to serve as a backup for ministers scheduled for weddings at the chapel.  After the closing of the chapel, she continued to book Ministers and Officiants for offsite weddings.  Meeting brides and grooms-to-be along with creating and officiating their wedding ceremonies, has now become the most rewarding part of the wedding for her.  “Being part of this special moment and day in their lives is extremely rewarding and truly an honor.”

As time went on, it became apparent that more and more couples were looking for an alternative to the traditional church ceremony.  Being of different religions, not having an affiliation with a specific church or desiring a more civil, personal type of ceremony are some of the reasons couples are seeking non-traditional church settings and ceremonies.  At La Donna Wedding Officiating & Ceremony Coordinating Services, as it is now known, traditional non-denominational religious ceremonies as well as customized civil and spiritual ceremonies are offered that include the input and personal touches of the couple being married.  

La Donna’s has a staff of Ministers and Officiants that specializes in customized ceremonies at the location of your choice.  If you have not made a decision of where your ceremony will take place La Donna’s also gives assistance in helping you find the perfect setting for your wedding ceremony.

La Donna Wedding Officiating & Ceremony Coordinating Services offers you their experience and personal service…“Helping you create the memory of a lifetime.”