I am not sure that I have mentioned this on the blog yet, so I thought today would be the perfect time to do so. As most of you know, I am involved in a lot of really great projects and a couple awesome companies. What you may not know, is that I also created a networking group for wedding and event pros in Michigan. This is by far one of my favorite projects and I think all of you might like it, too. The group is called Michigan Wedding & Event Professionals, but we call it MWEP for short.

MWEP is great for professionals, but it is also a really great resource if you are planning your wedding. The website lists out all of our members in an easy to read format, complete with contact names, email addresses and websites. All of the businesses listed are pretty awesome and are really helping our local community flourish. If you are in need of some awesome vendors, please check it out. We are even working on the launch of our blog, Mitten Smitten, which will feature real Michigan weddings, local vendor spotlights, advice and tips for planning wedding here in the Mitten State.

If you are a local business, and want more information on becoming a member, please visit the website and read all about how you can join. We have many different chapters where we host mixers every two to three months. These mixers are normally free to attend and are way more than a stuffy networking event. They are actually a lot of fun and offer a very easy, pain-free, casual way to build relationships with people in your local wedding community. Currently, we host mixers in Southeast Michigan, West Michigan, Mid-Michigan, Lakeshore, and Kalamazoo. We are currently working on adding in a Traverse City/Northern Michigan chapter and a Saginaw/Tri-Cities chapter. I am loving how MWEP brings the unity throughout the whole state, rather than just in one small area. There are so many creative and outstanding people out there and we are working to bring you all together, in a casual and relaxed way.

While we already have a really great base of 200+ people associated with MWEP, we are hoping to get this list to grow and include every vendor, of every type, in every area of Michigan. To do that, we need your help. Become a member, attend our free events, participate in the forums, get your business listed on the website and really celebrate the people around you. Membership gets you all of these things for a VERY affordable, low cost. Michigan is an awesome place to live and work and it is time we celebrate that! I believe this group has worked some major magic over the past year and really want you to experience it. We are only as good as our members. :)

You can also find MWEP on Twitter. Below is a collage from some of our local mixers!

Happy Valentine’s Day to all the Bliss lovers out there. Thank you so much for being a part of our little community. I L-O-V-E each and every one of you!

xoxo, Amanda

Scroll down to see two Valentine Inspired posts from the past.

Pink is one of the most used colors around Valentine’s Day. It is also one of the most common wedding colors! Why not share my love for all things pretty and pink by posting a few of my favorite girly wedding inspiration photos from my travels around the web. I hope you love them as much as I do!

Meg Smith via Snippet & Ink via Simply & Forever Blog

JL Designs (The Romantic)

via Le Couple Toy blog

via Credit Crunch Bride

via Hostess With The Mostess

Why, yes, they do!

Anthropologie recently announced that they will be launching their new line of bridal gowns on, of course, February 14th! The new project is called BHLDN. What do you think of these gowns? I am personally a huge fan of Anthropologie, but have heard some mixed reviews on the new dresses.

Images via Glamour.com

Today’s Bliss Filled Feature is sure to warm you up on this snowy day (for most of the country, anyway!). The completely awesome Heather J. Photography sent these engagement shots of  Anne & Greg over and I couldn’t wait to share them with all of you. How appropriate is this shot for today?! Love. Love. Love.

One reason I am so excited to share this is because it shows all of you that you don’t need a fancy location, expensive clothes, or any of the frilly stuff to have an awesome shoot. I am a true believe that you should always be yourself in front of the camera. Less is always more! I mean, seriously, look at these two! They are so in love. The best accessory of them all.

Some Notes from Heather: We got together in late December for their engagement session in my hometown of Ruby. It was pretty cold that day, but luckily, they had furry hats and waterproof boots to keep them warm and dry.  Their whole session was a ton of fun, but if you ask me, I think they had a little too much fun throwing snow at one another at the end of the session.

These hats are my absolute favorite. Don’t they look cozy?

And I saved the BEST for last…. Snowball fight!!!

Thank you so much for sharing these Heather! Anne & Greg are sure to have a fantastic wedding. I can tell they are  a really great couple just by looking at these photos. Congrats, you two!

If you want more from this session, click HERE to head over to Heather’s blog.

It is that time of year again! Can you believe it?

We all look through photos on different websites and blogs, right? So, I thought it would be a great idea to recognize the talent of the many photographers who work so hard to create the inspiring masterpieces we drool over every day.

The Third Annual Bliss Photo of the Year Contest in on (!!!) and I couldn’t be more excited. Last year, we had almost 10,000 readers checking out the 400 submitted photos and over 5,000 votes to name the top photos of the year. Almost TRIPLE the attention that we had the year before. I was shocked by the turn out! This year will be a little more structured, thanks to the insane number of emails and submissions received last year. We had photos from all over the United States and a number of submissions from all around the world, including South Africa, Ireland and Canada, to name a few.

So, photographers, let’s do this! Read the rules below to learn how you could have THE BLISS PHOTO OF THE YEAR! We have three categories this year; Engagement, Michigan, and Global. All should be pretty self-explanatory, but please leave a comment on this post if you have any questions, or Tweet me on Twitter (@BlissAmanda) and I will be sure to get an answer to you. Please remember to follow these rules closely. If you don’t, your submission may be disqualified.

Please feel free to share this contest with photographers. The more submissions we have, the merrier! The official #hashtag for this contest is #blissphotocontest. Check back often for contest updates and the beautiful artwork from some amazing photographers! You can see past contest posts by clicking HERE.

Last year’s winners…

Bryan Rupp Photography – First place in Global Weddings

Flashes of Life Photography – First place in Michigan Weddings

Derek Cookson Photography – First place in Engagement

Rules:

• Photo must have been taken in 2010.
• Only professional photographers can submit a photo, or the couple featured in the professional photograph, with written permission from the photographer.
• May NOT be from an inspiration shoot.
• Only one photo per category per photographer may be submitted.
• Must be submitted by midnight on February 10, 2011
• Send all submissions to blissphotooftheyear@gmail.com
• Email must contain the following:
  • Please TITLE your email with the category you are submitting to (Engagement, Michigan, Global) and your company name. For example: Engagement: Bliss Weddings & Events
  • Company Name, Location and website
  • Photographer’s first and last name
  • Name of Couple, Wedding Date if applicable, Location of shoot
  • A brief explanation of the photo
  • Which category you are submitting for
  • Please send photo as an attachment, do NOT paste in email
• If any of these rules are not followed, your submission will not qualify.

Process:

• All submissions will be received by Midnight on February 10, 2011
• A panel of judges will rate each photo and the Top 10 in each category will be featured for public voting
• Each category will have a week of public voting and the Top 3 will be announced

*Dates subject to change without notice.

Our gorgeous contest logo was created by Meant To Be Creative. Please do us a favor and visit her website! You can also follow her on twitter @Meant2bcreative and @Meanttobesent on Twitter.

Some sweet finds to warm up the freezing cold weekend!

• Beer Garden, Birds, Bright colors and pretzels? Yes, please! Visit Snippet & Ink
• Get ready to tear up when you watch this super cute wedding film featured on Rock My Wedding. The song gets me EVERY dang TIME.
• La Belle Bride chats about how to create your very own vintage inspired wedding, which we all know is ALL the rage right now. Plus, I am kind of in love with the snuggle-in-bed-outdoors photos that are featured.
• Since you can’t beat a good deal, check out Offbeat Bride’s post about 15 totally AWESOME bridesmaids dresses under $60. Your ladies will thank you!
• Seriously awesome boutonnieres for the guys! For real. Please look at this and send me photos if you use them.
• Lastly, look at this adorable photo featured on {frolic!} by the amazing Kate Osborne.

Whenever this time of year rolls around, most of us start thinking about where we have been in the past 12 months, what has changed, what has stayed the same and where we hope the next year will take us. It is only fitting that I put together a little list of the ups and downs of 2010, followed by a list of goals and hopes for 2011. It is seriously going to take me all year to get used to typing 2011… I just got used to writing 2010 on everything! Who is with me?

I call 2010 the “Year of Roller Coasters” for so many different reasons. No, I didn’t head to any theme parks, but I did enjoy my fair share of ups and downs. Thankfully, there were way more ups than there were downs. I think we will focus on the positives only here, so we can leave the year on a happy note!

Photo by: Bates Photographic

2010 Loves:

• Lots of new babies for family and friends.
• Beautiful weddings, both professional and personal.
• Wonderful people. Countless wonderful people.
• Crazy circumstances that we can only look back and laugh about.
• Growth and change that inevitably comes with age and the feeling that life is only getting better as we grow.
• A few really great vacations, including the “Girls Trip” I took with my Mom and sisters.
• Making Things Happen 2010
• My very first speaking engagements and taking the role of teacher.
• Taking the role of President of the Michigan Chapter Board of Directors of Wish Upon a Wedding.
• Expanding the biz.

2011 Hopes:

• Continued growth.
• More celebration.
• Epicness. Yes, Epicness.
• Discovery and education.
• Babies. Lots of babies.
• Making mistakes and taking them as lessons.
• More time for myself with friends and family.
• Tons of dancing, either in my living room or out in public. I didn’t dance enough this year! :)

What are your hopes for 2011? Or your favorite moments from 2010? I would LOVE to hear them!

Not only does Michigan have wonderful venues, fantastic settings and lots of fun activities. It also has a wonderful population of small business owners, unique shops and unusual finds. I am a huge supporter of buying local, as many of you know, but this also extends to the way I conduct business.

Photo Source

Weddings are the sum of many, many parts and if you use local companies and individuals for each of those parts, you are creating a huge amount of revenue for the state and local region where you are holding your event. Below are a few of my favorite ways to support Michigan economy AND possibly keep some of that hard earned wedding budget in your wallet!

1. Do yourself a favor. Getting creative with a Michigan wedding is easier than one would think! If you have guests coming in from out of town, they would probably love a little slice of the Mitten State to take home with them. A few of my favorite ideas are some delicious ones! Check out local companies, like Too Hot Mamas and Valentine Vodka for unique favor ideas!
2. Lost & Found. The most simple way to make a discovery is to get lost. Take a drive around the town where you plan on hosting your event and you are bound to find some of the most unique stores! For instance, if you plan on getting married in Royal Oak, be sure to stop by Vintner’s Cellar, Dale & Thomas Popcorn, Write Impressions and Creative Arts Studio for brilliant ideas!
3. Homegrown discoveries. One of the most interesting reasons to get married in Michigan, is that this is a state where you can find almost anything you need in homegrown and local ways. We produce cherries, apples, wine, potato chips, soda (Pop, for all us Michiganders!) and so much more! We are also home to some of the most creative individuals in the world. Think photographers, videographers, event designers, and more!
4. Green comes in many colors. If you drive for 30 minutes in any direction, you are sure to come across a farmer’s market or two (or three, four, five)! This is especially helpful for those of you planning to DIY your own flowers or centerpieces, or even if you are looking for someone to do the flowers for you in a green way! Some of the most beautiful flowers come from right here in the area.
5. Make a difference. On top of the reasons listed above, one of the most important is the satisfaction you can get by donating to a charity in lieu of favors or gifts. Try out these local charities for inspiration: Camp Casey, Last Chance Rescue, Michigan’s Children.

Who doesn’t love options? Well, Michigan has so many that it will make your head spin! Whether you are looking to get married in a barn or tie the knot in a big city, you are sure to find the perfect location for your big day.

Photo Source: Aruna B Photography from the fabulous Bliss Weddings renewal of Anat & Nick at River Birch Lodge

If you are looking for something that screams Michigan wedding, check out the following locations. Keep in mind that these are just a few examples of the thousands of venues the Mitten State has to offer.

Source: Heather J. Photography Cobblestone Farm – Ann Arbor

1. River Birch Lodge, Hartland. When I think of Michigan, I picture places like this. Picture a beautiful lodge, the size of a small mansion, with natural wood and stone. This amazing location is charming, warm and inviting. All things that give a wedding that cozy feeling that Michigan is known for.
2. The Rattlesnake Club, Detroit. If you are looking for something a little more modern, consider this fabulous venue. With world renowned food, a river front view and fantastic customer service, the Rattlesnake is a winning locale.
3. The Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island. This place is straight out of a fairy tale! Not only is it located on one of the most amazing islands in the US, it also is one of Michigan’s most popular wedding destinations. It is the perfect mix of nautical, nature and high-end resort.
4. The B.O.B., Grand Rapids. This location is just plain fun in the heart of a great city. The BOB features exposed brick walls and lots of windows.
5. The English Inn, Eaton Rapids. The name says it all. Once you walk onto the property at The English Inn, you are taken to a completely different place. It has the feel of the English countryside and the amenities of a 5 star wedding venue. You can even host your ceremony in the beautiful gardens!
6. Don’t forget the amazing fields and farms, beautiful beaches, plenty of museums, vineyards, orchards and more! This list could go on for ages!

Photo Source: West Park Photo at Comerica Park in Detroit

Photo Source: Abby Rose Photography of Detroit Skyline

If you know your geography, you know that Michigan is a peninsula surrounded by The Great Lakes. But, did you know that Michigan has the longest freshwater shoreline in the world, is second to Alaska as the state with the most shoreline period, and has over 11,000 lakes and 36,000 miles of streams? That is a lot of water!

Us Michiganders love our lakes and spend as much time in the or on them as possible. A wedding by the water only seems a natural way to start our Married in Michigan series.

Photo Source: Dusty Brown Photography

We are pretty lucky, here in Michigan. Not only do we have all of that water, the beaches of the great lakes are some of the most beautiful in the world. White sand that stretches for miles, clean & fresh water, warm breezes, cute little beach towns… we have it all in the summer time! And, we don’t have to worry about hurricanes and shark attacks! Hosting a beach wedding is the perfect way to treat your guests to something special.

Photo Source: Inner Circle Photography

1. Go barefoot. Treat your guests to the calming feeling of having their toes in the sand, by setting up a shoe storage area and sand rinse near the beginning of the ceremony site!
2. Always have a Plan B. As much as we all dream of perfection on a wedding day, always have a back up plan for rain, heat, and unpredictable Michigan weather.
3. SPF & Shade. If you plan on getting married in the heat of the summer, a beach wedding brings the perfect cooling breeze. The downside is that there is usually direct sunlight and no one wants a sun burn! Provide your guests (and yourself!) with some sunscreen, parasols or some sort of shade where they will be sitting.
4. Hydration. As the summer sun heats up, people need to stay hydrated. Consider serving bottled water and refreshments while your guests wait for the ceremony to begin.
5. Dress lightly. A ball gown and sand just do not mix. If you are getting married in the sand, or near the water, select a dress that flows nicely, is light-weight and allows easy movement. Also, think about your shoes. Those super hot satin pumps won’t mix well with the beautiful Michigan sand. Make sure you let your guests know that they should plan on wearing something beach friendly as well.

Photo Source: Edward John Photography

Waterfront wedding can happen in bustling downtown areas, too!

Photo Source: Anne Ruthmann Photography

Over the next few days, I will be sharing my favorite things about The Mitten State and why YOU should get married here! Check back to see some beautiful inspiration, fantastic resources and some of the most amazing things that make so many people love Michigan!

Source: Chelsea Elizabeth Photography