I am seriously one of the luckiest girls in the world. I have a great job, which I love a lot. I get to work with awesome people, who are more friends than vendors. I get to help pretty events come together like a giant life size puzzle. And my clients are the absolute best. Shannon and James are definitely a fun couple and I knew from the very first moment, when I met Shannon and her mom, that I was going to love everything about the wedding. I was totally right.

Shannon and James are one of those amazing couples that you can just sit back and watch. The way they interact with each other and those around them, is nothing but pure compassion and I was really fortunate to be a part of their wedding day.

The day started off like most weddings that I work on. Generally very smooth, a few little hiccups that need to be worked out, and a level of excitement that surpasses anything anyone can imagine. This day had one tiny little difference… the threat of lots of rain. Which normally would be easy to roll with, but with an outdoor ceremony planned, we were all on high alert. Ready to move chairs indoors at the very last second if need be. I am a true believer of putting good out into the world and getting good back, and Shannon and James sure do put a LOT of good out there. Wouldn’t you know it, after raining for a couple hours on and off, just about an hour before the ceremony start time, the clouds parted, the sun came pouring in and the rain completely stopped. It was PERFECT! We couldn’t have asked for a better day. Honestly. Just look at that view!

Pine Knob Mansion is one of my favorite places for a wedding. I adore the outdoor ceremony area, the perfect patio for cocktails under the stars and the inside just can’t be beat. My very first wedding was held at Pine Knob Mansion, so I think it holds a very special place in my heart. My first wedding and Shannon and James’ wedding had another couple of awesome things in common with each other… I also got to work on both with Dionne of The Shooting Gallery and Mary Ann Ross, the DJ extraordinaire who is on my top 5 list of favorite vendors ever. Fun, right? I also got to work with Liz at The Parsonage for flowers and linens, The Home Bakery for delicious cake and Deux Adore, who provided the hair and makeup. Three more of my favorites!

During the rehearsal, the night before, James came up to me and asked me to call The Parsonage and add a sweet love note into Shannon’s bouquet as a surprise. It was beautiful!

The scratch off lotto tickets and luggage tags that doubled as escort cards really added a sweet touch. James’ Nintendo controller cufflinks were also pretty awesome!

I am a big fan of personal ceremonies and having their family friend officiate was like a breath of fresh air.

I know what you are thinking. Was the cake as tasty as it looked? Absolutely. In fact, as I sliced and packed up individual servings for the guests to take home and all of the leftovers I sent with Shannon’s family, it was hard not to eat a ton of it. I was basically bathing in frosting that night! But it smelled amazing.

These two shots are my favorite. I love the look of the first, but Dionne is the first to actually catch me without my “business” face. This moment, as I helped the flower girls down the aisle, was one of my favorites of the day. Especially since I had Mary Ann by my side to keep the smile coming.

I mean, Come On! Look at this place. How could you not love Pine Knob Mansion?!

Shannon & James, Thank you so much for allowing me to be there to celebrate with you and help everything come together. Working with you for the long time that we did was an absolute joy. I said it often here, but you really did make me feel like a very lucky girl. Congrats on your marriage! I hope life treats you well in the Lonestar State! xo

If you live in Michigan, it can be difficult to acknowledge what a beautiful state you live in. On the flip side of that, if you are from out of town and planning a wedding in Michigan, you obviously know the beauty that will surround you. Why else would you chose it as your locale?

One way to make sure that your guests see the same thing is to turn your wedding into a vacation for them! Most of the time, people who are visiting from out of town want to experience the area in the best way possible. No matter what time of year you are getting married, there are tons of fun activities that will give your guests the best Mitten experience possible.

1. Winter Activities. If you live in Michigan, you either love or hate the winter. It is sometimes hard to see the perks of bringing in guests at the coldest and snowiest time of year, but there are fun activities that come with the negative stigma. Why not schedule some ski time or book a couple hours for an open skate at an ice rink? Even the smallest of activities, like building a snowman, can make for a memorable trip, especially if they are from an area where the temperature doesn’t drop below 70 degrees.
2. Spring Activities. Spring is my favorite time of year. I might be a little biased, since my birthday is in May (mark your calendars!). Trips to local gardens to see the flowers in bloom, or spending some time taking a stroll through one of Michigan’s Main Street areas would be the perfect addition to a wedding weekend. The fresh air, the beautiful surroundings and wonderful temperatures will definitely bring a relaxed smile to the faces of your friends and family.
3. Summer Activities. Sailing, sand castle competitions, sun bathing… the epitomy of a summer in Michigan. Your guests will love seeing fireworks displays, heading to the zoo, or taking in the sunny weather while flying a kite.
4. Autumn Activities. Fall is one of the busiest times for tourists in Michigan. You can’t beat the fall color tours and wine tastings. Instead of hosting your rehearsal dinner in a restaurant, why not schedule a day in the winery with a wine pairings to multiple courses? Tip: Check out the Michigan Wines site for great ideas and locations.
5. All year round. Regardless of the time of year, Michigan has everything from Museums to Aquariums to satisfy the tourist craving. The best thing to do is check out the local Tourist Information Center or community website in the area of your event information.

Photo Source

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

I am beyond thrilled to be bringing you the first “Real” post of the wedding season and the fact that it is all about one of the most fantastic couples I have had the joy of working with makes it that much better.

Anat is definitely one of those genuinely kind people. She cares, and you know it from the moment you meet her. After working together for nearly a year, I was really looking forward to seeing all of the day’s details come together, but I was sad that I wouldn’t have an excuse to chat with her on a regular basis anymore. Anat & Nick had already been married, but wanted to have the opportunity to share the special occasion with family and friends. So after doing it on their own, they planned a relaxed and beautiful day that would revolve around the ideas of family and friendship.

The day started out like most others, but there was something a little different in the air. On a typical wedding day, there is at least a little anxiousness that greets me. Whether it is a mother looking for her earrings or a best man who got a stain on his shirt… There is always something. This time, friends were gathered downstairs playing a game of scrabble, the guys were kicked back having a drink and the girls were all cozy upstairs getting their hair done. No matter which room I went into, I was greeted with a smile and a completely calm “Hello”. It was unlike any event I have ever done, in the most wonderful sort of way.

The ceremony was the epitome of personality. Everything from having their dog, Sammy, as the ring bearer to having Nick’s brother, Glen, officiate the ceremony, was perfectly executed. Of course, having the event at a place like River Birch Lodge, really lends to the relaxed feel they were looking for. Sammy even let out a little bark at the perfect moment, causing a chuckle to go around the crowd of guests. Anat & Nick’s family and friends are some of the nicest around!

I loved the reception almost as much as the ceremony. Just like the rest of the day, there was no rush to get through the time line. We left a lot of room in the timing for guests to mingle, give a toast, grab a bite to eat and just enjoy the time they spent together. With so many guests from around the world, it was important to Anat & Nick that they all had a chance to really kick back. Everyone pitched in during the hora, the music was perfectly chosen, and the food from A Movable Feast was delicious. Lisa, from Pot & Box, did a wonderful job creating the perfect flowers.

Looking back at the photos, by the amazing Aruna B Photography, I can’t help but smile. No detail was left out of the planning and the love that these two share just blows me away. I feel completely honored to have been involved in such a kind and sweet day.

Planning & Coordination: Amanda Freeman, Bliss Weddings & Events

Today marks our very first “Fun Finds Friday”! In these posts, I will share a couple of my favorite finds for the week.
This week, I would LOVE to feature an online marketplace by brides, for brides. It is called Bravo Bride and is basically a giant classifieds listing. You can find everything from designer dresses to candle holders, all being sold by brides just like you! Buy or sell gently used or brand news items. I haven’t personally used it yet, but it looks like a great site and definitely worth sharing.

Another great classifieds style website is PreownedWeddingDresses.com. A fabulous selection, very easy to navigate and it looks like there are some really great gowns! This is perfect if you are looking for a designer gown without the designer price tag.

Our final find of the day is Brideshare! Developed by the amazing BrokeAss Bride, Dana LaRue. Bride$hare is another fabulous classifieds site committed to helping couples plan a green, eco-friendly wedding while saving tons of cash. This is by far my favorite of all of the sites we have discussed today! Do yourself a favor and check this out. Your wallet and Mother Earth will thank you! (Brideshare is also our “Must See” this week!)

One of my favorite things about running a blog is the opportunity to share some of the most innovative and inspiring tools that I come across with all of you, our loyal readers! Today, I was reminded of one of my favorites and realized that I had never really pointed any of you in this awesome direction. If you have some time and would like to open up your mind to a world of wedding details, vendor reviews, color choices and more, visit Project Wedding. Project Wedding is a  community of brides and grooms from every corner of the US. All are there to share ideas, recommend products and just genuinely help each other out.

As most of you know, I am an avid blog stalker. Since not everyone has the ability to spend hours each day catching up on all the wedding related blogs around the web, I wanted to share a few of my favorite recent posts. Click on the links within each description to view the full post. Enjoy!

Liene Stevens, The Blue Orchid Blog, shared a very insightful post about one of the many hidden wedding planning costs. The Plus/Plus rate.

The fabulous Always A Blogsmaid blog created a delightful post about entertaining the little ones on your wedding day.

Visit Earth Friendly Weddings to read a post about a great post featuring beautiful frame-worthy ketubahs.

For some completely awesome cake displays, visit Wish Special Events blog.

Want to win a fun prize? Check out Hostess With The Mostess to win a $100 Gift Card to Gallery 19!

And last, but definitely not least, feast your eyes on this gorgeous Inspiration Board from Snippet & Ink. I am in love with these colors!

Courtesy of Snippet & ink

The world of calligraphy has always been in demand from brides around the world. Over the last few years, the industry has boomed due to new artistic styles and creativity. Take a look at these gorgeous examples. I may have a new obsession…

Crystal Kluge Via Benign Objects Blog

Crystal Kluge

Katherine Murray

Laura Hooper

Pen & Ink

Also, check out these fabulous links for inspiration!

Penned & Pretty

Laura Hooper

Swoon Over It

I must admit, the thought of using balloons in a wedding used to really made me sick to my stomach. Lucky for us, the days of cheesy balloon decor are long gone. Welcome to one of the most fun and playful trends I have seen all year! These toys have been making an appearance in engagement shoots, wedding photos and lots and lots of decor. What brings back childhood memories better than balloons??

Photo of my Hubs & Me; Taken by the fab Nicole Ladonne Photography

Flush Designs

Photo by Jill Thomas Via Green Wedding Shoes Blog

100 Layer cake

Team Thomson Photography

While catching up on my Google Reader, I came across a fab wedding shoot by one of my favorite West Michigan photographers, K. Holly Photography. Kristen has such a talented eye and her blog is super adorable. April & Jason were married just a few weeks ago on a very rainy April day. In my opinion, rainy days always make for amazing photos and these definitely prove that! Plus, we all know how much I love the color green and their cake was amazing! Congrats April & Jason! (Scroll down to see a link to more photos, vendor info and a few extra notes from April.)

See more here!

Wedding Dress: Exclusive by Allure; Becker’s Bridal; Fowler, MI
BM Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids; Becker’s Bridal; Fowler, MI
Tuxes: MW Tux
Flower Girl: Target; www.target.com (ribbons added by her grandma)
Hair and Make-up: Lyn Phillips Salon; Grand Haven, MI; Jen
Flowers: Sarah Boetsma; Picket Fence Floral; Holland, MI
Wedding Invitations: Now & Forever; www.now-and-forever.com
Ceremony: Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church; Grand Haven, MI
Reception: The Harbourfront Grand Hall; Grand Haven, MI
Photographer: Kristen Carlson; K. Holly Photography; www.khollystudios.com; Grand Rapids, MI
DJ/Live Entertainment: Greg Martin; Entertainment on the Move; www.entertainmentonthemove.com
Cake/Desserts: Chef Luis Amado, CEPC; www.luisamado.net; Muskegon, MI
Napkins: The American Wedding; www.theamericanwedding.com
Cake Topper: Exclusively Weddings; www.exclusivelyweddings.com
Memory Candle: Now & Forever; www.now-and-forever.com
Party Bus: Elite Service Inc; eliteservicegr.com; Marne, MI
Bar: K2; The Gilmore Collection; Grand Haven, MI
Guest Book: Picaboo.com with engagement photos taken by Kristen Carlson, K. Holly Photography

Notes from April: Other than the invitations, I did all the design and printing of the programs, menus, table numbers, etc. The Centerpieces were made from scrapbook paper and white 3 x 9 inch candles. The floral centerpieces used the flowers tied on the church pews. We made the card box out of a paper mache box from Hobby Lobby. The Champagne glasses and cake servers are lenox but Jason’s mom added the wire and beads based on a picure I liked from a magazine.