REAL WEDDING: CHRISTINE & JOEL

Traverse City, MI

Christine & Joel could not have asked for a more beautiful forecast on their big day. Early September turned out to be perfect for this extravagant northern Michigan wedding. From elegant touches of gold to champagne for the guests upon their entrance to the Cathedral Barn, the day was not one to be missed. And to top it off, throw in a helicopter takeoff post-ceremony for this lovely couple. With the help of some amazing local vendors, Christine & Joel turned their wedding dreams into an unforgettable reality. 

Photographer: Cory Weber Photography / Wedding Coordinator:  Sincerely, Ginger Weddings / Videography: 312FILM Videography / Reception Venue: Cathedral Barn / Beauty: Memorable Occasions / Stationers: Holly Thomas Design & Silverfox Calligraphy / Entertainment: Festival Strings & Cage & Aquarium / Florist: BLOOM / Caterer: The Cook's House / Bar & Beverages: With A Twist / Rentals & Decor: Monstrey MacDonald, 307 Events, Event Source, & La Tavola Linen / Transportation: Celtic Transportation & TC Helicopters

WHAT IS NORTHERN MICHIGAN STYLE?

By Shelby Ferguson

Photos by Bethany Small Photography

Planning a wedding in northern Michigan is truly unique. While I’m not necessarily what you might call a world traveler, I don’t really think there’s another place quite like it. The crystal waters of Lake Michigan, the rows of pristine grape vines, the hills and the valleys, the waves crashing on the white sandy shores, the dune grass, the autumn array of colors, the charming waterside towns and summer’s unceasing display of watercolor sunsets are just a few of my favorite reasons to love this region.

So it really comes as no surprise that so many couples opt to marry here. It’s magical and nostalgic with endless possibilities from the rustic to the refined. One of the most common things I hear as I sit down with a couple planning their Northern Michigan nuptials is how they want to capture the Northern Michigan style and share the essence of what makes it so special with their guests. Which leads me to the question, what is Northern Michigan style?

It’s nautical.

With so much of the state being surrounded by water, it’s really no wonder that water has such a great impact on our way of life. From tug boats, to yachts to the sails boats with their masts proudly raised high – there’s a magical power to the water and it captivates the audience of both locals and visitors alike. The cool color palettes, the gauzy look of an old fish net and the reflection of a sparkling summer sun across the mirror like water surface all provide the perfect source of style inspiration.

It’s simple.

If you’re from any part of Michigan, there’s a pretty good possibility that you either had a place or knew someone who had a place “up north”. It was the summer getaway and your weekend escape. Work and fussy details don’t follow you here and there once was even a time that cell service was practically obsolete and wi-fi barely existed. While progress has slowly crept into Michigan’s northern regions, it’s still a place where life can slow down. Emails don’t have to be answered in an instant and front porch sitting is a favorite pastime. For this reason, life just seasons a little simpler and styles, venues and décor choices seem to reflect this. I find most couples telling me they want a wedding reflecting the Michigan vibe are seeking this laid back atmosphere to their day.

It’s agriculturally rich.

Fresh produce stands. Rows of wildflowers. Wine, cider and other indulgent beverages are a plenty. There are so many growers and cultivators of the earth. And of course the fisheries too. During the summer, one can practically live on the land. As you’re planning a wedding, this is such an easy way to pay tribute to the area, feeding your guests cherries and asparagus, serving beer brewed with local hops and carrying a big bouquet of homegrown flowers.

I jokingly once told my husband that Leelanau is what you get when you mix a high class yacht club with a bunch of hippie farmers. While it was said in jest, I think there is some truth within that which you can spread across the area. There’s an organic, earthy vibe that fills the air brought by generations of farmers who know the land. It’s a mix of humble farmland, rolling hills and carpets of ferns. All who visit seem to truly appreciate the harvest. There’s a sophistication and love of the water. There’s much rustic and cottage inspired design. Pulling all of these details together in a way that represents what you love about being up north is what makes each wedding truly unique. I think this is Northern Michigan style.

Shelby is lead wedding planner, artistic director and floral heart behind The Day's Design. She delights in celebrating romantic, natural and fancy free occasions throughout Northern & West Michigan.  When she's away from her design work, you'll find her at home with her hubby and two beautiful baby girls, daydreaming along the shores of Lake Michigan, strolling through local antique stores, picking wildflowers or blogging more about wedding and life adventures at The Day's Dream blog.

Find about more about Shelby on her website, blog, Instagram, or Facebook!

10 Guest Book Ideas

by Celia Mulder

The Compass Points Here

Last summer my family celebrated my grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary. In preparation we went through my grandma's cedar trunk and found some original treasures from their 1955 wedding - her bouquet, garter, traveling dress, and her guest book. It was the same guest book they used at their 25th anniversary party and we loved looking over the signatures, talking about who was there and where they are now. 

Guest books have changed since 1955. Now pretty much anything can work as a guest book, the most creative the better! Here are ten ideas from real Northern Michigan weddings: 

1. Message in a bottle - guests wrote advice and well wishes to the couple on scrolls of paper and then put them in a decorative bottle that the bride and groom could display in their house. 

2. A hand painted wooden sign - this beautiful piece was both a part of the wedding and something the couple would incorporate into their home decor for years to come. 

3. A handmade puzzle in the shape of Michigan - guests signed the puzzle pieces which the couple then glued together and created a beautiful piece of art!

4. A photo book with the couple's engagement shoot - that way guests could see the engagement photos and sign in the blank spaces around the pictures. 

5. A long scroll with a hand drawn pine tree on it - the guests signed their names on the branches and the couple framed it after the wedding.

The Weber Photographers

6. The couple got a blank Jenga set and the guests signed the pieces - that way the newlyweds would remember their day every time they played their favorite game!

7. Guests pasted their photo booth shots into a large empty scrapbook and wrote messages and well wishes as captions. 

8. One couple hung their escort cards on twine between two ladders. As the guests took their seating assignment, a family friend took a polaroid of the guest and replaced the card with the picture. That way the couple had photos of all their guests to take home with them that night!

9. A large drawing of a tree where guests used different color stamp pads to make the leaves. They added an imprint of their thumb along the branches and signed next to their mark.

10. A wine cork shadow box - guests wrote their names on wine corks that the couple had collected and then dropped the corks into a large, handmade shadow box. 

Signature Cocktails

by Celia Mulder

A signature cocktail is a great way to personalize your wedding. It can be simple or complex, a classic or one with an inside joke attached. You can have cute chalkboard signs at the bar so guests know to order one or even have the caterers greet guests at cocktail hour with a tray of pre-made beverages. 

The Compass Points Here

When creating your signature cocktails think about what you like to drink and how you can add a personal twist to it - a fun name, a garnish, or a local flavor. Then check with your caterer to make sure you know which ingredients they’ll have and which you need to provide. Also check that your bartenders know how to mix the drink. Find a fun way to tell your guests about your signature beverage and you have a party!

Dan Stewart Photography

 Gibson Schaefer Photography

Some of the signature drinks we’ve seen are: 

Mojitos for the couple who connected over their college mojito nights. 

Moscow mules with personalized copper mugs that the guests keep as favors. Copper mugs are also available as a rental at numerous online and local locations. 

Classic cocktails jazzed up with local fruits such as blueberries, blackberries, or the famous Traverse City cherries.

A whiskey & cigar bar with some of the couples’ favorites of each.

Favorite wines from one of Northern Michigan’s many fantastic vineyards.  

 A handmade beer station with the couples’ favorite brews that was self serve and covered in beautiful green hops.

How to Add Northern Michigan Style to Your Wedding

by Taylor Lopiccolo of Stems & Sprigs

If you have the opportunity to celebrate your wedding day in Northern Michigan you are incredibly blessed. From the amazing venues nestled in a forest to the ones overlooking beautiful Lake Michigan, or the yard in front of the cottage your family has on Walloon Lake. If you’ve visited once or lived here your whole life you’ve practiced and enjoyed the laid back, friendly, just-go-with-the flow kind of living. And because you love it so much, you'd like to incorporate it even further into your special day - we get it! But not sure how you can? Here’s a few ideas for you:

Make it a local weekend of fun! Encourage your guests to get out and explore why you love northern Michigan and chose to invite them to the area. Provide a list of your favorite hiking trails, favorite coffee and ice cream shops, and small businesses you think they would enjoy.

Incorporate natural elements like Petoskey stones, driftwood, a map of the Great Lakes, or some great northern Michigan colors (we’re thinking beautiful Leland Blue). It’s all in the details!

Share some local love. Consider having your favorite northern Michigan baker provide a beautiful dessert. Book the local band that played at the restaurant in Traverse City that you enjoyed listening to! Ask your floral designer to incorporate local flowers into your bouquet! Serve some Michigan beer and wine! If you share your personal love for northern Michigan with your vendor and they’ll truly help you convey it throughout your special day.

Provide fun gifts like flip flops and sunglasses for your guests to utilize during the celebration. This will entice them to walk along the beach or get out in the sun. And then have a stack of blankets for them to cuddle up under as the bonfire crackles. Northern Michigan is all about being comfortable in the outdoors throughout the day.

Lastly, and truthfully, the best way to bring northern Michigan into your wedding day is to relax, enjoy the celebration no matter the weather, take in the sights and cherish your family and friends. Even if you incorporated all the things we discussed above, northern Michigan won’t be a part of your day unless you believe it is. The possibilities are endless when it comes to bringing northern Michigan style into your wedding day. But northern Michigan means different things to us all, so just think about what makes you love this place and how you can share it with the people you love.

Photography by Kalin Sheick.

Taylor is a member of the Stems and Sprigs team. She loves designing, planning, and helping it all come together! Born and raised in Cheboygan Michigan, Taylor currently attends Central Michigan University Chippewa - Fire Up Chips! Her other loves include Northern Michigan food, wine, and sunsets.

Make Your Wedding Your Own

by Celia Mulder

Some of our favorite parts of the wedding are the personal details. The things that define the bride and groom as a couple, their relationship, their families, and the new family they're forming together. These are the things that make your wedding unique and meaningful. They don't have to be big things and you don't have to have many of them. In fact, a few well placed personal details are all you need to make your wedding your own. 

The Compass Point Here

Here are some of the best personal details we've seen. This list is by no means exhaustive and we'll certainly think of more as soon as it's posted, but here's few ideas to get you started!

- The bride and groom who loved the movie Up so the groom surprised his bride by wearing a grape soda cap pinned to his suit jacket.

- The groom who shared his love of fly fishing through the fish print ties he and his groomsmen wore.

- The pie topper from Lauren and Nick's wedding (see last Tuesday's Real Wedding post for more).

- The couple who incorporated the groom's Nicaraguan heritage with maracas and fans that the guests danced with and then took home as favors.

- The bride's family who sang their family anthem during the reception.

- Lots of cake toppers that aren't the traditional bride and groom but that share something special about the couple - a hobby, favorite quote, or inside joke for example. 

- The Leland locals who use the famous tugboat in their decor. 

- For many of couples getting married in Northern Michigan, the location its self is a personal detail. It's where they grew up or vacationed as a child and they can't wait to share it with their closest friends and family. 

There are endless possibilities of how to add meaningful and personal touches to your day. It could be a family heirloom or a favorite type of flower, a vintage get away car or childhood photos. Get creative!

Dan Stewart Photography

Vendor Spotlights, A Retrospective

by Celia Mulder

As we gear up for the vendor guide launch in two days, I thought I'd give you a sneak peek in the form of a vendor spotlight retrospective. Here are all the vendors I've featured on the blog since I took over as editorial director last October. Click on the photos to read more about these incredible vendors, just some of the ones who will be a part of the Simply Blue Vendor Guide!

Sweet Themes

The Compass Points Here

BLOOM Floral Design

Holly Thomas Design

Holly Thomas

Lux Light Photography

Corbin Gurkin

the day's design

Lux Light Photography

Epicure Catering & Cherry Basket Farm

Bradley James Photography

The Weber Photographers

The Weber Photographers

The Weber Photographers

kirkbride hall

Simply Sweet by Jessica

Dan Stewart Photography

onsite bridal

Abbey Moore Photography

dan and melissa photography

Dan and Melissa Photography

sincerely, Ginger

Rylee Hitchner

tableau Events

The Weber Photographers

brittany & devin Photo Co.

Brittany & Devin Photo Co.

Stems & sprigs

The Weber Photographers

K. noelle artistry

Almond Leaf Studios

dan Stewart Photography

Dan Stewart Photography

carrie house photography

Carrie House Photography

Sable & Gray

J. Layne Photography

How to Design A Michigan-Made Welcome Basket

by Shelby Ferguson

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." My mother taught me this golden rule of life at a young age. I think this rule is so relevant when it comes to hospitality and how one should treat their wedding guests. How do I want to be treated? I want to be pampered with gifts. And what better way to start the wedding weekend then with a little unexpected surprise waiting in each guest’s hotel room. 

Since we’re talking about hotels, I’m going to take a leap here and assume that your guests aren’t local. There are so many amazing Michigan made products to help further introduce them to the region. So here are some welcome bag (or basket) must haves and a few of my favorites in each of these categories.

A Welcome Note

A personalized card thanking each guest for journeying to celebrate with you is one of the most thoughtful gestures you can make.  Of course I’m all about hand written letters, but even a well thought out, typed greeting will do the trick – as long as it’s from the heart.

Additional ideas: use a notecard that matches your wedding stationary to keep the whole wedding weekend really cohesive, plus it’ll be extra pretty!

Weber Photography, Design & Styling by Genevieve Charlton

Information 

Brochures, schedule of events, directions, and area attractions.  Sure, your guest most likely traveled with a smart phone and can look things up for themselves, but that doesn’t mean they remembered the wedding invitation, have memorized your shuttle schedule or will have working phone service – parts of Northern Michigan are pretty rural and a bit disconnected. The additional info will be a welcomed reminder.

Another fun idea is to include a list of your local favorites – restaurants, favorite beaches, and any hidden gems that might have some special meaning to you. You’re their tour guide for the weekend!

Additional ideas:

• LP (Leelanau Peninsula) Wine Trails has links on their website to a full map or brochures are also available at the Traverse City Visitor Center.
• While you’re at the visitor center, see what other fun brochures and activities your guests might want to participate in during their weekend free time – hiking trails, scenic tours, kayaking adventures, etc.
• Include a contact number for your wedding planner or someone else in charge, just in case guests have wedding related questions or other needs while visiting – you don’t want them texting the bride on her wedding day!

Drinks 

Hotel mini bars are expensive and who wants to pay $7 for a bottle of water? Offering your guests something to quench their thirst after a long day of travel is merely common curtesy and will be greatly appreciated

Some favorite Michigan made drinks:

• Faygo soda
• Verners
• Michigan craft beers including North Peak Brewing, Jolly Pumpkin, Shorts Brewing and Hop Lot, just to name a few.
• Ciders (either hard or traditional apple), I personally love Tandem Ciders.
• Wines, there are simply too many to mention since Northern Michigan’s peninsulas are the perfect climates for growing grapes!
• Sparkling wine – the perfect way the toast the weekend! Check out Chateau Chantel’s “Celebrate” Rose or L. Mawby has a great variety and many are named after various cities in Michigan, which can add an extra layer of fun to the gift.

Something to Nibble On

When I think of Michigan made goodies, food immediately comes to mind. Maybe it's just me, but most people won’t turn down a tasty treat, whether to eat now or take them home with them to enjoy later.

Some yummy treats:

• Basket of local produce – strawberries, cherries, raspberries, peaches, or apples, depending on the season, fresh fruit is abundant.
• Cherry made delights – think jams, salsa, preserves, chocolate covered. Leelanau Fruit Company or American Spoon are great starting points, although each town seems to have its own little hidden Michigan treat treasure trove.
• Honey – Michigan is a great source for raw and natural honey.
• Salt water taffy – check out Dam Candy Store.
• Mackinaw Island Fudge
• Smoked fish or jerky. Go to Carlson’s, your guests will thank you.

Courtesy Items 

Think aspirin (they might have a rough night) or a bottle of Verners for those queasy early mornings. Suntan lotion, aloe vera, umbrellas, or other weather essentials. Nice handmade soaps or chapstick and other often forgotten luxuries from home are also great ideas. A nice pashmina or beach towel could also be great souvenir that might also come in handy during their stay.

two twisted trees

Choose a cute basket or gift bag to store all your goodies, tie it with a bow or include details that match with your overall color scheme or theme for the weekend. The key to a good basket is mixing practical with fun items that pretty much any guests would appreciate.  Most hotels will place the welcome bags in the rooms for you, or at least have them waiting for the guests at check in. However, if your hotel is unable to accommodate this request, you might also greet anyone attending the rehearsal with these treats – they’ll be happy to do the transporting back to their rooms for you.

Please note the all products mentioned in this article are at the author's discretion and not the result of paid advertisement.

Shelby is lead wedding planner, artistic director and floral heart behind The Day's Design. She delights in celebrating romantic, natural and fancy free occasions throughout Northern & West Michigan.  When she's away from her design work, you'll find her at home with her hubby and two beautiful baby girls, daydreaming along the shores of Lake Michigan, strolling through local antique stores, picking wildflowers or blogging more about wedding and life adventures at The Day's Dream blog.

Find about more about Shelby on her website, blog, Instagram, or Facebook!