Getting Organized for Your Wedding in Metro Detroit

More and more people are realizing that having a wedding in Michigan can make for a fantastic option. There are so many gorgeous venues and a memorable wedding to fit each and every budget. Having a destination wedding or going for a big city atmosphere can really cost you. If you have roots in Metro Detroit, if you have interest in the area, or if you are looking to plan an excellent wedding without going into debt, then this can make for the perfect setting. There are venues and options to fit every personality, every interest, and every budget. The biggest problem that you may have is selecting which of the many options out there will work best. So focus in on what it takes to get organized for your perfect wedding in the metro Detroit area.

Focus in On What You Really Want

When you start to look at the list of all the venues in metro Detroit it can seem a bit overwhelming. You must ask yourself what you really want out of your wedding to begin with. Do you want to have a big wedding? Are you looking to hold your ceremony and reception at the same place? Are you hoping to offer part of the reception or ceremony outdoors? Is there a specific location that you have in mind? Thinking through these questions can help you to get focused and to select what type of venue is right for you. If for example you decide that you absolutely want to have a portion of your day outdoors that means that you will have to plan at a certain time of year and focus on venues that offer a section outside.
If there are specific locations that you have in mind, then start there. Say that you are interested in the Troy area as a starting point. You will have plenty of venues such as San Marino Club, the Troy Marriott, or Petruzello’s available to you. You can also venture out to adjacent areas such as Birmingham for The Reserve or Sterling Heights for Penna’s as close and perhaps more fitting options. If geographical location is your most important factor then do your research and see what is available to you, but open your search a bit to surrounding areas. You might find something more affordable or you might find something more fitting to your personality and needs as a couple.

Create a Plan

Once you narrow in on your most important factors in your search and start to create a list of places to visit, start thinking about vendors. The venue that you select will likely have a list of preferred vendors or you can do your own search. There are some wonderful ones out there who specialize in getting in and around metro Detroit and planning a wedding to your specifications. There are wonderful spots for photos from Comerica Park to the University of Michigan campus to the many gorgeous parks throughout metro Detroit. There are great ways to capture the feeling of a big city and yet encompass the beauty that the change of seasons bring this area of the world. Whether you are planning a small and simple wedding or a large and regal wedding, there is something to fit your every need.

Once you select your perfect spot then start to focus on the vendors that will bring your visions into reality. Go for some creativity such as a trolley as your mode of transportation or gorgeous flowers in a perfect outdoor setting. Metro Detroit is far more affordable than many big cities and there are so many wonderful options. You can find the perfect spot to hold your wedding, pull in all the beauty of this region, focus in on the most important factors in your wedding planning, and inevitably plan the day of your dreams!

Planning a Gorgeous and Memorable Wedding in Mackinac Island

One of the best parts about living in the state of Michigan is that it offers so many beautiful settings for a wedding. There are so many gorgeous areas of the state that work well for a wedding and offer the perfect backdrop for photos and amazing memories. One of the most popular spots for a Michigan wedding is of course Mackinac Island. This is the type of destination that people will travel from all over to visit and therefore it works well for a wedding. The beauty of the destination itself is amazing and then you add in the beautiful lake water and there’s nothing like it. The fact that it is one of the only places left with such a quaint feel to it with the forbiddance of cars makes it something really unique. So if you are planning a wedding on Mackinac Island, there are a few things to remember and keep in mind.

Location, Location, Location

Sure most brides and grooms set out with the vision of having their wedding at the Grand Hotel. This is one of the oldest and mostgorgeous hotels around. It is full of ornate details and an elegance that is unrivaled. It is in fact the perfect setting for a wedding, but it can also cost you a lot to hold your reception there. If you have the budget or if this is really important to you, then this is the perfect place to pick for your Mackinac Island wedding. You will have all of the special touches and surely plan the wedding to remember.

If however your budget doesn’t support this you can go one of two routes. You can plan for a less popular time of year such as early spring or late fall and the prices may go down a bit. You can also search out some of the equally beautiful spots for a wedding. There are plenty of hotels and venues that work well but won’t cost you as much. One option is the Harbour View Inn. This is a quaint little bed and breakfast that happens to specialize in weddings. This can offer a more affordable option and still give you all the beauty and splendor that a more expensive option can offer.

Planning for the Logistics

Though there is a quaint feeling to Mackinac Island since there are no cars allowed, this can be a bit of a challenge in terms of logistics for your wedding. First and foremost think through your vendor selection. You may find that the venue you pick has some options that work on the island exclusively or extensively. If you have a particular vendor in mind from elsewhere then ask them about their experience on Mackinac Island or how they could work with the logistical challenge of not having a car to get in and around with all of their equipment.

You also want to be sure that your guests are prepared for the use of horse drawn carriage, bicycles, or good old walking. This works well if they take a ferry over and stay on the island itself. It can however be a bit of a challenge if they decide to stay on the mainland and then come over the day of all dressed up. Offering a horse drawn carriage for all of your guests can be a nice little touch and take some of the sting out of the logistics the day of.

Thinking through all of these details ahead of time can prevent any issues from developing down the road. Mackinac Island is an unbelievably beautiful wedding destination. This is like having your own little island paradise close to home. With a bit of planning and some creativity you can turn this into your dream wedding and make it an affair to remember!

Getting a Photo Booth for Some Fun Memories at Your Wedding

There are so many special touches that a couple can implement into their wedding day. This is the best time to make it a personal affair and really customize it to be an extension of your personalities. This is the most important day of your life and the biggest party that you will ever throw. Therefore you really want to put some thought into what sort of special things you can introduce to make your day memorable.

Sure you want the color scheme and the set up to match your tastes. You may also wish to put in some fun elements that your guests can enjoy. One very popular idea that many bridal couples are going with is the photo booth. This is a great way to keep guests entertained and to make for some lasting memories. Fortunately there are some great ways to integrate a photo booth at your wedding in Michigan.

Set Up is Key

Chances are that when guests see a photo booth at the wedding they will all want a turn. This is such a fun way for guests to enjoy some laughs and get some adorable pictures to remember your special day by. Therefore the setup of the photo booth is quite important. You want it in a spot where guests can enjoy it while they have some time on their hands. If you are offering a cocktail hour and appetizers before the reception officially begins, this can be a great spot for the photo booth. As guests have a bit of time to kill they can venture over to the photo booth and get their pictures taken.

Keep the photo booth in a visible spot where guests can get to it when they are in between eating and dancing. It is smart to keep the photo booth there during the majority of the night, obviously closing it down during dinner. If guests know that it’s there and it’s in a great spot then they will likely be visiting it all night long and it will be a hit of the wedding.  You may wish to set some type of limits such as each guest is allowed a certain number of pictures or no vulgar references. Though you might think that most guests will honor this, it may not be a bad idea to put it out there just in case.

The Booth for Fun

Most photo booths should be set up so that there is the booth for pictures and a table alongside. Most photo booth companies in Michigan will have two people working so that one can help with the actual set up and management of the booth and the other can distribute the pictures to the guests. It’s always a nice idea to have two copies of the pictures printed out—one for the guests and one that goes into an album that the bridal couple gets at the end of the night. This makes for some fun memories for the guests and a snapshot for the bridal couple of what was going on during the evening. Though these are a newer feature at weddings, photo booths make for a great addition and loads of fun. If you are looking for photo booth companies in Michigan look for experience, the right set up, and all the right tools to create a night of fun for your wedding.

Making the DJ an Important Part of Your Wedding

There’s so much to think about when planning a wedding.
This is the biggest day of your life and likely the only time that you will
have all or your loved ones in one spot. This can be so much fun, but there’s a
lot of planning to be done before you get there. Though many people may not
realize it, your DJ can be one of the most important parts of your wedding. The
ceremony is important in and of itself, but the reception is where the real
party begins. If you select your DJ carefully and think through how you can
integrate them into your special day you can make this a great addition to your
wedding day.

Your DJ can be much more than just the individual that
plays music. If they have the right experience and knowledge they can also be
the one who gets the crowd up and moving and sets the whole tone for your
wedding reception. This doesn’t come easy and it does require experience and
the right personality to carry it off. The best DJ can get a pulse on the mood
of the crowd. They can sense the type of music that they want to dance to and
the things that are going to get them up and having fun. A DJ can be an
important sense check for your biggest party ever and therefore you want to
choose carefully.

Involve
Them Throughout

When you think about it, a DJ is a big part of the
reception from beginning to end. They are involved in everything including the
introduction of the bridal party, bridal dance, special dances, dinner music,
and of course the party music. There are some DJ’s that will go above and
beyond and be an extension of your wedding party or staff. Those that really
know what they are doing recognize that to keep a bride and groom happy means
that there will be a smooth reception to go along with it.

When you go into your initial meeting with your DJ, you
should discuss their role. You want to get a sense for their personality, for
the types of services that they offer, and how they can fit in with your plan.
If you want them to be the essence of entertainment then by all means involve
them in every part of the reception. Talk to them about any special requests
that you have, special songs that you want played, and perhaps even provide a
playlist if you wish. This is what will make your reception fun and memorable
so be sure that you work with a DJ for all the special aspects of making your
reception entertaining!

Narrowing Your List for Your Michigan Wedding

If you are a woman then you have likely always had a dream or a vision for your wedding. This is the most important day of your life and therefore you want to make your dreams become a reality. For many couples, planning a wedding can be a bit overwhelming and quite costly. If however you stay focused and you stay true to what is really important to you then you will end up with the wedding that you want. Many couples have that moment of pure joy when they become engaged. Though the joy lasts the anxiety starts to pick up a bit when the notion of wedding planning picks up. If you break it down and narrow your list a bit then you can have the perfect Michigan wedding that will surely be a day to remember.

What is Important to You?

Here’s the thing—when it comes to planning your wedding you may have to make a few concessions. This is undoubtedly an important day for you but there are sure to be a few things that you may have to make as your priority. Though you may have always dreamed of a wedding at the Townsend for example, the cost or the availability alone may limit you and force you to go somewhere else.

So start there, is there a venue that you have in mind that you absolutely have always dreamed of having your wedding? If you absolutely won’t budge on this as it’s important to you, then that’s fine. Every couple deserves their special day and if it can’t be done anywhere but the Detroit Yacht Club, then stick to your guns. Do know however that you may have to either wait it out for an available date later than you might want or you may have to get creative and have it at a less popular time of year. If venue is your critical factor then go for it and then work around it as necessary. Perhaps time of year is the most important factor in your dream wedding. If you insist on a summer wedding then just know that you are competing against many other couples. This may limit your options a bit so just be ready to be flexible. If you don’t mind waiting a year or being more flexible in your venue, then this can work for you.

Focus on the Special Touches

The truth is that for some couples there are certain details that they are adamant about. There are bound to be some aspects of your wedding that you are firm in and that’s what makes each wedding unique. If you absolutely want the best wedding photos and you are willing to spend the top dollar for these cherished memories, then do it. If you want to be surrounded by the most beautiful and unique flowers, then find a florist that will help you to bring this dream to reality. The point is that this is your special day and you must focus on the things that will help to really make it special. You shouldn’t compromise but you should be aware that you may need to be flexible with other details in the process.

Talk with each other and decide what matters most to you as this will help you to narrow things down. Focus in on the factors that are the most important to you for your special day whether they are the Church, a venue that will hold more than 300 people, a gorgeous cake, a top notch venue, an amazing band, or even special effects such as lighting or a cigar bar. There is no right or wrong here as it’s all about your personalities and your desires. Every wedding day is different and unique as it’s focused on what matters the most to a couple. Focus in on the factors that will allow this to make your day special and then put together a plan to execute it in the best way possible.