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Have a fabulous weekend!

Northern Nuptials on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/upnorthweddings
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Simply Fabulous Photography by Paul Retherford

That's Retherford with an "e", folks. There's no "u" anywhere in the name.

Northern Nuptials is very pleased to note the addition of Paul Retherford Wedding Photography to our list of participating vendors. Paul joined NN on December 16 and we're excited to have him as part of our unique association.

Paul grew up in Alpena, Michigan - a great waterfront city located within our service area on the east coast of Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula. Graduating with a degree in environmental science, Paul began a career in nature photography that quickly transformed into wedding photography. A full-time, professional wedding photographer for over seven years now, Paul resides in Rudyard with his wife Megan.

Paul's the kind of guy you want to do business with. His work speaks for itself. He's honest, straightforward and offers exceptional creativity in the science of wedding photography. The best thing about him is that he loves his profession - he loves what he does and he loves creating memories that will be valued and coveted for years to come.

Working throughout the Midwest, Paul is available for weddings and ceremonies with services starting at $3500.

Paul's photographic style is a mix of posed photojournalistic, candid, traditional and creative wedding images. Paul uses only professional Canon gear and his wedding products are all top-of-the line professional products with lifetime workmanship warranties.

One item definitely worth noting: Paul has a 100% client satisfaction rating. Now how many of us can even begin to boast such a notable accomplishment?!? For more, please visit www.paulretherford.com. And remember that "e".






All images contained in this blog post remain property of Paul Retherford Wedding Photography.

December Guest Editor: Brent Wang, Celebrity Floral Designer

Special thanks to Brent Wang, celebrity floral designer and owner of Eggs Los Angeles.

Brent notes that this holiday season, trends have emerged in modern ways. The poof topiary centerpieces of the 20th century are now considered ostentatious.

People are embracing the winter season by manipulating ice into abstract shapes highlighted with simple white flowers like gardenias; all displayed in simple glass with crystals. White crystals are the perfect compliment to the look, evoking a cool atmosphere. Dry ice adds to the mystique with wafting threads of fog resting ever so gently on the tables and floors.

As guests walk in, why not try dramatizing the entrance to the fete with mood making fog machines? Candlelight completes the effect, with trends continuing the varried height effect to add even more dynamic class to your celebration.

Remember to always voice your opinions and feel confident in asserting that you want to bring your own personal elements to your event, when working with a floral designer, decor specialist, planner or any other vendor.

Best,
Brent Wang, Eggs Los Angeles
brent@eggslosangeles.com
213.308.1803

To read the full post, please visit Northern Nuptials. For further information on Brent Wang's masterful talent with floral, please visit Eggs Los Angeles.

Watch Our New Promotional Video!

Be sure to check out the new Northern Nuptials promotional video now on YouTube. Watch the video by clicking here and help promote fabulous Northern Michigan locations such as Harbor Springs, Cheboygan, Rogers City, Mackinac Island, Charlevoix and Petoskey.

WATCH THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE!!

Beautiful Boyne City, Michigan - Up north Perfection

Located on beautiful Lake Charlevoix, Boyne City offers the perfect location for a Northern Michigan destination wedding. Surrounded by lush forrests and rolling hills, the Michigan landscape throughout the greater Boyne City area is both visually stunning and filled with opportunity for any type of special event.

For additional information on planning the perfect Up North wedding in beautiful Boyne City, Michigan, visit Northern Nuptials and start planning today!

Explore Bellaire, Michigan

Visit Northern Nuptials and explore the idea of tiny village of Bellaire, Michigan. Bellaire rests near Lake Bellaire and Cedar River, both part of the 75 mile long Chain-o-Lakes connecting 14 inland lakes in Northeastern Michigan.

For more, visit Northern Nuptials at www.northernnuptials.com.

Join Our Facebook Fan Page

Hey Everyone! Northern Michigan is quickly becoming one of the nation's premier locations for destination weddings.

For up to date information on all things bridal throughout beautiful Northern Michigan, join the Northern Nuptials fan page at the link below. Northern Nuptials is the area's premier resource for planning a Northern Michigan wedding.

Enjoy easy, hassle-free planning with Northern Nuptials. See you on FB!

Northern Nuptials Fan Page

Weddings On Michigan's Crown Jewel: Mackinac Island

The crown jewel of Michigan, Mackinac Island, has been a cherished wedding destination for more than 100 years. Timeless, traditional, and true to life.

Visit Northern Nuptials for details on planning the most magnificent destination wedding of all time on Mackinac Island.

Visit Northern Nuptials for more at www.northernnuptials.com.

Celebrate The Treasures of Petoskey, Michigan

Petoskey, Michigan is quite possibly Emmet County’s most cherished lakefront resort town. Located just 40 miles south of Mackinaw City and 60 miles north of Traverse City, Petoskey offers remarkable natural beauty combined with incomparable small town charm rivaling famous east coast areas such as Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.

A popular tourist destination since the turn of the last century, Petoskey boasts unique, world-class shopping, dining and accommodations options throughout the downtown and outlying areas. The famous Gaslight Shopping District boasts over 170 unique shops, many offering satellite services to their other locations in places like Palm Beach, Naples, and Aspen.

During summer months, the downtown area of Petoskey, Michigan serves as a community hub for resorters from neighboring communities such as Bay Harbor, Bay View, Harbor Springs and Walloon Lake.

Throughout each season, the area is chosen as the ultimate wedding location by couples both local and from places far, far away. Victorian hotels and bed & breakfasts dot the downtown while area businesses offer assistance with the entire planning process.

Experience a lakeside ceremony at one of the many public parks lining Petoskey’s beautiful waterfront. Utilize the public gazebo in Petoskey’s Pennsylvania Park. Imagine a horse drawn carriage escorting you down brick streets from your church to the reception. The possibilities for a spectacular and memorable Petoskey wedding are endless. Celebrate the treasures from the shores to the stores in downtown Petoskey!

Northern Nuptials is proud to partner with Petoskey’s Downtown Management Board in promoting Petoskey as a premier destination wedding location.

For additional information on planning the perfect Up North wedding in beautiful Petoskey, Michigan, please visit Northern Nuptials (www.northernnuptials.com).

Beaver Island: The Perfect Remote Wedding Island In The Great Lakes

Beaver Island is quite possibly the most remote yet inhabited island in all the Great Lakes. Located off the Northwestern coast of Michigan's lower peninsula, Beaver Island is approximately 13 miles long and 6 miles wide, and is home to about 600 year round visitors.

With over a dozen lodging opportunities, the island can accommodate weddings and special events of any size.

Visitors can enjoy a myriad of water sports activities including power boating, sailing, kayaking and of course swimming. The island boasts two established campgrounds, both owned and operated by the Island Townships. In addition to the camping areas, over 35% of the entire island is protected state forest.

Technically part of Charlevoix County, Michigan, Beaver Island is accessible only by air and water. Commercial ferry service departs daily from Charlevoix throughout spring, summer and fall. Charter air service is also available to and from Charlevoix as well as to other destinations from the island.

Once on the island, several charter boat services operate to offer custom sight-seeing experiences or even sunset cruises and day excursions.

No matter what season, Beaver Island offers a land of tranquility and recreation for any upcoming special event.

For additional information on planning a wedding on Beaver Island, please visit Northern Nuptials.

Explore Alpena, Michigan For Your Upcoming Northern Michigan Wedding

Tucked away on Lake Huron's famous Thunder Bay, Alpena, Michigan offers a friendly, hisotric city neslted along the sparkling shoreline.

Incorporated in 1871, the picturesque city of Alpena is considered one of two anchor cities of Northern Michigan, with Traverse City being the other on Lake Michigan. Lighthouses and historic places of interest dot the downtown and surrouring communities.

Outdoor activities abound during every season in this waterfront city. Visitors of Alpena enjoy fishing, canoeing, kayaing, sailing and even snorkeling. Snorkel and scuba enthusiasts can explore over 200 area shipwrecks.

Historic inns, cozy motels and private cabins and cottages offer plenty of lodging accommodations, dedicated to accommodating every budget. Museums, elk viewing, wine tasting, and of course the National Marine Sanctuary are all on the docket as passtimes in the city of Alpena

Throughout any season, Alpena offers a hospitible backdrop for weddings and special events. From stunning natural landscapes to full amenity family resorts, Alpena has plenty to offer in regards to ceremony and reception venues.

Commercial air service to the Alpena County Regional Airport via Delta/Northwest is available from Detroit and Sault Ste. Marie. By car, Alpena is accessible via I-75 to M-32/M33 east.

For additional information on planning the perfect Up North wedding, please visit Northern Nuptials, Northern Michigan's premier planning resource - www.northernnuptials.com.

Be Sure To Check Out Our New Planning Time Line

Northern Nuptials has added a new planning time line specific to weddings in Northern Michigan!

Be sure to visit our site for details on how to plan the most perfect wedding here in beautiful Northern Michigan.

Visit www.northernnuptials.com for more!

Harbor Springs, Michigan's Creme de la Creme

Harbor Springs. Oh, you summer there? You have friends who summer there? You wished you summer there?

All answers point to the wishes many people have about this tiny, waterfront jewel nestled on the deepest natural harbor in all of Lake Michigan. Crystal clear waters, starry nights, sandy shorelines, and a quaint picturesque downtown all offer insight to why this Harbor Springs is considered by most to be one of the most exclusive resort area's in the Midwest.

Start planning the perfect wedding in beautiful Harbor Springs today. Visit Northern Nuptials for more and learn all about this celebrated vacation spot. There's no place more beautiful for the most spectacular, most remarkable up north wedding.

Current Makeup Trends by Saks Fifth Avenue Artist, Christian Van Brimmer - Do a Betty Draper Do!

Visit Northern Nuptials for this month's guest editorial, provided by Saks Fifth Avenue Makeup Artist, Christian Van Brimmer.

With AMC's hit show Mad Men leading the way in fashion and beauty, Christian notes current trends for wedding makeup taking a nod to the early 1960's with a clean, classic look.

Check out www.northernnuptials.com and visit our guest editorial area for Christian's tips on skin care, makeup application and nail color selection.

Christian has worked for over 10 years for brands such as Trish McEvoy, MAC, Dior, Chanel, and Laura Mercier. Visit Northern Nuptials for more!

October Guest Editorial - Jennifer Stein with Destination I Do Magazine

Special thanks to Jennifer Stein, Editor in Chief of Destination I Do Magazine, for providing guest editorial to Northern Nuptials. Visit Northern Nuptials today for expert advice from Stein on how to plan the perfect destination wedding.

Destination I Do Magazine can be found at Barnes & Noble, Borders Booksellers and other fine retailers throughout the US and beyond. Destination I Do is the top destination wedding, honeymoon, romance and travel magazine in the world.

Happy Planning!

NoMi Photos - Enjoy Northern Michigan Photos In Our New NoMi Gallery

A ton of great new photos were posted today from places like Charlevoix, Petoskey, Mackinac Island, and Harbor Springs. Visit Northern Nuptials and click on the NoMi Gallery for additional information.

Northern Michigan's a beautiful place. We think you'll agree.

Visit Northern Nuptials, Northern Michigan's Premier Wedding Resource for more.

Salt Is Bad For Your Health: Plan The Perfect Unsalted Beach Wedding

Imagine the day. Perfect bliss. Bride and groom standing together sharing vows as the sun sets to the west out across the bright blue water. An orange glow shadows your guests as they watch the beginning of a new life together. A cool breeze is in the air. Warm sand is beneath your feet. The only sounds are of your voices and the waves lapping at the shore, just a few feet away.

Utter perfection. No salt. Visit www.northernnuptials.com and begin planning the perfect, unsalted beach wedding.

More later on other reasons salt is bad for your health...

Guest Editors Needed For Wedding Industry Website

Northern Nuptials, Northern Michigan's premier wedding resource, is currently seeking the assistance of national and international wedding industry professionals for input in our Guest Editorial section on the website.

For additional information please visit www.northernnuptials.com and check out the Guest Editorial area. We're looking for creative and cutting edge professionals like Heather Vickery Pruden (owner of Greatest Expectations in Chicago). Assist Northern Nuptials with stellar input that everyone will enjoy!

If interested, please email mail@northernnuptials.com. Thanks!

September: Annual Billing Month

Attention all wedding industry professionals, September is the annual billing month for Northern Nuptials. Visit our website during the month of September and sign on for an entire year of service for just $200 ($400 for an extended profile listing).

Northern Nuptials is dedicated to uniting the wedding professionals of Northern Michigan with a goal to present the area as a premier location for destination weddings.

If this sounds like a goal of yours as well, you should join today. The benefits of being a participating vendor are amazing. Please visit our website to learn more. Northern Nuptials is open to all wedding professionals located in or providing services to Northern Michigan (the areas north of the 45th up to the Straits and east and west between the great lakes.

We hope you will check out www.northernnuptials.com and learn more about all that we are doing.

Our First Blog

Today's the day for us. The day Northern Nuptials jumps onto the blog scene. Hopefully this blog will serve of great value to both vendors and brides/planners utilizing the Northern Nuptials resource. Watch for updates in coming weeks. We promise to provide plenty of fabulous information here on weddings throughout Northern Michigan.

Visit www.northernnuptials.com for more!