The Cupcake Craze

Cupcakes are all the rage these days and are quickly making away with the traditional wedding cake.

Northern Nuptials had the pleasure of speaking with Kerry Johnston, owner of The Cupcake Station with three downtown locations in Birmingham, Ann Arbor, and Plymouth, Michigan.

Cupcakes offer greater variety, a more reasonable portion size, and far less waste. They're also super cute and taste fabulous!

Read more at www.northernnuptials.com.

Say I do. Up North.

Location, location, location in Northern Michigan

When it comes to weddings and events in general - the sky is truly the limit when it comes to planning the many details. For destination weddings in general, the one item critical for a successful event is location.

Northern Michigan boasts rolling landscapes, dark, starry nights, moonlit skies, and sparkling blue shorelines that extend for miles along Great Lakes Michigan and Huron as well as countless other inland lakes, rivers and streams. We also boast amazing, remember-forever, sunsets.

When planning a Northern Michigan destination wedding, consider the location and the imagination that will follow. Keep in mind the green of the hilltop, the blue of the sky, and the natural flora that surrounds the destination you choose. Northern Michigan boasts some of the most spectacular landscapea our planet has to offer.

Pick your land, pop your tent, let the event begin. When it comes to a destination wedding, location rules first. After that, all things will fall into play.

For more information on planning the perfect Northern Michigan wedding, visit www.northernnuptials.com.

Mackinac Island: Open For Another Fabulous Season

Ahhh Mackinac Island. Michigan's crown jewel. There's never enough that can be said for a place frozen in time, doused in tranquility, and never ending charm and character.

Mackinac Island is open for the 2010 season and there couldn't be a more beautiful time of year than spring to visit and begin planning your upcoming Northern Michigan wedding.

Begin your trip in neighboring Mackinaw City and hop aboard one of three ferry lines with direct service to the island. Spend the day exploring this are rich in history, natural beauty, and romantic appeal.

For additional information on Mackinac Island weddings, please visit Northern Nuptials.

To Hire Or Not To Hire: The Professional Planner

For many, the decision of whether or not to hire a planner is determined solely by budget restrictions. Undoubtedly if you cannot afford to hire planner, your entire event will be DIY. The flip side is that chances are, if you can hire a planner, you will.

Planners are now available to offer complete, full service efforts or individualized assistance with a particular phase or portion of the process. Read advice on whether a planner is right for you - and what the bottom line is when it comes to planning your wedding.

Read more at Northern Nuptials (www.northernnuptials.com).

Michigan's Sunrise Coast Offers Plenty To See and Do Along Lake Huron

This week we were thrilled to find a new FB page dedicated to Michigan's sunrise coast, the expansive coastline along the state's eastern side, bordering Lake Huron.

Northern Nuptials is excited to promote fabulous locations along the Sunrise Coast including Rogers City, Alpena and Cheboygan.

Visitors traveling along the shoreline's US 23 can expect breathtaking vistas, an abundance of wildlife and unexpected dining and shopping opportunities. For destination weddings, an abundance of lodging opportunities compounded with wonderful ceremony and location spots make the area a haven for those seeking true up north beauty.

Northern Nuptials encourages everyone to join this excellent FB page and to give a nod to Michigan's east coast when planning the perfect destination wedding in Northern Michigan.

For more, search "SUNRISE COAST" during your next stop on Facebook.

Spectacular Up North Planning Service By N|M Event Design

Be sure to visit the fabulous website of N|M Event Design for details on amazing event planning, equipment offerings and packaged promotions by Danielle Vogelheim, owner and master Event Designer.

Danielle states that it is important to tell the story of the couple and portray the couple in their wedding details. She calls herself an Event Designer because it is important that the wedding itself is not a reflection of her but rather of the couple - a brilliant thought!

Danielle is on hand to assist with the design of the venue, reception, production, vendors, logistics and overall weekend activities.

Whether you are looking to host a Traverse City Wedding, Petoskey Wedding, Charlevoix Wedding, Bay Harbor Wedding, Harbor Springs Wedding, Mackinac Island Wedding, Grand Rapids Wedding, Holland Wedding or a Destination Wedding outside of Michigan, N|M Event Design would welcome the opportunity to work with you to make your special day a memorable one. Visit www.nmeventdesign.com for more!

For additional information on planning the perfect Up North wedding, visit www.northernnuptials.com!

Special Thanks To Northern Express

Be sure to check out the recent Bridal Issue of Northern Express, Northern Michigan's Largest Weekly Newspaper.

We're excited to report that the Northern Nuptials ad was placed on the cover! Check it out at www.northernexpress.com.

For additional information on planning the most fabulous Northern Michigan wedding ever, please visit www.northernnuptials.com!

Customize Your Wedding Experience: Guest Editorial by Bambi Caicedo Rogers

Be sure to check out our January guest editorial by Bambi Caicedo Rogers, President of BCR Events in Chicago. Bambi boasts over ten years experience in the Chicago special event industry.

Be sure to check out her editorial where she explains in detail the many fabulous ways to customize your wedding experience.

Read it, enjoy it and please... by all means share it with friends.

Happy Planning from Northern Nuptials and Welcome To 2010!

For more information on planning the perfect Up North wedding here in beautiful Northern Michigan, please visit Northern Nuptials (http://www.northernnuptials.com).

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.

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!

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.

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!