Creative Budgeting By A Northern Michigan Bride

Jennifer Bruhmuller and Jason Mott of Traverse City were planning for their July 31, 2010 wedding on a very tight budget. All said, the couple was trying to find a creative way to host 100 of their closest family and friends on a mere $1000 budget.

Impossible? It may seem that way to some, but to Jennifer, it was very much a reality.

While planning, she actively began an online search for ways to cut costs. During that search, she learned of a couple in NY who sought sponsorships for their wedding. Figuring the idea wasn't too far fetched, Jennifer began creating a plan to seek sponsors for her big day in July.

Among those who ended up participating were Subtle Impact Photography of central Michigan and Forever Flowers By Val of northeastern Ohio. Each vendor who signed on with Jennifer and Jason received different promotions in exchange for discounts and donations.

The day finally came and when all was said and done, the entire wedding and reception came in under her original $1000 mark.

Today Jennifer and Jason are enjoying their first year of marriage. Now in a full-time nursing program, Jennifer is also available as a consultant to brides who seek assistance in gaining sponsors for their own wedding. Email Jennifer directly at j_bruhmuller@hotmail.com for details on her consulting services (note "WEDDING CONSULT" in the subject).

Jennifer emphasizes that while seeking sponsorships for your upcoming wedding can provide significant cost savings, it also requires a good deal of dedication and planning.

Valentine's Wedding Bells at Bay View Terrace Inn

This Valentine's was a special wintertime day at the Bay View Terrace Inn in Bay View, Michigan near Petoskey.

Northern Michigan business owners Ruth Krauss and Ron Hannah were wed on the greatest day of romance in an early evening ceremony and immediate dinner.

Approximately 100 guests attended and enjoyed traditional culinary delights by Chef Kevin Phillips. The mother of the groom provided her own special cheese cake as dessert. The decor was a rich, romantic, red and black throughout with even guests donning the color theme in their attire. Monarch Floral of Petoskey provided floral in deep reds and burgundies.

Smooth jazz filled the room as guests mingled after dinner. The event was an evening of enjoyment for everyone in attendance.

For additional information on planning your perfect Up North wedding, please visit www.northernnuptials.com.

For additional information on Bay View Terrace Inn, please visit www.theterraceinn.com.

Green Your Big Day With Earth Friendly Tips

Special thanks to Stephanie Nash at The Green Bride Guide, a comprehensive, credible resource for green wedding ideas, products, and services for her contribution to our monthly guest editorial.

Minimizing emissions on your transportation plans, choosing all natural hair and make-up products, and purchasing organic fabrics for bridal attire are just a few ways you can green your big day.

Visit Northern Nuptials (www.northernnuptials.com) for 13 WAYS TO GREEN YOUR WEDDING DAY.

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.

Destination Wedding Photography: Y GO PRO By Paul Retherford

We're thrilled to have March guest editorial provided by Paul Retherford, professional destination weddings photographer based here in Northern Michigan and working throughout the world.

Paul boasts over 13 years experience as a professional photographer and is a member of Professional Photographers of America and Canon Professional Services. Paul has the talent to capture with a nice blend of posed photojournalistic, candid, traditional and creative wedding images - all in grand style.

Visit Northern Nuptials at the link below and check out our March guest editorial and take in Paul's expert advice. Special thanks to Paul for his expert words.

For more information on planing a Northern Michigan wedding, please visit www.northernnuptials.com.

For more information on Paul, visit www.paulretherford.com.

Special February Promotions For Vendors

Northern Nuptials is excited to announce a special February promotion for new vendors interested in joining.

Join Northern Nuptials at any time during the month of February and commit to a two-year listing (participation now through September 2011) and receive two months as a featured vendor - at no charge.

Two months free as a featured vendor equals an $800 savings. There's no better time to become a vendor of Northern Nuptials and take advantage of this great savings!

For information on joining Northern Nuptials, 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!

Fabulous New Event Gallery by Paul Retherford Photography

Be sure to check out our fabulous new event gallery promoting the work of Paul Retherford Photography.

The August, 2009 wedding was held on a beautiful inland lake in Northern Michigan. The outdoor wedding celebration was captured by Paul Retherford Photography. Post wedding included a "Trash the Dress" session. Wedding favors were pieces of flair. Live band, The Aces, featured lead singer, the father of the bride.

All in all an amazing destination event in Northern Michigan.

For more information on hosting a destination wedding in Northern Michigan, please visit 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!

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.

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!

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...