Photos: Blaine Siesser Photography
Jennifer and Brett live in New York City but wanted to host their nuptials in the bride's hometown. "We wanted to show our guests a side of Detroit that you rarely read or hear about," says Jennifer. To achieve this, the couple set about planning an event that was "elegant and romantic." Jennifer wore a Pronovias gown and carried a bouquet that combined calla lilies, cymbidium orchids, tulips, and hydrangeas. She accessorized with a Kate Spade necklace that Brett had given her as a wedding gift.
The 2 p.m. ceremony was held at the historic St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church near downtown Detroit. "I love the Gothic architecture and stained-glass windows," Jennifer says. Following the ceremony, guests moved to The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit for the reception, where tables were decorated with champagne-colored linens, glowing candles, as well as white hydrangeas and ivory roses arranged on gold pedestals.
Follow the jump to see more from Jennifer and Brett's wedding, visit our Real Weddings page to find other great style ideas, and search our revamped local listings to find wedding vendors near you.
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Wednesday August 17, 2011
In the Fall/Winter 2011 issue of Brides Michigan, we announced the winners of our first-ever Editor's Choice Awards.
It's a way for the editorial staff and me to officially recognize the amazing, forward-thinking, art-creating, call-returning, trend-making wedding vendors who inspire and delight us every time we craft an issue of our magazine. And, most importantly, we're excited to share this winning list with all of you—it's a great place to start assembling your dream team. —Julie Raimondi
See the full list of winners after the jump.
Read more ››
Our photo editor came across this darling shot photographed by Blaine Siesser of
Siesser Photography in Michigan. Arranging your guests in the shape of a heart is a great idea if you're hosting a more intimate wedding with, say, 100 guests or fewer; any more than that might be too difficult to wrangle, I'd imagine. Suggest this idea to your photographer and see if he or she thinks it can work for your nuptials. Also, for more ideas on iconic wedding-day shots,
read our suggestions here. I have a feeling this heart-shaped group shot is going to be a trend... —Heather Lee
Find a wedding photographer near you in our local resource guide.
Photos: Courtesy of North Peak Brewing Company (top); Paul Johnson Photography (bottom)
Michigan couples: If you're featuring local ingredients and products on your wedding menu, consider adding some North Peak brews to your drink list. The Traverse City-based craft brewery features a line of beer made entirely of Michigan-grown ingredients. The brews come in great-looking 11.5-ounce amber-colored bottles (called "stubbies"), with cheeky names like "Diabolical" (an IPA), "Siren" (an amber ale), and "Vicious" (an American wheat IPA). For waterside weddings, I love the idea of stashing bottles of beer in a canoe filled with ice so guests can help themselves to their favorite. North Peak Brewing Company beers are available throughout Michigan. —Heather Lee, Brides Michigan
Also, see more beverage ideas in our Meals & Drinks Gallery.
Photo: Cybelle Codish
I recently was in Michigan and stopped for lunch at the Grand Traverse Pie Company, in Traverse City. I'd heard great things about their pies (rumor has it that even Mario Batali, who has a summer home in the area, is a big fan). Since I was in cherry country, I had to choose a cherry pie (they offer six different kinds!) and opted for cherry crumb, which was served warm, fresh from the oven. The pie featured local Montmorency tart cherries, which were sweet without being cloying, and the topping was perfectly buttery and crumbly. Their pies would make for a delicious dessert display, as this couple created (above) for their nuptials in Glen Lake, Michigan. On offer at their reception were four different pies from the Grand Traverse Pie Company, served with locally made ice cream from Moomers. There are Grand Traverse Pie Company locations throughout Michigan; to see all of the pie flavors available, click here. —Heather Lee, Brides Michigan
For more cake alternative ideas, visit our Cakes Gallery.
Wednesday January 19, 2011
Photo: Heather Saunders Photography
Just came across this lovely wedding portrait on the blog of Michigan-based photographer Heather Saunders—I love the metallic ribbon trim criss-crossed around the bride's waist. It's a fresh take on the very popular sash look, and the gold ribbon adds some pizazz to her modern, architectural gown. I took a quick look online and found a spool of similar ribbon for just $6. Also, that hydrangea and goldenrod bouquet?! Love. —Heather Lee, Brides Michigan
Also, see more dresses with sashes in our Wedding Dresses Gallery.
Tuesday December 21, 2010
Courtesy of Anais Collezioni
The St. Pucchi collection is known for jaw-dropping, couture-inspired wedding dresses. So we were, of course, delighted to hear about a new wedding gown line designed by Rani and her two sons that maintains St. Pucchi's grand, whimsical style, but retails for under $2,000. Called Anais Collezioni, the collection features fashion-forward detailing and modern silhouettes. I'm particularly in love with the dress pictured above—the gold sash accentuates the natural waist, and the silhouette is so flattering. The gowns are already available at stores in 27 states, so visit Anais Collezioni's website for more information on where to find these gorgeous gowns. And don't forget to head over to our dress gallery to see hundreds of amazing wedding dresses.—Kim Forrest
Photos: Jessica Johnston
"I loved the idea of our wedding being a Great Gatsby-esque garden party beneath the stars," says Alyssa. "Howard and I also wanted it to take place somewhere meaningful, so we decided to host it at my parents' home." She wore a 1930s lace gown ("I adored the diaphanous layers," she says), and Howard wore a Harrods tuxedo that was also from the '30s. The 6:30 p.m. ceremony was held next to a pond in the backyard and was officiated by a close friend of the bride's family. All 24 wedding guests arrived dressed in their best 1930s-inspired attire. The reception was held in a tent decorated with antiques borrowed from Alyssa's mother. "She's an avid collector, and I've always admired her aesthetic," Alyssa says. The buttercream-frosted cake, by Cakes by Stephanie, featured a topper from the 1930s that the bride's mother had found at an antique shop. See more photos from Alyssa and Howard's wedding here.
Photo: Courtesy of k studio
This pillow is kind of adorable. From the fine folks over at Grand Rapids, MI-based design company k studio, who specialize in socially-conscious products, comes this customizable pillow. Choose from different man or groom drawings to match with woman or bride options to create a pillow that looks like you and your fiancé. Pillows in different sizes, fabrics, and color stitching are available, as well as customizable totes and wall art. Visit kstudiohome.com for more information. —Cari Wolfert
Tuesday November 16, 2010
Photos: Abby Rose Photo
I am loving this bouquet and boutonniere combination photographed by Michigan-based photographer Abby Rose Photo. Florist Lisa Waud from Pot & Box in Ann Arbor incorporated fresh cranberries into both designs as a nod to the groom's Boston roots (fun fact: Massachusetts grows more cranberries than any state except Wisconsin). Both arrangements featured burgundy calla lilies, while the bride's bouquet also featured hydrangeas, fiddlehead ferns, and dianthus (the fuzzy green poofs). You can see more photographs from the couple's wedding on the Abby Rose Photo blog. —Heather Lee, Brides Michigan
Also, see more bouquet and boutonniere ideas in our Wedding Flowers Gallery.
Photo: Courtesy of Jen Lynn Photography
We've totally got fall weddings on the brain, and I'm loving this engagement shoot by Jen Lynne Photography of two lovebirds at an apple orchard in Michigan—so appropriate for autumn! —Heather Lee, Editor, Brides Michigan
Also, read our tips on getting gorgeous engagement photos.
Photo: Courtesy of Spark Creative Photography
Ali Swaim of Michigan-based Iced Events created this candy buffet for one couple's wedding at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. In keeping with the "art" theme, Ali created a lollipop "bouquet" surrounded by a frame decorated with suspended paper flowers. Candy lemon slices, piña colada-flavored taffy, white chocolate-covered pretzels, and lemon drops rounded out the display. To see more photos of this couple's candy buffet, visit the Pearls Events blog. —Heather Lee, Editor, Brides Michigan
Find more dessert and wedding cake ideas in our Cakes Gallery.
Friday September 17, 2010
Photo: Courtesy of Achatz Handmade Pie Company
I was just flipping through the October 2010 issue of Bon Appetit magazine and dogeared a story on the best places in the country for pie. Included in the roundup was the Michigan-based Achatz Handmade Pie Company. Michigan pie-lovers, have you sampled pies from this bakery? Their cherry and Michigan four berry pies won top nods at the National Pie Championships this year. And apparently in Chicago, famed chef Grant Achatz of Alinea serves pies from this spot (it's run by his second cousin). I'm a big proponent of the homemade pie display in lieu of wedding cake—especially in the fall! Tell me, what are your favorite places for pie? —Heather Lee, Editor, Brides Michigan
Tuesday September 7, 2010
Photo: Courtesy of Magpie & Rye
This gorgeous wooden vessel caught my eye today and is now on my wish list. Hand-turned by woodwork artist Greg Gallegos, based in Haslett, Mich., the Little Sycamore Vessel ($60) is fashioned from solid sycamore sourced from sustainable resources. The sleek and elegant piece measures 3.25" tall by 3.5" in diameter, and each is finished with walnut oil for a nice, warm sheen. You can also see more wooden vases and vessels at Natural Selection Studio, the artist's Etsy shop. My advice: Do as I did and add this beauty to your wedding-gift wish list. —Heather Lee, Editor, Brides Michigan
Thursday September 2, 2010
Photo: Courtesy of Cory Weber Photography
We've been asking our favorite wedding photographers around the country to share some of their go-to spot for wedding portrait backdrops. Michigan-based Cory Weber of Cory Weber Photography suggested Crooked Creek Ranch in Cedar. "There's a plethora of gorgeous locations to choose from—everything from birch tree forests and the shores of Lake Leelanau to rustic horse pastures and lush wildflower fields," he says. "I've photographed wedding portraits there often and have a completely different experience each time." For more ideas on the best portrait backdrops in Michigan, pick up the latest issue of Brides Michigan magazine on newsstands now (and turn to page to page 104 to see a lovely wedding that took place at Crooked Creek Ranch). —Heather Lee, Editor, Brides Michigan
