Mackinac Island Weddings

Destination Dream Wedding Weekend October 7-8, 2011

2011-09-13T08:59:00.000-07:00

Destination DreamWedding Weekend October 7-8, 2011

The Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau hosts the DestinationDream Wedding Weekend where soon to be joined families can experience everythingfor a perfect destination wedding.View ceremony and reception sites whilefeasting on culinary creations around the Island. Learn how to move you andyours around the Island in Mackinac's unique horse drawn carriage community.The top wedding vendors will be on hand to meet with you about your needs andshare their insight with you for creating the perfect Mackinac Island wedding.

The fee is just $25 per person and includes admission to allevents, culinary samples, champagne tastings, etc. and is payable upon arrivalat the Friday night registration. Should you be unable to make it on Friday, itis fine to register and pay on Saturday morning at the Tourism Bureau office onMain Street between 8am-10am.

Room Specials

Mission Point Resort-$89.00 per night for standard roomssingle or double occupancy, $25.00 per extra adult. $129.00 per night forForest Suite/Families rooms single or double occupancy, $25.00 per extra adult

Reservations: (800) 833-7711

What to Expect

During the Destination Dream Wedding Weekend, you will findall of the resources necessary to plan your destination wedding. Please readthe tips below to help you get the most out of this weekend. Wear layeredclothing and wear good walking shoes as you will be doing alot of moving fromplace to place by foot or consider renting bicycles. The benefit of moving fromvenue to venue is multilayered; first, you will get a great idea of the distanceand time it takes to move from one place to another on Mackinac Island and thusmake a better informed decision about your need for horse drawn carriages andsecondly, you will get to see many venues to see what they have to offer youfor your wedding ceremony and reception. Lastly, by visiting all of the hotelsand restaurants, it will be easier to know where everything is so you can helpinform your guests with lodging and additional dining options.

The Wedding Planner

Consider hiring a wedding planner to assist with all thedetails. They are very cost effective as they are so adept at knowing the feesfor musicians, photographers, florists, etc. and can help you keep within yourbudget. They can also take care of all the last minute details so you can enjoyyour time on the Island.

Grand Hotel

During the wedding weekend, Grand Hotel gives complimentaryadmission to the hotel for all participants to view the hotel and gardens. Tomeet with Grand Hotel Wedding Coordinator Marty Haines, please make anappointment by calling (800) 33 GRAND.

She is trained to attend to every wedding detail, includingcakes, floral arrangements and music for your wedding at Grand Hotel. Inaddition, their chefs can create a menu to satisfy your tastes and Grand HotelOrchestra can provide live entertainment.

Ferry Lines

Upon registering, your names will be on file at the ferrylines so that you and yours may receive discounted ferry transportation to theIsland. This season, the round trip ticket price is $18 per person. Pleaseknow, you must register in order to receive this discounted rate.

For schedules:

Arnold Transit Company www.arnoldline.com

Shepler's Ferry Company www.sheplersferry.com

Star Line Ferry www.mackinacferry.com

Budget

Bring a list of what your budget will allow for eachparticular item or service. Meet with those that have what you are looking forfirst. Locations do book up early so coordinating your ceremony date andreception location should be at the top of your list. Then planning how youwill move your guests should be next. Mackinac Island Carriage Tours andGough's Livery offer wedding carriages and taxi service. There is one carriagefor those with disabilities that should definitely be reserved far in advance.

Menus

Plan to spend time sampling food at the restaurants andreception locations. Ask to see menus and ask for ideas for your bar. Itsimportant for you to have an idea of how many guests you'll be inviting youmeet in order to ensure they understand your needs. Many restaurants havespecial menus designed to make your reception as flawless as possible. Becausethey know what works best for proper service, being open to ideas and clearabout your needs is of utmost importance. The more time you can spend workingout the details of your menu and bar needs, the less opportunity formisunderstandings.

Address Labels

For drawings or special gifts and to avoid having to writeyour name, address, phone number and wedding date a gazillion times, we willprovide address labels for you.

The wedding specialists on Mackinac Island come with yearsof experience and insight, please feel free to ask questions and when used tothe fullest extent, they will ensure your wedding on Mackinac Island will be acinch.

Decisions

Be prepared to make decisions and bring some of the majordecision makers with you or a good friend or family member to share ideas with.

What to Bring

Important items to bring include good shoes, layeredclothing, dress clothes if visiting Grand Hotel after 6pm (coat and tie formen, dress or the like for women), a date book, menu ideas, swatches ofmaterial and ribbon in the colors of your wedding to assist the florist, pastychef and your wedding coordinator. To secure the date for that perfect site,reception, wedding planner, photographer or musician, bring your checkbook andbe sure to give them a deposit.

Destination Dream Wedding Weekend

2011-06-20T09:45:00.000-07:00

Destination Dream Wedding Weekend, October 7-8, 2011
The Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau hosts the Destination Dream Wedding Weekend where soon to be joined families can experience everything for a perfect destination wedding. View ceremony and reception sites while feasting on culinary creations around the Island. Learn how to move you and yours around the Island in Mackinac's unique horse drawn carriage community. Island wedding vendors will be on hand to meet with you about your needs and share their insight with you for creating the perfect Mackinac Island wedding.

The wedding specialists on Mackinac Island come with years of experience and insight so feel free to ask questions and when used to the fullest extent, they will ensure your wedding on Mackinac Island will be a cinch.

The fee is just $25 per person and includes admission to all events, culinary samples, champagne tastings, etc. and is payable upon arrival at the Friday night registration. Should you be unable to make it on Friday, it is fine to register and pay on Saturday morning at the Tourism Bureau office on Main Street between 8am-10am.

What to Expect

During the Destination Dream Wedding Weekend, you will find all of the resources necessary to plan your destination wedding. Please read the tips to help you get the most out of this weekend.

The Wedding Planner

Consider hiring a wedding planner to assist with all the details. They are very cost effective as they are so adept at knowing the fees for musicians, photographers, florists, etc. and can help you keep within your budget. They can also take care of all the last minute details so you can enjoy your time on the Island.

Budget

Bring a list of what your budget will allow for each particular item or service. Meet with those that have what you are looking for first. Locations do book up early so coordinating your ceremony date and reception location should be at the top of your list. Then planning how you will move your guests should be next. Mackinac Island Carriage Tours and Gough's Livery offer wedding carriages and taxi service. There is one carriage for those with disabilities that should definitely be reserved far in advance.

Menus

Plan to spend time sampling food at the restaurants and reception locations. Ask to see menus and ask for ideas for your bar. Its important for you to have an idea of how many guests you'll be inviting you meet in order to ensure they understand your needs. Many restaurants have special menus designed to make your reception as flawless as possible. Because they know what works best for proper service, being open to ideas and clear about your needs is of utmost importance. The more time you can spend working out the details of your menu and bar needs, the less opportunity for misunderstandings.

Address Labels

For drawings or special gifts and to avoid having to write your name, address, phone number and wedding date a gazillion times, we will provide address labels for you.

Decisions

Be prepared to make decisions and bring some of the major decision makers with you or a good friend or family member to share ideas with.

What to Bring

Important items to bring include good shoes, layered clothing, dress clothes if visiting Grand Hotel after 6pm (coat and tie for men, dress or the like for women), a date book, menu ideas, swatches of material and ribbon in the colors of your wedding to assist the florist, pasty chef and your wedding coordinator. To secure the date for that perfect site, reception, wedding planner, photographer or musician, bring your checkbook and be sure to give them a deposit.

Wedding Jar Fairies!

2010-11-13T16:11:00.001-08:00

Wedding Jar Fairies!, originally uploaded by Lisa Kettell.

While surfing Flickr we came across these very cool wedding jar fairies. We think they'd be great at a bridal shower, showing off your best friends and family members on each table...imagine the conversation and utter delight on the faces of your guests.

Check out the link, we understand the uber talented Lisa Kettell will create them especially for you.

The Fairytale Boat Follies! My Tinsel Workshop! 2

2010-11-13T16:03:00.001-08:00

The Fairytale Boat Follies! My Tinsel Workshop! 2, originally uploaded by Lisa Kettell.

There are three ferry lines to serve you for your wedding. They also offer boating excursions on the straits of Mackinac if you'd like to have a party on the water.

Arnold Line www.arnoldline.com
Shepler's Ferry www.sheplersferry.com
Star Line www.mackinacferry.com

We also have the Mackinaw Breeze Catamaran for parties and excursions with your family.

Mackinaw Breeze www.mackinawbreeze.com

What to expect during Mackinac Island's Destination Dream Wedding Weekend

2010-09-25T07:41:00.000-07:00

About the Destination Dream Wedding Weekend
The Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau hosts the Destination Dream Wedding Weekend where soon to be joined families can experience everything for a perfect destination wedding. View ceremony and reception sites while feasting on culinary creations around the Island. Learn how to move you and yours around the Island in Mackinac's unique horse drawn carriage community. Island wedding vendors will be on hand to meet with you about your needs and share their insight with you for creating the perfect Mackinac Island wedding.

The wedding specialists on Mackinac Island come with years of experience and insight so feel free to ask questions and when used to the fullest extent, they will ensure your wedding on Mackinac Island will be a cinch.

The fee is just $25 per person and includes admission to all events, culinary samples, champagne tastings, etc. and is payable upon arrival at the Friday night registration. Should you be unable to make it on Friday, it is fine to register and pay on Saturday morning at the Tourism Bureau office on Main Street between 8am-10am.

Register here: www.mackinacisland.org/dreamwedding_registration.html

What to Expect

During the Destination Dream Wedding Weekend, you will find all of the resources necessary to plan your destination wedding. Please read the tips to help you get the most out of this weekend.

The Wedding Planner

Consider hiring a wedding planner to assist with all the details. They are very cost effective as they are so adept at knowing the fees for musicians, photographers, florists, etc. and can help you keep within your budget. They can also take care of all the last minute details so you can enjoy your time on the Island.

Budget

Bring a list of what your budget will allow for each particular item or service. Meet with those that have what you are looking for first. Locations do book up early so coordinating your ceremony date and reception location should be at the top of your list. Then planning how you will move your guests should be next. Mackinac Island Carriage Tours and Gough's Livery offer wedding carriages and taxi service. There is one carriage for those with disabilities that should definitely be reserved far in advance.

Mackinac Island's Destination Dream Wedding Weekend

2010-09-13T06:34:00.000-07:00

Destination Dream Wedding Weekend, October 8-9, 2010
The Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau hosts the Destination Dream Wedding Weekend where soon to be joined families can experience everything for a perfect destination wedding. View ceremony and reception sites while feasting on culinary creations around the Island. Learn how to move you and yours around the Island in Mackinac's unique horse drawn carriage community. Island wedding vendors will be on hand to meet with you about your needs and share their insight with you for creating the perfect Mackinac Island wedding.

The wedding specialists on Mackinac Island come with years of experience and insight so feel free to ask questions and when used to the fullest extent, they will ensure your wedding on Mackinac Island will be a cinch.

The fee is just $25 per person and includes admission to all events, culinary samples, champagne tastings, etc. and is payable upon arrival at the Friday night registration. Should you be unable to make it on Friday, it is fine to register and pay on Saturday morning at the Tourism Bureau office on Main Street between 8am-10am.

What to Expect

During the Destination Dream Wedding Weekend, you will find all of the resources necessary to plan your destination wedding. Please read the tips to help you get the most out of this weekend.

The Wedding Planner

Consider hiring a wedding planner to assist with all the details. They are very cost effective as they are so adept at knowing the fees for musicians, photographers, florists, etc. and can help you keep within your budget. They can also take care of all the last minute details so you can enjoy your time on the Island.

Budget

Bring a list of what your budget will allow for each particular item or service. Meet with those that have what you are looking for first. Locations do book up early so coordinating your ceremony date and reception location should be at the top of your list. Then planning how you will move your guests should be next. Mackinac Island Carriage Tours and Gough's Livery offer wedding carriages and taxi service. There is one carriage for those with disabilities that should definitely be reserved far in advance.

Menus

Plan to spend time sampling food at the restaurants and reception locations. Ask to see menus and ask for ideas for your bar. Its important for you to have an idea of how many guests you'll be inviting you meet in order to ensure they understand your needs. Many restaurants have special menus designed to make your reception as flawless as possible. Because they know what works best for proper service, being open to ideas and clear about your needs is of utmost importance. The more time you can spend working out the details of your menu and bar needs, the less opportunity for misunderstandings.

Address Labels

For drawings or special gifts and to avoid having to write your name, address, phone number and wedding date a gazillion times, we will provide address labels for you.

Decisions

Be prepared to make decisions and bring some of the major decision makers with you or a good friend or family member to share ideas with.

What to Bring

Important items to bring include good shoes, layered clothing, dress clothes if visiting Grand Hotel after 6pm (coat and tie for men, dress or the like for women), a date book, menu ideas, swatches of material and ribbon in the colors of your wedding to assist the florist, pasty chef and your wedding coordinator. To secure the date for that perfect site, reception, wedding planner, photographer or musician, bring your checkbook and be sure to give them a deposit.

Destination Dream Wedding Weekend

2010-07-23T08:25:00.000-07:00

Held each October, the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureauau hosts the Destination Dream Wedding Weekend where soon to be joined families can experience everything for a perfect destination wedding.View ceremony and reception sites while feasting on culinary creations around the Island. Learn how to move you and yours around the Island in Mackinac's unique horse drawn carriage community. The top wedding vendors will be on hand to meet with you throughout the Island about your needs and share their insight with you for creating the perfect Mackinac Island wedding.

October 8-9, 2010, $25 per person payable at the opening registration from 5pm-9pm, Friday, October 8 at Historic Mission Church. To register, please click here.

Special Rates for registrants:

Arnold Line Ferry: $18 per person round trip, just mention you are with the Destination Dream Wedding Weekend at the ticket window for the discount (normally tickets are $24 round trip). We suggest valet overnight parking for a few dollars extra, its the best. www.arnoldline.com

Island House Hotel: Fall Classic Weekend Package: two-nights, breakfast daily, dinner one evening, ferry tickets, $20.00 in Mackinac Bucks and ½ pound of fudge. Rates start at $460.00 per couple for the weekend.
www.theislandhouse.com

Mackinac Arts Council offers Drop in and Draw!!!

2010-06-29T10:17:00.000-07:00

DROP IN AND DRAW

Drop in and Draw-Adults
Group drawing open workshop is every Tuesday, starting July 20, 2010 for 6 weeks through August 24th - 7-9pm Manoogian Art Museum-first floor classroom $10 model fee. Live models in period costume. Materials provided. Max. of 12.

Drop in and Draw - Kids
Class is every Wednesday evening, starting July 21 for 4 weeks through August 11th 6:30-8:00 $10 includes materials and instruction.
Manoogian Art Museum - first floor classroom. Max of 12.
Ages 9-13

PORCUPINE QUILL BOX CLASS
Tuesdays, September 7, 14, & 21, 2010
9 a.m - 4 p.m.
Cost per student $100
Manoogian Art Museum - first floor classroom

Mackinac Island Wedding Carriages

2010-01-15T12:01:00.000-08:00

There are many styles of wedding carriages on Mackinac Island and two companies to serve you on your wedding day. Most brides getting married at a location different from the reception prefer to be delivered to the wedding ceremony location in a horse drawn wedding carriage with her parents and or the bridal party. Generally, after the ceremony, the bride and groom are whisked away in the carriage and the photographer follows along by bicycle to shoot additional shots for about and hour. You can rest easy and know that the photographers found on this site know how to get around by bicycle to shoot your wedding memories.
Reservations are necessary. As soon as you book your wedding ceremony location, your next call should be for your wedding carriage. Horse drawn wedding carriages range from $250 to $500 per hour depending on the style of carriage you choose and the day of the week.

Wedding Carraige Companies

Gough's Livery Stable
906-847-3391 (spring, summer, fall)
906-647-9863 (winter)

Mackinac Island Carriage Tours
906-847-3307

image by Steven Blair, www.photosbyblair.com

Lilac Tree Hotel & Spa, Mackinac Island Tuxedo, Pink Pony, Murdick's Fudge, Joann's Fudge and Photography by Paquette

2009-10-14T13:52:00.000-07:00

Nadine put on a great event at the Lilac Tree Hotel and Spa during the wedding weekend. She was married on the last day of last season (happy Anniversary this coming weekend!!!) and has worked on the Island for over a decade so she knows how to plan and execute a great event. The staff from the spa were on hand to give much needed chair massages to the brides and their entourage. Chef Jeremy from their sister hotel the Chippewa Hotel Waterfront's well-known Pink Pony Restaurant made delicious appetizers and Nadine made sure the champagne was flowing.
Image by Mackinac Design

Jack Armstrong recently purchased the Hunter's Creek Formal Wear company here on the Island and renamed it Mackinac Island Tuxedo. We are very happy for Jack and his family and know he will do an outstanding job suiting up the men for their big day. We understand he also offers wedding gown preservation so brides can leave their dress, have it cleaned and shipped home...a very nice service. Look for his new website over the winter. He also owns the Cannonball Drive In with his wife Terri and they do great rehearsal dinners with hayrides out at British Landing.

Fudge Favors are a big deal on Mackinac and Murdick's Fudge and Joann's Fudge sent over delicious, creamy samples of Mackinac Island Fudge for all to taste. There is hardly a wedding that doesn't include fudge favors. After Martha Stewart Weddings showed cakes made from boxed favors, many brides are also opting for a fudge favors stacked in the style of a traditional wedding cake as well.
Image by Kate Levy

Scott and Mary Paquette, of Photography by Paquette showed their work at the Lilac Tree Hotel and Spa. event during the Destination Dream Wedding Weekend. Their homebase is in the Petoskey/Harbor Springs area but they have been working all over Northern Michigan for the past 20 years.

Mary Paquette noted, “We love Mackinac Island so much so that we got married here 20 years ago! Things were a bit different then; we did not have wedding professionals at that time to help guide us with our plans.” As one of Mackinac Island's husband and wife photography teams, Scott and Mary promise their clients a relaxed, romantic, fun-filled wedding day and artistic images to capture all the beautiful details of this spectacular wedding destination.
Image by Photography by Paquette

Photos by Blair & Lilac House Bed & Breakfast

2009-10-13T08:11:00.000-07:00

Photographer Steven Blair of Photos by Blair has created a nice blog about the wedding weekend. He was showing his work at the Lilac House Bed & Breakfast annex on Market Street.

The Lilac House Bed and Breakfast is an inexpensive B&B and is perfect for housing budget concious guests. Ken and LoriAnn are Islanders, though they spend their winters in Hawaii (tough eh?). Ken Ruddle is a military man and LoriAnn used to run the chamber in Key West back in the day. They have taken over the duties of running the Lilac House after Ken's mother passed away. Its charming, its in the center of town and its affordable for everyone. There are many different types of rooms too, some with one queen, a double and a twin, a double...which makes it easy for folks to stay and have a nice place to rest their head.
Image LoriAnn & Ken Ruddle at the Lilac House Bed & Breakfast

Steven Blair of Photos by Blair has been shooting on Mackinac Island for decades. In fact, Steven is a Mackinac Island native with generations of family roots here on the Island. Enjoy his blog and be sure to check out his website http://www.photosbyblair.com/ too. He is an excellent photographer, knows Mackinac Island well and is one heck of a nice man to boot.

Greeting the Horses: Image by Steven Blair

Patrick Sinclair's Irish Pub with musicians John Kissane & Mary McGuire, Star Line Ferry and Windermere Hotel

2009-10-12T14:34:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful morning, cool, crisp with big clouds and a great deep blue sky. John Kissane and I hauled our gear into Patrick Sinclair's to perform for the first Saturday event. The pool table was redecorated with a beautiful table cloth and filled with chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate covered salty pretzels, cupcakes, coffeecake, fresh fruit, yogurt and some great coffee and tea. Sinclair's is a year 'round pub and a local favorite as a result. They have a great chef in owner Chris Szabo and his wingman at the helm in the kitchen is Mike Ruddle. The general manager, Scotsman John Slevin really knows how to take care of groups as he has been working on the Island for nearly a decade specializing in organizing events for groups, at first with the Chippewa Hotel and now at Patrick Sinclair's Irish Pub.

First John Kissane played, he is a classical/contemporary/new age pianist. Many of you may have heard him as he was the resident pianist at Mission Point's Epicurean Dining Room for over a decade. Listening to John is always a joy and what a pleasant way to wake up. I have to say I have never walked into a pub in the morning to live classical/new age music. It was delightful.

Once John took a break to have some coffee and strawberries, I started playing. A few of the brides indicated they liked country so I played some Alison Krauss, Dixie Chicks and then a couple guys wanted Zeppelin. Thank You by Led Zeppelin is such a great love song which I think suprised a few...but it was nice to play all kinds of music from Norah Jones to Dixie Chicks to Led Zeppelin. I also was able to sneak in Trumpet Voluntary and a few nice guitar pieces from the Renaissance and Baroque eras.

Emma Chambers from The Dog House and Windermere Hotel came in to share information about events at Windermere Point, a very popular privately owned park complete with a small Gazebo Restaurant known as The Dog House with picnic tables and a pebbly shoreline overlooking Round Island Lighthouse on the waterfront. Families can have a nice picnic style rehearsal dinner/reception or family outing catered by The Dog House, reserve rooms for the guests and enjoy the view from one of Mackinac Island's classic hotels. Emma's aunt is Mayor Margaret Doud and Mayor Doud has been known to perform a few weddings at Windermere Point each season. Only a select few can say they were married by the Mayor of Mackinac Island and in her yard overlooking the water!

Star Line Ferry had their brochures and loads of good ideas for receptions on the water. Star Line does a Monday Night Sunset Cruise under the Mackinac Bridge and that is a memory few can say they have....riding in a boat under the bridge is spectacular.
Thanks to everyone who came by!
Mary McGuire (guitarist/vocalist)

Great End to the Wedding Weekend!

2009-10-11T08:43:00.000-07:00

It was great meeting everyone that came to plan their weddings during our Destination Dream Wedding Weekend. We are grateful to all who attended and hope you found everything you needed to plan your weddings.

At the end of they day, we met in the Mission Point Resort lobby. It was stunning, champagne fountains, fresh fruits, cheeses from all over the world, and even football. Everyone chatted, relaxed by the fireplaces and some of the guys watched the game.

Gregor MacGregor is our Island bagpiper and hearing his pipes in the kiva styled lobby amidst all the wood beams was a delight. He even played the Bridal March to invite all the guests to the Summit Room for the great dinner that Mission Point prepared for everyone.

When we walked up to the Summit Room we were surrounded by a great view of the straits of Mackinac and the Round Island Lighthouse. It was breathtaking because we were also in a very pretty room decorated for an actual wedding reception. The chairs were covered in white linen with pink ribbon bows tied around them and each table was set for the event. DanceHall DJ's were spinning the tunes and we had just found out that James and Amy from DanceHall DJs had just become engaged. Everyone gave them a huge round of applause in congratulations. They were so sweet and the music was perfect.

Noel Skiba, one of our Island painters donated a beautiful impressonist painting of Ste Anne's Church that we raffled off at the Mission Point Resort event. Jodie won it and was so happy. Noel paints "en plein aire" which means she paints outside or in from life and the scenes in front of her, but not in a studio in the tradition of the Impressionists. We have had Noel paint at our Island events and its amazing to record and event through her view on canvas. She does paint weddings live so if you are looking to have a very personal and artistic gift for your wedding, hire Noel to paint live while you are getting married or at the reception. She is a joyous and talented person and so fun to work with at any event.

The food at Mission Point was outrageous. They put on a delicious array of hot and cold appetizers to give everyone a sampling of the chef's fare. Everyone loved the mini burgers with haystack onions and a mini strawberry milkshake. We really liked the fresh salmon wrapped grilled asparagus with cream cheese, it was like a gobstopper of flavors. The hot stone had medium rare slices of filet that were delicious and we noticed everyone going back for seconds and thirds of the goatcheese and walnut stuffed pastry puffs.

Speaking of pastry....Kim Sperl from Bella e Dolce and her assistants created some fantastic wedding cakes and they were very, very delightful to see and of course sample.

Jay Porcaro from Weber's Floral and Gift had stunning floral centerpieces on each table as well as a sampling of tablescapes for the brides to view. We loved our table's centerpiece overflowing with peonies (where did he get those this time of year!) pink lilies, white roses and very pretty greens.

Andrejka from Andrejka Photography had a nice layout of wedding books filled with images of weddings from Mission Point, Grand Hotel, Inn at Stonecliffe and Hotel Iroquois. Her work is great and she is so upbeat and excited when meeting everyone. Always thinking out of the box, she also gave a beautiful calendar of the seasons of Mackinac to each attendee which everyone just loved. She has spent over a decade shooting on the Island now and has spent the last few winters coming up for her soon to come book series on the seasons here. Currently, she is showing her work at Victorian Summer Gallery and Little Luxuries of Mackinac.

We all had a great time and will fill you in soon on all the other events that took place over the weekend.

Destination Dream Wedding Weekend Who's Where List

2009-09-30T09:51:00.000-07:00

Here is the who's where and when during the wedding weekend:

5pm-9pm: Friday, October 9, 2009
Registration at Historic Mission Church
Vendors: Mackinac State Historic Parks, Mackinac Island Carriage Tours,
Rev. Marie Steensma & Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau Staff

Saturday, October 10, 2009
9am-11am-A Celtic Wedding at Patrick Sinclair’s Irish Pub
Vendors: Pianist John Kissane, Guitarist Mary McGuire, Star Line Ferry and Windermere Hotel

10am-12pm Ceremony Sites
Little Stone Church
Ste Anne’s Catholic Church
Trinity Episcopal Church
Somewhere in Time Gazebo: Soott Witsman from Mackinac State Historic Parks

10am-4pm Florists
Margaret’s Garden at Grand Hotel
Weber’s Floral & Gift

11am-1pm Edwardian Estate Weddings at The Inn at Stonecliffe
Vendors: Island Photo, Annie’s Cakes, Mackinac Film & Video Productions, guitarist Roger Humphrey, Wedding Coordinator Carole Erbel from For the Love of Mackinac, Island I Do Custom Invitations, Rev. Tom Marx, Weber's Floral

11am-3pm-All You Need is Love at Lilac House Bed & Breakfast
Vendors: Photography by Blair

12pm-2pm-Hotel, Historic Inn, and Bed & Breakfast Open House
Bay View Bed & Breakfast: Chippewa Hotel: Cloghaun Bed & Breakfast: Windermere Hotel

1pm-3pm The Bridal Party at The Lilac Tree Hotel & Spa
Vendors: Joann’s Fudge, Murdick’s Fudge, Pink Pony, Mackinac Island Tuxedo (formerly Hunters Creek Formal Wear)

1pm-3pm Romeo, Oh Romeo…at Lake View Hotel Vendors: Goodfellow’s Cakes by Erica, Sander’s Candy, Mackinac Island Bike Shop

2pm-4pm Stylish Elegance at Hotel Iroquois' Carriage House Dining Room.
Vendors: Photography by Paquette, Arnold Transit Company

2pm-4pm 7th Heaven Salon & Spa

3pm-5pm A Fall Garden Party at Island House Hotel
Vendors: McCoy Photo Duo, Wendy Leino Flute,

3pm-5pm A White Wedding at Harbour View Inn
Vendors: Heather May, May’s Candy Shop, Mackinac Tuxedo, Paul Retherford Photography, Omega Studios, Anne Coulter Productions, Weber's Floral
(closed)

5pm-6pm Fireside Champagne Celebration at Mission Point Resort

Vendors: All are invited to socialize with bridal parties to answer any last minute questions before the day is done.
Performing: bagpiper Gregor MacGregor

6pm-8pm Mission Point Dream Wedding Reception
Vendors: Dancehall DJs, Andrejka Photography, Bella e Dolce, Taylor Rental, Weber’s Floral & Gift, Shepler’s Ferry

Ongoing all Weekend-Unforgettable Weddings at Grand Hotel
Grand Hotel is known for creating weddings that are elegant and romantic and offers all amenities for your wedding including cakes, floral arrangements and gifts. Grand Hotel chefs can create a menu to satisfy your tastes while Grand Hotel Orchestra provides excellent live entertainment. During the Destination Dream Wedding Weekend, Grand Hotel offers complimentary admission over the weekend simply by showing your registration pass at the east entrance.
No vendors, just Grand Hotel staff.

Mission Point Resort offers special room rate for Wedding Weekend

2009-09-29T14:29:00.000-07:00

Mission Point Resort is offering a $99 room rate for registrants of the Destination Dream Wedding Weekend. Just click on http://missionpoint.com/weddings.html.

About Mission Point Resort:

The folks at www.mackinacfilms.com write:

"During the 1950's, The Moral Re-Armament became involved on the island upon the invitation of the Governor of Michigan. The MRA was a multi-national group, who, led by Dr. Frank Buchman, promoted the philosophy of love, unselfishness, purity and honesty in a world-wide evangelistic campaign. It was the ideological alternative to the post World War II spread of Communistic influence. Groundbreaking ceremonies began in 1954 and construction soon began on what was to become the MRA's World Conference Center.

The Theater was the first building constructed. Fifty foot trusses made of Norway Pine from nearby Bois Blanc Island supported the roof and 45 tons of native stone formed the original building. Construction on what is now called Huron Court and the Main Lodge began in the Fall of 1955, with the large trusses for the Great Hall being raised in early 1956.

The Main Lobby is one of the most distinctive architectural structures on the Island. Nine ton majestic trusses, converging at a height of 36 feet, resemble a 16 sided tepee. This structure fulfills the Indian prophecy that "Someday, on the east end of the Island, a great tepee will be erected. All nations will come there and learn about peace."

In 1957, the building which is now Straits Lodge was completed. Its lobby, known as Johnson Hall, is a prime example of skilled wood craftsmanship and has a five foot marble encased fireplace as the focal point.

The movie production Sound Stage was constructed in 1958. At that time it was the second largest of its type in the world. Universal Studios leased the Sound Stage for the 1979 summer season to produce the motion picture "Somewhere in Time" starring Christopher Reeve (Superman) and Jane Seymour. The entire cast and crew were hosted at the resort, then "The Inn on Mackinac."

The MRA relocated its operation to Switzerland and deeded much of the property to an organization known as Mackinac College in 1966. This educational institute attempted to develop programs in statesmanship and leadership, as well as more traditional curricula.

In 1970, the entire college was sold to a then well-known evangelist, Rex Humbard, who attempted to maintain the facility as a religious retreat and educational institution. It was terminated in 1972 and the Humbard organization began to use the property as a vacation resort. In 1977 the property was sold to a Dallas-based management and investment firm which changed the name to Mackinac Hotel and Conference Center.

The property was sold in late 1987 and renamed Mission Point Resort. The new name reflects back into history when this part of the Island housed one of the first churches and the Mission House, an historical landmark which still stands on the property.

Extensive, multi-million dollar renovations are bringing out the best in these unique structures. "Casual Elegance" is being applied to every aspect of the Resort."

Destination Dream Wedding Weekend Events

2009-09-25T15:33:00.000-07:00

Destination Dream Wedding Weekend Events
October 9-10, 2009

Friday, October 9, 2009

5pm-9pm Registration

Mission Church/Historic Mission Church Reception Room
Pay your registration fees; pick up event schedules, passes to all events and a great gift bag courtesy of the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau. The puritan lines of this church are a stunning backdrop for your wedding ceremony. Built in 1829, Mission Church is non-denominational and a part of Mackinac State Historic Parks.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

9am-11am A Celtic Wedding
Patrick Sinclair’s Irish Pub will show you how to create an intimate wedding reception, casual rehearsal dinner or bon voyage brunch blending old world charm with contemporary amenities.

10am-12pm
Little Stone Church
A Union Congregational Church and a popular wedding site for those seeking a picturesque, intimate setting.

Somewhere in Time at Fort Mackinac
Get married at the original gazebo where Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour met in the film Somewhere in Time. Meet at the Gazebo just to the east of Fort Mackinac’s Avenue of Flags.

10am-4pm
Margaret’s Garden at Grand Hotel
The floral designers at Margaret’s Garden are happy to help you develop and clarify your vision into a unique expression and make your day a memorable celebration of beauty at Grand Hotel or any other location on the Island.

Weber’s Floral & Gift
Whether you are planning an elopement or the pomp and ceremony of a large wedding and reception, Weber’s personal level of commitment will help you create a distinctive style on your first day together, located on Historic Market Street adjacent to Marquette Park.

11am-1pm
Edwardian Estate Wedding
The Inn at Stonecliffe features an Edwardian Grotto with a fountain and pond surrounded by the forest for your ceremony while the mansion offers the perfect architectural backdrop overlooking the Mackinac Bridge for your wedding and reception. Enjoy coffee, teas and pastries.

11am-3pm
All You Need is Love
The Lilac House Bed & Breakfast and Photographer Steven Blair of Photos by Blair host an open house to show you how to have an intimate getaway wedding.

12pm-2pm
Hotel, Historic Inn, and Bed & Breakfast Open House

Bay View Bed & Breakfast
With their newly remodeled dining area and enlarged sun deck, Bay View of Mackinac will comfortably accommodate intimate weddings and receptions for up to 30 guests.

Chippewa Hotel
This turn of the century landmark offers waterfront and main street rooms and suites and is home to the famous Pink Pony Bar & Grill, with on the water seating, full bar and a 25 person hot tub.

Cloghaun Bed & Breakfast
One of the oldest grand homes on Mackinac Island, Cloghaun (clah-hawn) offers gorgeous Irish antique filled rooms and serves continental breakfast and afternoon tea to all guests.

Metivier Inn
This historic Victorian era Inn is known for its romantic gardens and is a favorite honeymoon spot on Historic Market Street. Tour the inn and get a sneak peak at the Grand Room with its private patio and Jacuzzi for your honeymoon.

1pm-3pm
The Bridal Party
The Lilac Tree Hotel & Spa offers all suites, many with balconies overlooking Main Street, and the spa offers an assortment of relaxing treatments to prepare you for the big day.

Romeo, Oh Romeo… The balconies and veranda at the Island’s classic Lake View Hotel are perfect for a gorgeous, romantic wedding. Lake View offers 2,500 square feet of air-conditioned, contiguous space to accommodate your wedding with seated dinners for up to 125 guests and packages for simple wedding ceremonies, elopements and renewal of vows.

2pm-4pm
Stylish Elegance
Hotel Iroquois invites you to an exquisite setting perfect for rehearsal dinners and dinner receptions. Select staff will offer hotel tours plus great refreshments in the award-winning Carriage House Dining Room.

7th Heaven Salon & Spa
Meet hair stylists, massage therapists, nail technicians and more. Located in the lower level of the Grand Gate House Courtyard Shops.

3pm-5pm
A Fall Garden Party
The Island House, the oldest resort hotel on Mackinac Island has been joining families for over 150 years. Beautiful ceremonies take place on their Veranda or in their Garden Gazebo. With two excellent restaurants, an in-house pastry chef and an on- site wedding coordinator, planning your wedding is a dream.

A White Wedding
The former home of fur trader, educator and Island socialite Madame LaFramboise, Harbour View Inn offers glorious settings for your wedding day with gorgeous rooms, on-site catering, a beautiful gazebo and gardens adjacent to Ste Anne’s Church.

5pm-6pm
Fireside Champagne Celebration
Mission Point Resort hosts a fireside cocktail party and vendor reception in their amazing lobby, one of the most distinctive architectural structures on the Island. What a nice way to wind down the day.

6pm-8pm
Mission Point Dream Wedding Reception
Relax and enjoy yourself at the Destination Dream Reception in the Summit Room with its panoramic views overlooking Lake Huron and taste culinary excellence at the chef’s table.

Ongoing all Weekend

Unforgettable Weddings at Grand Hotel
Grand Hotel is known for creating weddings that are elegant and romantic and offers all amenities for your wedding including cakes, floral arrangements and gifts. Grand Hotel chefs can create a menu to satisfy your tastes while Grand Hotel Orchestra provides excellent live entertainment. During the Destination Dream Wedding Weekend, Grand Hotel offers complimentary admission over the weekend simply by showing your registration pass at the east entrance.

The List

2009-09-22T11:24:00.000-07:00

Here it is, the official Mackinac Island Wedding Directory

With excellent ethics, professionalism, personal integrity and working knowledge of the Island, Mackinac Island's wedding specialists will ensure your wedding is everything you expect and more.

List courtesy of the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau and Mackinac Island Weddings

Cakes
Annie’s Cakes (906) 847-3473
Bella e Dolce (231) 625-8232

Carriages
Gough Livery Carriages 906-847-3228 (spring, summer, fall) 906-647-9863 (winter)
Mackinac Island Carriage Tours 906-847-3307

Ceremony Sites
Little Stone Church - Union Congregational 906-847-3877
Historic Mission Church - Non-Denominational 517-373-4296 (off season) 906-847-3328 (in season)
Ste Anne’s Catholic Church 906-847-3507
Trinity Episcopal Church 906-847-3798

Gardens, Gazebos & Grottos
Grand Hotel 800-33GRAND
Hotel Iroquois 906-847-3321
Inn at Stonecliffe 906-847-3355
Island House Hotel 906-847-3341
Mackinac Island Butterfly House 906-847-3972
Mission Point Resort 800-833-7711
Surrey Hill Gazebo 906-847-3307
Somewhere in Time Gazebo 517-373-4296 (off season) 906-847-3328 (in season)
Windermere Hotel 906-847-3301
Wings of Mackinac Butterfly Conservatory 906-847-9464

Historic
Fort Mackinac 517-373-4296 (off season) 906-847-3328 (in season)

On the Water
Arnold Line Ferry 800-847-3351
Dreamseaker Charters 888-634-3419
EUP Fishing & Charters 877-455-FISH
Mackinaw Breeze Catamaran 906-847-8669
Shepler’s Ferry 800-828-6157
Star Line Ferry 800-638-989

Clergy & Officiates
Rev. Joyce Brown-Moore 231-238-7600
Minister Tom Marx 877-881-9736
Rev. Edwin G. Remaly & Glad Foster Remaly 231-627-6996
Minister Marie Steensma 231 881-3530

Consultants
Anne Coulter Productions Weddings and Events, LLC (231) 668-6587
For the Love of Mackinac (906) 847-3691
Mackinac Island Wedding Specialist (231) 436-5686

Flowers
Margaret's Garden at Grand Hotel 906-847-3331
Weber’s Floral & Gift 800-643-8243

Fudge Favors
Joann’s Fudge (906) 847-3707
May’s Candy Shops (906) 847-3832
Murdick’s Fudge (906) 847-3530
Murray Hotel Fudge Co. (800) 4MACKINAC
Ryba’s Fudge (800) 44-RYBAS
Sander’s Candy (906) 847-0250

Invitations
Great Turtle Creations (724) 458-4844
Island I do (248) 259-8563

Music
Roger Humphrey, Classical guitar 800-266-0795
Wendy Leino, Classical flute 906-847-0017
D. Gregor MacGregor, Bagpipes 800-529-8805
Heather May, Classical flute 231-622-9606
Mary McGuire, Contemporary-classical guitarist & vocalist 906-847-3463
John Kissane-new age & classical pianist, 906-430-7051

Disc Jockeys
Dance Hall DJs 877-368-7280
Sound Productions 888-DJ4HIRE

Newspaper Announcements
Mackinac Island Town Crier 906-847-3788

Party, Banquet , Tents and Outdoor Supplies
Taylor Rental 231-347-1840

Photographers
Andrejka Photography 805-331-0146
Island Photo 888-597-3729
McCoy Studio 615-435-3711
Jim Nelson Photography 877-537-2925
Paul Retherford Photography 231-445-1793
Photography by Paquette 231-487-9363
Photos by Blair 800-968-9998
Resort Photography 866-841-1500
Z Media 888.241.6768

Rehearsal Dinners
Carriage House Dining Room 906-847-3321
Horn's Gaslight Bar & Restaurant 906-847-6154
Patrick Sinclair's Irish Pub 906-847-8255
Pink Pony Bar & Grill 906-847-3341
Yankee Rebel Tavern 906-847-6249

Salons, Spas & Wellness
7th Heaven Salon & Spa 906-847-9977
Astor Salon at Grand Hotel 800-33GRAND (ask for Astor Salon)
Lilac Tree Hotel Spa 906-847-6575

Tuxedo & Kilt Rental
Hunter’s Creek Formal Wear 906-847-0246
Mackinac Tuxedo 906-643-7001

Videographers
Mackinac Video Productions (906) 847-6089
Omega Studios 989-379-7246

Destination Dream Wedding Weekend

2009-08-27T14:40:00.001-07:00

We are planning the annual Destination Dream Wedding Weekend, our two day wedding planning event on the Island October 9-10, 2009.

There is really something special about a destination wedding in a place that caters to people on vacation.

Whether you want to marry in the woods, on the shoreline, in a church, at a resort hotel, in a gazebo-Mackinac Island has it all. There are plenty of places to sleep, gather, enjoy an amazing meal, have a stellar reception or rehearsal dinner plus loads of activities to keep guests engaged.

Here hospitality is a way of like and everyone can be ensured that their wedding will be attended to with graciousness whether economical or extravagant.

The admission to attend all events on this weekend is just $25 per person. There will be many great hotel specials posted here: www.mackinacisland.org/specials.html

Also, the official Island wedding site offers a downloadable digital organizer here: http://www.mackinacislandweddings.org/. It's a great tool and a great way to get acquainted with the details of preparing for your wedding here.

So come on over and start getting organized this October, we are looking forward to helping.

Registration is online from http://www.mackinacislandweddings.org/ by clicking on Wedding Resources and following the paragraph about the weekend to the link.

Hiring Reputable Wedding Vendors

2009-04-30T18:06:00.000-07:00

Hiring Reputable Wedding Vendors

So many brides email us about wedding vendors they find online that state they work on the Island. Please, please, please, buyer beware. We can't monitor all sites and some folks are not being honest out there.

So, where does someone find a wedding vendor to help with your wedding plans? Just click on http://www.mackinacislandweddings.org/ for the skinny on who, what, where and how. There is a wedding planner that you can download too. This is a handy publication for sure.

Its very important to ask any wedding vendor presenting themselves to you on websites or in person just how much experience they have working on the Island. If they do not have at the very least three Island business references, do not hire them.

This simple question can save you alot of hassle as those that are members know how the Island works best and those that aren't...well, there could be unforeseen issues with people who are not experienced working on Mackinac Island. In some cases, they may not be authorized to conduct business on the Island either.

To check whether someone is really connected to the Island business community, they will be listed on the wedding resources page on http://www.mackinacislandweddings.org/. Just click through the wedding resources page to the third page in for all wedding vendors. If they aren't on this page, do not hire them. Nuff said.

The only official sites for Mackinac Island are http://www.mackinacisland.org/ and http://www.mackinacislandweddings.org/.

The official festival sites are: http://www.greatturtlefestivals.org/, http://www.mackinacislandlilacfestival.org/, http://www.mackinacislandfudgefestival.org/, http://www.mackinacislandmusicfestival.org/

The official Island Radio Station is: http://www.radiomackinac.org.

The official pet travel site is http://www.mackinacislanddogandponyclub.org.

If you have any questions about a wedding vendor or business, call (800) 454-5227 and the folks at the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau can confirm affiliation for you.

Getting Guests to the Island.

2009-03-06T05:43:00.001-08:00

Getting to Mackinac Island (excerpt from www.mackinacisland.org/gettinghere.html)

There are two truths, guests have get on the Island by boat or airplane. There are three ferry lines serving the Island from Mackinaw City in the Lower Peninsula or St .Ignace in the Upper Peninsula. They all charge the same price and all offer great service, parking and valet service. (All three ferry lines also offer charters if you want to have a party or dinner out on the water).
We have one local airline, one regional charter airline and then the only commercial carrier that can get your guests close to the Island is Northwest via Pellston Airport.

This summer, both van shuttle companies are going to add Cherry Capitol Airport to their roster, so if your guests have to fly to Traverse City, there is a way to get to the Island without renting a car (that would just sit in a parking lot for days).

Please read the following or share this with your guests. And as always, shoot us an email at info@mackinacislandweddings.org if you have any questions.

By Land
For those traveling from point’s south, follow I-75 north to Mackinac City or St. Ignace and watch for the well-marked exits to your boat dock of choice. For those traveling from point’s north, follow I-75 south to St. Ignace or Mackinac City your boat dock of choice.

Tolls are assessed for vehicles traveling over the Mackinac Bridge and begin at approximately $2.50 for passenger vehicles increasing according to size of your vehicle, truck, RV or bus. The Mackinac Bridge Authority accepts tokens or cash only.

Driving Directions

Parking
There is ample parking convenient to the boat docks with valet service and unloading and loading service available. Because motor vehicles are restricted to emergency or state vehicles only (medical, fire and police), there are no personal motor vehicles permitted on Mackinac Island.

By Air
Commercial Airlines
Northwest Airlines offers flights to Pellston Airport (airport code PLN) from most major cities.

Charter Air Service
American Business Airways
(248) 444-5202
The newest charter air service operating from Pontiac, Michigan, ABA serves Mackinac Island year round. ABA has a flat rate per hour fee for most charter services and generally operates within the 500 mile radius of the Detroit Area.

Great Lakes Air (906) 643-7165 provides service from St. Ignace, Traverse City and Pellston Airports to the Island. Charter flights are also available. Regularly scheduled flights from St. Ignace to Mackinac Island available year 'round.

Airport Transportation Services
Mackinac (Horse Drawn) Taxi Service (906) 847-3323 will transport you and yours via horse drawn taxi from the Mackinac Island airport to your accommodation on Island, reservations are suggested. During the winter months, it is imperative to plan your evening or early morning taxi prior to 3pm.

Northern Michigan Airport Shuttles
Either the Mackinaw Shuttle (888-349-8294) or the Wolverine Stagecoach (800-825-1450) will bring you and your luggage right to the boat docks after your flight to Pellston Airport. Both also provide services to and from Traverse City's Cherry Capitol Airport (airport code TVC) with carriers Northwest, Delta and United.

About Ferry Transportation
Arnold Transit Company, Shepler’s, and Star Line ferry companies offer scheduled daily departures from Mackinaw City and St. Ignace from May through October. All ferry companies offer enclosed lower decks and open air observation decks, ample free parking for day-trippers and longer term secured and unsecured parking for overnight guests. Handicap, valet and luggage service is available.

*Ask about special discount fares for groups, wedding parties, conventions, charters and AAA members at ticket windows. Major credit cards are accepted at all ferry companies.

Off Season Ferry Service
Arnold Transit Company continues service from St. Ignace from November through January closing only for winter weather and reopening once the ice breaks generally in early April. Please check their online schedule as hours of transport are shorter during the winter.

Bringing your own Boat
If you are sailing or motoring your own vessel to the Island, the Department of Natural Resources will handle your mooring reservation up to six months in advance.

Mackinac Island State Harbor: 45° 50' 40" N, 84° 36' 42" W offers 76 total slips with 13 seasonal and 63 transient slips. Online reservations are available from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources or by calling (906) 847-3561.

Internet Mapping Software
To use internet mapping services such as , please use zip code 49701 (Mackinaw City)or 49781 (St. Ignace boat) to map your route. Please do not use Mackinac Island or our zip code or you will end up near Cheboygan, about 30 miles away.

Fly In
Mackinac Island is especially suited to aviators and welcomes private air travelers offering views of boreal forests, bogs, marshes, springs, bridges and buildings that quietly speak of our history of place in the American experience. Operated by the Mackinac State Historic Parks, Mackinac Island Airport 45° 51.89' N 084° 38.24'W (906-847-3231) features a 3500' runway with daily monthly and annual landing fees.

2009-03-06T05:35:00.000-08:00

Wow, its been great getting so many positive emails about our new site www.mackinacislandweddings.org. Designing and formatting a website is a huge task. We love the look of the site too and are happy all of you are finding it useful. Thanks!

Alot of you are asking about bringing guests to the island. So the next blog will be dedicated to getting to Mackinac Island.

Hiring a Wedding Consultant

2009-01-12T19:49:00.001-08:00

Be sure to consider hiring an Island wedding consultant. Hiring a wedding consultant is a great way to reduce the stress of planning and worth every penny spent in order to ensure your wedding plans are attended to while you are getting married.

We hired one of the wedding consultants for our wedding and even though my husband and I live here, it just reduced the amount of work we had to do which made it much easier for us to attend to our guests during our wedding weekend. She even wrote a newsletter that we emailed to our guests all about getting here, staying here, getting around along with a schedule of events that she helped us organize. It was also comforting for us and our parents because we could chat with her, make decisions and viola! they were handled. Our parents were also comforted knowing they knew we weren't going to get overloaded with things to do on the big day. We were very happy to have a professional in the know point person to go to when my parents or our guests had a question and even to help find my Uncle Jim's video camera that he had left on the horse drawn taxi...

Some hotels have on site wedding staff. Generally, on site wedding staff are not personal assistants but will assist you with the general details of your wedding at their property. The on site wedding staff are great and sometimes all you will need for your big day, depending on how much you doing or how many events you are trying to plan.

A wedding consultant is more like a personal assistant and can tend to all your needs on the days approaching as well as the day of your wedding. It's good to inquire about the job description of your on site wedding staff to ensure you are clear about their job duties when it comes to your wedding day.

Hiring a wedding consultant is also a great savings if you have a strict budget as they will hold you to it. The biggest plus is they know how to get things done on Mackinac for a variety of price points.

Most wedding consultants/planners/coordinators charge a percentage of your wedding for their services. For us, this service was priceless.

A White Wedding

2009-01-01T21:49:00.000-08:00

We had a sweet couple on the Island this week to marry...super cold out but there is something about a white wedding dress, white full length and very tasteful faux fur coat with the snowy landscape and red roses...so surreal and beautiful. He was in black with an Italian wool long dress coat.

Both were gorgeous, super nice and madly in love with each other. They brought their parents and it was a very warm affair as the snow fell on the cedars.

The site is almost ready to launch

2009-01-01T21:44:00.001-08:00

Its an exciting time here at our office, the creativity is flowing. Kate is doing a great job with the images and the links for all things wedding are almost finished.

The digitial organizer is going to be such a great resource for helping keep track of the wedding plans in one place on the desktop. The image galleries on the site are going to be really helpful for couples to view ceremony and reception locations as well as all of the associated details that go along with getting married.

We are working right now on linking all of the digital organizer pages to sites, email address of our Island wedding coordinators, rehearsal dinner locations, musicians, photographers, etc...so that couples just have to view, link and connect.

Welcome

2008-12-17T11:59:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Mackinac Island Weddings, the first official site dedicated to getting married on Mackinac Island. The Island is such a beautiful setting for a wedding and we hope to assist you with your questions here as well as invite you to share your comments about your wedding experiences on the Island.

Thanks for checking in and congratulations.