A Classic Wedding

Contributed by Carole Erbel, For the Love of Mackinac!

As a Mackinac Island Wedding Coordinator, I see weddings in all shapes, sizes, religious denominations, some casual and some formal. When Maura asked me to help with her wedding, I wasn’t sure what her style might be. She is young, beautiful, hip, and lives in California working on her Masters. I was surprised but delighted to find that Maura desired a classic wedding -sophisticated and traditional.

The beautiful wedding gown and tiara were worn by her mother -and worn by Maura- stunning. Carrying a gorgeous bouquet of lavender lilac, lavender lisianthus, white oriental lilies and soft blue tweedia - the perfect accompaniment for a fresh-picked wildflower look.

 Zac and his groomsmen wore black suits accented with deep purple ties while the bridesmaids wore lilac colored dresses with bouquets that were a smaller version of Maura's. All flowers were arranged by Margaret's Garden at Grand Hotel. 

Maura and Zac chose an early June wedding during Mackinac Island's annual Lilac Festival. The Groom was surrounded by his friends and family at the church, while Maura and her bridesmaids were transported from Grand Hotel to the Little Stone Church by a horse drawn Grand Hotel carriage.

The ceremony took place in Little Stone Church built in 1904 of local fieldstone and was officiated by Rev. Dan Hans. Maura's family has been members of Little Stone Church for years so the wedding was attended by many Island families and friends.

Following the ceremony all guests were whisked off in horse drawn taxi's and taken to the Star Line Ferry dock for a two hour cocktail cruise aboard the Straits II. The cruise was catered by Audie's from Mackinaw City and the guests were treated to incredible views of the Island from the water as well as going under the Mackinaw Bridge.

Immediately following the cruise the guests were again taken by horse drawn carriage to The Inn at Stonecliffe, while Maura and Zac went on a private carriage ride with Mackinac Island Carriage Tours for photos with Mackinac Island photographers, Island Photo. The two were able to have a few quiet moments to reflect on the fact that they had just gotten married. I think these private moments are a very important part of the day. Stopping for photos along the water and atop the bluffs, many wonderful photos were created.

At Stonecliffe, guests had views of the Mackinac Bridge and the lovely gardens of the hotel. On entering the tented reception, each guest received a key directing them to their dinner table where gorgeous centerpieces from Grand Hotel's Margaret's Garden adorned the tables.

Maura and Zac cut their German chocolate wedding cake created by the incredible Bella e Dolce. It was embellished with clusters of handmade lilacs leading up the cake and was just as yummy as it was beautiful.

Toasts and dinner followed leading to dancing with family and friends into the evening.It was lovely wedding and as always, I was honored to have been a part of this very special day.

Wedding Dreams Come True

Wedding at The Inn at Stonecliffe are always special.  Where else on Mackinac Island can you incorporate the woods, Mackinac bridge views, the great lawn and the sunset backdrop.  

So choosing Memorial Day weekend was taking a chance of cool weather, but the day was sunny and absolutely perfect for Angela and David of Framingham, Massachusetts.  Over 100 guests attended from all over the country, as well as Mackinac Island resident, Becky Miller, wedding coordinator, and a lifelong friend of Angela. 

The wedding party readied themselves for the day at the lovely Harbour View Inn, conveniently located next to the church. Ste Anne’s Church was their first choice and everything went perfectly including a group photo of everyone at the end of the ceremony.

A brilliant yellow wedding bouquet and lots of flowers were beautiful accents to the cerulean blue day. A carriage from Gough Carriage Livery picked up Angela and David and away they went through Main Street stopping for photos taken by Island Photo, photographers on Mackinac Island, at the West Bluff.

Upon arriving the beautiful Inn at Stonecliffe for their reception David and Angela signed their wedding license and grabbed their “Just Married” bicycle for some fun photos. Games on the lawn, and cocktails on the terrace kept everyone busy and happy up until the big introduction of the bride and groom. More photos at Sunset Rock, where Angela and David had spent romantic times at previous visits made for more amazing photos together and with the wedding party. A wedding cake & cupcakes from Annie's Cakes, and delicious fudge favors from Joann's Fudge kept the guests sweet tooth satisfied. Out on the lawn, guests and the bridal party strolled taking in the incredible beautiful day while the music and dancing took place. An amazing dinner was served at this delightful reception setting at The Inn at Stonecliffe.  

Congratulations to Angela and David, who had planned it , dreamed it and did it…Married on Mackinac!

Laughter & Love

There was plenty of laughter and love between Robyn and Darrin during their fantastic wedding held at the Island House Hotel during a picture perfect Memorial Day weekend. Hair styling was done in the newly decorated Island House bridal suite by Salon owner Christy Lucas of Vintage Glam on Market. The bride’s beautiful bouquet was extraordinary by St Ignace in Boom. Before the ceremony, the couple were picked up by Mackinac Island Carriage Tours and taken by the beautiful horse team to a carriage ride through the Island. Photographs were taken by Island Photo, as the bright sunshine lit up the sky and accented the fresh green colors of early season Mackinac.

With the front lawn serving as the ceremony site, the colorful scene of Great Lakes cruise ships and the even more spectacular and enormous Great Lakes freighters passed in the background as “I Do’s” were exchanged.

Guests and family enjoyed the great lawn of the Island House along with the scenic verandah as everyone just meandered and visited while sipping on cocktails and tasting the excellent hors d’oeuvres.

Inside, wedding disc jockey DJ Brevin made for the absolutely best DJ, keeping the music flowing with all of Darrin and Robyn’s favorites. First dance got things going into the night, as the gang stayed our late and made this one weekend to remember!

Perfect Timing

Sometimes two people come together at just the perfect place in their lives - the ideal moment in time, while surrounded by their closest friends and family  and in the place (Mackinac Island) that means the most to them.  That's precisely what happened during this past Saturday of Labor Day weekend.  

Minutes before arriving at the Market Street Inn to begin photos, the rain stopped, the sun came out, and the timing of everything began falling into place - easily.  Allison got ready at the Chippewa Hotel, a favorite of the couple. Also preceding the ceremony was the first look and bridal party photographs at Windermere Point which was great, followed by and a few minutes with just Brandon and Allison to capture some beautiful and romantic photos by the water.  

More photos at Marquette Park, the Marina and my favorite photo.... a very impromptu dip on Main Street, capturing the diverse Labor Day crowd's attention- all eyes on this beautiful couple!  These two have a special spark and love for each other and people that will stay strong and certainly gather others to it as the years go by.