Help….Michigan Wedding???
My Fiancé and I are trying to plan for a June 2009 Wedding in Michigan, but we are lost, completely lost. Does anyone have any advice on site locations, vendor’s, Dj’s, photographers, or wedding planners that service Southeast Michigan?
If you did plan your own wedding, are there any resources that you would recommend such as books, planning guides and websites?
We greatly appreciate any advice, even personal opinions ranging from color choices to reception music. I estimate we will have around 200 guests, mostly family, and we hope to keep our budget under $30,000.
Thanks in advance!
Oh my gosh! I can understand why you would be so lost. There are a ton of places and options! The first step is to pick a general location (East side like Warren or Sterling Heights? West side like Troy or Rochester?) then narrow it down from there.
My best advice is to actually go to the locations you’re thinking about. Walk around them, ask for a food tasting. Even better, ask if you can come to the location when an event is going on and see how they handle things in a real situation.
As for DJs and Photographers, ask for references and samples of their work. Most places will let you come to a reception to "audition" a DJ.
Make a list of things you absolutely must have, things you definitely don’t want, and things that are negotiable. Knowing what you want and don’t want will go a long way in being able to stick to budget. It will also help those you hire serve you better. For example, if a hall offers something you don’t want, ask them if they will take something off the price if you don’t have it. Maybe you can get a lower price if you don’t do the package deal with the 11 x 14" photo? It never hurts to ask. Discuss and bargain when you can with options. The worst they can do is say no.
Good luck!
November 30th, 2009 at 6:10 am
http://www.theknot.com
http://www.brides.com
http://www.weddingchannel.com
Try these.
References :
BTB 8/21/08
November 30th, 2009 at 6:39 am
Hello my name is Kelly and i am the owner/photography at Willow Studios I do travel for weddings so if you are interested please check out my website at http://www.willow-studios.com
References :
November 30th, 2009 at 7:03 am
Oh my gosh! I can understand why you would be so lost. There are a ton of places and options! The first step is to pick a general location (East side like Warren or Sterling Heights? West side like Troy or Rochester?) then narrow it down from there.
My best advice is to actually go to the locations you’re thinking about. Walk around them, ask for a food tasting. Even better, ask if you can come to the location when an event is going on and see how they handle things in a real situation.
As for DJs and Photographers, ask for references and samples of their work. Most places will let you come to a reception to "audition" a DJ.
Make a list of things you absolutely must have, things you definitely don’t want, and things that are negotiable. Knowing what you want and don’t want will go a long way in being able to stick to budget. It will also help those you hire serve you better. For example, if a hall offers something you don’t want, ask them if they will take something off the price if you don’t have it. Maybe you can get a lower price if you don’t do the package deal with the 11 x 14" photo? It never hurts to ask. Discuss and bargain when you can with options. The worst they can do is say no.
Good luck!
References :
November 30th, 2009 at 7:08 am
For a photographer, I would recommend Marci Curtis. She’s in the Troy area.
http://www.marcicurtis.com/
She is doing my wedding next weekend and did our engagement pictures (which turned out fantastic).
As for a place to have your reception, I would say The Inn at St. John’s. That’s where I wanted to have my wedding, but they were all booked when I was looking.
http://www.stjohnsgolfconference.com/weddings.html
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November 30th, 2009 at 7:48 am
I got married in Ann Arbor. Absolutely LOVED my photographer (Jasmine Wang Towers) and videographer (5th and Main). Both had reasonable prices, non-intrusive, professional, excellent work. Got married at the Michigan League in the Unviersity of Michigan; checked out a lot of golf courses in the area as well.
References :
November 30th, 2009 at 7:54 am
We’re getting married in August this year at Meadowbrook Hall & Garden in Rochester, MI. The rental for this place is $6500 in the peak season. However, the wedding coordinator there is really helpful. This is a historical castle (if you’re into romantic and elegant wedding) and with that rental price, you’re renting the whole place. So there won’t be anybody else except you and your guest. With less than 100 people, you can do reception inside, or do an outdoor reception in their tent. This is really popular place, so you might want to sign the contract really fast~
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November 30th, 2009 at 8:44 am
Hi. First you need to narrow it down. Are you in the Detroit area? If so…..LOTS of places! Check out Greenfield Village too!
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November 30th, 2009 at 9:08 am
we are getting married in August in Saline at Wellers… they have 2 outdoor ceremony locations as well as reception facilities right on site…. http://www.wellersweddings.com
it is beautiful… i am using DJ Kurt Lewis, he is pretty well recommended…. having engagement photos this weekend so can’t recommend out photog yet until i see how i like out photos!
theknot.com is pretty helpful… and you can set up your own website to share with people…
References :
November 30th, 2009 at 9:13 am
I too am in Southeast Michigan. I’ve been to several weddings lately at several very nice locations. There’s Greenmead park in Livonia where they have a nice, quaint chapel on the grounds. If you’re Catholic, the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament is gorgeous in Detroit.
As the for the reception, I’ve been to one at Fox Hills, Laurel Manor and I’m going to one this weekend at Pi. There are so many historical and beautiful locations downtown and in other cities along the river. I’ve seen some really nice pictures at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial for instance. As for pictures, try http://www.lavisphotograhy.com.
Although not specific to Michigan, for a good book, try Jung Lee’s new book, Fete, the Wedding Experience</a>. She gives a lot of good advice on how to make your wedding full of little touches that describe you and your groom.
Good luck!
References :
http://www.12kwedding.com