Wedding registry options…at the new West Elm!

Last Wednesday, my husband and I got to go to a preview “soft launch” of the new West Elm store in Birmingham, MI. Okay, okay. Yes, this blog is Detroit-centered. But Sean really loves West Elm. And this blog post includes Detroit and socially-conscious items that we learned about at the preview. Read onward…

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If you are trying to figure out where you want to have your wedding registries, add West Elm to your list to check out. Whether you and your soon-to-be-spouse are looking for glassware, bedding, locally crafted goods, curtains… you’ve got a lot of quality items to choose from.

The store has a “West Elm Local” section with goods that are, well, local! Right now Detroit-based Jodi Lynn’s Emporium of Doodles has some great artwork available at the store.

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We also discovered that West Elm has a partnership with FEED, “a social business dedicated to ending world hunger through the sale of products that have a measurable donation attached to them.” So far FEED has provided almost 84 million meals. Purchasing the mug pictured below leads to FEED providing four meals.

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From bedding made from materials produced at the country’s oldest woolen mill to entirely handcrafted rugs, you get the sense from wandering around the store that items are selected for quality and with care. Also, there is an in-store stylist that can help you figure out your interior decor plan. You can bring in your floor plans and get to work!

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If you’re interested in setting up a wedding registry, visit the store at 215 W. Maple Rd in Birmingham or click here.

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[real wedding] Michael and Barbara’s Wedding at Fort Street Presbyterian Church

LoveintheD co-blogger Shannon made this great blog post possible!

We love real wedding posts as much as our readers – and we know you’ll enjoy reading about Michael and Barbara’s 2010 wedding at Fort Street Presbyterian Church. If you were married in Detroit, please send us an e-mail and you could be featured on LoveintheD!

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Why did you decide to get married in Detroit?

Michael and I had our first date in Detroit – we went to a Tigers game and Hockeytown Café. So we wanted to incorporate Detroit into our wedding. We both enjoy spending time there. Detroit has so much history and I’m passionate about its future.

Tell us about Fort Street Presbyterian Church.

It’s one of the oldest churches in Detroit. The interior is beautiful with dark walnut and stained glass windows. We worked with their wedding coordinator, which made the whole process easier. There’s a parking lot across the street so our guests didn’t have to worry about parking. The only downside was that there was no air conditioning.

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Can you describe your wedding?

We didn’t decorate very much in the church – it’s so beautiful that we didn’t want to distract from the existing décor. The music was performed by the church organist. One of my favorite memories is that my niece – she was three at the time – was our flower girl and she got confused about when to walk down the aisle. We all got out of sync with the music, but it was cute and funny. Another problem we had was that some of the roads were blocked on the morning of our wedding. A film was being shot in the area, but thankfully, everything was clear by the time our guests arrived.

The Details:

Venue: Fort Street Presbyterian Church

Florist: Gerald’s Florist, Madison Heights

Dress: Maria’s Bridal

Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal

Rehearsal Dinner: Angelina Bistro, Detroit 

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How did you and Michael meet?

Michael is actually the brother of one of my longtime friends. He’s a little bit older, so I had never met him until after I graduated college. When we saw each other, there were sparks!

Do you have any advice for others who are planning their Detroit wedding?

Have fun and take advantage of all the cool places to take photos. And, if you’re planning a summer wedding, be sure you have air conditioning!

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Readers: What other historic Detroit churches would you recommend as wedding venues?

Detroit farm flowers for your Detroit wedding

My sincerest apologies for the long break between posts! As some of you know, I recently won the primary election to serve as state representative for House District 6. It’s been a busy year. Anyway, on to the blog post!

This summer Sarah of Fresh Cut Detroit and I connected. I was excited to learn about her flower farm! Have you been trying to find locally grown flowers? Want to support a Detroit vendor as you plan your Detroit wedding? Read on!

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Tell me about Fresh Cut Detroit! When did it start, and what’s the story of you got started as a flower farmer here in Detroit?

Fresh Cut is a flower farm in Woodbridge, Detroit. This is our first season on this land, with this business, though I have been growing flowers, fruits, and veggies for around 9 years. After 3 years in Detroit managing a farm site for local nonprofits, I decided I was ready to start my own farm. I’d been honing in on the idea of a flower farm for a while. There’s a strong network of very local veggie growers, but not much of a specialty in cut flowers yet. Nationally, the trend of local flowers has followed closely behind local food, so it seemed like a good bet that that same desire for small-scale, locally grown flowers was heading to Detroit! Also, it’s easier to hold $20 in your hand with flowers than it is with veggies (it weighs less, too!) so it makes it a good option for a family business on a small plot of land.

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What kinds of flowers do you grow in your garden at the edge of Woodbridge? How do you decide what to grow?

I grow a big mix – around 100 varieties. I have established many perennials, which will provide blooms for years to come, though they’re not ready for much commercial harvest yet: dicentra, astilbe, baptisia australis, centaurea, alstroemeria, foxgloves… For the next couple years, I will be relying more on annuals like dahlias, snapdragons, thai basil, scabiosa, ageratum, flowering kale, long-stemmed marigolds and zinnias; and wildflowers from around the city, like asters, chicory, sweet peas, queen ann’s lace, brassicas, and yarrow.

I use many factors to decide what to grow: what’s well suited for this climate, what trends I see in wedding media, what is affordable to purchase and establish, compared with what the market price and demand for that stem, and spreading the blooms out from the earliest spring to the latest fall, as well as what can be dried or otherwise stored for winter events. I’m growing (and drying)  in preparation for winter things like dusty miller, strawflower, statice, and gomphrena. I’ve also been lucky enough to inherit some beautiful plants from the previous owners of our house: a mature apple and cherry tree, roses, and peonies!

Can you tell me about how Fresh Cut Detroit is environmentally and/or socially conscious?

My whole body of experience in agriculture is in organic settings that based their decisions on a balance between organic standards and research, long-term health of land, workers, and customers, and productivity balanced with fertility. This is the only way I know how to grow, and I’m doing my best to enact those same types of decisions on the farm. Socially, living in Detroit these last 4 years has raised my consciousness immensely. I don’t have any rule book to follow, but I try to do my best to be fair, respectful, and supportive of my neighbors in all my decisions.

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Are there certain flowers that you find the most fitting for a summer wedding next year that you grow in your garden?

There are so many wonderful things blooming in June and July that there’s no way to go wrong. There are lots of pinks and oranges available, as well as a wide variety of berries in various stages of their lives. This is a great time to add unripe raspberries into bouquets, as well as baby grape bunches on beautiful strong vines. Right now my zinnias are just beginning and I’m so in love with the dark, dramatic patterns on the unopened buds. They are wonderful for detail work like bud vases, boutonnieres, and crowns.

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How would a bride or groom get started in working with Fresh Cut Detroit on some flower arrangements for an upcoming wedding? 

For special event flowers from Fresh Cut Detroit, the best thing to do is email me [freshcutdetroit@gmail.com] with your date and any aesthetic interests. I’ll send on my basic price list, then if it looks good to you we’ll get together and talk through what you want, what you like, and what is seasonal. I’ll prepare a detailed quote, then to reserve you’ll provide a deposit, usually around $200. Most of my weddings are under $1000, and I’m really happy to be able to provide beautiful special event flowers for prices that are accessible for many. I also provide a range of options, from buckets of blooms for you to arrange, to just accessories for the wedding party, to full design and delivery.

Anything else you would like to share?

I’m actually surprised by how much I’ve enjoyed wedding work. I thought that brides and grooms would be really difficult and demanding to work with, but the customers that find their way to me are interesting, lovely people who want to direct much of their wedding dollars into the local economy. They’ve been flexible and adventurous! My favorite part is drawing peoples’ attention to the specific smells of their wedding flowers – be it lilacs, privet, peonies, roses, honeysuckle… and that’s just springtime! Since scent is such a strong tie to memory, I love the idea that every year when that flower blooms, these people will be reminded of the joy and commitment of that day.

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Thank you Sarah for sending over these beautiful images and sharing your experiences with LoveintheD!

Readers: What kinds of flowers do you see in Detroit that you would love for your own wedding?

 

[real wedding] Philip and Clare’s Wedding at the Detroit Athletic Club

Real wedding posts are the big favorite at LoveintheD, and we’re excited to share details about Philip and Clare Baker’s 2009 wedding at the Detroit Athletic Club. Read on for LoveintheD co-blogger Shannon’s interview with Clare Baker, the bride!

If you were married in Detroit, please send us an e-mail and you could be featured on LoveintheD!

Why did you decide to get married in Detroit?
I grew up in this area and I feel a special attachment to Detroit. My dad has been a member of the Detroit Athletic Club since I was a child. We went there all the time for different activities and events. The DAC was a great value for us, because we were able to have our ceremony and reception in the same place. They took care of all the catering and table arrangements for us, and our guests stayed at the DAC hotel.

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Tell us about the DAC as a wedding venue.
We loved the atmosphere of the DAC; it’s very classy. We had our wedding on the second floor and used all three rooms. We had our ceremony in one room, cake cutting and hors d’oeuvres in the second room, and dancing and dinner in the third. Plus, their wedding coordinator made planning so much easier.

How did you and Philip meet?
Philip is from the United Kingdom and we met while I was studying abroad. We had a long distance relationship for many years, and in 2009 he moved to the United States on a wedding visa. We had three months to plan our entire wedding!

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Are there any other unique details you can share?
My sister-in-law’s father passed away from cancer, so instead of purchasing gifts or trinkets for each guest, we made a charitable donation to the American Cancer Society.

Do you have any advice for others who are planning their Detroit wedding?
Explore the many different venues Detroit has to offer and find out what fits your personality. And, use your personal contacts to keep your costs down. We had friends and acquaintances that helped us with music and photography.

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The Details:
Venue: The Detroit Athletic Club
Photographer: Ryan Koehler
Dress: The Wedding Shoppe
Catering: The Detroit Athletic Club

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Readers: Have you considered making a contribution to a cause in lieu of wedding favors?

Vintage wedding dress turns into samurai inspired gown!

Last spring I met Bridget Sullivan while shopping at the Peacock Room in Detroit and exploring the idea of doing a vintage wedding photo shoot for LoveintheD. Turns out Bridget is a fashion designer who loves using vintage apparel to create new looks!

She is a contestant in the Detroit Institute of Arts “Beyond the Armor” design contest and created an amazing dress using a vintage wedding dress. I interviewed Bridget recently. Check it out!

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How did you get into fashion design?
I’ve been making things for my entire life, but it was’t until I found the Fiber Arts department at the College for Creative Studies that I decided to focus on fashion design.  After graduation, I moved to New York City where I interned at Diane von Furstenburg and worked in an eco-friendly fashion showroom called FoundFuture.  Grammy-Award winning musician Esperanza Spalding began performing in my designs around the same time, and has since worn my garments around the world on tour.  I’m now back in Michigan, where I work as a fabric desiger at Lear Corporation and work on my personal fashion line, Bridget Sullivan Designs.

What do you love about using vintage wedding apparel?
I have used many types of vintage clothing for my designs, but wedding dresses are my favorite.  Not only do the yards and yards of white material make them the perfect blank canvas, but I love the romantic idea of working with a dress that someone has gotten married in.  It seems like such a waste for these beautiful garments to be worn only once.  I love giving a new purpose to traditional, romantic dresses.

Tell me about the dress you created for the DIA samurai exhibition design competition and how you found the vintage wedding dress you used!
My “Crane Dress” is inspired by “Reeds and Cranes,” a silk painted folding screen painted by Suzuki Kiitsu.  He was trained by a powerful Samurai artist named Sakai Hoitsu, who adopted him and elevated him to the elite Samurai class. Samurai culture is full of rich symbolism, and the crane is a powerful image that can mean many things.  The Samurai warrior learned about facing death bravely by watching cranes, who appear calm and fearless when attached by an enemy. Cranes are a symbol of longevity and soaring spirit.  They are also considered good luck in marriage because they mate for life.

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I designed the Crane Dress specifically for a talented dancer named Destiny.  I was inspired by the Samurai practice of balancing”bun” (arts) and “bu” (war).  This reminded me of the beautiful blend of strength and grace in ballet, as well as the delicate power of the crane.

I bought the vintage wedding dress I used to create my competition design at the Grosse Pointe Neighborhood Club Thrift store.  It was only a sheer shell of a dress with no lining.  I kept it in my studio for over a year before using it to create my “Crane Dress.”

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Can you tell me more about the competition?
I am one of 10 fashion designers competing in the “Beyond the Armor” fashion challenge sponsored by the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Detroit Garment Guild.  We were given a private tour of the fascinating “Beyond the Armor” Samurai exhibit at the DIA, and challenged to design garments inspired by what we learned and saw.

You can vote for your favorite design by clicking here (vote for Bridget Sullivan, #8!) now through May 12th.  The winner will be revealed on May 17 at a fashion show finale at DIA.  The show starts at noon and is free with general admission. RSVP by calling 313-833-4005.

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What/who/where in Detroit inspires you in your fashion designs?
Detroit is a wonderful city to be an artist. My education at CCS taught me how to be an professional working artist, and opportunities such as this competition have allowed me to showcase my designs in unique and special ways.  There is a strong community of creative people, and I’m happy to have met many more through this competition.

As a fashion designer, it is important to have a network of people to help my designs come to life.  I consider myself lucky to be friends with very talented photographers, models, makeup artists and business owners who have supported me and my designs.  For the Crane Dress photo shoot, local photographer Lindee Robinson took photos of model and dancer Destiny Mankowski at the DIA.  Hair and makeup was done by Natalie Briles, and jewelry was provided by the Peacock Room boutique.  Thank you all!

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Unique weddings at the Science Center in Detroit

Did you grow up going to the Science Center in Detroit? Or are you engaged to a self-described science geek? If so, consider the Michigan Science Center as a wedding venue!

LoveintheD blogger Shannon interviewed Melissa Wilson, the events manager at the Michigan Science Center. Check out the interview below!

Tell us about the Michigan Science Center.
The Science Center is a unique museum in the midtown cultural center. We have hundreds of touchable, hands-on educational and entertaining exhibits that bring out the kid in all of us. Of the five theaters in the center, my two favorite are the Toyota Engineering Theater where 150 people at once can ride through a kayak obstacle course, and the DTE Energy Sparks Theater, our classic show about electricity that can make your hair stand on end (if you’re lucky!). We also have two huge dome theaters, our planetarium, which seats over 100 and the IMAX® theater, which seats over 200.  We have truly unique aspects that can only be experienced at the Science Center.

Have you hosted weddings before? How many? Can you share any details about them?
The Michigan Science Center has hosted several wedding receptions over the past year. One couple decided to just use the main floor of the museum, which included a huge sit down space for 230 of their guests. They used the Health & Wellness Gallery for the cocktail reception and then later as the unmarked dance floor. The reception was held in the Lunar Gallery and decor was specifically designed to connect with the ambiance in the room.

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Many people probably wouldn’t think to host their wedding in a science center. Why is it such a great venue?
The site visits I conduct are for couples thinking outside of the traditional reception venues. The Science Center is full of quirky spaces and spacious floors filled with fantastic hand-on activities. There are a variety of ways you can use our building to create the FUN in your special day. You could have a sit-down dinner in our Lunar and Space Gallery for up to 300 guests or a strolling dinner for 400. Dessert can be set up on our lower level among our Sounds, Waves and Vibrations exhibits centrally located near the Chrysler Science Stage, a dance floor, big enough to hold a band AND your dancers!

What kind of space do you offer for weddings? Is there room despite all the exhibits? 

Currently, we have a great open space called the Science Hall on our fourth floor that is about 9,000 square feet, or the size of a ballroom. It’s the perfect space to design as your own, using lighting, draping and table linens and can hold over 600 guests. The best part is that you get the Science Center along with that huge space, including a dance floor and separate cocktail reception area.

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What kind of people get married at the Science Center? Is it just science geeks?  

The stories I’ve heard from the couples that either call us or book site visits vary. Most are looking for a really unique venue with an incredible backdrop to their special event. Some either met at the Science Center, came on a field trip when they were young, or really are science geeks. I’ve met engineers marrying physicists, nurses marrying chemists and even a couple who met in their teens during a robotics competition!

What steps should someone take if they’re interested in holding a wedding at the Science Center?

Step One: Contact me at melissa.wilson@mi-sci.org or 313.577.8400, or simply visit the Science Center one day! Walk around, feel the atmosphere, envision your family and friends roaming around just like you are. Step Two: Schedule a site visit. I can help you see past our normal day-to-day activities and envision your special day in this great venue.

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Anything else?  

Some bonuses to the Science Center: You may choose your own caterer or use our preferred caterers. We have a great flow to the building, allowing your guests to experience it in stages. We have three great theaters where you can run your personal slide show or video for your guests’ enjoyment. We can open our planetarium during your event for casual viewing of the night sky with our projectionist pointing out constellations and showing your guests beautiful nebulae and solar systems. We have a central, built-in dance floor with plenty of space for a band or DJ AND all of  your guests!

Readers: What is the most unique wedding venue you have experienced?

Weddings at the MOCAD

By: Shannon Mackie

Today’s post comes from fellow blogger Shannon Mackie! Check out her blog, One Inch of Grace.

Once a couple is engaged, generally the first big question is: “Where should we get married?” The venue decision is a big one because it impacts the budget and sets the setting (literally) for all of the other important decisions that come with wedding planning.

Shannon recently interviewed the staff of the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, located on Woodward Avenue in Detroit. Did you know that they host weddings? If you didn’t before, now you know! Check out what they had to say:

For those who might not know, tell us about MOCAD.

The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) is a non-collecting institution based on the Kunsthalle model popular in Europe. This allows us to work with art and artists from the last 30 years without being constrained to an aging collection. With this flexibility we can address and engage many current ideas and issues in almost real time.

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Why is MOCAD a good wedding venue for those who love Detroit and want to support the city?

MOCAD has an interest in the holistic and long-term success of our community and works hard to engage at all levels. The ideas presented by the museum in our exhibitions and programs help to leverage shifts in thought that in turn act as catalysts for the actions needed to bring change to the city.

What options does MOCAD offer for weddings?

Depending on availability, the museum can offer 5,500 to 22,000 square feet of total space. The typical rental space (open almost the entire year) can hold about 140 people seated with room for a dance floor and food service.

How many weddings has MOCAD hosted? Are there any ceremonies that were particularly unique/memorable?

MOCAD has hosted many weddings. In 2013, we did around 10 weddings. A unique/memorable wedding that we had took place this past October at the Mike Kelley Mobile Homestead. The couple had their ceremony performed in front of the garage of the mobile homestead. It was officiated by artist Carey Loren from Destroy All Monsters and who was a good friend of Mike Kelley. The ceremony was open to the public and had a great turn out. The reception was held in the café of the Museum.

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What makes MOCAD a unique venue for weddings?

MOCAD is a unique venue for weddings because we offer an alternative to the traditional wedding venues. Our walls allow for a blank slate for decorations and simplicity.

Can MOCAD accommodate/recommend local and sustainable vendors?

MOCAD has a list of preferred vendors for catering and rentals. These preferred vendors must be used unless there is a special exception that the preferred vendor cannot meet, such as dietary needs or specialty menus. Cakes can come from where the wedding party desires.

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What steps can someone take if they’re interested in holding a wedding at MOCAD?

If someone is interested in having their wedding at MOCAD it is best to contact the Facility Rental Coordinator by either calling MOCAD or emailing rentals@mocadetroit.org. Our website, MOCADetroit.org has a rental inquiry form that people are able to fill out and submit to us as well. We can give them all of the rental information they are seeking, as well as schedule a walk-through of the Museum.

Detroit wedding party photos with the Joneses

I am excited to share wedding photos from the May 2013 wedding of Chris and Melissa Jones! Chris and Sean went to high school together and I remember Sean telling me how happy Chris sounded when he first started dating Melissa. We met Melissa at our wedding in 2011 and their relationship has continued to grow. We are thrilled for this beautiful couple.

Take a look at the fun and creative wedding party photos at various Detroit hotspots and murals. Images were captured by 11-4 Productions. Enjoy!

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Chris and SeanChris (the groom) and my husband Sean

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Jones_0514The bride’s nephew danced up a storm at the wedding reception!

Readers: What is your favorite Detroit spot at which to take wedding party photos? 

[engaged in the D] Agnes and Ken – Engaged in Corktown

I was so excited to hear from Agnes, the photographer from the LoveintheD + Peacock Room vintage wedding photoshoot, recently! She and Ken recently became engaged.

Below is the proposal story, as told by Ken:

From the beginning of our relationship, Agnes has been showing me around the city. I’ve lived in and around Detroit most of my life, but I never fully appreciated it. On top of that, she’s an artist (a photographer); she sees the world through a different lens. And, through her lens, I’ve seen things I’ve never seen before. There’s beauty all around Detroit, and I’ve been missing out. I’m grateful to her for opening my eyes.

One of her great loves is for the graffiti around the city (something we now share). So, when thinking of a way to propose to her, her love for the city and her love of graffiti led to the grand idea of “tagging” my proposal to her somewhere downtown. There was, however, one minor problem: I have NO artistic ability. None. Whatsoever. So, to approach this seemingly insurmountable problem, I did what any left-brain person would do: I researched, organized and planned my way through it. After all of that, one cold Fall night, after the bars had closed, I went downtown and sacrificed a night of sleep to try to impress my girlfriend enough to say “yes”. She would NOT have been impressed with how ridiculous I looked (ski mask, thermal gear, miner’s light, the whole nine yards).

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The result of all of this work can be found in a 40-foot strip in the parking lot just south of Mercury Burger Bar in Corktown. Corktown was where we had our second date, and many dates since. Good restaurants, good vibe, up and coming. It’s a microcosm of all of the good that’s going on in the city. If we’re not in our home towns, that’s likely where you’ll find us. Now, my heart was in the right place, but I did vandalize that parking lot.

So, in trying to make things right, I reached out to the owner of the lot, who is also the owner of Slows Bar-B-Q and told him what I had done. I expected a harsh reprimand, but what I got was graciousness. He was more concerned about Agnes’s answer to my proposal than he was about his lot. Needless to say, through that act of kindness, Slows Bar-B-Q has won itself two patrons for life.

By the way, she said yes.
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[engaged in the D] Meet Sarah and Nick, rooftop wedding couple!

Apologies for the long long long gap in between blog posts. There is a reason why, I promise! Anyway, here is a great post for you. Sarah and Nick are planning their Detroit wedding for next year, and LoveintheD was able to interview them about their planning process! Sarah is also blogging about all the steps in her planning process – check it out here.

Sarah and Nick, tell us about your engagement! How long have you known each other? How did the proposal take place?

We met when we were 16 while camping in Port Huron and found out we lived only a few miles from each other. We became instant friends, and continued to keep in contact throughout college. It wasn’t until we were 21 that we started dating, and found out that we’d secretly liked each other the whole time. Two and a half years later I convinced him to conquer one of his greatest fears and go skydiving with me. He is currently attending medical school in the Caribbean so we had to plan it during one of his breaks between semesters. This poor guy flew home all day Thursday and Friday, and less than 24 hours after landing was sent on another plane to jump out of.

We strapped in, ascended, and leapt from 10,000 feet in the air – and had the most exhilarating experience! Nick had jumped first, and when he landed was struggling to take the ring out of his pocket. His harness made it impossible, and he wasn’t able to ask me when I landed. 
Once we broke free of our harnesses, Nick asked to take a little walk to the top of the hill next to the field. I’d assumed it was because he needed to walk off his adrenaline rush. It wasn’t until he started babbling at the top while holding my hands that I knew – and he dropped to one knee with the ring of my dreams. I said yes and pulled him back up to kiss me!
It’s hard to believe that the day we went skydiving, it wasn’t jumping out of a plane which was the most exciting.

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Why did you decide to get married in Detroit? What does Detroit mean to you?

Location was actually a difficult decision for us. With him currently in medical school, we could be anywhere in the country next year. It came down to the decision of having either a small wedding with our guests traveling to us, or a bigger wedding with us traveling to our guests. Family and friends are the most important things to us, and we decided to keep it where they are. And that’s exactly what Detroit means to us – family and friends.

How has supporting local businesses factored into your process of exploring vendors so far? What have been some challenges?

Local businesses have been a huge part of planning for us. When exploring vendors, it seems local businesses are the only ones that have something truly unique to offer! We have yet to book with anyone yet though as we are still hashing out venue details, so I can’t speak to challenges quite yet. But here are our considerations:

  • Nick and I have some weird/unique hopes for what our wedding will be, so we have been searching for vendors that can help us along with that. Him and I are both big nerds, so for the shower (themed all things geek) we’ve found someone who actually lives down the street from my parents who makes amazing and elaborate cakes.
  • We’re also looking into a student videographer who has amazing talent but still needs to build their portfolio for life after graduation. We’ll be reaching out to CCS as well as other local colleges to help our search.
For music, we have our hearts set on a live band (but have yet to pick one). We’ve started countless Google and YouTube searches for local bands and, once we have the location/date set, will be reaching out to a few.
  • The ceremony/reception venues up for consideration (and are currently speaking with) are rooftops in Downtown Detroit. We’re hoping an indoor ceremony in the building, with the reception on the rooftop. Our song since we were 16 has been “Rooftops” by LostProphets, so we have hearts set on making that dance a magical moment.

What other socially conscious elements are you hoping to incorporate into your Detroit wedding?

Neither Nick nor myself are religious people, so we are looking for an officiant who will take the focus away from religion and bring it to the promise between the two of us. We will also have my gay friend standing in our wedding, so it’s important the officiant supports that lifestyle as well. We also do not care about the gender, race, religion, etc. of our vendors – so long as the quality and price align with what we want, we will support any business.

Hooray for blogging! How did you decide to start a blog about your wedding process and how is it going so far? Any update on your venue search?

There were multiple reasons I decided to start a blog! First, I wanted some way to document this whole process; as I’ve heard over and over about how much effort it takes and how quickly it flies by. Second, I realized that Nick and I would not be having your typical church-hall wedding and thought my planning experiences could help anyone going through the same thing. Third (tacking on to the second point), since we would not be having a typical wedding, I knew we wouldn’t be having typical vendors. My blog could help them gain some business for the future, and I loved the idea of being able to help them out. Lastly, blogging is a great way to connect with a close-knit community and I’ve always wanted to be a part of that.

And so far, I think it’s going pretty well! I only have 10 subscribers so far, but I’ve caught on really quickly with the design capabilities and the voice I want to have. I’ll admit, my posts are pretty long and no-good for our Twitter-snippet information processing these days, but I’m proud of them. I try to incorporate pictures, memes, and gifs anywhere I can – all of which are my favorite part of any blog.

So what’s the update on the venue search?

The choices are now down to the Detroit Opera House or Music Hall. Both offer theater weddings and the rooftop reception we want. After tomorrow I will have met with both, and we will start the comparison process to see which is our best fit.

For anyone else looking at rooftops, we’ve checked out a bunch and found most won’t accept the wedding business. One was residents only, one was corporate only, one didn’t take private weekend events, one even specifically didn’t allow weddings.