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Amanda Williams just sent me these pictures from Jenn & Nik’s wedding - so lovely! Congratulations you two!

Jillian and Mike’s Wedding Film Trailer | University of Michigan Museum of Art from 3rd Street Films on Vimeo.

From 3rd Street Films: Jillian and Mike had a beautiful wedding at the University of Michigan Museum of Art. It’s such a unique venue! Both the bride and groom were just a little under the weather that day, but you would never guess it. They were smiling and laughing all day, and they weren’t afraid to be a little bit silly as you can tell from Mike’s expert grape catching skills. Enjoy their wedding film trailer!

Anna & Chris were married on May 14th in Ann Arbor, MI. Their wonderful videographer, Lee Thomas, sent this trailer and of course I had to share - he did a beautiful job!

Jeff from JLB Wedding Photography did an amazing job with Jen & Kevin’s pictures - enjoy!

Congratulations Jen & Kevin!

Holly & Peter’s Royal Park Hotel wedding was so beautiful, and they could not have been more fun to work with! Here is the awesome teaser video from Epic Motion - enjoy!

When and how did you get started in the business?
Our business grew out of a hobby of my dad’s. He tends to plunge into hobbies, and ended up planting several acres of wine grapes and filling his basement with wine. We officially opened as a commercial winery in September 2003.

What is your favorite thing about coming to work every day?
I love how everyone who visits us is happy to be here. It’s almost like a mini vacation for them. They deliberately carve out a little bit of their time to visit, so they can relax and enjoy their time with us. They walk in the door and step away from the stress of their lives for a little while.

How did you decide to build the addition on to the winery?
We built our cellar pretty small when the original business was built. Shortly after we opened, we knew we’d need to expand it. We’ve learned a lot of things from our customers over the years, and some of the things we’ve learned is that they love parties, want to be married here, and want to purchase food to eat while they’re here. So the addition includes a much larger cellar/work area, a cafe that will be open daily, a commercial kitchen, and a small banquet space.

What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
(Eeek! I can’t think of anything right now. Sometimes it feels like folks know everything about us!)

I heard about something called Wine Gypsy - what is that about?
The Wine Gypsy is a collaboration between Sandhill Crane Vineyards and singer/songwriter Kitty Donohoe. It’s sort of a Tupperware party for the new millennium! A host/ess gathers a group of friends in their home and hosts a Wine Gypsy party. Kitty sings songs and pours (and talks about) Sandhill wine. At the end of the night folks are able to order wine. Kitty delivers it to the host/ess the next week. It’s a really fun idea for a party! Here’s the website for more information: http://thewinegypsy.com/.

Do you use green practices in your business?
We use a number of green practices. You can’t really grow wine grapes in Michigan organically, but we are able to use Integrated Pest Management to use the minimal amount of pesticides. We are the only commercial vineyard in south-east Michigan that’s verified under the MAEAP environmental stewardship program. We feel very strongly about using only local products, so the other grapes and fruits we purchase are from farmers within a 2-hour radius in southern Michigan, which greatly reduces our environmental footprint. As much as possible, we’ll be sourcing the foods for our cafe/banquet room from local farms. We try to be “green” in pretty much everything we do, including using a hybrid vehicle for deliveries!

Do you support any charities?
We support many, many local charities in small ways, but four local charities in a bigger way. We produce four different wines that include a donation for a specific local non-profit, so when you purchase any of these wines a specific amount will be donated to them. They are: Legacy (dry white wine) - Legacy Land Conversancy, Abrazo (off-dry red wine) - Cascades Humane Society, Blushing Crane (semi-sweet blush wine) - Haehnle Bird Sanctuary/Jackson Audubon Society, Blue Skies (blueberry mead) - Dahlem Nature Center/Conservancy

What can I get besides wine in your shop?
We also offer lots of gifts for wine lovers, local cheeses and other gourmet foods, books, and wearables with our logo.

 

1. How long ago did the plans for The Gown Shop start, and when did you finally get to start moving in? I started planning my dream shop in September. I’m a very dedicated and ambitious woman - so I got started right away! I’ve been in the shop just about every day since I’ve had the keys to the building - I love being here and I love showing it off! It was a lot of hard work and this business is not for the faint of heart.

 

2. How do you decide which designers to carry? Which do you currently have? The designers carried at The Gown Shop stemmed from a culmination of what I love, what I feel the brides of Ann Arbor and the surrounding area would love and the exclusivity that I have with them. I love that brides are able to find something at The Gown Shop that is not carried anywhere else in Michigan. My wedding gown designers are Amy Kuschel, Carol-Hannah Bridal, Fancy NY and Modern Trousseau. I’m already expanding this spring by adding Ivy & Aster. My accessory designers include Sara Gabriel Veiling & Headpieces, Haute Bride jewelry and Benjamin Adams shoes.

 

3. Where did the concept of your dressing room come from? In my experience, fitting rooms always seem to be a waste of space - I wanted it to be the center of the space and knowing I was going to have one-on-one appointments, it made sense. I also love the ‘big reveal’ of the bride in gowns when she has her support team here with her. I grew up performing on the stage in dancing and musicals, it’s the bride’s time to shine now!

4. Why do you open up the Shop by appointment only? The ‘appointment only’ concept stems from my desire to allow for one-on-one attention with each bride. I love getting to know each bride and allow for her to have the run of the shop and try on any dress or accessory her heart desires; the ‘appointment only’ idea allows for that. So far, the feedback I have received from my brides, moms and friends is that they love all the attention and say it has been their favorite and best bridal gown shopping experience, yet!

5. Can you help me find accessories and shoes as well? Absolutely! I have a fabulous veiling and headpiece designer: Sara Gabriel that has just about any hair adornment a bride may want and she also loves to customize pieces. Haute Bride is my jewelry company that is from San Francisco and has endless Swarovski crystal and pearl options for brides, once again - pieces can be custom made. My shoe line is Benjamin Adams, all of the shoes are 100% silk satin. It’s fabulous because most of the shoes can be dyed to match any swatch given to the designer. During the month of March, I am having SHOE MADNESS! All shoes ordered are 15% off. The fabulous crystal embellished shoe, ‘Charlize’ is a sure favorite!

6. How do you handle alterations? I have joined forces with a couple fabulous Ann Arbor seamstresses that have worked in the bridal industry for years. They perform the fitting here in the shop and work on the gowns in their studios. I allow for the brides to choose whom they would like to work with. If they are out of town brides - I help them find someone local for them, if they wish.

 

7. How soon should I order my dress? My quick answer for this is at least 4-6 months. The earlier you can order, the better! However, I have been able to rush a gown in as little as 4 weeks - just remember this route comes at a price.

8. Do you have any trunk shows coming up, and what are the benefits of those? I do! I am still working on a few dates for some of my designers. My bridal designer, Modern Trousseau is confirmed for the weekend of June 24th-26th. Check out the website & blog for updates! Trunk Shows are fabulous because it allows for brides to see some more styles from the designers that are not currently carried in the shop and even more exciting is that this is the time to SAVE MONEY! The awesome ‘Trunk Show Discount’ is given during orders placed that weekend.

9. What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? I would have to say that the most shocking thing that people are surprised to learn about me is that I do not play dress up all day long, in fact - I never do! I never put on the gown samples when they arrive. I’m single and still want that experience of trying on bridal gowns to be exciting for me when my time comes to get married. Now the jewelry and shoes, that’s a different story!

 

THANKS SO MUCH!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

How and when did Steven F. Fox photography get started?
I’ve been a photographer for 20 years. I moved to West Michigan 7 years ago when my wife and I got married. We started photographing weddings together and have been working as Steven F. Fox Photography since then.

Where are you located and what are your favorite spots to shoot there and in West Michigan?
We’re located in Holland and our favorite spot to shoot there is Windmill Island… and anywhere there’s a beach. In Traverse City, we like Frog Pond Village. In Grand Rapids, we love downtown and the Fredrick Meijer Gardens.

What differentiates a good wedding photographer from a bad one?
Experience, equipment, and the ability to meet the client’s expectations.

What do you love most about photographing weddings?
We love the excitement of the day! The ability to be a part of it capturing it in ways no else sees as well as giving them a great piece of Art for them to have for the rest of their lives. We care about our clients so its not just about us being on the clock for 8 hours but building a friendship so they can be comfortable with us on the wedding day.

What are some questions couples should ask before signing a photography contract?
Do you have back-up equipment? If they only bring one camera , one lens, one flash and it stops working in the middle of the ceremony, what then? What is your experience in shooting weddings & how long have you been doing it? We ask what the client’s expectations are for us because if they want something that we don’t provide, we let them know.

What is a “Trash The Dress” session? How do you decide what to do for the style on the session?
“Trash the dress” sessions give us the opportunity to work with the Bride and Groom in locations outside of a typical wedding environment. It doesn’t mean you ruin your dress… just have fun with it doing things you normally wouldn’t do wearing it. We work together and come up with ideas and locations they like. One bride wanted a shot of her on water skis because she did that her whole life… that was fun!

What are some photography trends that you want to disappear?
Black and white pictures with a color highlighted bouquet, shots of the bride and groom kissing in front of the barn…just come up with original ideas, and this whole trend of washed-out faded-colors in pictures. We like true color and vibrant colors!

What are your favorite wedding websites/magazines?
Locally we really like Shore Bride, Grand Rapids Bride and Brides Michigan. Nationally, Brides is a great publication.

What’s something most people would be surprised to know about you two?
Steve is a great chef and we are both Sci-fi junkies!

I wrote this post for the Le Salon Look Book blog, and wanted to repost it here!

Do you have a story to tell with your wedding day? You might want to sit down for a cup of coffee and a heart-to-heart with Bill Hamilton. After the many weddings we have worked on together, I truly agree with his statement that “I design from the heart. I design an event that is reflective around your life and dreams.” Bill’s floral designs have graced a wide range of venues from some of the country’s top museums to elite private residences.

One of my favorite stories is how Bill got his big break.

“I remember one of the first things I ever did and it almost got me into trouble was for The Ritz Carlton in Atlanta, GA. At the time, I worked for a flower shop across the street from The Ritz. My job was to sell arrangements already made up by one of the shop’s designers. This particular evening The Ritz called for an arrangement for one of their hotel guest and we had no designs left and no designer available to make us one; what was I suppose to do? The Ritz Carlton was a large account and I couldn’t tell them the truth. My co-worker and I looked at one another each trying to get the other to design the arrangement but somehow I lost. I kept thinking that I was going to be in big trouble if the owners ever found out I was designing. None the less I sent the arrangement over and I hoped that was the end of that.

The next day I received a call form one of owners asking me to come to her office before going into work. When I got there she asked me what happened last night. I played stupid. She said that she had received a call from a manager at The Ritz Carlton wanting to know who designed the arrangement that was sent over the night prior. I apologized, explaining that there were no arrangements left and that I did not want to disappoint her by telling them the truth. She reassured me that I wasn’t in trouble but that their guest - Helena Bonham Carter loved it and wanted me to know how grateful she was for the flowers. You can imagine my shock when I learned who the arrangement was for; she is one of my favorite actress! Needless to say that’s how I got my big break.”

Bill won’t begin by asking about your bridal party count or how many parents will need corsages, but rather questions such as “what’s your favorite store to shop in?” Believe it or not this one question tells him a lot about you; about your style and taste. “I want to know what your favorite childhood memory is. I want to hear how he proposed to you. I want you to tell me all about your dream wedding. I will find a way to take your dreams and turn them into a reality. You aren’t just another bride to me - but a new friend.”

Bill’s non-traditional approach to designing wedding floral and decor allows him to take the time to tailor the wedding around your life and what is important to you. And, what you want your guests to experience from the event. Bill Hamilton weddings just don’t end after “I do” - they are talked about and remembered for a lifetime.

One of Bill’s favorite recent weddings was on Mackinac Island. “Through many conversations, mostly from the mother of the bride, I learned that the family loves bicycling. In fact the bride and groom’s first date started out with her biking and he rollerblading along her side. Because biking was such a huge part of this family I designed the entire wedding around bikes!”

Bill learned that the mother of the bride buys her daughter (the bride) a charm every year for Christmas. As a surprise to the bride he inserted two charms into her bridal bouquet - a bicycle built for two and a roller blade - which brought her to tears when she saw them.

“Just days before traveling up north for the wedding, I mistakenly came across the bride’s very first bike. I asked the father of the bride if I could borrow it but not to say a word. I positioned that cute little cute bike at the entrance of the tent for all to see. When the bride came around the corner and saw her very first bike she stopped dead in her tracks and cried. From the table names to the favors, everything was designed around bicycles. We even hung bicycle wheels from the ceiling with votives hanging from the spokes. The bride’s comment at the end of the evening was, “I cannot believe that you nailed it… you captured us, and my family to perfection. Thank you!”

I was first introduced to The Goei Center through a networking event for the West Michigan Wedding Event Professionals where we had an opportunity to tour the space and learn about some of its inspiring features.

Formerly the Kindle Furniture Factory, The Goei Center is one of Grand Rapids’ best kept secrets as a the newer event facility in the downtown area that recently began hosting weddings in the past year. It has a contemporary, loft-style with a mix of urban elegance and artistic class.

One of the many great aspects of Grand Rapids is the use of its older buildings as modern renovated venues. The City offers such a wide range of places to choose from for hosting weddings and events.

Kylie Skidmore, the Facility Director, was gracious enough to give Ana and I a tour of its entire space which exceeds 80,000 square feet with 35,000 square feet of renovation! It’s amazing to see how a former furniture factory can transform into a stylish modern venue that would leave any of your guest in awe.

Wriiten By: Ashley Mason - TwoFoot Creative Grand Rapids