Northern Michigan is a splash of spectacular reds, neon oranges, greens and sunny carmel colors in the Fall. Seen against the backdrop of our beautiful blue waters, you have a gorgeous natural setting for your wedding.  Late September, October and early November has an entirely different feel than spring or summer. The crisp, chill brings out a playful energy. Bundling up is still fun, which it won’t be by February. The colder air gets us walking closer together. An evening bonfire is good for the soul AND body. If you are wondering what season to get married in, consider have a Northern Michigan Fall wedding.

Early As Possible

1. Confirm your Northern Michigan wedding minister or officiant as early as possible. Don’t assume with less competition due to the Fall being less popular a wedding season that getting a minister will be a slam dunk. Some ministers only work the summer months and go south sooner than later (we are snow birds too!). With a shortage of knowledgeable and experienced officiants in Northern Michigan, placing one of us on your team by May or June will lessen the stress of planning your wedding. Without a licensed officiant, there is no legal marriage. Also see my blog about why to chose a professionally trained officiant rather than one ordained through the internet.

Southern Bells

2. Be considerate of your guests who are from the south. Also be mindful of the physical condition of older folks who may be attending your Northern Michigan Fall wedding. Prepare them for the possibility of chilly weather. Sometimes southerners really have no idea how chilly Michigan can get in the October. Their blood is thinner, it’s a fact. They can’t keep physically as warm as a Michigan native.

How can you take care of their needs? Ask some of your closer friends to bring an extra jacket, shawl or small blanket. These can be passed out to those who aren’t prepared for the chill temps of your Northern Michigan Fall wedding. Text expected temperatures to guests a day in advance to help them prepare.

Give Them the Time of Day

3. Hold your ceremony earlier in the day. Four o’clock is the most popular time for a wedding. But remember that in the Fall, the days are getting shorter. 2:00 and 3:00 will make good use of the sun. Or if you are sure you want your ceremony at 4:00 or later, consider taking photographs before your wedding. This way, because a bride’s wedding gown is usually lighter materials on the top, a bride stays warmer outside earlier in the day. The same is true for your wedding party. They won’t get as chilled during photographs if you start earlier in the day rather than later. Cory Weber of CoryWeberPhotography.com is one of our area’s best photographers. Check out a Northern Michigan Fall wedding he photographed for Hillary and Matt.

But Baby It’s Chilly Outside

4.  If the temperature shifts into the mid or low 40’s, seriously contemplate a concession to move your ceremony indoors. Have an enclosed location Plan B in place that allows people to get sheltered from the chill. Asking guests to sit outside in cold weather? They may be too distracted by their body temperature to appreciate the crimson-colored maple trees around them.

The wedding is about honoring your love for each other, not the landscapes. As lovely as a Northern Michigan Fall wedding is, all is not lost if you move your ceremony indoors. Encourage people to take a walk outside after the ceremony. Arrange for golf carts or a bus to take a group on a tour around your venue. Many venue coordinators are happy to help arrange this kind of tour. It’s to their benefit to get as many people enthused about their location as possible: return customers! Even though it is your day, you’ll get much more respect by putting your guests’ comfort before your own.

Worth the Risk

Despite the chance of chill, the beauty of a Northern Michigan Fall wedding is worth the chance. Even in the summer there is no guarantee the weather will be warm, dry, or calm. Being prepared makes all the difference. The love you and your spouse will share with your friends and family is the only thing that surpasses the abundant displays of rich colors and musky fragrances of the Fall.

Please contact us for information about any one of our ministers and officiants conducting your Northern Michigan Fall wedding.

 

Defining Wedding Vows

Since everyone who comes to me will be exchanging wedding vows, let’s define”vow”. I looked in Webster’s online dictionary and this is what came up: a solemn promise. A set of such promises committing one to a prescribed role, calling, or course of action, typically to marriage or a monastic career.

Such a definition isn’t unexpected. Some couples exchange wedding vows that are like love letters or rampages of appreciation. I have no problem with this and it is also important to include the promises that are being made to one another.

I came across a wedding writer, named Marie Kay. Amazon.com lists three books of hers written to help create vows, chose readings and planning weddings. I took a look into the book on vows, called 50 New & Traditional Wedding Vow Examples: plus How to Write Your Own Vows: 10 Guides. I came across a few new wedding vows that I am going to share with you below. Both are a bit long than what couple’s usually choose, but I liked their contemporary nature. Both of these vows will be added to the packet of selections I offer my couples. While the majority of couples use the traditional wedding vows, having options is always preferable to none at all.

Questions for you

Would you consider using them? I am curious:  what is making so many contemporary couples choose traditional vows? I’d love to hear any of your comments on these vows.

Thank you, Marie Kay.

New Vows #1

Today I promise to be your loving husband/wife.

I vow to be your strength, your companion and your true love.

But today, I also promise to do much to make this vow remembered as the years go by…

I promise to appreciate all you do, and to tell you often.

I promise to tell you what you mean to me.

I promise to always kiss you goodnight, and never to go to bed without resolving a hurt.

I promise to make time for just the two of us, no matter how hectic life gets.

I promise to hold your heart as my most valued charge, because today I honor that you’ve given it to me.

And because now our hearts belong to each other, I will cherish yours, and remember my promises with this ring, as a symbol of everything I’ve said.

 

New Vows #2

You are my most cherished friend, my dearest friend, and my truest friend.

Today we become the most committed of friends.

Though we’re imperfect, our love is perfectly steadfast.

Though the world gives us trials, my vow to you, is to give us devotion,

And to care for our marriage as dearly as I care for myself.

It is not to put you above me or below me, but to make “us” the first priority.

You are the match for me that I always longed for.

You are my dream come true.

I promise to honor you for this, all the days of my life.