Erin + Ryan

Erin and Ryan's light, summer wedding was a homemade, family style dream.

Their sweet exchange of vows took place at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, the most beautiful spot in Ann Arbor for a warm weather wedding, with an abundance of flowers and sunshine. 

After taking photos all around Ann Arbor, these two enjoyed a fresh, flavorful dinner of Herb Encrusted Pork Loin with caramelized onion and apples

with a Caprese Salad of juicy tomatoes, mozzarella and basil,

creamy Tortellini St. Tropez and a zesty Fire Roasted Vegetable Platter.

In lieu of a traditional tiered wedding cake, they placed homemade cakes, courtesy of the bride's cousin, on each table for guests to serve themselves. Wedding favors doubled as place cards with jars of sweet, homemade jam.

All photos courtesy of Courtney Michalik Photography.

Congratulations you two!

Alison + Nirav

Imagine the most enchanted, elegant wedding,

add cozy seating, warm lanterns and amazing food,

then move the whole event outdoors.

This is just a taste of Alison and Nirav's magical September wedding,

whose big day was made complete by not only the crisp Autumn weather

but the impeccable cuisine they chose.

Filet Mignon... Sea Scallops in Champagne Sauce...

Individual dishes of Eggplant Parmesan...

A tower of handmade cupcakes in Alison's colors...

Colorful Mint Mojitos...

and, after all the dancing and laughter had peaked, they kept the party going

with late night Tomato Soup Shooters and Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.

All photos are courtesy of Michael Sackett Photography- www.michaelsackett.net

 

Jen + Francois

05.08.10

Jen and Francois had the kind of at-home wedding we all dream of.
 

Sweet, homegrown flowers, an intimate setting and fresh, delicious food...

From Beef Satays to Mahi Mahi with Margarita Lime Butter,

Mixed Berry Skewers and Grilled Cheese Bites and Tomato Soup Shooters-

their eclectic menu was just the right touch for their close friends and family.

Many thanks to Lauren Youngs for sharing her beautiful photos.

   

    

   

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

Congratulations Jen and Francois on your happily ever after!!

Photo Inspired Weddings

If a picture is worth 1,000 words, imagine how many will be said
about your unique, photo-inspired wedding? 

Photos are the most expressive way to represent your new life together,
by celebrating how you got there.
Or honoring family and friends that have supported you.

Instead of table numbers, honor incredible marriages
by naming the table after them!
The "Grandma and Grandpa Fitzpatrick" table can be adorned
with photos of their wedding day.
How surprised would Mom and Dad be by a table dedicated to them?

 Or, for a smaller wedding, have a friend take Polaroids of guests at the ceremony. At the reception, string them up or paste them to a large photo mat for guests to sign throughout the night. 

 

 Another idea is a homemade "banner". It's a cheap, adorable DIY project that can transform even the stuffiest reception hall into an intimate gathering. Skip the flowers and toile and string together photos over the years- your first day of kindergarten, your high school prom, intermingled with photos of you two dating.

The best part about a photo "banner" is it can be dressed up to fit an elegant reception, or more casual for a picnic wedding.

More Station Ideas

We were recently featured in Catering Magazine, in an article detailing stations. Check it out and get some ideas for your wedding! Smoothie Station, anyone?

Fun & Festive Stations, Catering Magazine"One tried-and-true strategy caterers across the country have employed is the use of food stations. A food station is high-impact, low-cost, festive and fun. And itsn't creating a "festive and fun" atmosphere why we're all in this business anyway?

"Stations truly make an event," says Carol Thompson of Katherine's Catering in Ann Arbor, MI. "If a client has a tight budget or can't afford that extra 'oomph'- the entertainment factor- we like to suggest a station because it brings an element of class and extravagance. It's the reason people watch the Food Network; they love to see live cooking, professional chefs or bartenders in their world. The fact that it's still a part of their meal is very appealing."

The staff at Katherine's Catering has a unique idea for a breakfast station. They offer the Pancake Station with a Smoothie Bar- which is much more than the name suggests. Katherine's chefs fill the station with an assortment of baked goods, fresh fruit, bacon and sausage, transforming an everday breakfast into an actual event for a good price.

Originally, this station featured myriad choices of pancake toppings, such as fresh fruit, chocolate chips, pecans, whipped cream, jams, butter and five different syrups. Needless to say, the station was a hit, frequently requested by clients. But as the recession commenced, our friends in Michigan noticed that this station became very costly for the clients. Offering all those extra ingredients added up to a pretty heft price. Instead of getting rid of the options that the station offered completely, Katherine's merely revamped it's ingredients. They now offer three signature pancake batters, replacing the variety of previously available toppings. This change gave them a way to stay cost effective but still give their clients that "wow" experience.

Katherine's Catering Smooth Bar complements the Pancake Station with delicious, freshly made smoothies in Berry Banana and Peach Mango. For elegant adult breakfasts, Katherine's even offers a Champagne Smoothie. To help keep the costs down, the company tweaks the menu to feature smoothies made with in-season fruits."

A Charming Rehearsal Dinner

We love local businesses.

There's something about the community of being a Michigan owned company that creates a sense of warmth and hospitality

that no corporate place can touch.

Which is why, whenever possible,

we love to give shout outs to some amazing people who are doing things right.

Like Amici Italian Bistro in Plymouth..

An Old Village farmhouse transformed into a quaint, traditional Italian restaurant. Owned by two brothers, one runs the kitchen and the other the dining room, you feel like family the minute you walk in the door.

The best part about Amici is that everything is homemade and local. 

Absolutely everything- from the salad dressings to the desserts.

Fresh, handmade pastas, pizzas and a chicken parmigiana

that would make your grandmother jealous!

As we dined, all we could discuss was how this place would be the perfect spot for a rehearsal dinner (or perhaps to pop the question?). A quiet setting with Frank Sinatra playing in the background, space is limited but it just adds to the cozy appeal.

Definitely check it out and keep supporting local businesses!

Tone Down Your DIY Wedding

The latest issue of Martha Stewart Weddings had an amazing article about DIY weddings- including a few couples whose entire wedding was made by their own hands!

While that is an impressive feat, most brides just don't have the time to sew their own dress, bake their own cake or arrange their own flowers... and that's okay.

Make your wedding special by choosing just a couple elements or personal touches. One idea we found is the invitation. Since it can be made a few months before the stress sets in, it's a great way to add your own flair and set the tone of your wedding, simply. Try this idea we found on the DIY Website...

A simple stencil on recycled paper creates a fun, fanciful style! Flip the stencil or use a different color paint or paper on your Thank You cards for a continuous look without extra work or cost.

 

Another way is to add a few signature ideas to a professional's touch. Like a few of your grandmother's antique brooches to your bouquet, perhaps?

Or add a few favorite recipes to your delicious wedding dinner!

Just hand your caterer your mother's (Top Secret!) Italian meatloaf recipe
and it can become Tuscan Mini Meatball Skewers with Rustic Italian Pepperonata. She, and the rest of your guests, will adore it!