Adding Special Touches to a Michigan Wedding

No doubt a wedding is a very special occasion. Many brides, grooms, coordinators, etc. put lots of effort into planning the grand event. One way to tailor a wedding is to add special touches to the ceremony and/or reception. With many families living in different states and communities, one way to personalize the event is to incorporate items representative of one's state, or the home state of the bride/groom.

If looking to incorporate Michigan in one's wedding, there are many trinkets and treats to choose from. When planning your special occasion, consider some of the following:

Michigan Wedding Favors
Traditionally the bride and groom give favors (keepsakes) to their guests. This can be something as simple as a commemorative photo to something as elaborate as a personalized bottom of wine. Some unique Michigan oriented favors to consider include:

• Michigan Honey/Michigan Maple Syrup - Give your guests a taste of Michigan with a personalized jar of Michigan honey or maple syrup.
• Photo - If working on a budget, consider adding Michigan to the wedding by giving each guest a photo of the bride/groom in a special place in Michigan. Some places to consider include the beach at Lake Michigan or Lake Superior, a sporting venue (such as the Palace of Auburn Hills), an historical site (i.e. the state capitol or Henry Ford Museum) or the Detroit skyline.
• Cherry Preserves - Michigan is known for its cherries; consequently, a personalized jar of cherry preserves would add a special touch to any wedding.
• Michigan Treat Bags - For a special treat, assemble a bag of Michigan treats together as a favor for guests. Some treats to consider include rock candy, Mackinaw fudge, sour cherry candies or chocolate covered cherries.
• Lighthouses - Small replicas of Michigan lighthouses would make wonderful wedding favors.

Michigan Foods/Wines for the Reception
When planning one's menu, why not add a little Michigan flavor? Some possibilities include:

• Michigan Cherries - Add Michigan dried cherries to a salad or serve cherry tarts as a dessert.
• Michigan Wine - Serve a Michigan apple or cherry wine with the meal.
• Michigan Apple Cider - Cider is a great treat for both adults in children. Serve a Michigan apple cider in place of a punch.
• Michigan Pies - Offer guests an assortment of pies from Michigan. A couple of bakeries to consider include Grand Traverse Pie Company and Achatz Handmade Pie Company.

Bridal Party Gifts
To show appreciation to bridal attendants, many brides/grooms give their attendants a special gift. In keeping with the theme of Michigan, one could give some of the following bridal party gifts:

• Michigan themed throws, blankets or pillows.
• Michigan themed tote bags and/or backpacks.
• Michigan candles also make great bridal party gifts. Consider one with a Michigan theme, or one from a specialty shop like Holland House Candles (absolutely breathtaking).
• Michigan gift baskets (available through many on-line retailers).

Shop for gifts/favors at local boutiques, specialty and gift shops. These retailers often carry many Michigan souvenirs including coasters, glassware, apparel, stuffed animals and more. There you may find many things to incorporate in your Michigan wedding.