Stella Event Design::Michigan Wedding & Event Planner »

I can’t even count all of the beautiful photography blogs I peruse each day. So, I thought I’d post a favorite each week, and tell a little bit about how it inspires me. I couldn’t decide today, so it’s a two-photo day! I say, the more the merrier!

We have some really beautiful venues in Southwest Michigan, nestled in the countryside. I live just around the corner from the beautiful Blue Dress Barn, and while I’m driving home I’m always observing the most beautiful rustic locations that inspire me for amazing wedding photos. I hope a few of my 2009 brides snap a few lovelies like these two, taken by the talented Trista Lerit.

Also, stay tuned for an update on my trip to Mill Creek Barns—a lovely new venue opening in 2009!

2009 Summer Internships

Stella Event Design is excited to announce we will be accepting 1-2 interns to assist us with our 2009 wedding season! The interns will assist with at least 5 events during the summer and will assist with tasks as needed during the rehearsal, ceremony and reception. This internship will offer hands-on experience in day-of event execution and you will work directly with our Lead Planner, Jessica Pennington and Event Assistant, Beth George.

What we’re looking for in the ideal candidate:
-Junior or Senior in a related field
-Previous coursework or hands-on experience in event planning is preferred
-Must be located in SW Michigan, West Michigan, or NW Indiana during the internship, or be willing to travel
-Must be available to work weekends (especially Fridays and Saturdays) as needed throughout the summer months, May-September, as well as some Thursdays and Sundays
-This is a part time Internship and is not paid.  Must apply towards college credit

You will be working directly with the bride and groom, as well as their family and guests, so you should be comfortable with people, outgoing and presentable. Wedding planning is a lot of fun, but it’s also a lot of hard work, so we’re looking for someone who wants to work hard in an incredibly rewarding job! If you’re not familiar with our company, please take some time to read through some of the real weddings on our blog to see what we do before applying! We love what we do, and we are excited to bring on interns who share the same enthusiasm!

If you would like to apply for our 2009 Internship, please send a cover letter and resume to intern (at) StellaEventDesign (dot) com with “2009 internship” in the subject line. Please do not call or mail resumes, and please do not submit information via the Contact page on our website. We will be accepting applications through December 19 and will be setting up interviews for early January.

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting with Dave Krock, one of the owners of the Whitcomb building in downtown St. Joseph. They are opening their outdoor veranda to host events in 2009, and the view is absolutely gorgeous.

(views from The Veranda at The Whitcomb on the bluff)

For those of you unfamiliar with the local area, the downtown area of St. Joseph is on a bluff overlooking the lake and the river and it’s filled with quaint shops and delicious restaurants.The Veranda at The Whitcomb overlooks the lake, with a beautiful view of the lighthouse and river. It’s literally across the street from the Bandshell, which I’ve blogged about before, and is a wonderful ceremony location. The Veranda at The Whitcomb can seat up to 250 guests. As you can see from the picture below, the venue is open-air, but has ample covering in case of inclement weather. There are also beautiful gardens on the far side, perfect for a garden-style cocktail hour, bridal portraits, or mingling with guests.

(a community big band dance hosted at The Veranda at The Whitcomb)

The on-site catering and beverage service is provided by CK Catering. They recently revamped their website and included a ton of great pictures. They do beautiful presentations and are amazing to work with. The combination of CK Catering and The Veranda at The Whitcomb is one I’m very excited about, and I was thrilled to hear about some of their upcoming plans to expand the events area, which sound absolutely incredible. If you’re in the market for a reception location, you can check it out at the corner of Port Street and Ship Street!

I was fed up with our standard business “fan page” on Facebook, so I created a new page that will be business-focused. Friend Us to see photos of recent weddings, blog feeds, connect with other brides and we’ll be adding discussion boards! Also, comment on the wall to let us know any topics you’d like to see us blog about, and submit questions regarding your own wedding! Friend Us!

(Tracy+David in South Haven, JK Photography)

Outdoor weddings and events can be absolutely wonderful. The natural light, beautiful surroundings and open air can draw a lot of people to want to host an outdoor affair. However, you don’t want to set up your ceremony or throw up a tent just anywhere! Give yourself some piece of mind by considering some important factors before choosing your ideal outdoor wedding location.

Are there any policies, ordinances or restrictions?
For example, some public beaches will not allow chairs brought in and will request all guests stand. Also, if you’re renting a public park or beach area, you’ll want to check on any restrictions with serving alcohol if you’re hosting an outdoor reception.

How public is the area?
I plan a lot of beach weddings, and in our area you can throw a stone and hit 12 beautiful beaches. When you’re looking at locations, consider how busy it will be, at the time of year you’ll be tying the knot. Will you be able to secure a private area? If you’re on a public beach, ask a designated friend or family member to watch your area during the ceremony to avoid bikini-clad onlookers from wandering into ceremony pictures. If you’ve hired a coordinator, they can also assist with this. People can be surprisingly cooperative when they’re asked not to disturb a wedding!

Is there ample parking available?
This is one area where unexpected costs can arise. When budgeting, take into consideration the cost for shuttle service to get guests to rhe location, or for many public beaches, the cost of admission/parking. This can add up to as much as $9 per car in our area, but can often be paid for ahead of time if the proper arrangements are made.

Is it easily accessible to handicap or older guests?
Secluded beaches or outdoor areas can be beautiful, but make sure to consider accessibility. Do you have older guests who will not be able to walk the distance? Is it handicap accessible?

Is there an option for inclimate weather?
If you’re tying the knot outdoors, look for areas that may also provide for shelter in the case of inclimate weather. Certain beaches will offer a covered pavilion, or areas where you could set up a tent. While I always like to stay positive, it’s best to be prepared—-always have a back up!

Now go out there and find your perfect outdoor location! There are a lot of hidden gems out there, that you’ll never find browsing from your computer so hop in the car and explore your local area—you’ll be surprised at all of the unique and beautiful areas you’ll find!

(an excited picture for an excited post, courtesy of Chad Bosma)

The Smart Planner is one of my favorite resources for savvy business tips specifically for wedding & event planners. I’m so excited to be featured today, so go check it out, and if it’s not already on your blog list, be sure to add Blue Orchid and The Smart Planner to your daily reads!