2011 Wedding Season on Mackinac Island was “Spactabulas”. So many beautiful summer days, Brides & Grooms and family and friends made for the most pleasurable season ever. The countless hours that are put into making your special day is endless from scheduling all the important meetings from the dress, tuxes, venues, music, reception, minister, ceremony venue,  guest list, photographers, guest room for all your friends & family, and then you arrive to catch your Wedding boat to Mackinac Island. Then you arrive and are picked up by horse and buggy and taken to your Hotel/Inn/Resort and your Wedding dreams began.  Below are some of the most memorable wedding pictures and stories of 2011.

Heather & Jason 62511

 A beautiful June afternoon at Mission Point Resort starting with the ceremony at the Gazebo and then a Cinderella carriage ride through the Island.

That takes you through downtown Mackinac Island,

Heather & Jason 6-25-11

Heather & Jason 6-25-11

Heather & Jason 6-25-11

Heather & Jason 6-25-11

To the lakeshore over looking the straights of Mackinac,

To the ride pass Grand Hotel to West Bluff.

Heather & Jason 6-25-11

Heather & Jason 6-25-11

Then the ride from West Bluff to East Bluff,

Passing by the Fort Mackinac to East bluff,

Heather & Jason 6-25-11

 Heading to East bluff over looking The straights of Mackinac and Round Island Lighthouse,

Heather & Jason 6-25-11

Heather & Jason 6-25-11

and the ride back to Mission Point Resort.

Heather & Jason 6-25-11

Then some family pictures on the lawn,

Heather & Jason 6-25-11

 to that special time with the bride and groom.

Heather & Jason 6-25-11

Then to the reception to celebrate into the evening.

Congratulations to Heather & Jason.

Heather & Jason 6-25-11

A very beautiful couple, just the two of us, Kelly & Kevin on the porch of the Grand Hotel.

A gorgeous day for their Wedding on Mackinac Island.

Kelly & Kevin 09-04-11

 A ride downtown Mackinac Island.

Kelly & Kevin 09-04-11

Kelly & Kevin 09-04-11

Kelly & Kevin 09-04-11

Kelly & Kevin 09-04-11

Kelly & Kevin 09-04-11

Kelly & Kevin 09-04-11

Another beautiful Wedding at the Grand Hotel with the Bride in the lobby before the celebration.

Lindsey & Horatio 9-18-11

Pre-Wedding ceremony pictures on the front steps of the Grand Hotel.

Lindsey & Horatio 9-18-11

Ceremony at the Tea Garden on the front lawn of the Grand Hotel.

Lindsey & Horatio Sept 18th, 2011

You may kiss your Bride.

Lindsey & Horatio Sept 18th, 2011

Lindsey & Horatio Sept 18th, 2011

Lindsey & Horatio Sept 18th, 2011

The wedding carriage ride down east bluff hill and on there way through downtown.

Lindsey & Horatio Sept 18th, 2011

Downtown Mackinac Island ha-ray in front of the big store. Hav’in fun yet.

Lindsey & Horatio Sept 18th, 2011

Lindsey & Horatio Sept 18th, 2011

A great Wedding shoot with this couple. Lots of fun and energy with this couple and wedding party.

Lindsey & Horatio Sept 18th, 2011

 End of the season on Mackinac Island brought a Somewhere In Time Wedding at the Grand Hotel.

Oct 7th, 2011 Vicki & Tim were married on the porch during the “Somewhere In Time” weekend and truly dressed for the occasion.

Vicki & Tim Oct 6th, 2011

Vicki & Tim Oct 6th, 2011

Vicki & Tim Oct 6th, 2011

Some colored pencil art that the bride & groom asked me to create.

Vicki & Tim Oct 6th, 2011

Vicki & Tim Oct 6th, 2011

Vicki & Tim Oct 6th, 2011

A just married wedding carriage ride through the hill on Mackinac Island.

Vicki & Tim Oct 6th, 2011

Vicki & Tim Oct 6th, 2011

East end of the Grand Hotel Porch over looking the golf course and Lake Huron.

Vicki & Tim Oct 6th, 2011

A stroll down the Grand Porch on this beautiful fall wedding day.

Vicki & Tim Oct 6th, 2011

A grand kiss on the deck of the grand steps.

Vicki & Tim Oct 6th, 2011

At the site of one of the scenes from the “Somewhere In Time” movie.

Vicki & Tim Oct 6th, 2011

Then the clothes were changed for the period and festivities at the “Somewhere in Time” bash at the Grand Hotel.

If you’ve seen the movie you’ll know what this picture/scene represents.

Vicki & Tim Oct 6th, 2011

Vicki & Tim Oct 6th, 2011

I will post a blog on the somewhere in time festivities and add more of Vicki & Tim’s wedding day in that blog.

Vicki & Tim Oct 6th, 2011

Congratulations Vicki & Tim and thank you for such a unique  photo shoot on your special day and the fun at the “Somewhere In Time” festivities.  Also your visit to my gallery “Artistic Mackinac Gallery & Studio” in your time period clothing.

Vicki & Tim Oct 6th, 2011

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The softness of the sand, the gentle sounds of the waves and the warmth of the sun will always make for a beautiful Wedding Day. The back drops that are available in Northern Michigan make for a dream Destination Wedding come true.

Congratulations Shanna & Ivan.

Sunsets on the water makes for interesting photography. So many options, never enough sunset time.

Sand on your feet, so natural.

Let the fun begin. As the evening went forward chances were made.

Lake Michigan started looking  more and more inviting.

and then the Bride and Groom went for it with a little help from the photographer.

Sunsets on your Wedding day, nothing else like it. 🙂

Just like that the Bride & Groom get wet.

The sunset colors make for great silhouettes.

and then the light changes. Sure was great color while it lasted.

A walk into the horizon for the Bride & Groom.

Their day they’ll never forget. Congratulations, I can tell your soul mates for life. It was a pleasure to photograph a part of your special day.

Steven Blair / www.photosbyblair.com / “Artistic Mackinac”

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Weddings on Mackinac Island. Dreams do come true.

Jenny & Adam’s special day at the Grand Hotel. The weather was fabulous and the celebration was their dream come true. Adam waiting for his lovely bride with her flowers in hand.

So many different photograph possibilities with all the windows.

A small family Wedding made for a very relaxed celebration.

We had a couple of hours to take photographs and that is a rearaty with most weddings. Keep that in mind when your planning your wedding day. Schedule as much time as you possibility can with your photographer. Give them time to be creative. They will thank you for it.

The chairs on the Grand porch, the view, and all the smiles.

Horse and carriages are so much of the Island that you just have to photograph the bride and groom with this part of the Island.

The flowers at the Grand Hotel in the spring are fabulous and make for great backdrops…

So many different venues.

Congratulations Jenny & Adam, wish you all the best in your Life travels together.

Don’t forget the rings…

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At 12 noon May 30th, 2011 we had a heart felt dedication to or servicemen and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice to our country. Thank you for your service.

We realize more every day that

“Freedom is not Free”.

Thank you everyone who are still serving our great nation.

The Lilac House Bed & Breakfast will be opening for the 2011 season May 6th.

Step back in time, spend a leisurely vacation in historic accommodations at “The Lilac House Bed and Breakfast”.

A block  from the boat docks, on the corner of Market and Astor Streets on beautiful Mackinac Island.

So much history to see on Mackinac Island.

A little background on “MACKINAC”.  The name is pronounced  “Mackinaw” and is Chippewa Indian for “Turtle”.  An apt  description, since the Island, when viewed from a distance,  resembles a partially-submerged turtle with a semi-flat shell.

and of course Lilacs everywhere…

For additional information visit the link below:

http://www.lilachousebedandbreakfast.com

or call 305-304-0320 to make a reservation.

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Mission Point Resort Bridal Show Sunday Mother’s Day May 8th, 2011

10:00 to 1:00 pm

All you need to plan a Memorable Mackinac Island Wedding under one roof!

Admission is free!

• Meet with Local Vendors: Photography By Blair
• Meet our Professional Event and Catering Staff
• View our Lovely Function Spaces
• Enjoy Beautiful Mission Point Resort

www.photosbyblair.com

Looking forward to meeting all the Brides that are planing on having there Wedding on Mackinac Island.

A few Wedding pictures at Mission Point Resort.

Beautiful Lawn area.

On the putting course with the ponds.

The Gazebo is so Beautiful for your special day.

There are so many venues on the grounds of Mission Point Resort for beautiful pictures memories of your Wedding Day at Mission Point Resort. Feel free to call me with any questions on the up coming Bridal Show.

231-631-2002.

info@photosbyblair.com / www.photosbyblair.com

Reservations Call: 1-800-833-7711

Sunsets are very important to many Brides & Grooms as part of there Wedding day. Below are the sunset times for the 2011 Wedding season for Northern Michigan.

April 30th, 2011 – 8:42

May 15th, 2011 – 8:59

May 30th, 2011 – 9:13

June 15th, 2011 – 9:23

June 30th, 2011 – 9:25

July 15th, 2011 – 9:20

July 30th, 2011 – 9:06

Aug 15th, 2011 – 8:45

Aug 30th, 2011 – 8:21

Sept 15th, 2011 – 7:53

Sept 30th, 2011 – 7:26

Oct 15th, 2011 – 7:00

Oct 30th, 2011 – 6:38

If you would like the exact time on your Wedding day in northern Michigan give me a call at 231-631-2002

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Michigan Lodging & Tourism Association.  The Pure Michigan Governor’s Conference, Kalamazoo, MI  March 20-21-22, 2011.

It was a pleasure and honor to photograph this great event again this year. The three day conference was motivating, inspiring and showed a tremendous positive attitude toward the future of Michigan. All three days were packed with events and speakers that seem to see things moving forward in Michigan. Very positive outlook on all the new Pure Michigan’s promotional campaign adds that are delivering a beautiful vacation destination and we are ready with open arms to show them our warm and summertime fun hospitality.

Governor Rick Snyder speaking at the award banquet. So many hard working people in our state deserve the awards they all received.

From the opening welcome at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts,

to the many dignitary’s that came and spoke at the conference.

George Zimmermann, Debbie Stabenow,  SteveYencich,

and of course our Governor Rick Snyder.

Some of the awards recipients included:

Tricia Lee Decker, Gail Anthony,  Stephen Carmen

Dan Musser & Ken Hayward from the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.  (picture below)

I look forward to 2012 conference in Grand Rapids, tell then, a “Spactabulas” summer to all who live and visit in our beautiful state of Michigan.

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Traveling through out Michigan from Grand Rapids to Mackinac Island, the 2010 Wedding season was fabulous. It was a pleasure meeting so many beautiful people. Everyone comes from different walks of life but Wedding Celebrations are special, the different personalities are so enlightening, the smiles are addicting as depicted in the following pictures.  If you are still searching for a photographer for 2011 season we still have a few weekend dates open on the calendar. Feel free to contact us at 231-631-2002 or info@photosbyblair.com

Nick & Chalice / July 17th, 2010 / Grand Rapids, MI

A beautiful day, downtown Grand Rapids for these Newlyweds. Great group of friends for the Wedding party and ready to have fun with the camera.  It’s so important to let the kids relax and the camera will do the rest with an artistic touch of experience.

““GORGIOUS!!!! Steven Blair, we just love our pictures. They are so captivating and reflecting the feeling that was shared that day. Thank you so very much.”

Nick & Chalice / July 17th, 2010 / Grand Rapids

A Beautiful Sunset for Nick & Chalice at there reception that evening.

Nick & Chalice / July 17th, 2010 / Grand Rapids

There’s nothing like a “Beach Wedding”. Traverse City and the west side of Michigan as we call it “The Third Coast” has the most beautiful beaches anywhere. The venues are the ticket to a safe beach wedding so keep that in mind

Park Shore Resort is one of those special venues.

Michelle & Jeff / Sept 12th, 2010 / Traverse City on the Beach

Michelle & Jeff / Sept 12th, 2010 / Traverse City on the Beach.

Michelle & Jeff / Sept 12th, 2010 / Traverse City on the Beach

Downtown Traverse City, a difference place, a different time, in the city. The old Opera house was the venue for this unique wedding. Walked to the Bay, the Boardman river, to photograph my different acting styles.  This group are actors from the Old Town Playhouse, Traverse City, MI

Jane & Keith / 10-10-10 / Downtown Traverse City.

Reflections: There are so many possibilities.  Pick your lines.

Jane & Keith / 10-10-10 / Traverse City, MI

Shady Lane Cellars is located on a historic 150-acre farm between Traverse City and Suttons Bay on the Leelanau Peninsula.  Strategically situated to benefit from the meso climate created by Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay, it is a prime vineyard site and a spectacular wedding venue.

Allen &Tiffanie / Sept 18th, 2010 / Leelanau County Winery

Timberlee Hills nestled in the hills of Leelanau County just north west of Traverse City is a quite venue with breath taking views of Lake Leelanau and the hills that surround this property are like non other.

Liz & Patrick / Oct 16th, 2010 / TimberLee Hills / Leeanau County

The Homestead Resort, Glen Arbor, Leelanau county.

Katelin & Jeff / Oct 8th, 2010 / The Homestead Glen Arbor

Katelin & Jeff / Oct 8th, 2010 / The Homestead

Old Mission Peninsula Wine country. A great place to photograph your Wedding party at any one of your favorite Winery’s on the Old Mission Peninsula.

Holly & Dan / Nov 13th, 2010 / Traverse City, Mi & Honor, MI

Holly & Dan / Nov 13th, 2010 / Traverse City & Honor, MI

Holly & Dan / Nov 13th, 2010 / Traverse City & Honor,MI

Holly & Dan / Nov 13th, 2010 / Traverse City & Honor,MI

Holly & Dan / Nov 13th, 2010 / Traverse City & Honor MI

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An absolute pleasure having the opportunity to photograph Model: Joanna Moja again. The winter afternoon was more then you could have wished for. Spirits watching over us. The striking blue skies, the white pure snow with a hint of sand colors at times and the personality of Joanna.  Hope you enjoy the essence of Mother Nature and the pure softness of the subject.

Did I mention Blue skies.

The Michigan hat was perfect and of course, warmth….

On the shores of Frozen Trout River Pond.

Intense:

and then the sun set…

Checkout https://www.facebook.com/photographybyblair FB for the full session.

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