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“Grand Hotel” Birthday Celabrates 125 years on Beautiful Mackinac Island, July 10,1887 to July 10th, 2012

Congratulations Grand Hotel’s 125th Birthday Celebration. It has truly been an honor to have had the opportunity for photograph Weddings and Events the past 16 years at the Grand Hotel on Beautiful Mackinac Island. A tribute to a “Grand Hotel” from my opportunities and perspectives. History & Memories. Hope these pictures put smiles on everyone’s heart.

On July 10, 1887, Grand Hotel opened its doors for the first time.

The Celebration Flags.

One of many Grand Hotel’s horse drawn Carriages.

The 660′ Porch is “Spactabulas”.

From Weddings on the Grand Porch to,

Pure Michigan events.

Mr. Dan Musser Sr. Past President.

So much History… Children’s Birthday Party Grand Hotel 1935 with my mother Dr. Mercedes A. Lapine and Aunt Charmine.

To the award winning movie “Somewhere In Time”. Christopher Reeve & Jane Seymour.

Somewhere in Time is a 1980 romantic science fiction film directed by Jeannot Szwarc. It is a film adaptation of the 1975 novel Bid Time Return by Richard Matheson, who also wrote the screenplay. The film stars Christopher ReeveJane SeymourChristopher PlummerTeresa Wright, and Bill Erwin. Reeve plays Richard Collier, a playwright who becomes smitten by a photograph of a young woman at the Grand Hotel. Through self-hypnosis, he travels back in time to the year 1912 to find love with actress Elise McKenna (portrayed by Seymour). But her manager William Fawcett Robinson (portrayed by Plummer) fears that romance will derail her career and resolves to stop him.

Did you know there was another movie made on Mackinac Island 1947. By george there was:

“This Time for Keeps”.

This Time for Keeps is an American romantic musical film released in 1947 and produced by MGM. It is about a soldier, returning home from war who does not wish to work for his father’s opera company or to continue his relationship with his pre-war lover. It stars Esther WilliamsJimmy DuranteJohnnie Johnston and Lauritz Melchior and it was directed byRichard Thorpe. The film was shot in color on location at the Grand Hotel, on Mackinac Island in Michigan.

There’s just nothing like the “Grand Hotel” view when sailing to the Island.

From spring time to:

Summer:

To Fall:

and Winter.

The “Grand Hotel” is truly “Somewhere in Time”

Come and help us celebrate “Grand Hotel’s” 125th Birthday. A week long celebration.

 I do be-leave a big birthday cake is in the making for 8pm July 10th on the “GRAND” porch. See you soon.

Steven Blair: Photography By Blair / www.photosbyblair.com / www.artisticmackinac.com / info@photosbyblair.com

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Mackinac Island Weddings 2011

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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2010 Weddings on Mackinac Island

A Fabulous Season for Brides & Grooms in 2010.

Photographing Weddings from Mackinac Island to Grand Rapids and all of Northern Michigan makes this a beautiful career.  Smiling faces and happy hearts  motivates my artistic talents. The weather was very kind to us and the summer lasted tell October.  The pictures in this set are “Destination Weddings on Mackinac Island” at  the Grand Hotel, Mission Point Resort, Island House, Inn at Stonecliffe, Little Stone Church and St. Anne’s Church.

Danielle & Andrew 8-15-10 Mackinac Island, MI


Christine & Brandan  7-31-10 Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, MI


Danielle &  Andrew 8-15-10  Mission Point Resort, Mackinac Island, MI


Kristin & Steve 8-14-10 Mission Point Resort, Mackinac Island, MI


Stacy & Craig  7-25-10  Mission Point Resort, Mackinac Island, MI


Melissa & Joe 6-23-10 St. Anne’s  Church, Mackinac Island, Mi


Megan & Young 8-27-10 Island House,  Mackinac Island, MI


Tami & Eric  7-11-10  Grand Hotel. Mackinac Island, MI

Additionally, my Gallery on Mackinac Island was surprisingly busy and many potential brides stopped in and I had the opportunity to view my work up-front and personal. I really enjoyed the opportunity. It was a banner year for me totaling (33) Weddings, (5) Wedding Engagements, three of which were surprises, I really enjoy the surprise engagements, (4) Family Reunions, (2)  Graduation parties, and (2) Conferences, including the “Pure Michigan Governors Conference” held at the Grand Hotel last May. I have been commissioned again to photograph the 2011 conference in Kalamazoo in March. I will highlight that later in the blog.


Grand Hotel Weddings

“The Grand Hotel” on Mackinac Island.

Begin your lives together surrounded by romance.

The fact that you arrive on Mackinac Island by boat or plane starts your Wedding day in a special way.

Mackinac Island is forever romantic.  This is a landscape characterized by high limestone bluffs, beautiful bodies of great lakes water, vibrant forests, flower gardens, turtles, and mystical geological formations.  Elegant hotels, fine restaurants, and even horse and buggy transportation  further enhance this romantic atmosphere. It’s not surprising that the classic romance “Somewhere in Time” was filmed on Mackinac Island.  Begin your lives together on Mackinac Island, a place where, according to the Ojibwa and Odawa  Indian Tribes, “Life first began”.  Your Destination Wedding is waiting for you on Mackinac Island at the “Grand Hotel”.

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Notice: After 22 years and over 900 weddings I am retiring from the wedding industry. If there are any bride and groom's that are still considering purchasing their copyrights to their pictures. Please message me or email info@photosbyblair.com and pass this on. It has been a "Spactabulas" amazing adventure and I met so many beautiful & wonderful people on my journey photographing one of many special days of your lives. I'm humbled to have had this opportunity to be a part of your special day. I will continue to sell my freelance work online & on Facebook. Another chapter with magical, music memories from beautiful Mackinac Island, MI. To all my family and friends, I miss you all so much. PL&H.