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There’s just something about having a wedding at a historic church in downtown Detroit. It symbolizes longevity in a relationship, as well as an appreciation of this fascinating region. The downtown atmosphere creates a fun vibe, and the beauty of the historic churches is incomparable and immeasurable. <br><br>And as for the pictures? Well, they can be absolutely captivating!<br><br>Just imagine them. Standing on a rooftop gazing into the eyes of the love of your life with the beautiful buildings in the background. Taking a walk along the riverside hand in hand with the river gently flowing beside you. Dancing around in the heart of Campus Martius. Walking down a stunning church aisle with your friends and loved ones around you. <br><br>Absolutely amazing. The pictures could render someone speechless. <br><br>The first step is finding the perfect iconic or historic church in downtown Detroit or midtown Detroit to make the moment magical, and we have the perfect places in mind.<br><br><b>1. Christ Church Detroit, 960 E. Jefferson Avenue</b><br>Built in 1863, this protestant church features exquisite Gothic Revival architecture and a long aisleway. In this setting, the bride can take her time slowly walking down the aisle as all her guests and the groom gaze upon her beauty.<br><br>Weddings may be scheduled throughout the year except during the season of Lent and the first week of Easter. Ceremonies can be held in the main sanctuary, which features diverse stained glass windows and golden ceilings in addition to the fascinating center aisle. <br><br><b>2. Our Lady of the Rosary Roman Catholic Church, 5930 Woodward Avenue</b><br>Located right on the iconic Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit, this rock and sandstone building features a powerfully beautiful statue of Mary at the very top. Built in 1893, it is a historic Romanesque Revival church complex.<br><br><b>3. Basilica of St. Anne de Detroit Catholic Parish, 1000 St. Anne Street</b><br>Designed in Gothic Revival style, this is the <a href="https://ste-anne.org/about-us/parish-history" target="_blank">second oldest running Roman Catholic Church</a> – not only in Detroit, not only in Michigan, but in the entire United States of America! <br><br>St. Anne was founded in 1701. The present structure was built in 1886 and still has some elements from the original building. In fact, it is one of only 89 churches in America given the designation of minor basilica by the Holy Father. Reasons for bestowing this designation may be granted for architectural beauty, historical significance, liturgical renown, or any combination of these attributes.<br><br>The church is also in close proximity to the riverfront and Ambassador Bridge, which can complement the meaningful pictures after the ceremony.<br><br><b>4. Sweetest Heart of Mary Church, 4440 Russell Street</b><br>The exterior architecture features two tall steeples. The interior of <a href="https://www.motherofdivinemercy.org/sweetest-heart-of-mary" target="_blank">Sweetest Heart of Mary Church</a> is stunning with a high ceiling and intriguing design elements throughout. <br><br><b>5. Historic Trinity Lutheran Church, 1345 Gratiot Avenue</b><br>Lutheran couples who are looking for a historic church in downtown Detroit might be thrilled to discover this gem. <a href="https://www.historictrinity.org/our-history" target="_blank">Historic Trinity Lutheran Church</a> was founded in 1850. Featuring stained glass windows, artisan artifacts, and wood and stone carvings, guests can’t help but feel the spirituality that will bond the bride and groom together. <br><br><b>6. Fort Street Presbyterian Church, 631 W. Fort Street</b><br>Branded as “a beacon in the heart of the city,” the <a href="https://www.fortstreet.org/history" target="_blank">Fort Street Presbyterian Church’s</a> central location makes it one of the most recognizable churches in downtown Detroit. The church was first organized in 1849 as the Second Presbyterian Church, but the name was changed to Fort Street Presbyterian Church after the building was completed in 1855. The gymnasium was equipped as a dormitory for servicemen during World War II, and the church has run ministries for the homeless since 1969. Today, the church remains committed to the spiritual and physical well-being of those in the community.<br><br><b>7. Second Baptist Church, 441 Monroe Street</b><br>Located in downtown Detroit’s legendary Greektown, the <a href="https://www.secondbaptistdetroit.org/copy-of-second-baptist-history" target="_blank">Second Baptist Church</a> is available for weddings for members. Founded in 1836, the Second Baptist Church is the oldest black-owned religious institution in the Midwest.<br><br><b>8. St. John’s Episcopal Church of Detroit, 50 E. Fisher Freeway</b><br>Located near the former Tiger Stadium in the Corktown neighborhood, <a href="https://www.stjohnsdetroit.org/history" target="_blank">St. John’s Episcopal Church of Detroit</a> was built in 1860 when the area consisted of mostly farmland and suburban homes. The building features a Victorian Gothic design and beautiful stained glass windows.

With so many cancellations and postponements in 2020 and 2021, you can consider 2022 “the year of the wedding.” In December 2021, Vogue noted that 2.6 million weddings were expected to be held this year, which is a record 40-year high. <br><br>But just like just about everything else in life, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed how weddings will look and feel … and we’re all about it!<br><br>Many more couples will be holding outdoor weddings, complete with elegant decor, catering, live music, and all the other essentials that make a wedding memorable. Other wedding trends of 2022 we are seeing is the continuation of wedding in black – representing the concept of “‘till death do us part.”<br><br>If you’re planning a wedding for later this year, let us offer you some of our favorite trends of the year.<br><br><b>Princess Ball Gowns</b><br>Expect a return to fabulous when it comes to bridal gowns. Extravagant, glamorous, radiant dresses will take the stage.<br><br><b>Pant Suits</b><br>With many couples choosing smaller gatherings this year, classy, comfortable, and clean will be the theme for many weddings. Don’t be surprised to see the bride in a stunningly sophisticated <a href="https://www.popsugar.com/love/photo-gallery/48683206/image/48683284/Pant-Suits" target="_blank">white pants outfit</a> at the front of the room.<br><br><b>Photo Booths</b><br>Wedding guests can create lasting memories for themselves as well. Photo booths add a fun and festive flair to the wedding reception, but that’s not all. The wedding couple can ask to receive copies of the images to complement other photos, as well as keep a record of who attended.<br><br><b>Backyard Tent Receptions</b><br>Here in Michigan, planning anything outdoors is a risk, but not with large-scale tents. Complete with chairs, tables, room for a band, catering booths, and more, a tent reception can be all you’ve dreamed of and then some. It will also give your guests more of an opportunity to mingle as they walk around outside of the tent.<br><br><b>Wedding Themes</b><br>Having a <a href="https://www.vogue.com/article/the-wedding-trends-that-are-in-and-out-for-2022" target="_blank">themed wedding</a> is a little like combining a wedding with a birthday party and the vacation of a lifetime. Who can ask for more fun than that? Lively themes such as “An Evening in Paris” or a “Day at the Theatre” can add fun and intrigue to the festivities, not to mention endless ideas for unusual and exciting entertainment.<br><br><b>Pops of Color</b><br>A gorgeous white dress is still the pinnacle of a traditional wedding, but many brides are choosing to accent their dresses with pops of color. Pinks, grays, and blacks all can bring the dress to life as well as match the theme of the wedding. Color is not only in for brides’ dresses, but also for table settings and drinking glasses. It will certainly add a spark of flair for your champagne toast. <br><br><b>#wesaididoin2022</b><br><a href="https://www.newsweek.com/tying-knot-these-are-20-most-popular-wedding-trends-2022-colors-themes-1670965" target="_blank">Wedding hashtags</a> are nothing new, but they’re sure to continue in 2022 and beyond. The hashtags enable the couple to document their wedding as well as posts from their guests through social media outlets. Plus, it’s just fun! Along with wedding hashtags, QR codes may be used not only for the wedding, but for RSVPs, Save the Dates, image galleries, videos, and more.<br><br><b>Quickie Weddings</b><br>Many couples don’t want to have to worry about pandemic-related concerns, spending tons of money, or planning for months. Private weddings can be even more meaningful because the couple has the time to take it all in. Nice ‘n easy does it for some!<br>

Are you planning a wedding for early 2023? That may sound like a lifetime from now, but it’s not, especially in this COVID era. You have a lot to do, and you have one year to make it happen. Believe us, 2022 will fly by faster than you know it.<br><br>So get ready to get moving as soon as 2022 begins. On your mark, get set, go!....<br><br><b>Month-to-Month Guide to Wedding Planning: One Year Before the Wedding</b><br><br>– Set your priorities and your budget.<br><br>– Plan your guest list. It’s important to do this early on in order to determine the size of the wedding venue and estimate how much the entire event will cost.<br><br>– Decide on a religious establishment and/or reception hall for your wedding. This may take longer than one month, so be sure to start this early. It’s important to do both at the same time in order to ensure you can find both on the same day. If you need to hire an officiant separate from the house of worship, you should connect with one at this time too.<br><br><b>11 Months</b><br><br>– Decide on the theme, colors, and other design factors. Use our BrideVue wedding design app to help you visualize colors, patterns, place setting, chairs, chair covers, and more.<br><br>– Hire the vendors, including the organist/singer for the ceremony; band and/or DJ for the reception; photo booth; caricature artist; caterer if necessary; photographer/videographer; violinist; midnight ice cream sundae booth; and so on. Vendors and musicians get booked up quickly, so make sure you do this early on.<br><br><b>10 Months</b><br><br>– Unless you’re planning on something standard and simple, you should already have your wedding dress picked out at this point, as well as possibly ordered. If you haven’t started shopping for it, definitely start now.<br><br>– If you haven’t already done so, this is a good time to take your photos, make a video, and send out messages to announce your engagement. Along these lines, if you’re into social media, it’s a good time to set up your wedding hashtags and start using them to create a fun, memorable record of your wedding planning, shower, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and wedding day.<br><br>– Send save the date notices online and in print.<br><br><b>9 Months</b><br><br>– This month is all about the bridesmaids. You should have their dresses selected at this point and have been shopping with them to allow them to try the dresses on. If the dresses need to be special-ordered or custom-designed, make sure you do this soon.<br><br><b>7-8 Months</b><br><br>– Focus on wedding ceremony and wedding reception designs at this month. If you haven’t already ordered upgraded chair covers, tablecloths, centerpieces, and so on, take care of that now. This is especially important if you’re having an outdoor wedding.<br><br>– If you are required to attend premarital counseling classes, start planning for them now. You may have to participate in them for several weeks, so it’s wise to get this done before the wedding date comes too close.<br><br><b>6 Months</b><br><br>– Your BFFs or family should book a place for the shower now, as well as plan a guest list and send out invitations. An ideal time for a shower is three months before the wedding or earlier.<br><br>– Taste test your cake options and place your order.<br><br><b>5 Months</b><br><br>– Register for gifts for your shower and/or wedding. <br><br>– Reserve a limousine or luxury party bus for the couple and bridal party to use on the wedding day. You may also wish to plan for transportation for out-of-town guests who may be staying at a nearby hotel, as well as a method of transportation for other guests who may need it.<br><br>– Buy or rent the groom’s and groomsmen’s tuxedos or suits.<br><br>– If it’s an outdoor wedding, make sure you order any chairs or tables you may need.<br><br><b>4 Months</b><br><br>– Book a place for your rehearsal dinner. The rehearsal dinner is a good time to present bridesmaids and groomsmen with sentimental gifts, so take some time earlier in the year to buy these gifts for them.<br><br>– Schedule makeup, hair, and nail specialists for the morning of the wedding. You can have the bridal party go to the same location or find providers who will come to your home.<br><br>– Buy jewelry to go with the bride’s and bridesmaids’ dresses. This may be an opportunity to multitask by choosing jewelry as the gifts you will give to your bridesmaids.<br><br>– Design, write, and order your wedding invitations.<br><br><b>3 Months</b><br><br>– Book the honeymoon. You may wish to start shopping for great deals earlier, but sometimes the best deals are actually closer to the travel date. Keep your eye open for deals throughout the year, but make sure you finalize your plans by 3 months before the wedding. Otherwise, you might be cutting it close and end up settling for a destination other than the one you really want. (Note: If you are planning to travel out of the country, take care of all this about nine months before the wedding to ensure you can get your passports, follow COVID protocols, and possibly get better travel deals.)<br><br>– You should have your wedding dress, bridesmaids’ dresses, mother-of-the-bride dresses, and the groom’s and groomsmen’s tuxes in by now. Have them fitted and altered again. Altering dresses can take several weeks, so make sure you do this early. You also may need to do it twice: once for the obvious length and sizes and a second time for tweaks.<br><br>– Send out your wedding invitations.<br><br>– If you want them all to look the same, order shoes for everyone in the bridal party. You may need to get them customized, so this may take quite some time.<br><br><b>1 to 2 Months</b><br><br>– Buy your wedding bands. If you want to have them customized, do this about five months prior to the wedding.<br><br>– Finalize the guest list based on the RSVPs, and communicate with the wedding reception venue and/or caterer to make your payments, finalize your menu, and tell them how many guests you expect. Touch base with your baker as well to ensure they can make your cake in time as well as any other dessert table specialties.<br><br>– Order guest favors and souvenirs for the reception.<br><br><b>4 Weeks</b><br><br>– Plan the details of the ceremony, like the specific songs and readings, as well as who will present them.<br><br>– Print photos you would like to have set up in the reception hall if you wish, or make a video that will be played.<br><br>– Get your marriage license. In Michigan, you should not do this too soon or too late. It expires 33 days after you get it, so you should get it within 30 days before the ceremony.<br><br>– Touch base with your musicians, DJs, and hosts to give them a playlist and tell them anything you would like them to say.<br><br><b>3 Weeks</b><br><br>– Plan the guest seating layout, and print escort cards.<br><br>– Set up the souvenirs and gifts previously ordered.<br><br>– Buy the “other” items you will need, such as a guest book to be signed and a gift card box.<br><br><b>1 to 2 Weeks</b><br><br>– Cut, style, and recolor your hair as necessary. Buy last-minute jewelry items. Shop for items for your honeymoon and pack your bags.<br><br>– Take care of any other last-minute items that must be finished. Delegate responsibilities to others to avoid feeling overwhelmed.<br><br>– Get your nails done a few days before the wedding.<br><br>– Touch base with your hair and makeup artists to confirm they’re still on for the morning of your wedding, as well as to ensure you’re on the same page regarding the styles.<br><br><b>1 Day</b><br><br>– Get your beauty sleep! Tomorrow is the first day of your new life!<br>

Are you planning a last-minute wedding for the holidays? Maybe New Year’s Eve or even Valentine’s Day? That sounds fun! Spontaneity in your life is one great way to start your marriage off on the right foot. <br><br>But there are several things you must do before an impromptu wedding to make it both legit and memorable … because you can’t skip everything. It’s still your special day, and it should stand out from any other. <br><br>However, you might have to compromise because some things you might have imagined in the past might not be possible. Before planning an impromptu wedding, really think about what’s most important to you and what you are willing to do without.<br><br>That being said, there are three things you have to take care of first, at the bare minimum.<br><br><b>1. Find an officiant.</b><br>If you’re hoping to get married in a church, this might be a bit of a challenge. Many pastors and priests require couples to attend premarital counseling before their wedding, so you might not have the time for that. We’re not saying it’s impossible to have your wedding in a church. You might be able to find a pastor to officiate, but you will have to do some research.<br><br>With that being said, here are a few other ideas on how to get someone to perform the ceremony: <br><li>Take advantage of the tried, tested, and true courthouse ceremony. In these days of COVID, it’s becoming more common because it is safer than larger gatherings. For a courthouse ceremony, all you need is the following:</li><br>-- A marriage license<br>-- Your birth certificates<br>-- Your state identification cards/driver’s licenses<br>-- About $100 <br>-- Your Social Security numbers<br>-- Two witnesses, typically the maid of honor and best man<br><br><li>Do some research online for officiants who fit your needs. <a href="https://weddingofficiants.com" target="_blank">The Wedding Officiants</a> and <a href="https://www.theknot.com/" target="_blank">The Knot</a> websites are good places to get started.</li><br><li>See if someone who knows and loves you both would get ordained online in order to perform your ceremony. If you take this route, make sure the ordination is valid and that it is applicable in all 50 states.</li><br><br><b>2. Obtain a marriage license</b><br>Michigan residents will need a valid marriage license before the ceremony. You can apply for the marriage license at the county clerk’s office in the county where you reside, although the wedding can be held anywhere in the state. You may be able to apply online.<br><br>You will need your state identification cards, birth certificates, and Social Security numbers. The cost is $20 per couple for Michigan residents and $30 for out-of-state residents, who must apply within the county where the ceremony is expected to be performed.<br><br>You must apply for the license within about a month before the ceremony, as it will expire 33 days after the application date.<br><br><b>3. Don’t forget the rings.</b><br>This part is still a must in most cases, but it doesn’t have to be the grand symbol of a marriage that we’ve all come to know. In fact, some courthouse weddings don’t require an exchange of rings at all. But if you wouldn’t dream of going without, you will need to have the rings ready for your big day. If you’re on a budget, they don’t even have to be extravagant or even new. Something simple that represents your everlasting bond should be good enough.<br><br>These three items are essentially the primary must-do’s before an impromptu wedding, but even the most spontaneous couple might want to push the boundaries a little further. You likely still want the day to be memorable and beautiful, so here are some other customs you probably will want to incorporate and how to do them easily.<br><br><li><i>The Honeymoon</i>: If you are planning on honeymooning right after the ceremony, you will need to plan the trip and take time off work or school. Otherwise, make it easy on yourself and save your honeymoon for another time, such as your first wedding anniversary.</li><br><br><li><i>The Reception</i>: Even the reception is optional these days, but most couples will likely want to celebrate with their loved ones in some way. Locations where you can easily host last-minute wedding receptions include someone’s backyard, an everyday restaurant, a gathering hall at a local religious establishment, a community center, and a park gazebo. Ask your friends and family to help with the food and drinks, or hire a local caterer. The possibilities are endless if you think about your lives together and find a location that truly embodies your goals and values.</li><br><br><li><i>The Glam</i>: It’s your day. You can both wear just about whatever your hearts desire. However, if you want a look that’s more traditional, you’ll need to take the time to find a wedding dress that speaks to you, as well as the shoes, jewelry, and headpiece.<br><br>You also may wish to schedule appointments to have your nails professionally done a day or so ahead of time and your hair and makeup done that morning. Keep in mind that you will need to book professional hair and makeup artists several weeks in advance, but there are everyday salons that may cater to your needs sooner. <br><br>If all else fails, find that friend or family member who is skilled in making people look more beautiful than ever, and ask that person to be there for you that day.<br><br>A groom-to-be will need to find a place to rent or buy his suit or tuxedo as well. If it needs to be tailored, the groom will need to get this taken care of several days in advance. But it’s his day too! He can make it simple by wearing whatever suits him and matches his bride.</li><br><br>Weddings don’t have to be exhausting. Make them what you want them to be, whether they’re extravagant or simple. As long as it’s beautiful, memorable, and represents who you are as a couple, the wedding should set the stage for your future together.

What’s our BrideVue wedding reception design app all about? It is about choosing the perfect combination of colors and textures for the reception decor ... but that’s just the beginning.<br><br>Our BrideVue app goes far beyond showing you examples of what’s possible. It features real-life, local wedding reception venues that you can design virtually. It’s as close to visiting the venues as you can get without moving even a foot away from your couch. All you need to move are your hands and your eyes — and maybe your imagination.<br><br><h2>How Our Wedding Reception Planning App Works</h2><br><br>After downloading the BrideVue app, you can use it to virtually plan the look and feel of your wedding reception or other event. With the app, you could:<br><br>1. Mix and match colors and textures of tablecloths and overlays<br>2. Explore many different styles of chairs<br>3. Peruse chair cover styles and colors<br>4. Choose from several options of centerpieces to see which ones would look just right<br>5. Find the ideal linens, runners, and sashes<br>6. Compare various plate settings and napkin styles<br><br>In addition to helping you visualize the appearance of your dream wedding reception, the app will allow you to make more of an educated decision about how many people will fit comfortably in your reception.<br><br>You can also make a movie of the designs you like, save designs for future comparison and reference, and even share them with others.<br><br><h2>Real Venues for Realistic Views</h2><br><br>The beauty of our app is that the venues are not hypothetical. We feature the interiors or exteriors of actual wedding reception facilities throughout Michigan, Ohio, and even Hawaii, so you can virtually visit each location in 3D.<br><br>Our depiction of the Alexandria Room at the Dearborn Inn, for example, reflects the actual carpet design, lighting fixtures, and virtually anything else you would see in the hall in person.<br><br>Additional venues featured in our app include:<br><br><li>The Travis Pointe Ballroom at the Travis Pointe Country Club in <a href="https://bit.ly/wedding-venues-ann-arbor" target="_blank"> Ann Arbor</a>.</li><br><li>Detroit Marriott Troy</li><br><li>Cleveland Marriott</li><br><li>Royal Hawaiian Golf Club in Hawaii</li><br><br>Download the app through the App Store to uncover the wedding theme that fits your personality. To see a glimpse of what you can do with the app, watch our<a href="https://www.bridevue.com" target="_blank"> wedding reception planning video </a>online.<br><br>One more thing: Stay tuned for exciting upcoming features, which will include enhanced organization, measurement, and seating arrangement capabilities. We think you’ll love the new additions, and we can’t wait to roll them out for you!

Amazing Ann Arbor, the city where you can’t go wrong. No matter what your style — classic, outdoorsy, simple, sophisticated, utterly elegant, or straight-up high-rollin’ — you can find a wedding reception venue in Ann Arbor, Michigan that will fit your personality.<br><br>Beyond that, you can count on BrideVue to help you make the wedding reception venue all you.<br><br>So what’s your style? Let’s find a wedding venue near you to match.<br><br><b>If You Need an Ann Arbor Wedding Venue and Overnight Accommodations in One Place...</b><br><br><a href="https://www.zingermansgreyline.com/venue-information" target="_blank">Zingerman’s Greyline in Residence Inn by Marriott in Downtown Ann Arbor</a><br>100 N. Ashley St.<br>734-230-2300<br><br><a href="https://www.kcourtaa.com" target="_blank">The Kensington Hotel</a><br>3500 S. State St.<br>866-446-1329<br><br><a href="https://annarborregent.com/weddings" target="_blank">Ann Arbor Regent Hotel & Suites</a><br>2455 Carpenter Road<br>734-973-6100<br><br><a href="https://www.webersannarbor.com/weddings" target="_blank">Weber’s Boutique Hotel & Restaurant</a> <br>3050 Jackson Road<br>734-769-2500<br><br><a href="https://www.marriott.com/hotels/event-planning/wedding-planning/arbsi-sheraton-ann-arbor-hotel" target="_blank">Sheraton Ann Arbor Hotel</a><br>3200 Boardwalk<br>734-996-0600<br><br><a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/arbaadt-doubletree-ann-arbor-north/events" target="_blank">Double Tree by Hilton Ann Arbor North</a><br>3600 Plymouth Road<br>734-769-9800<br><br><a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/arbgigi-hilton-garden-inn-ann-arbor" target="_blank">Hilton Garden Inn</a><br>1401 Briarwood Circle<br>734-327-6400<br><br><a href="https://www.marriott.com/hotels/event-planning/wedding-planning/arbch-courtyard-ann-arbor" target="_blank">Courtyard by Marriott Ann Arbor</a><br>3205 Boardwalk<br>734-995-5900<br><br><a href="https://www.graduatehotels.com/ann-arbor/meeting-events/weddings" target="_blank">Graduate Ann Arbor</a><br>615 E. Huron St.<br>734-769-2200<br><br><b>If You are Looking for Breathtaking Photos and a Breath of Fresh Air…</b><br><br><a href="https://polofieldsccmi.com/Weddings" target="_blank">The Polo Fields Golf & Country Club</a><br>5200 Polo Fields Drive<br>734-998-1555<br><br><a href="https://stonebridgegolfclub.net/wedding-reception-venue-outdoor-ceremonies" target="_blank">Stonebridge Golf Club</a><br>1825 Clubhouse Drive<br>734-429-8383<br><br><b>If You Want to Be Trendy and Different at the Same Time...</b><br><br><a href="https://www.krazieyeproductions.com/" target="_blank">The Circ and Root</a><br>210 S. First Street, Ann Arbor, MI<br>734-780-0778<br><br><a href="https://vinologya2.com/private-events/weddings" target="_blank">Vinology Restaurant Event Space</a></b><br>110 S. Main St.<br>734-222-9841<br><br><b>If You are a History Buff…</b><br><br><a href="https://www.a2gov.org/departments/Parks-Recreation/parks-places/cobblestone-farm/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Cobblestone Farm</a><br>2781 Packard Road<br>734-794-6230<br><br><a href="https://www.annarborcityclub.org/weddings-and-events.html" target="_blank">Ann Arbor City Club</a><br>1830 Washtenaw Avenue<br>734-662-3279<br><br><b>If You Want to Show Off Your Wolverine Spirit…</b><br><br><a href="https://conferences.umich.edu/weddings/venues" target="_blank">Michigan League</a><br>911 N. University<br>734-764-2000<br><br><a href="https://conferences.umich.edu/weddings/venues" target="_blank">Michigan Union</a><br>530 S. State St.<br>734-764-2000<br><br><a href="https://conferences.umich.edu/weddings/venues" target="_blank">Pierpont Commons Student Union</a><br>2101 Bonisteel Blvd.<br>734-936-0869<br><br><a href="http://www.palmercommons.umich.edu" target="_blank">Palmer Commons</a><br>100 Washtenaw Ave.<br>734-615-4444 <br><br><a href="https://facilityrentals.ath.umich.edu" target="_blank">University of Michigan Athletic Department - Campus Weddings</a><br>1000 S. State St.<br>734-647-1261<br><br><li>Richard L. Postma Family Clubhouse</li><br><li>Crisler Center Hall of Honor</li><br><li>Jack Roth Stadium Club</li><br><li>Junge Family Champions Center</li><br><li>Regents Guest Area</li><br><li>Weston Lounge</li><br><b>If You are All About Simple, Small and Spontaneous...</b><br><br><a href="https://www.punchbowl.com/vendors/mi-michigan/ann-arbor/2873445/teacup-wedding---small-wedding-and-elopement---wedding-garden---wedding-chapel-with-officiant" target="_blank">Teacup Wedding/Punchbowl</a><br>5347 Plymouth Road<br>734-669-5347<br><br><a href="https://concoursehall.aactmad.org" target="_blank">Concourse Hall</a><br>4531 Concourse Drive<br>872-222-8623<br>

BrideVue was a vision in the making, a natural result of two highly skilled designers who saw the need for more — more convenience, more options, more excitement.<br><br>BrideVue offers brides-to-be, future grooms, their families, and virtually anyone who is planning any big event the opportunity to see how the venue would look right from the comfort of their own homes. <br><br>There’s no longer a need to travel to multiple venues to explore your design and wedding layout options. The answers are right there in the palm of your hand.<br><br><b>The Phan Brothers</b> <br><br>You could say a flair for design runs in the BrideVue family.<br><br>BrideVue was founded and developed by brothers Te Phan and Minh Phan, both of whom have extensive backgrounds in the arts.<br><br>Te attended the Cleveland Institute of Arts and later became an automotive design engineer for Ford Motor Company, and Minh studied music composition at the University of Michigan. <br><br>In the early 2000s, Te also founded a linen business that provided chair covers and tablecloths. Known as Chaircover Express, it soon became a leading chair cover business in the United States. Couples would explore chair cover rental options, and Chaircover Express would ship them across the United States. Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Chaircover Express also has a location in Los Angeles, as well as a former location in Hawaii.<br><br>Minh began his own business that happened to complement his brother’s business perfectly. His business, Chiavari Chairs Wedding, offers wholesale and rental of chiavari chairs for weddings and other gatherings. <br>Between the two of them, they worked with many vendors and became very familiar with customers’ needs. Minh said they have worked with so many couples who came into their offices or showroom in the past with similar questions.<br><br>“The number one thing couples want to know is, ‘How is it going to look?’”<br><br>That’s how the brothers recognized a niche that they could use their skills and experiences to fill.<br><br>They thought, “Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could visualize the event in 3-D and be able to customize the design and the look in real time?”<br><br><b>The Birth of BrideVue</b><br><br>The brothers developed the BrideVue app in 2015 in order to provide a convenient visualization tool for weddings and other events. Using the app or the website, brides can choose from an array of colors and styles for tablecloths, chair covers, centerpieces, and more, as well as rearrange seating and even analyze lighting fixtures and the color of the carpeting in each venue.<br><br>In many cases, colors may clash or seating arrangements might be too cramped. That might not be apparent until the day of the wedding, but BrideVue makes it clear long before that.<br><br>“The average wedding costs $30,000,” Minh said. “If you’re going to spend that much money, you want to at least see what it’s going to look like. In your mind, you might think it’s beautiful, but you won’t know until the day of.”<br><br>But BrideVue goes far beyond the abstract. It features interior, 3-D views of multiple real-life venues, so you can sample arrangements and layouts within that virtual hall.<br><br>Typically, couples visit several venues beforehand, but that can be a time-consuming process that may even involve pressure to make decisions. With BrideVue, you can visit the halls of the venues you are considering without leaving your home.<br><br>“With this, you can do it on your own time, your own space, your own home, and be able to see what works for you without making an appointment,” he said.<br><br>The BrideVue visualization tool also offers more options than in-person visits. In person, you may be able to see one or two tablecloth colors, for example, but with BrideVue, you can literally see hundreds of colors, color combinations, materials, and textures.<br><br>“In a way, it’s much more powerful,” he said.<br><br>In the past, couples have come in with folders, binders, and stacks of inspirational images from magazines, he said. It required a lot of work, a lot of organization, and a lot of materials. The Phan brothers recognized that inefficiency, and they knew they could do much better.<br><br>“If you could do it virtually from a mouse click, how beautiful would that be?”<br><br><b>Visualize Your Wedding</b><br><br>When you use BrideVue, you can literally see your reception setting. <br><br>Can you picture yourself in your partner’s arms during that first dance in the center of the hall? Can you see your family and friends smiling as they sit amid the beautiful decor? Can you just about taste the wedding cake, set up so elegantly at the side of the hall? Is this your dream wedding setting?<br><br>Find out by downloading the app or using our website for inspiration, and let us know if there’s anything we can do to help you.<br><br>We’re here to help you see your wedding dreams come true — in 3D.

Weddings and celebrations are an integral part of human history. The act of gathering for a meal is a fundamental component in every culture of the world since antiquity. The décor and setting is an immediate reflection of each ceremony's purpose and theme. The visual composition of a table within a room sets the mood and invites the guests to the anticipation of the celebration and meal. The creative combination and selection of china, glass, cutlery, table linens, and flowers all play a vital part in defining the ambience of the event. Interestingly, the formal table setting is a relatively modern invention. As early as the 15th century, the options for handling food at the table were rather crude since utensils were not yet common. Upon the arrival of forks in the 16th century, a variety of utensils were invented to accommodate the different elements of the meal from soup spoons to cake knives. While imagination takes precedent in setting a table and rules can often be altered to fit one's particular occasion, the formal and traditional way of setting the table has been historically established. Forks are placed on the left for fish, meat, and salad. The soup spoon is on the right along with the knives for fish, meat, and cheese. Above the plate are the dessert spoon and fork. The placement of each utensil follows a natural sequence of the meal that allows one to work inwards towards the plate and allows for the orderly flow of the dining experience. While there are no written rules to designing a table setting, the decorative elements that are chosen determine the overall results. Designs that are selected can complement the style of the room whether it be classical or modern. China selections should be meticulously chosen since they are the dominant framework around which other decorative elements are built upon. The arrangement of dishes, bowls and plates can be combine in a way to accentuate form and pattern. During formal dining events, most components of a china set are matched in style and color. In nontraditional settings, different materials of crockery such as ceramics, metal, clay, stoneware, porcelain, or glass can also be explored in innovative ways to add variety to one's table. In modern times, cutlery is available in a myriad of shapes and sizes to accommodate virtually every food variety. Historically, cutlery was constructed of silver and could be intricately crafted with bone, horn, or wood for the handle. Today in contrast, most utensils are made of stainless steel. The formal etiquette is to place cutlery on either side of the plate in a strict and straight line. In more informal settings, placement of utensils can be more adventurous such as wrapping silverware in cloth napkins or ribbons and arranging them in baskets or even glass jars. Regardless of the choices, cutlery can add a monumental element to one's table setting in both beautiful and imaginative ways. Glassware adds an elegant dimension to the dining table with its glistening and reflective properties. Traditionally, a single or a group of glass is placed on the right hand side of the dinner plate directly above the tip of the knife blade. Since glass is already a beautiful element, minimal decoration is needed to enhance it's appeal. From cut or uncut , fine crystal or hand blown, engraved or painted, glass comes in all colors, shapes, and sizes. Linens offer an exceptional opportunity for creative ideas due to the variety of materials available and the ability to fold or cut it into numerous forms and shapes. For formal occasions, linens frequently white are an essential decorative element and add a soft, elegant comfort to a table setting. The length can either drape halfway to the floor or touch the ground. The array of materials are broad, ranging from embroidered cottons, woven designed damask, or silk. Organza overlays of intricate designs or subdued colors can add another dimension to the traditional plain tablecloth. Matching napkins can also enhance the tablecloth or accentuate the setting with splashes of accent colors. The different possibilities that napkins can be folded are endless with the mitre and lotus flower style being the most common.