Snow looked like a long shot for this January 14, 2012 Wedding in Bay City until two days before the Wedding.  A Winter storm moved through and dropped a few inches of pure white bliss to add to the already stunning Bride and Groom.  Melissa and AJ are so comfortable in front of my camera and I enjoyed working with the two of them.  The day was just perfect!

Here are some beautiful images from the snow filled and sunny Wedding day in Bay City, Michigan.

The Bay City Michigan Wedding vendors for the day include:

Bay City Michigan Winter Wedding Photography

White on the ground and smiles on everyone’s faces makes for a fabulous day in Michigan, and a reason for a Winter Wedding in Bay City, Michigan.  Here is some train station Depot and Hilton Hotel inspiration for your Winter Wedding.

Bay City, Michigan Wedding Photographer

Ever wanted a Winter Wedding where you snowmobile into the ceremony location and leave on  a snowmobile with cans dragging and a veil on your helmet?  Here is some inspiration for your dream.

Winter Wedding Northern Michigan Photographer

Here is a beautiful inspiration for your Northern Michigan Wedding Engagement session in Traverse City and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park along Lake Michigan.

Traverse City Wedding Photographer Paul Retherford

Fusion Winter Wedding Photography video from Bay City, Michigan at Pere Marquette Depot and Hilton Double Tree Hotel on Saginaw river by Paul Retherford Wedding Photography.

When you think of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Miners Castle, and Lake Superior in January a Wedding probably does not come to mind.  For my beautiful Bride, Dawn, and her handsome Groom, Bill, that is exactly what they think.  Their original plan was a winter Wedding in Montana but they wanted their family and friends to be involved too.  They made regular trips from their home in Chicago to Northern Michigan for a snowmobile week.  The weekend after New Years is always a great snow time of the year will few people on the trails.  What better time to invite 30 friends up for a week of snowmobiling and partying to commence with a beautiful Wedding.

The entire day was just perfect with Dawn and Bill.  The Bride and Groom’s smiles radiated heat throughout the day.  If you have ever thought of a Winter snowmobile Wedding in Northern Michigan watch this fusion Wedding video below.

This was an intimate Wedding with a minimal amount of details.  Their accommodations and Wedding reception all took place at Cherrywood Lodge in Munising, Michigan.  This is a winter sports dream location with trails located at their front door, a nice restaurant and bar for the guests, and snowmobile rentals available with brand new sleds!

Come visit Dawn and Bill’s Wedding website at Lake Superior Winter Wedding.

Northern Michigan Upper Michigan Lake Superior Photographer

The first snow in Petoskey, Michigan and we caught it with a beautiful Engagement Session along Lake Michigan in Petoskey, Michigan.  We captured all the images, audio, and video on Sunday morning.  Michelle and Ryan are getting Married this Summer in the Petoskey area with a reception at the Perry Hotel in Petoskey.  Watch the Fusion Engagement Session video I put together for them here.

Some of you may know that my wife and I have driven Saab wagons for some time now.  My wife drove a red 2000 Saab 95 wagon up until a month ago when we sold it to purchase an SUV.  I drive a 2000 Saab wagon turbo that is a bit of luxury and fast too.  Both vehicles have over 200,000 miles on them.

So why don’t I drive a domestic vehicle?  Well, you can argue what is truly a domestic vehicle these days with so many of the parts coming from overseas.  I am a research junky and I love statistics when I buy anything.  I read reviews and talk to professionals and such.  When I took our first Saab that I was looking at buying to my mechanic and he said that if I don’t buy it he will that solidified the deal for me.  Buying smart is my first choice.

Not only are these vehicles comfortable, but they are quiet, large for a family, and get great mileage.  We only changed vehicles because we wanted something that could pull, drive in deep snow, and four wheel drive for our Northern Michigan winters.  The Saab does awesome in snow up to about 3 inches then it has trouble bottoming out.

So what is my point?  I love American made products but don’t hate me for having a foreign vehicle.  My mechanics are all American, the gas I purchase supports local owners, and some of the replacement parts are American made too.  I love the ride and love the fact that we have over 200,000 miles and they run and look perfect.

There are so many advantages to these vehicles.  To bad that Saab is no longer making vehicles.

Would you like to protect yourself like a Pro?  How about not worrying about all of those family images from decades that are only stored on your desktop computer, or maybe an external hard drive.  What happens if your house burns down today?  Are you backed up?

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 Michigan Wedding Photographer | Protect your Images 

Congratulations to Beth and Tony on your beautiful Wedding on Lake Michigan.  The beautiful beach in Frankfort, Michigan and the artsy local of the Cabbage Shed.  It was truly a pleasure to be part of your day.  You took a different road on your Wedding details and I love you for that.  Cheers to your feature on Inspired Beach Weddings Blog!  Check it out at:

http://blog.inspiredbeachweddings.com/michigan-beach-wedding/beth-and-tonys-michigan-beach-wedding/

Lake Michigan Beach Wedding Photographer

Please check out Destination Brides and the feature of Ashley and Aris on their beautiful Blog.

Rock star Creative team included:

This Summer I captured a beautiful Wedding in Northern Michigan that began with lots of questions regarding my contract. My contract is set up to benefit both parties and really make clear what both parties duties are in regards to Wedding Photography.  The Client wanted phrases put into the contract that I did not feel were appropriate and/or needed.  I politely told him that the contract was written by my attorney for the benefit of both parties and I am not comfortable changing anything unless you would like to pay for the attorney fees.  We agreed on the contract as stated.

To make a long story short, I just received an email this morning from the Father of the Groom and it says,

“Paul I know it has been several months since you took pictures at my daughters wedding.  We watched the CD which you made tonight and I thought back to when I contacted you regarding the contract and the concerns I had regarding your services.  Not that I ever doubted your integrity, but I just want you to know that we were very pleased with your work.  Thank you for doing such a great job the memories you created will last a life time.  You truly are a professional.  If you ever need a reference, please know you can use us.  Our telephone remains xxx-xxx-xxxx.  Again thank you and Merry Christmas.”

This is why I do my “job” and love to work with people and make them believers in Paul Retherford Wedding Photography.   Made my day.

Off to take our daughter to see Santa Claus and then Grandpa’s birthday.  Cheers!

The 2011 Parade in downtown Petoskey hosted by Staffords Hospitality was a wonderful hit for all of those people who attended the festivities.   It was mild weather and a nice showing for the lengthy parade route.   Here are some of my images from the 2011 Staffords Hospitality Holiday Parade in downtown Petoskey, Michigan.

Julia getting excited for Santa Claus

Start 2011 Petoskey Stafford's Holiday Parade

Dave Kring Auto Petoskey, Michigan

Petoskey High School marching band

Kidd & Leavy Petoskey, Michigan

Nutcracker

Elvis singing Petoskey parade

Boyne Mountain

Christmas tree on antique car

Crooked River Lodge float

Bay Harbor float

Santa Claus in horse drawn carriage

Santa Claus

Photography by Paul Retherford Petoskey Michigan Photographer

My wife and I made a last minute decision to attend the Inspire Smart Success Experience in Riviera Maya, Mexico at Now Sapphire Resort on December 5-8, 2011.   I was a bit reluctant to book since we had just moved and we are looking for a new house.  It just happened that this trip gave us both a bit of therapy.

We flew out of Flint, Michigan since the flights were the same price as Detroit.  We headed down Sunday for a 6am flight to Atlanta and then to Cancun.  No checked bags made a smooth flight for us both ways.

The customs and immigrations lines were short and we got through in less than 15 minutes total.   It took longer for us to find our driver to Now Sapphire resort.  One noticeable difference from when we traveled in February was that we had to fill out an emergency contact form before leaving the US and there were a significant amount of military people with automatic rifles.  Kind of scary.

The Now Sapphire is a nice all-inclusive resort in Riviera Maya and I would recommend it for a nice vacation or family vacation for a few days.   They really take care of you at the resort.

Following are a bunch of images from the Inspired Smart Success Experience and my free time away from the conference.

Inspire Smart Success Experience Riviera Maya Mexico Now Sapphire

Now Sapphire Resort under tiki hut near pool

Reflection sunglasses near Now Sapphire Resort pool

Fire dancer Now Sapphire Resort Riviera Maya Inspire Smart Success Experience

Now Sapphire Resort beach lounge chairs

Preston Bailey at Inspire Smart Success Experience Now Sapphire Resort

HDR Riviera Maya Mexico

Professional Wedding Photographers Robert Evans and Mike Colon

Hibiscus flower Riviera Maya Mexico

Relax in Mexico

More images on my Facebook Business Page Here

Beautiful Charlevoix, Michigan Wedding with Amanda and Matt in Northern  Michigan along Lake Michigan.  Album Design by Paul Retherford Wedding Photography.

Yesterday I had a great conversation with George McDonald from Harbor View Entertainment in Traverse City, Michigan.  He is a great guy and is very knowledgable about the industry.  He has done thousands of events and continues to love his career choice too!  I would not hesitate to hire George at Harbor View Entertainment for any of your Northern Michigan Wedding locations.

Here is the information that George has provided on his website.

George McDonald, Traverse City, Michigan, provides professional DJ entertainment and planning for a wide variety of occasions.

Call Today for a Free consultation.

Destination Wedding location at Beachwalk Resort in Michigan City, Indiana near Chicago, Illinois on Lake Michigan white sand beach by Paul Retherford Destination Wedding Photography.