getting married on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2012, for $100.00 at “Teacup Wedding”?

♥

or getting vintage Valentines and clipart for FREE every day at “The Graphics Fairy”?

Both so sweet.

Better than a box of chocolates.

Loving heartfelt gestures.

A beautiful thing.

We hope you got the message.

If you want to get married on Valentine’s Day 2012,

Teacup Wedding is the place.

If you want beautiful vintage Valentines or any beautiful vintage graphics, The Graphics Fairy is the place!

Now you have everything you need to create a wonderful life ; )

www.thegraphicsfairy.com

“The Graphics Fairy”

Free Clip Art!

Our Chapel is beautifully prepared for weddings to take place on very short-notice, but can also be reserved up to 12 months in advance. Our very affordable, small wedding packages include the use of our venue, the services of our Wedding Officiant, and the classic country house vintage style decor shown in these current photographs.

Teacup Wedding Chapel, Winter White Roses in Urns.

The path to the entry of Teacup Wedding Country House, Wedding Chapel extends through our Garden Arbor Ceremony setting, which is available May – October and has shaded, comfortable seating for guests.

Teacup Wedding Officiant, Karla Groesbeck, entering the Country House Chapel with a couple, whose guests are seated and waiting inside.

View of Teacup Wedding Country House Chapel and Garden Arbor, as approaching from our on-site, private parking area. Reservations are made for only one small wedding or elopement at any given time, providing privacy and enjoyment exclusively for you and your guests.

Guests are comfortably seated facing the North, in the shaded Garden Arbor, with marriage ceremonies taking place at the ivy-covered trellis, evergreen foliage backdrop. This photo being taken on December 31, 2011, is beautiful, even without the white floral baskets that hang from the Garden Arbor in the warmer season, May – October, when the Garden Arbor is available.

Teacup Wedding Garden Arbor ~ December 31, 2011, after our last wedding of the year in the Wedding Chapel, still no significant snowfall in Michigan!

When planning for a marriage ceremony in the Garden Arbor, our on-site, indoor settings, the Chapel and Parlor are available at no additional cost, as a back-up in the event of rain or uncomfortable heat.

A beautiful and simply elegant setting for marriage ceremonies

Spacious, serene, light-filled interior with elegant decor that provides the perfect backdrop for professional and amateur wedding photography. The softness of the light and decor enhances the subject of the photography ~ the Bride and Groom ~ their vows, ring exchange, first kiss and pronouncement as a married couple!

Classic elegant table setting for a Unity Candle or Sand Ceremony (to the left). A Flower Ceremony or Ring blessing is also a wonderful option with a small wedding party, at Teacup Wedding Country House.

Teacup Wedding Chapel has subtle accents of white roses, greenery, ribbon and tulle that compliment the Chapel with a classic elegance; a current, yet classic, style that appeals to couples.

Teacup Wedding Country House Chapel is not decorated in a religious or Victorian style. It offers opportunities for the richness of traditional ceremonial inclusions, without dictating undue pomp and pageantry.

A candle light marriage ceremony can take place any time of day in the Country House Chapel. This photo was taken on a bright afternoon at 1 pm!

In the Chapel the couple is seated, side by side, as the solemnization of their marriage license takes place; after the conclusion of the marriage ceremony, vows, ring exchange and pronouncement of the married couple – another classic, keepsake photographic moment to capture.

Meagan & Joshua’s wedding party arriving at Teacup Wedding Chapel on December 7, 2011, just after a light snowfall – the icing on the cake!

Meagan, with her bouquet of white roses, at Teacup Wedding Chapel.

Mother of the Bride and the Bride, entering the chapel.

Love. The. Boots.

…which were also worn by the ladies in her party!

Meagan’s Mother steps into the Chapel, then reaches for Meagan’s hand a she crosses the threshold.

Teacup Wedding Chapel is a beautiful, affordable venue for a small, intimate wedding that is unlike any other. Everything is provided in our all-inclusive packages: on-site parking for all wedding party vehicles, chapel, decor, music, candles, florals and the services of our Michigan Marriage Officiant. You and your guests arrive at Teacup Wedding Country House, to a private setting that is completely prepared for you, and your Teacup Wedding!

I’m sharing photos of the absolutely beautiful “Shatila Bakery” desserts, many of which are behind glass, so please excuse the color and glare.

“Old World style. All natural, and no preservatives”.

“Shatila Bakery, Dearborn, Michigan” makes: cakes, pastries, individual desserts and festive gifts for the holiday, weddings, baby showers, birthdays and every occasion . . . not that you need an “occasion” to enjoy their desserts. In fact, their desserts make for an occasion! These beautiful, individual desserts are $1.10 – $1.40 each, or a dozen for $12.50 – 15.00.

Desserts at Shatila Bakery feature pineapple, pistachio, almond, chocolate, kiwi, blackberries, strawberries, and much more. There are so many beautiful desserts to choose from that it’s hard to decide on just one, so you can always have some friends help out by sampling a bite of say, half a dozen. That works out quite nicely!

Mocha mousse, strawberry mousse- six amazing desserts for just $8.40. The best part, they are fresh and fabulous.

Case after case of meticulously organized pastries, desserts and cakes. I don’t know what makes me happier, looking at the neatly lined, identical pastries or eating them. Really, I don’t ; )

They didn’t have any wedding cakes on the weekday that we stopped in, so no photos. Love these traditional style toppers.

“Old World style” perfectly describes  “Shatila Bakery”. It should be featured on the “Food Network”. You can order online and have many of their products shipped to you.

Pink and blue baby gift baskets, and Jordan almonds in many colors for shower and wedding favors.

We always take time to enjoy a cup of coffee and a tasty treat in their super clean and sunny cafe. They’re open from 7:30 am until 11 pm, midnight (on the weekends).

We discovered Shatila Bakery about 17 years ago. Since then they have done a major renovation and expansion. It is gorgeous! We’ve made a mecca to get their desserts many times over the years, and typically get boxes of baklava-like pastries for the holidays. Great for gifts or to share with your holiday meal.

This is what we request; a small tray with the pastries above, left to right, Bird’s nest, Fingers, Baklawa, Mini-roses and Burma. 37 delicious pieces for $13.50. Amazing!

Very fresh with a light flavor of honey and pistachio, not overly sweet as most baklava seems to be.

You can pre-order if you’re in a hurry to get in and out, but you’ll want to at least have a cuppa joe in the cafe with dessert, or maybe the coconut or pistachio ice cream. I should also note that they have savory pastries and wraps too.

Next year I may order a Candy Cane Cake like this one …

… as I was admiring this yellow cake, Candy Cane it was snapped up by the lady next to me. That’s how fast things move here, and just as quickly as they go, more are brought into the cases. Holy freshness!

Weekday or weekend, there will be a line; which gives you ample time to narrow down your selections. It doesn’t matter how busy they are, the ladies at “Shatila Bakery” are very patient and sweet. I haven’t experienced better service or products.

Chocolate Yule Log Cake decorated so sweetly, $25.00

This cake is almost too pretty to eat with delicate, white chocolate petals on top.

So there you have it. Our longtime, favorite bakery that has never disappointed. “Shatila Bakery” is a wonderful place to buy fabulous desserts at a reasonable price. It doesn’t get any better than that!

We were in the garden preparing the evergreens for winter the day before Thanksgiving, when we heard this flock of birds in the Black Walnut trees along the back of the property. It’s hard to see here, but the treetops were filled with birds, like black foliage. Their sounds, their communication, were loud and intense.

All at once, they rose from the branches where they were perched, apparently as planned,

and flew into the sky with a big swoop to the east, and a swoop to the west (a strategic move to make them less vulnerable to attacks),

pulling their flock closer as they flew higher, until they grouped tightly together and flew away; like a whirling cloud of black pepper.

Avian behavior is fascinating. Studies have shown that though it seems as if their communication and interaction is quite complex, it is actually simple and intuitive. Swifts and swallows can be very organized, with the intention of looking out for all the flock members. Flocks scout for food and take turns navigating; and predators favor a lone bird over a flock. Hard to believe that the phrase “Birds of a feather flock together” was first seen in writing in the 1500′s! The first known citation in print of the currently used English version of the phrase appeared in 1599, in “The Dictionarie in Spanish and English“. You know that a Mom came up with that one ; )

Birds.

Thanksgiving 2011

We don’t eat Tofurky

December 1, 2011

Winter. Good thing I love it, because it’s baaack! I didn’t realize, until I got out yesterday, that we got more snow than Plymouth and Canton last Tuesday night. Just 5 miles down the road and there wasn’t any snow on the ground! Looks like we may be getting another inch late tonight. Snow is good insulation from the bitter Winter winds for plants, and melting snow helps keep plants moist. We watered the evergreens throughout the fall, right up until the day before Thanksgiving, and treated them with “Wilt-Pruf” to reduce moisture loss. The Butterfly Garden plants (the tall, brown scrubby stuff in the background above) are left standing for the Winter so the birds can enjoy the seed heads. Not the prettiest look, but I love seeing the birds that it attracts.

Birds, although unintended, seemed to be the theme of my photos this past week.

“Blackbird Party”

Sticknymph on etsy

I’m enjoying these last days of Fall, not at all minding the fast-approaching arrival of Winter (December 22 at 5:30am), and planning a very simple, pleasant and peaceful Christmas weekend. I hope your holiday is a peaceful one, too!

Actually, this super-easy, cool project is for everyone.  I can see this as a gift bag to share a bottle of wine, magazine, toys, dog bones, a stack of homemade cookies and other holiday goodies.

Photo: “Red Shoes”

Catherine Thursby, owner of “Red Shoes” in downtown Ann Arbor, is sharing {out of the goodness of her thankful heart} a tutorial for a holiday stocking that will seriously knock your socks off! It’s fast, easy and artistic. Does it get any better? Yes, it does! It’s re-purposed and you probably have the supplies for a couple in your closet right now! If you’re anything like me, and I truly hope that you are not, bless your heart, you may even have the supplies for many of these cool stockings on hand –

sweaters!

Photo: “Red Shoes”

Sweaters that you (actually “I”) should have donated a long time ago, but who’d want my favorite beautiful, pale pink Gap sweater with a mustard stain on the front? I’ve kept it in hopes of a new and improved Tide stick. Notice the subject of throwing it away didn’t come up? Well, it’s a good thing that I’ve kept it all these years, because I can now make two stockings with this sweet sweater! Hey, since I have two arms and two feet, if mine will fit on my feet, they’ll have a home across the arm of my couch so I can slip them on when I’m chillin. We’ll see about that.

Even though I don’t get Christmas-minded until the turkey leftovers are in the frig., time is of the essence here folks! As you’re pulling out your warm sweaters on these chilly nights, you may just find a few that will be perfect for making Catherine Thursby’s stockings.

You’ll find the super-simple directions right here on “Red Shoes” blog

Photo: “Red Shoes”

While “There’s No Place Like Home”, you’ll also enjoy getting out to visit her pretty shop in-person, too. You’ll find beautiful, uplifting, colorful everything – for the holidays, home, garden or purely for your own personal pleasure at “Red Shoes”. You’ll also see one of Ann Arbor’s famous fairy doors.

I’m giving you a peek of her shop below.  To see everything – click *here*

All photo credits: “Red Shoes”

Disclaimer of sorts: If need be, please feel free to insert whatever suits you in place of “Christmas”, when I refer to “Christmas Stockings” ; )
My description being a “Christmas Stocking” is based on the fact that I celebrate Christmas, and Santa likes to deliver gifts to us Christians in socks. I don’t know how this tradition began. I don’t know how life on Earth began either. I just know that it obviously did.  Likewise, Christmas stockings are a part of my Christmas celebration. This belief was shared with my kids, and they now share it with their kids, therefore it’s a part of our culture and can simply be respected (I am a very P.C. in so many other ways).

Again, why the stocking? I live in Michigan, I could imagine that since it’s cold at Christmas, Santa knew that we would have our big, warm stockings out of the Rubbermaid bins in the attic, and handily hanging to dry by the fireplace after … say … skiing at Boyne! But what about the residents of San Diego, California or Sydney, Australia? It’s sandal season at Christmas! Can you see how complicated things can get when you (or I) over-think them?

What a year in numbers! We had 1.1.11, 1.11.11, 11.1.11, and now last (but not least) the most unique – 11.11.11!

The next similar date is 12-12-12, Wednesday, December 12, 2012, and then 1-1-1 …. in 3001, 89 years later!

Is it a lucky number sequence? For mathematicians, computer geeks and “number people”, 11-11-11 is a palindrome and, when multiplied 11 x 11, will produce another palindrome – 121. A “palindrome” is a word, phrase, number or other sequence of units that can be read the same way in either direction. 11 is the first palindrome prime number.

“11″ in numerology:

11 combines the elements of unity as it is represented by two ‘1’s.

It has the powerful property of reading similarly, whether the number is read upside down, backwards or in the right orientation.

11 signifies unity and resolve, many games have teams of 11 people, such as soccer or cricket.

The number 11, when broken down as added (1+1=2), represents duality as well signifying unity even in plurality.

Buddha said “as the force of loving kindness develops, the intimacy and caring that fills our hearts will bring eleven advantages“:

1) You will sleep easily.

2) You will wake easily.

3) You will have pleasant dreams.

4) People will love you.

5) Devas (celestial beings) and animals will love you.

6) Devas will protect you.

7) External dangers (poisons, weapons, and fire) will not harm you.

8) Your face will be radiant.

9) Your mind will be serene.

10) You will die unconfused.

11) You will be reborn in happy realms.

Holy Batman, Buddha! I can’t wait until my “force of loving kindness develops“, especially looking forward to the unconfused part. Wish it could happen before I die … oh well, as goes my life.

All said it is a very unique number sequence, and one of the most popular days to wed this year. Approximately 24,133 couples are planning to exchange vows on Friday, November 11, 2011, according to marriage license applications. So, if you want to be married at Teacup Wedding on 11.11.11, we have an 11 am,  “Teacup Wedding 20″ available for reservation. Give us a call or send an email.

T-shirt, cafepress

Check out this creative 11.11.11 “Save The Date” video – just for fun ; )

Every year townspeople will adorn their homes with festive lights and decor, there will be parties all across the land, beers will be brewed in honor of the occasion, citizens will freely give candy to everyone who celebrates your day, joyfilled children will run through the streets, and it will truly be the sweetest day of the year!

The “Sweetest Occasion“, featured a 2010 Halloween wedding.

All day on Monday October 31, 2011, marriage ceremonies will take place in the Teacup Wedding Chapel, amidst the gnarly black walnut branches, white ghost pumpkins, fall leaves and candlelight. We’re kicking it up a notch this year with our Hallowedding decor!

So how do you celebrate a Halloween wedding? However you want! Have a party, go to a party, go Trick or Treating as a “Bride & Groom”, pass out treats (skip the candy buffet, just put a basketful on the porch). Oh, the possibilities are endless – this year and every year after!

What will you wear? (This is way too easy) Whatever you want! Couples have been married in costumes (yes, even a witch costume ;), traditional wedding attire, jeans and tuxedo T-shirts (you’ve seen those), a Vera Wang black wedding dress (remember Heather’s beautiful black dress?), and an “LBD”:

wikipedia: “A little black dress is an evening or cocktail dress cut simply and often quite short. Fashion historians ascribe the origins of the little black dress to the 1920s designs of CoCo Chanel, intended to be long-lasting, versatile, affordable, accessible to the widest market possible and in a neutral color. Its ubiquity is such that it is often simply referred to as the “LBD. The “little black dress” is considered essential to a complete wardrobe by many women and fashion observers, who believe it a “rule of fashion” that every woman should own a simple, elegant black dress that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion: for example, worn with a jacket and pumps for daytime business wear or with more ornate jewelry and accessories for evening”.

Is this sounding way too easy? It is.

Have you ever seen a wedding “to-do” list that looks like this?

√ – make a reservation at Teacup Wedding

√ – get marriage license

√ – buy candy

√ – buy beer

Remember that I mentioned beers being brewed for the occasion?

Photo credit and review

Seriously! Michigan-made, Halloween beer to celebrate the occasion. The “Michigan Brewing Company” makes “Screamin’ Pumpkin Ale”. They also make “Kid Rock Badass American Lager” – need I say more?  You’ll find more here.

Barton Hills is a full service, private, member-owned Country Club.

Montivina White Zinfandel, California and Chateau Grand Traverse, Sweet Harvest Riesling, Michigan, at $19.00 a bottle. Dom Perignon, France $162.00, and everything in between!

The elegant, relaxed setting is ideal for golf outings, corporate events, wedding receptions, and large or small celebrations.

Karla Groesbeck, Teacup Wedding Officiant, and Jennifer Nast, Barton Hills Director of Sales and Catering, discuss the ceremony details.

View from the dining room balcony, overlooking the ceremony setting. Fall colors are making their debut in Michigan. You can check out the 2011 dates for peak colors on this map.

White exterior with deep green accent – classic, and my favorite ; )

The bright sunlight in this picture is very deceiving. It was a chilly, early afternoon wedding with lots of strong wind. But it didn’t snow! That’s the upside for October in Michigan.

Golf carts. In keeping with the country club theme, the elder guests were driven to their seats in a golf cart. Fun.

Fortunately the sun was shining on the guests . . .

. . .  and the golfers. Although you can’t see them in the other photos, there were plenty on the course.

I relaxed on the balcony, with a wonderful view of a gorgeous wedding venue, and caught a bird’s-eye-view of the highlights of the day.

The littlest Groomsman, escorted his Mommy-Matron of Honor. I think his tux was size “teeny-tiny”.

Flower girls and Bridesmaid. Love the beautiful fall bouquet.

The Bride and her Father

It doesn’t matter how many weddings you attend, even at the same location, each one is truly unique. Even with shared ideas, themes, colors  and decorative details, that take place between future and former brides; the history and energy of the couple, and their guests, create the unique and one-of-a-kind memories.

Processional: “Marry Me”, by Train

Congratulations Aaron & Lindsey!

On the subject of lovin’ Fall weddings here in the color-changing mitten state -

Enjoy some beautiful, fall inspiration photos here at “On The Go Bride”;  especially the carved pumpkins (I first thought that they were lanterns), and this super simple recipe:

“2 Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins”

then …..

on January 22, 2010, we reminded you!

Well ….

we’re baaaack : )

to tell you that tomorrow, Saturday, September 17, 2011,

The Bride’s Project will be opening the doors of their boutique at 208 Liberty St., Ann Arbor, Mi.!!

This is the place to get – and give – your bridal gown!!

We’re sharing the news in hopes that you’ll get your dress at “The Bride’s Project Boutique” – then give it back!

In the spirit of giving; any Teacup Wedding bride who buys their dress at “The Bride’s Project”, Ann Arbor, and donates it back within 2 weeks, will receive a $25.00 gift card from Teacup Wedding! This offer is good until December 31, 2011.

Spread the word! *click* here and be “The Bride’s Project” facebook friend!

We’re excited to share this 10th anniversary, marriage ceremony vow renewal. It is truly a family celebration!

There is no need to wait for a milestone year though.  A couple who married one year ago today, August 29, 2010, at Teacup Wedding will be renewing vows here with their guests, on their 1st anniversary – today, August 29, 2011! Happy 1st Anniversary Dorothy & David! Some couples renew their vows EVERY year on their anniversary! They may include children or guests, but they sometimes have a personal vow renewal, as their own meaningful anniversary gift to each other. Whatever  your style and preference – it’s all good!

Enjoy!

When you first joined hands and hearts, you promised to love, cherish and respect each other;

knowing not where life would take you.

Life has brought you many wonderful blessings, as well as tribulations.

10 years later on this day, August 11, 2011 . . .

. . . you offer your hands as an extension of yourselves as you renew your commitment to each other.

You once again promise to love, cherish and respect each other for all the days of your lives.

You once stood together before family and friends and made promises to each other.

You fulfilled your promises.

Again, you give your hand as partners; reaffirming your original vows on this day, and for all days!

Believing in your marriage more strongly than ever, it is with joy born of experience and trust, that in the presence of your children, you reaffirm your commitment to each other, and to your family.

Sealed with a kiss!

Excitement, and more, was in the air; spirits were sky high!

Standing by each other you have endured, laughed and cried together.

Together: in a unified or coherent structure or an integrated whole.

Happy 10th anniversary!

Triple A!

Andy, Angie, Alex, Austin & Aidan

The “A” Team!

White cotton and khaki with a pop of fuschia!

The roots of your family tree began with the love of two hearts.

“D”

• Dad

• Dedicated

• Determined

• Devoted

And of course, The Detroit Tigers!

Joined by hands and hearts with the strength of your enduring love.

A good time was had by all!

Kellogg’s Park, Main Street, Plymouth, Michigan

We couldn’t have timed it any better! Pink coloring was put into the fountain in honor of the Susan G. Komen 3 day Walk. Kellogg’s Park was a stop for the participants. Pink and white beach balls were donated by “Sun & Snow”, Main Street, Plymouth, Michigan.

“Bump – A – Licious”  Delicious.

How very convenient. Our favorite cupcake bakery, “The Cupcake Station”, Main Street, Plymouth, is right across from Kellogg’s Park.

Can’t wait to share the candy buffet and “faux” photo booth that was enjoyed at the bar-b-q later in the day.

Vow renewal written and performed by

Karla Groesbeck, Wedding Officiant, Teacup Wedding