Real Weddings Mariah McKechnie Real Weddings Mariah McKechnie

Starry Night Tented Wedding

We are thrilled to present the enchanting tale behind Abby and TJ's wedding that transported us to a celestial realm while still in the heart of Duluth. The starry night theme, coupled with a rich color palette of eggplant, navy, burgundy, emerald, and gold, created a celebration that was as captivating as it was unique.

Abby and TJ took color inspiration from the vast cosmos, infusing their wedding with the mystique of a starry night. The carefully curated color palette, comprising deep eggplant, navy, rich burgundy, emerald green, and opulent gold, set the stage for an otherworldly experience.

The ceiling of the tent became a canvas of stars as the couple requested to bring the night sky indoors. Drapery mimicking the night sky, hanging garlands and lights, and strategically placed lanterns transported Abby, TJ, and their guests to a realm where the boundaries between reality and imagination blurred. It was a celestial dance above, echoing the romantic dance below.

The reception space at under the tent became a cosmic tapestry of color. Each table, a unique composition of deep hues and metallic accents, reflected the celestial inspiration. From the richness of the eggplant napkins, to the playfulness of the florals, the tables told a story of love written in the language of the stars.

Lounge areas, tucked in the nooks of the Glensheen property, offered pockets of comfort amid the celestial celebration. Plush seating in deep jewel tones, adorned with golden accents, provided Abby, TJ, and their guests with stylish and intimate spaces to bask in the enchantment of the starry night.


Abby & TJ offered us the perfect opportunity to dive into their celestial theme & turn their starry dreams into reality. We were thrilled with the dramatic color palette & how we were able to incorporate the theme into each element of the day.


TREASURES FROM THE VAULT:

Slatted Arch Backdrops, Berkstrom Sofa, Darla Loveseat, Dusty Blue King Louis Chairs, Hammered Brass Coffee Table, Brown Leather Cubes, Tan Printed Rug, Drape & Bistro Light Custom Ceiling Installation, Farm Tables, Burgundy Chiffon Runners, Geometric Plant Stands, Brass Candlesticks, Pillar Candle Cylinder Trios, Gold Geometric Terrariums, Wooden Rounds, Peacock Chairs, Wooden Bar Front, Custom Calligraphy & Signage Package, Copper Votives, Gold Votives


VENDOR TEAM:

Venue | Glenseheen Mansion

Floral | Superior Blooms

Rentals | The Vault & Encore Party Express

Catering | Black Woods Catering

Makeup | Derick Cich

Photography | Tay Ericson

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Real Weddings Mariah McKechnie Real Weddings Mariah McKechnie

Fall Boho Wedding

Amanda and Kody’s warm fall wedding at The Malting Building truly showed the main purpose of bringing guests together in a warm and inviting atmosphere. The decor and floral used in their wedding placed accents in just the right places and made sure to highlight the right areas.

The color palette chosen played into classic fall tones but also offered a bit of brightness in the greenery and florals. The pampas elements also accented the fall hues well and played into the wooden tones of the space. Our wooden triangle arch also matches the tones of the building and accented with asymmetric florals, you can’t go wrong.

After the ceremony the room flipped for the reception and boasted a long harvest style head table with the ceremony arch behind the couple. Upgraded elements on the head table like chargers, menus, and place cards offered a luxe feel for the bridal party.

Amanda & Kody partied away and also got a chance to snuggle on the Madeline settee during their dinner. The warm and inviting atmosphere allowed them to smile and laugh the night away with their guests and truly feel comfortable in the environment that was created for them.

TREASURES FROM THE VAULT:

Malting Building Split Drape Backdrop, Wooden Triangle Arch, Madeline Loveseat, Silver Chargers, Basic Table Numbers, Gold Geometric Card Box, White Signage with Black Custom Calligraphy, Black Hanging Sign Holder, Cut Glass Cake Plates

VENDOR TEAM:

Venue | The Malting Building

Coordination | Northland Special Events - Amanda

Florist | Pristine Floral

Decor Rentals | The Vault

Photographer | Leah Fontaine Photography

Event Lighting | Duluth Event Lighting

HMU | Hair By BK

Dress | The Wedding Shoppe

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Real Weddings Mariah McKechnie Real Weddings Mariah McKechnie

Pastel Fall Wedding

This sweet pastel palette for Leah and Joel’s fall wedding really had our hearts. Their wedding took place on their private property which offered them a lot of options to customize and personalize their decor & floral elements. The color palette combined with their personal touches really made this wedding one for the books.

Leah & Joel made their guestbook table it’s own moment with our vintage wooden signing table and a stunning floral from Superior Blooms. It didn’t stop there though, each of the tables was set to a T with dusty blue napkins folded in a pocket fold for the silverware to slip in. A little candlelight brought all the tables together.

Our farm tables offered the perfect backdrop for this dusty pastel palette. Touches of gold in the chargers and votives really tied the entire look together while still playing into the wooded surroundings of the reception.

The beautiful setting and stunning color palette of Leah & Joel’s wedding really did make it one of our favorites of the season. We’re so pleased with how all the details came together and even happier that Leah & Joel had such an amazing time with their friends and family!

TREASURES FROM THE VAULT:

Farm Tables, Slate Poly Napkins, Vintage Wooden Singing Table, Live Edge Wooden Dessert Stands

VENDOR TEAM:

Photographer | Amanda Nippoldt Photography

Floral | Superior Blooms

Rentals | The Vault & Lefty's

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Industrial Fairytale Wedding

When chatting about their wedding vision, Anna and Dan came to us with a modern and cutting edge aesthetic but also knew they wanted a fairytale romance on their big day. The industrial surroundings at The Malting Building already pushed us in the right direction for the modern vibe but Anna also knew she wanted us to try our hand at softening the ceiling of the space.

Our first drape ceiling installation at The Malting building went off without a hitch. The soft lines of the drapes accent the iron beams and wooden panels on the walls and ceiling and really make the space feel light and airy. Combine that with the stunning florals by Lulu Collective and you’ve really got a fairytale worthy setting.

Lounges on the upper mezzanine at Malting also helped soften the hard lines of the venue in a different way. The soft linens and fabrics offered the perfect place for Anna & Dan to read notes to each other the morning of their wedding and was also a soft place to land at the end of the night.

The warm glow of Malting’s bistro lights shone bright on the ceiling draping at night end and offered a magical canopy for everyone to dine & dance away the night.

Anna & Dan’s vision came together perfectly with an amazing team of vendors on board. The soft draping and fabrics, lush greens, and the clean and modern lines of the venue blended perfectly for a modern and romantic fairytale setting.

TREASURES FROM THE VAULT:

Malting Building Drape Ceiling, Carter Sofa, Kendall Chairs, Emerald Velvet Barrel Chairs, Mallory Chair, Kyla Loveseat, Hammered Brass End Table, Gold & Glass Round End Table, Grey Tufted Ottoman, Black & Glass End Table, Black & Glass Coffee Table, Navy Vintage Rug

VENDOR TEAM:

Venue | The Malting Building

Photo | Angela Jo Photo

Floral & Backdrop | Lulu Collective

Tabletop Rental | Pure Event Plan

Ceiling & Lounge Rental | The Vault Duluth

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Styled Shoots Mariah McKechnie Styled Shoots Mariah McKechnie

Northwoods Hygge Styled Shoot

When planning this styled shoot we thought a lot about the overall vibe of Bluefin Bay Resort and narrowed in on the Northwood Hygge feel that Bluefin has. The Scandinavian design of the Bluefin Grille was calling for a little bit of snuggly warmth with a touch of clean and minimal lines.

Our triangle arch was a clear choice for this ceremony set. The shape mimics the roofline of the resort itself and the warm wood tones tie back to the hygge feeling. The addition of layered rugs in the alter add the idea of a place to arrive & truly feel welcomed to the ceremony.

This quaint and cozy lounge is one of our favorites to date. The warm leather tones from the ottomans and vintage suitcases meld so well with the midcentury & boho details of the seating. The Bailey Builds piece resting on the fireplace layered with a custom sign really ties the entire look together. Add layers and layers of pillows & blankets and pop the lounge right next to the fireplace and you have a spot guests won’t ever want to leave.

It was important that we tie the color palette and textures into every detail for this photo shoot. Modern bud vases used across the centerpiece & accent decor tie the whole look together. Layers of driftwood, runners, and textured linen offer the warm hygge vibe while still recognizing the great gitchee gumee (Lake Superior) right outside the windows.

The window nook in the upper restaurant at Bluefin Grill just calls for a cozy sweetheart table. Layered with lots of fabrics and texture, this table is the perfect place for newlyweds to take it all in. The statement piece at the front of the table adds a unique spin on the traditional sweetheart table and makes for some stunning photo opportunities.

This shoot with Bluefin Bay & Hannah Nicole is one of our favorites to date as it encompasses the warm & cozy hygge that we as northern Minnesotans crave every winter. The ties back to the lake are also something we constantly seek out and hear clients ask for. Put those two things together and you’ve really won over our hearts.

TREASURES FROM THE VAULT:

Wooden Triangle Arch | Jute Rug | White Fur Rug | Rattan Loveseat | Mid Century Club Chairs | Brown Leather Cubes | Black & Glass End Table | Vintage Suitcases | Pillar Candle Cylinder Trio | Custom Signage | Mini Globes | Modern Glass Bud Vases | Nude Chiffon Runner | Emerald Velvet Linen | Copper Votives | Panama Natural Linen | Grey Chiffon Runner | Glass Candlesticks | Wooden Lanterns | Driftwood Display Stand | Large Black Craftsman Lantern

VENDOR TEAM:

Venue | Bluefin Bay Resort

Photos | Hannah Nicole Photography

Florals | Superior Blooms

Rentals | The Vault

Planning & Styling | Northland Special Events

Invites | SJ Nielsen

Art | Bailey Builds

Dress | Bella Rose Bridal - All Who Wander

Earrings | Joya by Hand

Cake | CoHo Cafe

Hair & Makeup | Blissful Beauty

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Styled Shoots Mariah McKechnie Styled Shoots Mariah McKechnie

Rustic Ski Lodge Styled Shoot

For this styled shoot, Mont Du Lac approached us to assist in transforming their lower lodge into a magical rustic ski lodge wedding space. We took on the challenge and with a little bit of decor and a lot of draping, this space transformed into the cozy lodge reception of anyone’s dreams.

The earthy palette was inspired by the natural woodsy greens, dusty sky and lake blue and the wood tones throughout the entire resort. Our farm tables helped to bring out the natural wooden elements of the space like their wood pillars and beams. While the linens & table decor brought in pops of color to keep the eye moving.

The striped tea towel napkins helped keep the overall vibe a touch more modern while the Madeline loveseat brought in a timeless touch that we all know and love. A faux greenery install over the harvest table helped to bring the eye to the focal point of the space while the bistro lights over the rest of the ceiling brought some much needed warm glow.

As the evening wore on, we found ourselves enjoying the warmth of the outdoor firepits. On a sweet note, the cutting cake offered the perfect moment to bring in a little extra jazz. The velvet linen really brings in a warmth and softness while the banner behind keeps things a little whimsical and rustic.

The way this space glowed at night was like no other thanks to Duluth Event Lighting. Even just looking at the images, you can see how the space invites you in to drink and dance the night away or cozy up next to someone you love.

We were so happy to be able to play a big role in transforming this space from the lower lodge into a warm and inviting reception space. We absolutely can not wait until we get the chance to help this space transform again.

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Styled Shoots Mariah McKechnie Styled Shoots Mariah McKechnie

Neutral Boho Styled Shoot

This styled shoot was dreamed up in combination with the lovely ladies of Greysolon Ballroom. With Gichi-Ode' Akiing Park being a new outdoor ceremony option for Greysolon, the team at the Ballroom wanted images of the space for their couples to envision tying the knot there.

The ceremony location has sprawling views of Lake Superior which really can’t be beat. Our triangle arch perfectly frames the view on the couple while not blocking any lake lovers views. The white balloon vases also add the perfect touch of boho to the scene and everything ties together with some neutral grasses that mimic those growing in the park.

This sweet little lounge set offers the perfect opportunity for newlyweds to have a snuggle and some stunning photos. Our madeline loveseat, rattan barrel chairs and leather cubes provide the perfect landing pad to take a seat and have a chat. Using the rattan side tables together as a coffee table was the perfect way to tie in a bit more boho rattan to the lounge while offering a great place to set the dried floral arrangement from Superior Blooms.

A little dinner set up in the park is a fabulous opportunity to showcase options for an intimate meal. The Madeline loveseat is the perfect option for a statement sweetheart settee while our wooden farm table tied into the surroundings. The fall leaves created a festive confetti look on the park lawn which just asks for a celebration.

We’re so grateful to work with the team at Greysolon and have the opportunity to create in this new wedding space. We’re truly excited to start getting inquiries for this space and see what other stunning combinations we can dream up together.

TREASURES PULLED FROM THE VAULT:

Wooden Triangle Arch | Large White Balloon Vase | Madeline Loveseat | Rattan Barrel Chairs | Brown Leather Cubes | Rattan Side Tables | Tan Rug | White Fur Throw | Farm Table | Gold Chargers | Gold Votives | Nude Chiffon Runner

VENDOR TEAM:

Venue | Gichi-Ode' Akiing Park & Greysolon Ballroom

Photographer | Angela Jo Photography

Styling & Design | Northland Special Events

Decor & Rentals | The Vault

Florals | Superior Blooms

Ceremony Chairs | Encore Party Express

Earrings | Joya By Hand

Macarons | Royale Macs By Jackie

Models | Chelsey & Andrew

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Real Weddings Mariah McKechnie Real Weddings Mariah McKechnie

Bright Fall Backyard Wedding

Sydney & Blake’s wedding was near and dear to our hearts. Sydeny is a former employee of ours who had been dreaming of a magical ballroom wedding her entire life. When the time finally came though, the universe had other plans and threw a pandemic in the way of things.

The couple pivoted and ended up with something even more magical, a surprise backyard wedding for just their closets family & friends at the home they had just bought together.

The ceremony consisted of only their immediate family, who had been told ahead of time they were attending a wedding. We used a collection of lounge furniture and dining chairs to create a cozy atmosphere for their guests. Our hexagon arch and tan vintage rug were showstoppers as well as the centerpiece of their ceremony set.

After the ceremony, we converted the arch area into a lounge & photo backdrop using the collection of furniture that was at the ceremony. We also created a second lounge area to accommodate close conversations. The couple’s shed acted as the self serve bar with a few of our 4 ft farm tables and some custom signage with their cute pup’s likeness.

Dinner was served open air in the grassy area of the back yard. A burger bar and individual charcuterie plates were the perfect mix of upscale but still casual. Our farm tables provided the perfect place for guests to set up camp for the evening, adorned with a simple mix of candlesticks, votives, and greenery.

The dessert display was a sweet mix of family favorites on our boho shelf & cut glass cake plates. Together, there was plenty of room to place all the sweets and the small cutting cake for the couple.

Even though things hadn’t gone as originally planned, this intimate backyard wedding had so much more magic than Sydney & Blake could’ve asked for. The bright fall tones mixed with muted neutrals created the perfect inviting palette for the entire day, even through to the crackle of the late night bonfire.

Treasures Sydney & Blake pulled from The Vault:

Hexagon Arch | Tan Rug | Custom Signage | Bentwood Bistro Chairs | Darla Loveseat | Brown Leather Cubes | Madeline Loveseat | Wooden Library Chairs | Rattan Club Chair | Vintage Oval Table | Rattan Barrel Chairs | Farm Tables | 4 ft Farm Tables | Patio Sets | Bistro Tables | Cut Glass Cake Plates | Boho Shelf | Art Deco Shelf | Gold Votives | Brass Candlesticks

Vendor Team:

Wedding Planner | Northland Special Events - Mariah

Venue | Couple's Back Yard

Photos | Kellie Rae Studios

Florals | Superior Blooms

Rentals | The Vault & Party Time Rental

Catering | Black Woods Group Catering

Cake | Cold Spring Bakery

Officiant | Mariah from Northland Special Events

Lighting | Duluth Event Lighting

Beauty | Mantra Salon

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Real Weddings Mariah McKechnie Real Weddings Mariah McKechnie

Candlelit Micro Wedding

John and Laura decided early on in their pandemic- planning process that they were going to cut their losses and host a micro wedding for 16 of their closest family members. This is one of our favorite examples of how you don’t need much to make a wedding absolutely stunning. In fact, all of the décor for this small wedding fit in the back of an SUV (with 4 passengers in the front).

This copper arch, minimally decorated with loose greenery was the perfect minimal backdrop for the small ceremony. In a small room, there wasn’t much space for a large ceremony backdrop so the small footprint but big impact of this arch was just what was needed.

The dinner table was certainly the showstopper of this wedding. Without a dance, the 5 course dinner filled the evening for this small event. Chargers, statement napkins goblets, greenery, and a whole lot of candlelight are all you need to gussy up a table and bring it just over the top.

A stunning ceremony & warm intimate tablescape were all this micro wedding needed to tie everything together. A little decor goes a long way with a micro wedding, especially when less guests means more margin for making decor choices that you’re excited about.

Treasures Laura & John pulled from The Vault:

Copper Arch | Tan Poly Linen | Pillar Candle Cylinder Trio | Brass Candlesticks | Gold Votives | Slate Poly Napkins | Custom Signage

Vendor Team:

Venue | Aposto Des Moines

Flowers | The English Rose

Rentals | The Vault

Goblet & Charger Rental | Pure Event Planning

Photography | Amelia Renee Photography

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Real Weddings Mariah McKechnie Real Weddings Mariah McKechnie

Classic Blush & Navy Wedding

Tess and Travis’s wedding was a classic vision in blush and navy with natural wooden accents and lots of florals. Their big day was one of the first weddings at The Garden event center, formerly The Sports Garden, and really helped to show off how polished and professional this new venue can be.

The getting ready area up in the Bayview room was complete with a mini lounge for the girls to hang in while they primped and prepped. There are stunning views from this space and amazing natural light that a bridal party can appreciate all morning long.

This stunning ceremony set up was created with an extra tall drape backdrop and hexagon arch as well as a stunning floral instillation from Eve by Diane Kaarbo. The backdrop perfectly frames the ceremony space while still allowing light to flow through these windows straight from Lake Ave. The perfect location to tie the knot.

Tess and Travis’s guests were lounging in style at their cocktail hour & reception. With 2 separate lounge sets they were able to relax and enjoy each others company all night long.

Tables covered in navy linens and statement farm tables set the backdrop for stunning gold centerpiece components & lots of floral and greenery. Gold votives and brass candlesticks throughout the tables provided a warm ambiance later in the evening. The sweetheart table for just Tess & Travis was striking in all ivory with statement Goodman chairs for the couple.

This classic navy & blush wedding was such a fabulous first wedding at The Garden. We can’t wait to head back over to Canal Park and see what else we can do with this stunning industrial space.

Treasures Tess & Travis pulled from The Vault:

Wooden Hexagon Arch | Extra Tall Pipe & Drape Backdrop | Madeline Loveseat | Bentwood Chairs | Vintage Oval Coffee Table | Jute Rug | Audrey Sofa | Navy Barrel Chairs | Mallory Chair | Marcy End Tables | Grey Tufted Ottoman | Ivory Petal Linen | Goodman Chairs | Farm Tables | Navy Linens | Blush Chiffon Runner | Gold Beaded Chargers | Gold Votives | Gold Compote | Brass Candlesticks | Geometric Plant Stand | Gold Geometric Terrariums

Vendor Team:

Venue | The Garden

Floral | Eve by Diane Kaarbo

Planner | Northland Special Events

Rentals | The Vault

Catering | Catering by Bellisios

Photography | Rohana Olson Photography

Videography | Jasper Meddock Productions

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