When they contacted me and I saw "Cafe Cortina" I did flips I was so happy. Cafe Cortina is an upscale restaurant in Farmington and has the most beautiful patio, award winning food and superior staff. It is always a pleasure to perform a wedding at Cafe Cortina. 

Surrounded by their closest friends and family they shared their own sweet and funny vows and united in marriage to continue their life long friendship. 

It was a joy and pleasure to stand with you on your wedding day. 

Covid has turned our lives upside down. Let me talk specifically about how it has effected couples looking to get married. 

Many couples have had to postpone, reschedule and put on hold their wedding plans. And some couples have done this more than once now. 

If you are feeling sad, confused, frustrated and downright depressed and upset...you are not alone and your feelings are allowed and valid.

          I repeat...Your feelings are allowed and valid  

Planning your wedding takes a whole lot of time, effort and money and having to set those plans on hold, only to replan and then maybe even replan again is nothing anyone of us could plan for, neither couples planning a wedding and those of us in the wedding industry. 

To the couples who have weddings planned for 2021 and are wondering and thinking, I really hope we can still have our wedding, I've got one bit of advice for you. Hire a wedding planner now. Get someone on your side now who is experienced in handling all things wedding and can relieve some stress for you. They can assist you in current covid gathering guidelines and help you with any replanning or postponing or pairing down of your wedding necessary. 

I understand a wedding planner may not be in your budget, if this is the case let's sort out a few things. 

• Watch the covid gathering guidelines. Here's the link for the latest orders:                                      COVID GATHERING ORDERS 
• Reach out to your venue often to confirm what they are and are not allowing 
• Ask yourselves the tough question to help you make a plan: If restrictions are what they are today...Which is most important to you (there is no wrong answer, only your answer) 
  • Is getting married ON your wedding date the most important, or, is having your complete guest list present most important? If getting married on your date is most important then you have decided pairing down your wedding to a intimate event is okay, if having all your people present is best for you then be okay with postponing your wedding day.

Having been married 20 years ago myself, if I try to put myself in the shoes of today's couples I think I would want to get married now and party later. I would plan an intimate ceremony now with my parents and siblings and zoom it. Then, I would plan for a big reception only event for next year or later. But that's me, and what is important is that you do what is right for YOU! Again, there is no right or wrong answer's only your answer. 

Please reach out to me if I can be of any help to you, even if it's just for you to vent your frustrations, I'll listen. 

xo, 

Nichole 

In Michigan it was -9 degrees when I took my son to school this morning. It's now a balmy 14 degrees and guess what...I'm still doing signings and elopements outdoors!

Why you might ask? 

1. Covid - ugh, still! 
2. Cost effective - like zero dollars to stand in a park 
3. Time efficient - with restaurants requiring reservations and backup's in waiting for a table, meeting outdoors for 10 minutes or less takes less time. 

Now, none of this is to say I won't go indoors, I've done plenty of elopements indoors at local venues and beyond. But I want you to know, I'm happy to stand outdoors with you still, in the cold and do you signing or elopement, bundle up!