About Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids is the second-largest city in the state of Michigan and is situated on the Grand River. Because of its unique location, the city itself is quite large and has a population of around 1 million in metro Grand Rapids.
The city itself has been known for many different things throughout the years including being called “furniture city” for many years due to the large number of furniture stores in the city. It has since become home to numerous breweries, earning it the nickname “beer city”. The temperature and climate are mild throughout a good portion of the year, with winter being the exception. All in all, it’s a great idea to have a wedding in Grand Rapids!
Wedding Options in Grand Rapids
Your wedding should be the most important and happy day of your life, but when you’re planning it, it can be extremely overwhelming. That’s because there’s much more to it than just picking out the venue. In order to get everything to go smoothly, you’re going to need to plan every little detail of the event.
- Photography
Of course, you’re going to want to capture your special day. The best way to do this, rather than put one of your relatives on picture duty is to hire a professional photographer to take photos of the entire event, from the pre-ceremony all the way to when you drive off towards your honeymoon. A professional photographer will guarantee that you get high-quality photos of your wonderful Grand Rapids Wedding that will capture the moments that matter most for you.
- The Cake
The wedding cake is pretty much the centerpiece of the wedding after the main ceremony. The cutting of the cake is something of a tradition, as is saving a piece in the freezer and eating it a year later. The problem is, not just any old cake will do. It’s best to take the proper time to find a wedding cake baker and get a custom-made cake for your special day. A wedding cake isn’t something you can order at the last minute, so it’s best to plan ahead so that it will be ready on time.
- Attire
Apart from the ceremony itself, an important part of the marriage is the attire. It’s important to go about finding the wedding dress in much the same way that you would other key elements. Take the time to ensure you find the right dress. Don’t rush your selection! The same goes for the tux, of course.
Wedding Companies in Grand Rapids
Your wedding will be memorable and to make it the best it can be, ask for help. Choose service providers that have experience and a passion for weddings and all they mean.
- Bridal Gallery
Finding the right dress can be tough. At Bridal Gallery you’ll find pretty much all the dresses you’ll ever need. They offer bridesmaid’s dresses, traditional wedding gowns, plus-size dresses, and alterations all in the same location. This means not only can you find your wedding dress, but they’ll also make sure it fits you perfectly for the big day.
- Connie’s Cakes
Connie’s Cakes is an award-winning bakery that custom makes cakes for just about any special occasion you can think of. This includes making incredible wedding cakes that will be exactly what you’re looking for and delicious to boot. Having been named best in weddings by The Knot two years running, Connie’s Cakes has earned its reputation as the bakery to go to in Grand Rapids if you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind wedding cake.
- The Best Day Details
If you’re looking for some help with your big day, or just don’t want to worry about all the little details yourself in favor of focusing on other things, then hiring a wedding planner is a great idea. The Best Day Details is a wedding planning team in Grand Rapids that specializes in organizing and executing weddings down to the very last detail. They offer timeline creation, planning and strategizing, and day of preparation services to ensure that everything goes the way it should.
Pros and Cons of Weddings in Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids is a popular city with lots to do. As the second-largest city in Michigan, there’s plenty of people as well as lots to see and do. Along with the benefits, there are also some downsides, as with all cities.
Advantages
- Plenty of jobs
If you’re looking to stay in Grand Rapids, then you’ll notice there are a lot of job opportunities and a strong economy to help make your stay more tolerable. Depending on your field of work, finding a job can be quite easy.
- Lots to see and do
Let’s face it, there’s more to the city than your wedding venue. If during or after the wedding planning process you decide to do a little exploring, you’ll find that there’s something new to experience around just about every corner.
- Highly walkable
Getting around in a big city can sometimes be a pain. Thankfully much of Grand Rapids is entirely walkable. This means you won’t even have to worry about owning a car and driving it into the city.
Disadvantages
- Lack of diversity
While metro Grand Rapids has quite a large population, you’ll find that the city itself is not very diverse. This can make finding a variety of wedding options difficult. If you want something out of the ordinary, you may want to look elsewhere.
- Harsh winters
If you are planning to hold your wedding at an outside wedding venue, then you’d better make sure not to have it in winter. Grand Rapids is known for its harsh winters that sometimes make being outside nearly impossible.
- Crime
The crime rate in Grand Rapids is higher than in all other cities in Michigan except one. It’s best to choose your venue locale wisely.
Famous Locations in Grand Rapids
- Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
If you want to find a little bit of greenery and culture after your wedding, then the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park is an excellent place to stop in and visit. With lush foliage and artwork, you’ll love just walking through the park. If that’s not enough though, you’ll find that there are events going on almost all the time. This includes live music, new exhibits and more. There’s really something for everyone here.
- Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM)
If you prefer to study art and culture indoors, then you simply must visit the Grand Rapids Art Museum. With all kinds of artwork and exhibits happening all the time, you’ll never be bored each time you step through the doors. Take a tour or maybe even join a workshop. This is a great place to visit as you explore the city before or after your wedding.
- Meyer May House
If mid-century modern architecture is your thing, then you might want to check out the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Meyer May House. This house is a prime example of mid-century design at its finest. Plus, both original furnishings and reproductions grace the rooms. If you like the feel and aesthetic of the 1950s, book a tour when you get a chance.