06 Jun
2010

I’ve been living vicariously through my many early-to-wed friends for the past three years. They were lucky to find real love in their early twenties (some started dating their now husbands/wives in high school) and decided there was no point in waiting to tie the knot. I’ve attended 10 weddings in the past few years, growing increasingly anxious for when it would be my turn. I’m one of those who grew up believing I would be married with kids by 25 (ambitious thinking, right?). Well, that didn’t happen, and frankly I’m A-OK with it.

I was lucky enough to have met the incredible MAL three years ago, and we’ve been together ever since. Our love story entered a new chapter last weekend when MAL proposed to me in Glen Arbor on the shore of Lake Michigan after hiking Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Sidenote: I HIGHLY recommend staying at the Sylvan Inn if you visit Glen Arbor. It’s a five out of five stars bed and breakfast.

I’d like to extend my deepest gratitude to the wildly-successful Pure Michigan marketing campaign for making me want to travel in-state, which resulted in the perfect opportunity for MAL to propose. Of course the proposal would have still been memorable if we were hiking in Denver or lounging on a beach at some tropical resort. But now we’re only four hours away from revisiting a city that will forever be “our special place”.

On to the wedding planning! We don’t have a date set yet, but we’ve already agreed on one thing: Our resounding love for Detroit means we want to have a Detroit-themed wedding with the reception (hopefully!) in the city. Luckily I have an amazing friend/event planner/bridesmaid/wedding planner to help me along the way.

Feel free to share any wedding tips/tricks or your engagement story in the comments!

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20 Comments on " My Exciting News and Why I’m Grateful for Pure Michigan "

  1. Karen Dybis 06/06/2010 09:14 pm

    We had our reception at the Gem Theater. It was amazing! Let me know if you want any info if you consider it.

  2. Mike 06/06/2010 09:34 pm

    So excited for both of you!

  3. nikki 06/06/2010 10:19 pm http://www.nikkistephan.com

    Thanks, Karen! We’re actually looking at the Colony Club, which the Gem Theatre owns. I like the first floor room at the Gem, but it only holds 100 people, so that won’t work for us.

    Mike – Thanks much!

  4. Angela Minicuci 07/06/2010 08:30 am

    Nikki, how exciting! Congratulations to you both!

  5. nikki 07/06/2010 09:03 am http://www.nikkistephan.com

    Thanks, Ang!

  6. Patrick Reyes 07/06/2010 11:40 am http://patrickreyes.wordpress.com

    Awesome news Nikki! Congrats!!!!!

  7. Beckie Thompson 07/06/2010 11:42 am

    Well that is delightful news! I was married at 30 and will celebrate 8 years this year. I think waiting a little longer makes it that much sweeter.

    Congrats to you both.

  8. Lisa LaGrou 07/06/2010 11:43 am http://www.oaklandcountymoms.com/

    Congrats Nikki! I’ve never been to Glen Arbor but I heard it’s awesome. Hopefully we can get together soon.

  9. Audrey 07/06/2010 11:46 am http://www.techsocialite.com

    Love the Colony Club! They had the ESPN party for the Superbowl there when it was hosted in Detroit. However I’m sure the day will be magical wherever you decide to have it. Congrats again!

  10. Mike K McClure 07/06/2010 11:56 am http://www.yaffetidbitsblog.com

    You can’t fail with a polka band at your receptions. Worked for us, anyway.

  11. Sven Gustafson 07/06/2010 11:59 am

    My wife and I had our reception (in 2004) at the beautiful Detroit Yacht Club on Belle Isle. It’s tough to get any more Detroit-centric than that.

    Congratulations.

  12. Therran Oliphant 07/06/2010 12:02 pm http://hand-raiser.com/blog

    You seem genuinely happy, Nikki, good for you. I hope your wedding, marriage and life with MAL is the stuff of legend.

  13. DaveMurr 07/06/2010 12:09 pm http://www.themurr.com

    Will your wedding reception have Tech Karaoke? :)

  14. Lauren Weber 07/06/2010 12:12 pm http://metrogal84.blogspot.com

    Yay! I’m so excited for you guys! Let me know if you need help…believe me, it’s not that overwhelming when your career is in PR – you’re used to being organized, so you’ll do great!

  15. nikki 07/06/2010 12:30 pm http://www.nikkistephan.com

    Thanks all, and thanks for the venue suggestions!!!

    Dave – Techkaraoke at my wedding would be epic, but not sure Mike will agree to that one! He isn’t much of a karaoke fan. We’ll convert him one day!

  16. Brian 07/06/2010 12:32 pm http://icrontic.com

    Congratulations you two crazy lovebirds :)

    I’m super lucky in that my girlfriend is from that area—funny enough, I think I was probably up there right by you when the proposal went down. We went to Sleeping Bear and then swam in Glen Lake with the kids. You’re right in that it’s an amazing area and how cool that now you have that area to visit to remember your special day :)

  17. Ryan Knott 07/06/2010 12:32 pm http://ryanknott.com

    That’s great! Congratulations!!

  18. Jackie @ FREEISMYLIFE 07/06/2010 12:52 pm http://www.freeismylife.com

    Congratulations again Nikki. Loved seeing your big rock on Sunday :)

  19. DJ Meph 08/06/2010 01:03 pm http://djmeph.net

    Congrats Nikki! Truth be told, if any man bent down on one knee and proposed to me anywhere along Lake Michigan, I’d probably have said yes too! LOL

    The best place in Detroit for a reception is the Roosertail. Hands down. It’s right along the Detroit river, and it’s one of the most elegant spots in Detroit. My senior prom was there, I’ll never forget it.

  20. nikki 08/06/2010 05:08 pm http://www.nikkistephan.com

    Thanks again everyone!

    Brian – Small world! It would have been crazy if we ran into each other in Glen Arbor.

    Norm (DJ Meph) – I’ve heard good things about the Roostertail. Thanks for the suggestion.

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