The Royal Park Hotel Wedding of Amanda & Michael: June 22, 2024
“Our experience with Mike Staff Productions was overall wonderful! They have been absolutely fantastic with communication, very professional and positive with every interaction, and their photos have been stunning. I love how my three vendors worked together with the “Team Approach”. It took so much stress off my shoulders!” – Happy bride, Amanda
Our Love Story
Michael and I were friends for a year before we started dating. A few years later, we went on a family trip up to Charlevoix (a place we often went together) and he proposed with everyone there. Since he was in med school we knew it was going to be a long engagement. I didn’t love that at first, but looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing about it. All the buildup led to the most exciting day of my life finally marrying my best friend.
Our Wedding Vision
Planning for as long as I was, little details definitely changed over the years. However, I always knew I wanted to have my ceremony in a church and reception at the Royal Park Hotel. That venue always has had such an elegant and romantic feeling that I wanted to incorporate throughout the day. Definitely felt like a fairy tale!
Wedding DJ Experience
Our wedding DJ, Dave, was great with communication and anything I needed from him! He played every single song on my list and did a great job of keeping the dance floor alive.
For our first dance, Michael and I danced to “From the Ground Up” by Dan and Shay. One day I was driving home from a particularly rough day at work. I heard the song on the radio for the first time and it immediately made me feel better because it made me think of my love for Michael and our future. That is when I knew we had to pick it for our first dance.
Wedding Photography Experience
Jenny, our professional wedding photographer, was so sweet and very responsive to whatever I asked. She made sure all of my picture requests were honored and did a great job of working with my students and their families. Wedding pictures were such an important part of the day to capture memories with all of the people I love.
Wedding Videography Experience
A wedding video was very important to have certain moments documented forever. I am definitely the person who loves to look back on happy times, and having a video makes this all the more easy! I love the idea of having a shorter, highlights type of video and then a full video of all the captured moments.
Our Favorite Wedding Memories
- My whole church ceremony was special but I especially loved having my students attend. I’m a Catholic school teacher so they all came to the church and took a picture with me afterward.
- Another moment I will never forget is dancing to the last song of the night, surrounded by my friends and immediate family. We all cried happy tears at what a perfect day it was and how blessed we were to have each other.
Our Planning Advice
1. Figure out what your top priority/non-negotiable thing you want for your wedding is and do everything you can to make that happen. The rest will fall into place.
2. Get a special perfume. Not only will it look beautiful in detailed photos, but the smell will always take you back to the day.
3. Planning can be very stressful but try to enjoy every moment as much as you can and focus on all the positive people who want to make the day as magical as possible for you.
Amanda & Michael’s Vendor List
- Ceremony: St. Andrews Church in Rochester
- Reception: The Royal Park Hotel
- Florist: Viviano’s Flower Shop
- Wedding Cake: Sweet Dreams Bakery
- Wedding Dress: Wedding Dress Shoppe
- Suits: Todd’s Mensware
- Bridesmaid Dresses: Birdy Grey
- Transportation: Top Notch Limousine
- Hair & Makeup: Runway Salon
- Photo Booth: Stunning Shots Photo Booth
- Flower Wall: Great Lakes Event Planning
- Invitations: Elegant Wedding Invites
- Officiant: Father Joe at St. Andrews