Marry Me in the Northland believes every couple deserves to have the ceremony that they want – even if they don’t know what that is initially. Let’s face it, most couples do not know what they want in a ceremony since it isn’t something that most put much thought into. Couples just know one thing “WE WANT TO GET MARRIED”.

So Marry Me in the Northland starts by asking questions like: What do you like? What is the theme of the wedding? What don’t you like? Are you having pets? Kids? This guides them as they discuss your options, give you ideas. Before you know it, your ceremony is done.

We sat down with Annette Lahr to find out more.

Q: What does your business specialize in?

A: We provide Marriage Officiant Services

Q: Where are you located?

A:  We are located in the Duluth MN and Superior WI area but travel extensively

Q: What makes your business stand out compared to other options?

A:  First off, We love what we do! We are professionals – all Officiants who join the team has extensive training in all aspects of a weddings.  We are the only Group of Officiants in this area.   We provide totally customized ceremonies for couples based on what they want and who they are.  We explain exactly what the process is from getting your marriage license to walking out after being pronounced “Married”.  Marry Me in The Northland has a group of Officiants.

Q: When and how did your business begin?

A:  I was attending PRIDE in Duluth MN in 2013 – this was the first year that same sex couples could get married in MN there were a lot of couples celebrating this event by getting married.  The Minister was behind schedule due to road construction and they were asking other Minister’s/Officiants if they would help with the ceremonies for the couples.  It was a very very warm day.  I was shocked when these “Ministers” and “Officiants” said no.  Well that was the last straw for me.  I became ordained and started doing weddings since that time.  Everyone has a right to marry the person they love regardless!

Q: What’s an average day like for your business?

A:  Each day is unique but reaching out to couples by email or phone is typical.  Answering questions, doing referrals, explaining our services and, of course, doing weddings and rehearsals, creating ceremonies.

Q: What would you want couples searching for your business type to know?

A: We keep your stress to a low level!  We are a calm group of people. We know what we are doing and will guide you through this process even if you don’t know what you want.  We are fine with unique requests or dressing for a theme.

Q: Do you have any memorable wedding stories that you could share?

A: There are many but I will share this – I was doing a wedding Lakeside.  There was a clothesline draped with fabric to separate the entrance to the wedding site.  This was not unusual.  However, the bride let me know about 10 minutes before that she had a special event planned for the groom and she had gotten the DJ in on it as well as my husband who was there to help in the background.  So just as one would expect the Bride to walk down, the music changes to “Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield (the bride’s husband to be was named Jesse).  We can see movement behind the drapery and the next thing we know we have a person coming out in a dog’s costume dancing to Jessie’s Girl with a sign for the Groom.  The groom was getting nervous as he did not know where his bride was. Everyone knew based on the sign that it was the bride – she danced up to the groom, gave him the sign kissed him on the cheek and left.  Again we see a lot of activity behind the drapery.  A few minutes later the bride comes out in traditional dress (ballroom style with a rainbow pettitcoat.  It was awesome!  Apparently the skirt on the wedding dress was removable!.  The groom was emotional, the bride was out of breath and emotional and the guests had a great “opening” for the ceremony.

Q: What is your favorite thing about your business?

A:  Meeting new couples, hearing their stores and get affirmation every day that Love surrounds us  if we just open our eyes to it.

Q: How far in advance should a couple book with you?

A: Most couples book us 9 months in advance but each couple is different.  If we can accommodate you, we will.  That is the nice thing with multiple Officiants available, we can usually accommodate.  In prime wedding season, we get calls all the time from couples who officiant cancelled.  We done weddings with a 24 hour notice if necessary.

Q: What do you like about working in the wedding industry?

A: Seeing the creative process of the couples and vendors that they are working with.  Some of their ideas are fabulous and the decorating/colors are wonderful. Always excited to see new venues or a new trend.

Lightning Round questions:

Q: Describe yourself (or your business) in three words:

A:  Calm, professional, adaptive

Q: Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall Wedding?

A: All of them

Q: Red or White?

A: Definitely Red – as long as it is a blue undertone

Q: Heels or flats?

A: Heels

Q: Veil or no veil?

A: Either

Q: Black Tie or Farm to Table?

A: Couples choice

Q: Chocolate or Vanilla?

A: Vanilla

Q: Milk, Dark or white chocolate?

A: OMG – white chocolate

Q: What’s your go-to comfort food?

A:  I don’t have a food, but I like to bake

Q: What is your favorite board game?

A: Monopoly

Q: Favorite music genre?

A: I like a lot of variety

Q: When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up?

A:  Doctor – but my parents discouraged it

Q: Who would you like to sit next to on a plane?

A:  Always my husband – if not him then family, then whoever.  I have a tendency to make the best of any situation