Built in 1925 as the Hotel Duluth, Greysolon’s ballroom is an ode to the rich tapestry of the past with its ornate chandeliers, mahogany walls and hand-painted ceilings. Mariah McKechnie of True North Weddings embraced the venue’s Old-World ambiance when creating this luxurious design. To complement the ballroom’s soft green, ivory and gold hues, McKechnie leaned into a “moody romantic glam” vibe featuring a warm jewel-toned palette of blush, dusty rose, mauve and garnet. “I imagined a couple who fell in love on a trip up the North Shore of Lake Superior,” says McKechnie regarding her inspiration. “They chose Duluth to honor their love story, but they wanted a venue that would treat their guests to a glamourous evening, steeped in history and personal details.”
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Infusing personal elements into a design makes a nuanced yet memorable statement. “I imagined the couple referencing a pair of foxes from their adventures at the North Shore and choosing to incorporate these animals in their love story,” says McKechnie of the golden foxes that are nestled in various places throughout the design, from the invitations to the floral arrangements. “It's always the personal details that leave a lasting impression.”
When I realized that this jewel-tone color palette can be found in one of my favorite f lowers, the Dutch hydrangea, I had an immediate direction for the floral design.
—Mariah McKechnie, True North Weddings
The delicate blush wedding gown features a floral brocade that beautifully complements the design and the majestic ballroom. "I fell in love with the soft blush color and brocade fabric," says McKechnie. "I knew immediately that it belonged at Greysolon Ballroom." The gown was enhanced by an opulent necklace from Genereau & Co. and the richly-hued bouquet of garden roses, curly willow, smilax with moodiness added in by the smoke bush and burgundy asparagus fern.
The escort card display features a personal touch, as each envelope holds the guest’s table assignment along with a handwritten note from the couple. “I encourage my couples to consider using this as an opportunity to express gratitude to their guests,” McKechnie notes. “This works especially well for a smaller, intimate wedding.”
Sugarspoon’s Dr. Altreisha Foster created two beautiful confections that reflected her vision for timeless beauty with an edge. The grand four- tier cake is ethereally crafted to appear as if it is floating while the delicate pink single-tier cake exudes romance. “I wanted each angle of the cake to reveal a different story, with a composition that feels abstract yet cohesive,” Foster says. “The florals and pearls add a contemporary touch, giving it a modern yet romantic feel.”
I blended modern elements with a touch of Old-World glamour, emphasizing luxury through an abundant use of pearls to create texture and movement. Each f loral element was crafted by hand, delicately dusting them with muted hues to bring softness and elegance.
—Dr. Altreisha Foster, Sugarspoon Desserts
“I love juxtaposing styles to create depth and character in my designs,” McKechnie says. Details such as wood elements, flickering candlelight and delicate table lamps grounded the setting and added romance. The autumnal hydrangea hues are balanced with spring elements such as garden roses, curly willow, smilax, and moody accents of smoke bush and burgundy asparagus fern. The jewel-toned florals cascade off the serpentine table that gently wends to an elevated high-top table for the couple.
I absolutely fell in love with the floral cascading off the serpentine table. I love how they create a feeling of movement, flowing like a river down the table.
—Mariah McKechnie, True North Weddings
