About Us

 

Annette Lahr – CEO

Married to my life partner and best friend, my life is truly blessed! Life is too short to be miserable and believe me I have had people in my life who have tried! I live in the Duluth/Superior area

Family is important – either those that are biological or by friendship. Our kids, grand kids and fur kids keep us busy. Everyday is a day to be grateful for – I choose to look forward – not back.

“A happy marriage is a long conversation which always seems too short. “

Andre Murois

I believe Marriage is between two people who love in each other- period. Every human being on this Earth is unique and it is this uniqueness that make this world go round. I am just a speck in the universe, who am I to judge? Living, Loving and Laughter is important.

I live by the Golden rule – Treat others as you would like to be treated. Respect, honesty, integrity,  family, friends, faithfulness and Laughter is important in my life.

Being empathetic and understanding makes us all a better human being. I’m not perfect but I strive to be a better human being.

I absolutely love and enjoy doing weddings! Life is to be lived and enjoyed. Meeting/talking with couples and actually doing their ceremonies is truly a blessing!

Marry Me In Duluth was my first “official” intro into the wedding business as a Minister/Wedding Officiant about 9 years ago.

Due to rapid growth, we renamed the business to “Marry Me In The Northland” from Marry Me in Duluth.   The name change was a positive step.  We are still looking forward and enjoying our part in weddings.  It is absolutely amazing that I get to meet and work with a wide variety of people from phone calls, zoom or in person not to mention seeing fabulous venues and outdoor areas.  My heart is so happy!!

Needless to say I now have a team of experts who will love to help you get the perfect ceremony for your day. We have expanded from just the Duluth area, to the North Shore, and the Brainerd area as well. Not to mention all of Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Michigan. We will travel!

Team Members – Marry Me In The Northland

Annette’s Notes   

All of my team members are special in their own way!  New team members go through extensive training, I provide updated training and quizzes (yes – you read that right) every year – either in person or over Zoom (thank you COVID 19 for forcing us to learn how to Zoom).  I am so proud to have these amazing people to join me on this journey.  We have many of the same things in common – love of animals/pets/kids, cooking, entertaining friends and family and love of the outdoors.  We are all unique in our own way – from hunting mushrooms, a nice glass of wine, to ballroom dancing to traveling the globe or even putting color in our hair for our kids, we all try to enjoy life.  We are here to help you, even if it just chatting about the challenges of planning a wedding or to just vent – maybe even a laugh or two.  Wedding Planning is hard – it doesn’t mean the ceremony has to be.  Breathe and take a deep breath!  We have you.  

Jean Larson

I’ve been married to my husband for 26 years and we have an amazing daughter that is growing up much too quickly.  I became a licensed minister when some friends asked me if I would officiate their wedding. Initially I was nervous but I absolutely loved the experience of joining two people together.   Each time I am lucky enough to be part of a couple’s special day is absolutely incredible for me. What a wonderful gift they have given me, to share the most important day of their new lives together.

I have an easy going personality and will work with you to have the wedding you have always wanted.  Whether you want a traditional wedding,  something unconventional, inside, outside- contact me and we will make this perfect. I am located in Duluth but am happy to travel.

Annette’s Notes:  Jean has been with me for many many years in this journey.  She is such a caring spirit and truly enjoys doing ceremonies.  She is always willing to listen and puts her heart into every wedding.  She loves to travel and spend time with her family and has a teenage daughter.  She absolutely loves animals and always offers to “babysit” mine.  She does have a passion for hunting for mushrooms and have done so for many years.  Combine that with a good bottle of wine, you got a great day.  I am so very grateful she joined me on this adventure.  

Jill Veech

I was born and raised in Hermantown, MN. My father – being a teacher – gave us the freedom to travel extensively in the summers so that is what we did. Hence an adventurer I became!

Leaving the Twin Ports area at 21, after completing my education… I was off. Moving and working in major metro cities across the country through my 20’s, 30’s and 40’s couldn’t have been more exciting. However I always imagined returning to my home one day. That is where we are today.

I was fortunate enough to meet the gals from Marry Me In The Northland and their vision spoke to me. What a lovely thing to be able to do, being a part of such a joyous event. I’m thrilled to be here! I’m so looking forward to meeting you!!

Notes from Annette –  Jill is dedicated to make this your special day.  Her smile and joy is contagious and she loves to get to know each and every couple!  She loves learning new things, meeting new people and exploring areas that she hasn’t been too.  While a 10 mile hike is not on the top of her list, she does enjoy all the natural beauty that the North Shore and Lake Superior has to offer.  You can catch Jill most days taking care of her family in some way and being an awesome sibling/aunt/friend and co-worker (food, trips, gardening or being silly)!  It has been amazing to see Jill grow and become part of my team.  I so glad she is here!

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” ― Maya Angelou

Kathy Levine

I am so excited to be joining such a great organization!  I was born and raised in Duluth and spent 30 years as an elementary teacher in both special and regular education.  I am active in the Duluth theater community having been a stage manager and an actress.  I also ballroom dance and play the guitar!  I became an officiant at the request of a friend and so enjoyed it.  When an officiant  from Marry Me In The Northland performed my bonus daughter’s wedding, I chatted with her about her job, and here I am!  I am happily married to a very creative artist who always encourages me to try new things.  I look forward to helping plan and participate in your special day!

Notes from Annette –  Kathy is newer to our team but her training will be complete soon.  I am so excited she is with us. Her enthusiasm is catching!  She loves to travel and learn new things.  Family, friends and enjoying life is important to her.  I am excited to see where this new journey will take her!

“Love is Love”

Sarah Tini

I discovered Marry Me in the Northland while searching for vendors for my own wedding in July of 2021 and became enamoured with the idea of becoming an officiant. I performed my first ceremony just a month after my own wedding and fell in love with it! I love being a part of one of the happiest days of a couple’s lives and seeing the pure joy and love in their eyes. 

Annette’s Notes – Sarah is always up for a challenge.  She has a passion for travel, so hiking through the State Parks aren’t a problem for her.  She also has a love for theatre and live arts.  She understands what is needed to make your ceremony come alive.  Don’t worry she won’t go “over the top” unless you really want her too!  

“Happily ever after is not a fairy tale. It’s a choice.” — Fawn Weaver

Justin Horan 

I am very easygoing and will work with you to make your wedding ceremony perfect. I am located in Duluth but am willing to travel. I look forward to connecting with you and making your wedding ceremony perfect.

Annette’s Notes –  Justin is one of our newer officiants but don’t let that fool you.  His smile is contagious, and you can’t help but smile when you are chatting with him.  He is such a great person to be with.  Justin’s wedding was publish in a Lake Bride magazine in Central Minnesota April 2022 – it has sold out. On a side note, Justin did most of the planning – from table settings to decor!  Can’t wait to see where this avenue will take him!  I am so glad you joined us. 

“Do I love you? My god, if your love were a grain of sand, mine would be a universe of beaches.” – The Princess Bride

 

Lisa Solem

I’ve been madly in love with my husband Chris for 24 years and I’m a proud stepmom to three amazing young men. I’ve lived in Duluth since 1995 and I truly love and enjoy embracing the Northland and all its outdoor beauty has to offer. I’m an avid hiker and runner, often out on the trails with my furry running partner Odin, and I have completed three Wild Duluth Harder Than He** half marathons on the Superior Hiking Trail.  So if you are wanting to get married out on the trail miles in, Lisa would be up for the job.  

I began officiating weddings 12 years ago after my husband and I got married and a friend recruited me into getting ordained and officiating her wedding. I found out how much I really enjoyed it and have loved meeting so many amazing people! I love being a part of each couple’s happiest moments! I always say I get the best seat in the house at every wedding! I’m very excited for this next adventure with Marry Me in the Northland and look forward to meeting you and planning your perfect ceremony, whether it is a formal ceremony or a simple elopement hidden in the woods!

Annette’s Notes: Lisa is one of our newer members of the team.  She is very active in 5k’s, spending time with her husband and family and of course the family dog.  I’m looking forward to seeing her expand and grow  in this adventure with us.  I’m so glad you are here.  

“You Know You’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams”  Dr Seuss

Jason Pokorney

Born and Raised in Duluth, MN.  I am married to my beautiful wife Lisa and we got married on Halloween over 25 years ago!   So that is always a favorite time of the year.  We have an adult daughter who just recently graduated from high school.  We are not empty nesters yet, but that may change or it may not. Time will tell.  Whatever happens, I enjoy having time with my family and friends.    

I have been a Master Storyteller since the mid 80’s and enjoy exploring places that have a bit of history – both good and bad.  The North Shore offers lots of history and let’s face it the weather always offers a challenge.   I have done many “themed” weddings.  One in which I had to wear a Kilt while standing by the shore of Lake Superior in winter!  That was a tad chilly.   However as everyone knows in the Northland, we are use to the cold.   I enjoy doing weddings and opportunity to visit and meet a wide variety of people.  I may be a big guy and can be a bit stern looking  (having a teenage daughter can do that to a Dad) but Im really a nice person and like meeting people.  Looking forward to chatting with you!  

Annette’s Notes:  Jason has been on the team for a while now and he is really a teddy bear despite his height.  He works hard to make your wedding what you want and has no problem hiking anywhere.  Need something outside of the box?  Well he may be one to do it.  Let’s face it, wearing a Kilt in winter on the shore of Lake Superior takes some grit!   As a parent of a teenager, he understands how life can stress any couple.  I love the fact that while he won’t readily admit it, he can be a marshmallow with his family and friends. While he probably won’t have bright purple or orange hair anytime soon, you may find a dark green in his dark hair!  The things we do for our kids!  He is one of a kind – I am so glad he is on the team.  

The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.” –Audrey Hepburn

Marry Me In The Northland