Weddings North 2019

2019

Weddings North

GOIN’ TO THE CHAPEL

REAL COUPLES CREATE

NORTHERN AMBIANCE

2019 VENUE GUIDE

LAKES PROUD WEDDING

A BRAINERD DISPATCH 2019 PUBLICATION

| Weddings North 1

S

URPRISE!

BY KELLI ENGSTROM Cami Kopetka had no idea Garrett Gregerson was planning a proposal. On a seemingly normal Sunday afternoon, Cami and her parents, Dave and Peg, met photographer Kelli Engstrom on the dock to have some family photos taken— or so she thought. Garret’s parents, Tammy and Tim, drove all the way from Tekamah, Neb., with his sister, Katheryn, from Manhattan, Kan., for the big surprise. Needless to say Cami was stunned and overjoyed!

Photos by Kelli Engstrom Photography2019 | Weddings North 7

Photos by Kelley Jo Imaging

SURPRISE!

“Maddy’s family has been going up to Nisswa every year since before she was born, so I knew that was a special place for her. I had the ring customized and asked her dad for his blessing the night before we left for the trip. I chose to propose at the Grand View Lodge because the year before Maddy showed me the resort and I was blown away with how beautiful it was. I planned on proposing on Sunday but that didn’t work out. I am so glad our photographer, Kelley, was so flexible. Since the plans changed, I told Maddy that we should go back for a walk. I had

Kelley wait for us at the bottom of the stairs. We came down the gorgeous staircase, Kelley came up to us and asked to take our picture for a promo for the resort. She took one picture, then I got down on one knee and asked Maddy to spend forever with me. It was the perfect moment and I am so grateful that Kelley could capture it for us. Maddy was blown away and so surprised when I told her how this all came about. We couldn’t be happier with how the photos turned out and we are forever thankful for Kelley.

8 Weddings North | 2019

REAL COUPLES NORTHERN AMBIANCE

Boating Bliss

Natalie & Adam Molde

Photographer: Tim Larsen Coordinator: MaryBeth Ostrand-Zea, Cragun’s Venue: Cragun’s Caterer: Irma’s Kitchen, Cragun’s Floral: Marci Hoard, Lily Grass Floral Studio Officiant: Deb Krogstad Cake: Dani Sutin, Sweet Life Bakery Music/Entertainment: Dynamite Reflections Entertainment

Real couple rating? Services, vendors and location for a Brainerd lakes area wedding

“Tim [Larsen] literally helped save our wedding. He is incredibly knowledgeable, takes fantastic pictures, and truly cares about making your day special. I wish I could give him more stars, but alas I cannot. I would hire Tim for anything you could possibly want photographed. 10/10, five stars, fantastic.” - Adam Molde

12 Weddings North | 2019

DESTINATION WEDDING: “We had a lot of family fly in, from NY, FL, CO, and MA. We had our Groom’s dinner at Cragun’s as well. It was a great spot with a patio right by the lake. Our families loved it and the staff was so accommodating. They also started a bonfire for us by the beach.”

REAL COUPLES NORTHERN AMBIANCE

Rustic Spice

Britt & Logan Marrow

Photographer: Tim Larsen Coordinator: Crystal Glaser Venue: Manhattan Beach Lodge Caterer: Manhattan’s at Manhattan Beach Lodge Hair: Haley Dunlap, Lake Luxe Beauty Bar Floral: Melissa Boelter, Celebrations Floral Design Local Bakery: Reed’s Market, Crosslake

Parents Bride: Bill and Rochelle Anderson Groom: Todd and Dawn Morrow

RELAXING MOMENT: “There was a 20 minute period or so, between the formal photos and the start of the ceremony, when the entire wedding party gathered in our honeymoon suite to just relax for a bit. Having all of those close friends in one room just laughing and talking was priceless. It was a rejuvenating moment before the ceremony.”

FIRST DANCE SONG: “‘Somewhere Only We Know’ covered by Lily Allen, originally by Keane.”

BIGGEST SURPRISE: “A year ago, after Logan proposed, I secretly bought him a nice watch and kept it hidden until the wedding day. I had my Man of Honor deliver it in the morning before our first look as a surprise. Logan had no idea it was coming!”

Real couple rating? Services, vendors and location for a Brainerd lakes area wedding

“Yes, I would definitely say we had a five star experience...Crosslake is very nostalgic for me and it was a dream come true having a lakefront/lodge wedding.” - Britt

“Crystal Glaser at Manhattan Beach Lodge was absolutely wonderful! So incredibly helpful and patient.” - Britt

14 Weddings North | 2019

WHY THE LAKES AREA? “We were planning a small wedding and wanted an outdoor ceremony. The area has so much beauty and was the perfect backdrop. We loved having our friends and family spend the weekend away with us.”

VENUE SEARCH “We chose Grand View Lodge because it had the perfect space for our small reception and the Grand Stair Case and Gull Lake were the perfect setting for our ceremony.”

UNIQUE DETAILS “We rented the outdoor Lower Terrace area of the lodge at Grand View. We set up yard games, there was a fire place, and we had speakers playing our custom playlist. It really fit the laid-back, fun vibe that we had hoped for and our guests seemed to enjoy themselves!”

REAL COUPLES NORTHERN AMBIANCE

Lakeside Luxe

John & Kayla Kriesel

Photographer: Kelley Jo Imaging Videographer: Josiah Tiegs Planner: Kelly Houlehan, For Better or For Best Weddings Venue: Grand View Lodge Caterer: Grand View Lodge Floral: Petals and Beans Photobooth: For Better or For Best Weddings Officiant: Pastor Stan Nelson Music/Entertainment: Trillium Strings

Parents

Bride: Kathy (deceased) and Tom Sylvester Groom: Mom, Diane Kriesel; Dad and Step-mom, John and Kathy Kriesel

Real couple rating? Services, vendors and location for a Brainerd lakes area wedding

“Grand View does an excellent job with all the details and makes your wedding feel like a very special day.”

16 Weddings North | 2019

DESTINATION WEDDING: “We had a lot of family fly in, from NY, FL, CO, and MA. We had our Groom’s dinner at Cragun’s as well. It was a great spot with a patio right by the lake. Our families loved it and the staff was so accommodating. They also started a bonfire for us by the beach.”

Photos by Jael Thorpe

A LAKES PROUD WEDDING

Katelin and mother, Deb Cranny

BY SARAH NELSON KATZENBERGER

When Katelin and Zach Hohertz got engaged in the summer of 2017, they knew exactly where they wanted to celebrate their wedding vows — in Katelin’s parents’ Merrifield backyard.

“Our goal was to throw a celebration where everyone had the best time and have everyone we love surrounding us,” Katelin said. “It just made sense.”

18 Weddings North | 2019