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$$8grand traverse resort & spa==16 STORY BY NICOLE WHITE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY NORTHERN ART PHOTOGRAPHY NORTHERNARTPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
l@@20 iz& drew==10 LIZ BROOKS & DREW KONDIK MAY 6, 2017
Sure, Pinterest, The Knot, and magazines like MyNorth Wedding are all a wellspring of wedding ideas, but there is no substitute for practice making perfect. So, it is no surprise that Liz Kondik’s wedding was magical in every way. As the special events manager for the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, Liz has supervised over 300 weddings in her career and knew exactly what she wanted when her own big day arrived. Elegant romance mixed with a little shabby chic drove Liz’s vision, as she used inspiration from the hundreds of weddings in her repertoire along with the knowledge of how to pull it off so everyone had a fabulous time. Paramount to design and cohesion, however, was Liz and Drew’s passion for the celebration of love and the sacrament that is marriage. No matter how many vows she’d heard exchanged, that was undiminished. In short, Liz knew not to sweat the small stuff. Even with her experience and a flawless plan, there is bound to be a hiccup or two. So when her one-of-a kind wooden cake topper went missing the day of the wedding (someone mistook the unmarked box for trash) Liz shrugged it off, focusing instead on the butterflies in her stomach every time she looked at her groom. A romantic himself, Drew had been dating Liz for seven years before catching her by total surprise one evening with a rose petal path to their yard covered in softly flickering candles. Flanked by their beloved dogs, he was down on one knee promising forever. Liz admits having her wedding at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa was a nobrainer. With an abundance of accommodations, easy logistics, renowned restaurants and plenty of activities for guests, Liz’s firsthand experience only cemented what she knew the resort could offer. “It was a relief to be able to have it here and be on the receiving end,” says Liz. As the staff at Grand Traverse Resort treats each bride with care, Liz knew she would be very well taken care of. After the ceremony at Immaculate Conception Church in downtown Traverse City, the guests enjoyed exploring downtown Traverse City or resting in their beautifully appointed rooms at the resort. Meanwhile, a limo bus shuttled the wedding party to the resort’s exclusive beach, The Shores, for the must-have shore-side photographs. Afterward, the evening’s festivities commenced with a cocktail hour on the 17th Floor of the Resort Tower. The stunning views of the bay from one of the highest vantage points in Traverse City wowed the nearly 100 guests—many of whom had never before been Up North. From the cocktail party, guests moved to the main floor Tower Ballroom and awaited a stunning grand entrance by Liz and Drew. From a rustic farm table where they sat with the wedding party, the newlyweds presided over the gorgeous room festooned in creamy drapery and gold candelabras decked in boughs of woodland greenery. As Liz had planned, most of the traditional reception formalities took place early in the evening to make plenty of time for a relaxed party atmosphere that lasted well into the night. The following morning guests were treated to a farewell brunch back on the 17th floor of the Tower—the icing on the cake for a picture-perfect wedding.
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The bride was so smitten with this dress from B. Ella Bridal in Plymouth that she wore it for over an hour in the shop. The bridal bouquet features coral reef roses, king protea, peonies, echiveria and eucalyptus. Fun cocktail hour dÊcor, like this tablecloth (with succulent centerpieces made at Darling Botanical during a bridal party), show off the couple’s playful side, while the floral arrangements, drapery and furniture highlight the romantic elegance of the reception. Bridesmaids (left to right) Krystina Miller, Krista Akerley, Megan Brooks, Candice Spencer, Alex Schauer, and Lauren Smiley give the groom a leg up.
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The Underground Cheesecake Company in Traverse City created a traditional-looking wedding cake that is actually a buttercream-frosted cheesecake—the couple’s favorite—and filled a dessert table with assorted delectables. The graceful elegance in the Ballroom is grounded by two huge farmhouse tables brought in for the head table and balanced by Derek Woodruff’s brilliant woodsy displays featuring Italian ruscus and ferns nestled between two grand candelabras. Liz and her father twirl to “The Best Is Yet to Come,” by Michael Bublé. The escort card table and notes of gratitude to wedding guests showcase classic grace and style.
resources
Ceremony Site | Immaculate Conception Church Reception Site | Grand Traverse Resort & Spa Photography | Northern Art Photography Flowers | Darling Botanical Co. Floral Designer | Derek Woodruff Cake | The Underground Cheesecake Company Music | 2 Bays DJs Hair & Makeup | K. Noelle Artistry and Makeup by Kori Martz
See more photos at MyNorth.com/GTResortWedding
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Wedding Notebook Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
Event Facilities
86,500 square feet of versatile indoor and outdoor function space gives you ultimate flexibility in selecting the venues for your special day. Our wedding staff is practiced at transforming the ballroom or outdoor venue of your choice into a truly unforgettable environment. You’ll appreciate the smooth, detail-oriented leadership of our event professionals, as they execute your vision to perfection. Bridal parties delight in our spa and salon, while groomsmen typically prefer golf and our nearby Turtle Creek Casino. And with multiple wedding and reception venues, our planners create a brand of seamless perfection, regardless of scale. From intimate unions to grand affairs, your guests will feel every bit as loved, cherished and honored as the bride and groom.
Michigan’s Premier Resort Experience People often remark that the most appealing thing about the 900-acre Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is its sense of the genuine. So when couples choose to exchange their vows here, it feels especially romantic. Sincerity resonates among the trees, and love sparkles on the water. Simply put, it just feels right. Our wedding staff is practiced at transforming the banquet room or ballroom of your choice into a truly unforgettable environment. You’ll appreciate the smooth, detail-oriented leadership of our event professionals, as they execute your vision to perfection. Pre-event parties and rehearsal dinners are easily arranged. From our convenient, centrally located Midwest location, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is easily accessible to all of your guests – just ten minutes by Resort shuttle from Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport (TVC).
Catering From 2 people to 2,000 people, our Catering department can make an unforgettable experience for your wedding. Our experienced staff can work with any budget and is committed to great guest service. Weddings are a time for celebration, and our catering staff can work with you on any specialty menu to suit your attendees and their finer tastes! And special meals are no problem for guests with special food needs, and dietary considerations.
Accommodations
Recreation Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is renowned for many things, but the golf experience is among the best anywhere. For each of our three signature courses, we sought out the finest designers the industry has to offer. •
The Bear by Jack Nicklaus.
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The Wolverine by Gary Player.
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Spruce Run by William Newcomb. Our 100,000-square-foot Health Club offers something for everyone. Features include:
Whether you stay in the Hotel, the Tower or a Condominium, you’ll revel in the natural splendor of the outdoors, and the luxurious amenities and outstanding accommodations within.
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Fully equipped Cardio and Weight Room
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Fitness Classes
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15,000-square-foot Indoor Water Playground
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Recreation Pool
The Hotel - Our six-story hotel offers 238 spacious guest rooms, many with gorgeous views and wireless high-speed Internet access. Conveniences include: color cable television, bathroom television speakers, hair dryers, and much more. • The Tower - Our newly renovated 17-story glass structure offers 186 large, luxuriously appointed rooms and suites each with wireless high-speed Internet access. You’ll relax amid breathtaking views of sumptuous forests and the rolling hills and orchards of the surrounding golf courses. Deluxe amenities include: wet bars, Jacuzzi whirlpool tubs, bathroom phones, cable TV, refrigerators, and more. • Condominiums - Sample fairway or beachfront living when you get away to one of our 161 condominiums. Studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom accommodations are available in a variety of locations.
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5 Indoor and 4 Outdoor Tennis Courts
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Guest Services At Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, you’ll find nearly 600 rooms, suites, and condominiums plus a combination of services and amenities unmatched elsewhere. The expert hands of our spa professionals relax bride and attendants with luxurious treatments and massages, and can create perfectly styled hair and makeup for the bridal party. Groomsmen and guests will enjoy a pre-wedding round of golf on one of our three premier courses, a tension-releasing game of tennis, or a relaxing whirlpool. Pristine beaches and exciting water sports are additional options that will make your wedding a memorable mini-getaway for each and every guest. Winter weddings have a special allure with our crackling fireplaces, snow-covered views, and elegant lodge atmosphere. Your guests can also enjoy cross-country skiing, sleigh rides, and other winter activities.
100 Grand Traverse Village Blvd. Acme, MI 49610-0404 231-534-6000 800-748-0303 weddings@gtresort.com GrandTraverseResort.com
Special Events Manager Liz Brooks
Reception Capacity 2,500
Spa Manager Dawn Olsen
Event Rooms 35
Spa/Golf Sales Managers Kris Ruckle Joann Hanafi
Guest Rooms 585
GOlf Spa ShOp DIne CaSInO
Get UP and Go Breathtaking scenery and unforgettable moments. The paradise of a Northern Michigan wedding is more than inspirational views, a flowerlined path, or sunset stroll on the beach. More than tee times with the guys or endless pampering for the girls. It’s having all those things at your fingertips. You won’t believe it if you haven’t seen it. Get up and go at GrandTraverseResort.com/Weddings.
#gtresort Owned and Operated by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians