Mynorth Wedding 2015: Crystal Mountain

m&j

Crystal Mountain

STORY BY ADRIENNE ROBERTS  PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOLLI ANN STUDIOS

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Molly & Jonathan m&j

MOLLY RUSSELL JONATHAN PAULI MAY 31, 2014 CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN, THOMPSONVILLE

m

olly Russell was working as a beverage cart girl at a golf course in St. Johns, Michigan, when Jonathan Pauli, a handsome student at Oakland University, bought her a pack of M&M’s. Here’s the happy ending to that sweet story: they were married six years later.

But first, of course, there was a wedding.

Molly, a lifelong skier, and Jon, an avid golfer, wanted to be married at a venue that showcased their passions. Crystal Mountain fi that description—the resort’s two golf courses, were open—and although there wasn’t snow in May thankfully, the chairlifts were available to transport the bridal party and their guests to the top of the mountain for the ceremony.

The events planners at Crystal Mountain made it easy for Molly to plan most of the wedding while she was still in dental school in Milwaukee. Jon, too, was a big help. With his career in finan e, he proved apt at handling

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the spreadsheets and making calls. “While my mom and I were at a Packers game one day, Jon and his mom were tasting cakes,” Molly says with a laugh.

As the wedding weekend began, 160 guests from the Midwest and beyond arrived at Crystal Mountain for what turned out to be their own mini vacations, given the resort’s many amenities. “I loved the idea of making a weekend out of the wedding and giving our guests a little vacation,” says Molly.

In lieu of a traditional rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding, Molly, Jonathan, and their guests relaxed with pizza and beer.

A blue and cloudless sky graced the day as guests hopped aboard chairlifts that whisked them up to the ceremony at the top of the ski hill. There, Molly and Jon exchanged vows overlooking Betsie River Valley.

Butlers stationed at the base of the mountain stood ready to serve wine, water or lemonade after the ceremony—a detail that was

as necessary as it was elegant, as it was one of the hottest days of summer.

Dining was under a tent set up on the lovely lodge lawn. Molly’s favorite color, yellow, dotted the decor in paper lanterns hanging from the tent ceiling and fl wer arrangements that included yellow roses and craspedia—a variety of sunny-colored button-sized daisy. Guests had their choice of steak or fish for dinner. For dessert, there was a pink champagne–fl vored cake with mother-approved buttercream frosting (Molly’s mom is a frosting afi ionado).

The partying started as the DJ struck up the first tune and didn’t end until the after-reception party in the Vista Lounge with its view of the mountain—a perfectly romantic spot for Mr. and Mrs. Pauli to start their happily ever after.

PHOTOGRAPHY: HOLLI VANDERVEEN, HOLLI ANN STUDIOS, HOLLIANNSTUDIOS.COM VENUE: CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN, THOMPSONVILLE, 231.378.2000, CRYSTALMOUNTAIN.COM

MYNORTH.COM/WEDDING

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Opposite: Flowers by Victoria’s Floral Design and Gifts in Beulah. Bridesmaids’ bouquets: yellow garden, regular and spray roses with crespedia and yellow ranunculus wrapped in twine. Bridal bouquet: white regular and spray roses, lisianthus, baby’s breath and ranunculus.

The bride wore a Kenneth Winston battenburg lace gown with a Swarovski crystal jeweled neckline and corset back. This page, clockwise: The couple exchanged traditional vows before Pastor Jamey Nichols (from Molly’s hometown church). Boutonnieres sport the groom’s love of golf. Ring bearer Liam Pauli heads bravely down the aisle with his sign, while his younger brother Jack (in the background) wasn’t quite ready to pull duty.

The bouquet is wrapped in lace from Molly’s mother’s wedding gown, then draped in the “something blue” garter. The bride and her attendants rock-hopping to the ceremony from Crystal Mountain’s charming Cottages at Water’s Edge where family members stayed.

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This page, clockwise: Top row from left: Rob Reynolds, Brett Pauli, Peter Russell and Ryan Schultheiss. Middle Row from left: Michael Gurecki, Ellie Dowden, Laura Schindelholz, Betsy LeVand, Betsy Wiles, Brieanne Oehlke, and Brian Pauli.

Front row: Jonathan and Molly Pauli. The beer mug of cigars and other goodies was Molly’s wedding gift to Jonathan.

The mug is engraved with “All of Me Loves All of You,” the lyrics to the newlyweds’ first dance song. Cake by Kingsley Cakes. Cocktails slopeside. Photo ops abound on the Crystal Mountain grounds. The reception centerpieces were lovely minimalist versions of the bridal bouquets.

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MYNORTH.COM/WEDDING

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This page, clockwise. The couple vacationed in nearby Glen Arbor after the wedding but plan a formal honeymoon to St. Lucia the day after Christmas. Molly wore Alessandras by Badgley Mischka. The Paulis’ rings are from Harr’s Jewerly in St. John’s, Michigan. Molly’s engagement ring is a tapered cathedral setting with a round solitaire diamond. Her band is a semi-circle of pave-set round diamonds.

Husband and wife ride the chairlift down from their mountaintop ceremony. Tables set for the reception under a tent on Crystal’s lovely grounds. The champagne-lace bridesmaids dresses were from SimplyDresses.com.

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Wedding Notebook CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN

accommodations

Photo by: Siri Salonen Photography

Beautiful accommodations and a wide range of lodging options at Crystal Mountain will be sure to fill every guest's needs. Stay at a Celtic “castle,” a mountain top condo, 1900s-style cottage, a slopeside bungalow, a townhome set into dense hardwood forests or a cozy hotel room right at the heart of Crystal Mountain. Some can sleep up to 10 guests and almost every one has a fireplace and in-room whirlpool tub. Magnificent!

guest services Weddings shine at Crystal. eymoons, Crystal Mountain has a long, glowing history of exceptional wedding events. From top to bottom, indoors and out, Crystal is a complete and wondrous wedding experience.

With award-winning wintertime skiing and splendid summer golf, your Crystal Mountain wedding can be held here any time of year, secure in the knowledge that everything will be in place for a truly memorable event.

Some of the Midwest’s finest

Photo by: Mitch Ranger Photography

resort lodging. Versatile dining

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options. Complete full-service spa and fitness center. Spacious outdoor heated pool, water playground and year round hot tub. Wedding parties and guests never need to leave the grounds because it’s all right here.

Photo by: Memories by Mandi

From showers and rehearsal dinners to ceremonies, receptions and even hon-

Crystal offers a comprehensive slate of services sure to please wedding parties and guests alike. Crystal Spa offers bridal party make-up services, massage, body wraps, facials, manicures, pedicures and a full range of men’s spa services as well.

We can provide a welcome bonfire, gift basket delivery, free on-site shuttle service and more. And we encourage all wedding parties to join us in lessening the environmental impact of their event by purchasing renewable energy offsets.

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event facilities

Recreation

Simply gorgeous. Choose from among many splendid ceremony and reception locations at Crystal, indoors or out.

Ceremonies can be held a the top of our mountain, where guests will arrive by chairlift, or down by the Petritz Pond Lawn, the Front Lawn under a beautiful white gazebo, tucked in the woods under the recently renovated Jessie Frohlich Amphitheater in the Michigan Legacy Art Park or inside the Crystal Center surrounded by the view of the breathtaking slopes. Receptions can be held under a Pavilion Tent, in the woods or in one of our elegant Crystal Center banquet rooms. Reception rooms feature a dance floor, table linens, skirted head table as well as gift, cake and DJ tables.

Dinners include votive candles on all guest tables. Dinners of 100 or more entitle the bride and groom to a complimentary overnight hotel room stay on the night of the reception.

Spectacular! Summer weddings mean guests can partake of Crystal’s two championship caliber golf courses, 10-acre practice facility, the Park At Water’s Edge pool and water playground, new Edge Adventure Course with elevated ropes course and zip line, miles of hiking and biking trails, Michigan’s only Alpine Slide, plus the amazing Lake Michigan shoreline and Sleeping Bear Dunes just a short drive away.

Winter guests can ski 45 beautifully groomed downhill runs, 40k of scenic cross-country trails, take a horse-drawn surrey ride, go ice skating, dog sledding and snowshoeing. Award-winning kids’, family and group activities are also available.

catering Cooked and prepared on-site, Crystal’s catering is second to none. Choose from a wide variety of dining options, offering fresh entrees using ingredients from local farms, specially designed around your needs and desires. Whether your tastes lean toward opulent full-course presentations or a delightfully simple outdoor barbeque, Crystal pulls it off with style and flair. Even going-away breakfasts can be arranged.

CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN 12500 Crystal Mountain Drive Thompsonville, MI 49683 855-546-9733 Fax: 231-378-4603 crystalmountain.com

Proprietors Jim and Chris MacInnes

Recreation Director Janice Davidson

Wedding & Special Events Sales Manager Amanda Milarch

Reception Capacity Up to 350 guests

AmandaMilarch@crystalmountain.com

Direct line is 231.378.2038 Spa Director Stephanie Scott

Event Rooms 5 indoor, tent and outside options available Guest Rooms 246 wedding 2015

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THIS WAS IT. The moment I had dreamt about since I was a little girl.

And things couldn’t have been more perfect.

Design a celebration that is as unique as you are, with the help of your own personal on-site wedding coordinator and fullservice staff. Schedule a tour with Amanda, our wedding expert at 844.277.0193.

MAKE IT YOUR MOMENT. 844.277.0193 C RYSTA LMOUNTAIN.COM

Siri Salonen Photography - Traverse City, MI

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