Mynorth Wedding 2016: Boyne Mountain

Boyne

Mountain STORY BY HEATHER JOHNSON DUROCHER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALICIA ROSE VALLER | ROSE PHOTOGRAPHY

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Julia Marie &Jason JULIA MARIE SERRELS JASON MURTAGH AUGUST 29, 2015 It all began a decade ago at Western Michigan University, where a skier from Charlevoix met a fellow ski and snowboarding team member who would become her husband.

“I was the president of the ski team and he was the new, cute snowboarder on the team—that’s how we met. I took him under my wing,” says Julia Marie Murtagh of her now-husband Jason Murtagh.

The couple, who moved to Royal Oak following college graduation, kept up with their passion for hitting the slopes together by traveling north whenever they could get away. One spot in particular came to hold a special place in their hearts: Boyne Mountain. And when it came time to select a spot to hold their wedding, they didn’t have to think twice. “We spend a lot of time going to Boyne, in all seasons, so it was a natural selection for us,” she says.

“We might live in metro Detroit, but our hearts are always in Northern Michigan."

With the help of her lifelong friend Brie Kear, the wedding sales manager for Boyne, Julia Marie began planning her wedding.

One key point of assistance: Brie helped the couple decide precisely where, within the expansive Boyne campus, they would hold their celebration. They decided on Deer Lake, a spot they found “encompasses all the parts of Northern Michigan that

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we love,” says Julia Marie. Located on the backside of Boyne Mountain, this small, private lake offered the right measure of intimacy while offering a pretty lawn for tents and tables.

With more than 75 percent of their 115 guests coming from out of town, “the lodging opportunities at Boyne were a big deal for us,” the bride says. The hotels and condos made it easy for guests to stay the weekend, so family and friends had a fun time at Boyne. (Jason’s 70-year-old uncle did the zip line!)

“Enchanting was a word I used a lot,” Julia Marie says of her wedding. “I wanted a lot of different lighting elements, a lot of candles, drop lighting, traditional white lights in tents.” When the special moment came, Julia Marie’s twin brother, Roscoe, walked her down the grassy aisle to an altar hewn from saplings and decorated in fl wers. And then it was on to party the night away in a tented reception that sparkled with candles and lights, on the banks of beautiful Deer Lake.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ROSE PHOTOGRAPHY, FACEBOOK.COM/ROSEPHOTOCHICAGO VENUE: BOYNE MOUNTAIN, BOYNE FALLS, BOYNE.COM

MYNORTH.COM/WEDDING

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Opposite: Julia Marie and Jason found the perfect outdoor wedding setting along the shores of Deer Lake at Boyne Mountain. This page, clockwise: The couple worked with BLOOM Floral Design of Petoskey on the bridal bouquet and the flower arrangements placed throughout the ceremony and reception areas. “There were flowers everywhere, with dramatic textures and a lot of color—she made all my dreams come true,” Julia Marie says of her florist, Jennifer Haf. The couple’s 4-year-old chocolate Labrador, Wally, joined the festivities. Julia Marie calculated how many days she and Jason had been together as of August 29 and had the number printed out on a card she gave him.

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This page, clockwise: Metallic spray paint turned ordinary wine bottles into shimmering candleholders. In place of a traditional party favor, the couple made a donation to a local dog rescue. (“We’re huge dog people, and this rescue in Detroit is doing fantastic work,” Julia Marie says.) A large willow tree on the property was a main focal point for the wedding decor. An outdoor bar was situated underneath, with lights strung so that the tree glowed.

In the tent, a large chandelier was adorned with candles and flowers

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MYNORTH.COM/WEDDING

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This page, clockwise: BLOOM Floral Design’s lush touch on the bride and groom’s chairs. The invitation. The couple share a quiet moment on the dance floor. The couple worked closely with Smitten Events out of Harbor Springs to bring all of the elements together. A selfie station, with two Polaroid cameras, gave guests the chance to capture moments to share with the bride and groom. “Each guest could write their own messages to us. We just had the best time reliving the night through all these random and candid photos,” says Julia Marie.

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Wedding Notebook BOYNE MOUNTAIN RESORT

Event Facilities

Boyne Mountain’s unique northern Michigan setting offers a multitude of indoor and outdoor options for wedding ceremonies and receptions, as well as rehearsal dinners, showers and anniversary parties. The event’s locale holds so many nuptial memories and Boyne Mountain’s experienced wedding planners have every detail in mind—including coordination of floral and photography services and the creation of unique menus, to ensure each of those memories lasts a lifetime. From lakeside ceremonies and receptions on picturesque Deer Lake, to an indoor reception in the Civic Center accommodating up to 500 guests, Boyne Mountain’s unique combination of location and facilities offers couples with the perfect setting for an unforgettable day.

Feel Free At Boyne Mountain, we’ve been creating unforgettable memories for our guests for over 65 years. From bachelorette parties at The Spa at Boyne Mountain, to rehearsal dinners in any number of our facilities, to the perfect ceremony, indoors or out, and seemingly endless lodging options for you and your guests, Boyne Mountain has everything to make your special day absolutely perfect. No matter the season you choose to say “I do,” you’ll enjoy all the best we have to offer, from skiing and snowboarding during the winter months, to world-class golf, ziplining, and biking in the summer.

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Activities/Recreation At Boyne Mountain, we know how to have fun! No matter the season, there’s always something to enjoy. During the summer, guests can enjoy 36 holes of championship golf on The Alpine and The Monument, ziplining from the top of Boyne Mountain, horseback riding, guided Segway PT tours, miles of hiking and biking trails, or simply relaxing on the beach on Deer Lake. In the winter, enjoy one of the Midwest’s premier skiing destinations, offering over 60 runs and 415 skiable acres, along with cross country skiing, snowshoeing, fat tire snow biking, and tubing. Bridal parties at the Spa at Boyne Mountain are a must no matter the season. The nearby resort towns of Petoskey, Boyne City and Charlevoix offer

accommodations

culture, adventure, shopping, fine dining and fun for the quintessential “Up North” experience.

Boyne Mountain’s seemingly endless array of lodging is sure to fill the needs of every guest. Choose from nine different lodging options, including rustic, yet comfortable mountain cabins, lakeside villas, private condominiums, or the Austrian themed Mountain Grand Lodge & Spa, and all designed to provide the perfect experience for each and every taste. Several options are able to accommodate 10 and even 12 guests, many contain unique amenities like fireplaces, private hot tubs, and more. And with over 400 total guest rooms and suites on property and accommodations for over 2600 guests, there’s more than enough room for everyone in your party.

catering Our catering team can make an unforgettable experience for your wedding. Our experienced associates can work with any budget and are committed to great guest service.

Weddings are a time for celebration, and our catering team can work with you on any specialty menu to suit your attendees and their finer tastes! And special needs for guests with special food needs and dietary considerations can easily be accommodated.

(844) 812-1990 boyneweddings.com

Wedding Sales Manager Brie Kear 231.439.4078 bkear@boyne.com

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Reception Capacity 500

Event Managers Laura McFarren Kris Sherwood Heather Pelton Jaclyn Wingate

Event Space Vienna Ballroom Civic Center Stein Eriksen's Restaurant and Patio Deer Lake Lawn Beach House Restaurant

Spa Manager Alex Pelyak

Rooms and Suites 427

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A Spectacular Setting. A Perfect Day. Three incredible northern Michigan resorts and award-winning spas, each an achievement of grace and style.

Whether you are seeking the destination for your special day, for an unforgettable honeymoon, or for a setting to relax and have fun with girlfriends, BOYNE’s resorts are the perfect choice. And with three spectacular spas, our experienced staff can delight you from head to toe...feeling refreshed and beautiful for your wedding day.

866.988.2042 BOYNEWEDDINGS.COM 2016_WED_BOYNEMOUNTAIN.indd 40

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