Mynorth Wedding 2016: Crystal Mountain

Crystal

Mountain STORY BY HEATHER JOHNSON DUROCHER PHOTOGRAPHY BY SISTERS STUDIO

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Brittany& Jason BRITTANY RADEMAKER JASON KINGSLEY AUGUST 22, 2015 As avid downhill skiers, Brittany Rademaker and Jason Kingsley have enjoyed traveling from their home in Norton Shores, near Muskegon, to Crystal Mountain, in Thompsonville, for a number of years. So when the time came to decide on their destination wedding location, they opted for the Northern Michigan resort. “It’s a special place for us because we have our condo there,” says Brittany. “We go there and ski a lot in the winter. My husband’s sister and brother-in-law and friends of ours all have condos there, too.”

Of course, the couple witnessed an entirely new and exciting side to Crystal Mountain as planning for their special day unfolded. The couple chose to hold their ceremony, which included 250 guests, at the top of the ski slopes. “I was looking for something that was classic and romantic and elegant and simple,” Brittany says. The mountain-top ceremony site proved to be just that. Guests could opt to get up and down from the mountain via a shuttle or a chairlift. “I thought [the chairlift rides]

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were kind of corny at first, but people ended up loving it,” Brittany says.

Afterward, as guests enjoyed cocktails at the base of the ski hill, the bridal party traveled the short distance to the Lake Michigan village of Frankfort for beach photos.

Crystal Mountain catered the reception, which featured the resort’s “roaming stations dinner.” Moving among food stations that included sautéed seafood and bananas foster kept guests engaged. The dessert bar was a hit, and the perfect sendoff for an evening of dancing and music.

And then came the grand finale Brittany’s mom and step-dad surprised the couple with a fi eworks display to celebrate their day. “We kept saying we just wanted it to be fun,” Bittany says. And fun it was.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SISTERS STUDIO, SISTERS-STUDIO.COM VENUE: CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN, THOMPSONVILLE, CRYSTALMOUNTAIN.COM

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Opposite: As guests mingled and enjoyed a pre-reception gathering, the bridal party headed to the Lake Michigan beach in nearby Frankfort for photographs. This page, clockwise: Brittany and Jason’s ceremony took place atop the ski slopes, with sweeping views of Benzie County.

Bridesmaids each wore a dress of their choice. Brittany wanted everyone to be comfortable and simply requested that colors stay within a common color scheme. Après-ceremony cocktails at the base of the mountain. Brittany’s bouquet was by Chalet Floral out of Muskegon and made with dahlias and orchids in blush pink and white with a bit of darker greenery, too.

wedding 2016 2014

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This page, clockwise: Guests could opt to ride a shuttle down the mountain following the ceremony, or like Brittany and Jason, take a ride on one of the chairlifts. The sign was Jason’s idea. With multiple lodging options onsite, wedding guests made a weekend of it at Crystal Mountain. The shuttle ride to Frankfort for photos with the bridal party was part of the fun.

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This page, clockwise: Not being a big fan of cakes, Brittany opted for a petite, 8-inch round cake to accompany the dessert bar. The music was by Mac Daddy of Traverse City. To set the mood for dancing at the reception, the bride and groom provided ballet flats so that women could kick off their heels and put on their dancing shoes.

“They came with a little shoe bag, and they were gone fast—I should have ordered more!” Brittany says. Guests were welcomed to their places with a hearty and heartfelt “Bon appetite.”

2014 wedding 2016

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Wedding Notebook CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN

accommodations 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 inroom whirlpool tub. Magnificent

Weddings shine at Crystal.

guest services

From showers and rehearsal dinners to ceremonies, receptions and even honeymoons, 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 resort lodging. Versatile dining 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.

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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 floo , 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 58 beautifully groomed downhill runs, 40k of scenic cross-country trails, take a horse-drawn surrey ride, go ice skating, 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 Petritz and MacInnes Families

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

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

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WORDS CAN’T EXPLAIN.

Megan Hannon Photography

Everything was perfect. It just felt so right.

This was exactly how it was supposed to be.

The beginning of our happily-ever-after.

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

MAKE IT YOUR MOMENT. 844. 27 7.0193 | CRYSTALMOUNTAIN.COM

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