Mynorth Wedding 2016: Frog Pond

Frog Pond Village STORY BY CARLY SIMPSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARA BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY

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Megan& Andy MEGAN MARTINEZ ANDY HOPPE AUGUST 29, 2015 Once classmates, this pair lost touch with each other when Megan moved from their Sterling Heights neighborhood in high school. In college, they found each other on Facebook —and love soon followed. Six years later, Andy proposed on December 24, in front of their Christmas tree.

With a romantic sendoff like that, Megan allowed herself to dream of a fairytale wedding complete with white lights, beautiful gardens and a ball gown. When she saw Frog Pond Village in Interlochen, she knew it was the perfect spot to become Mrs. Hoppe. “I grew up going Up North every summer with my family, and when Andy and I started dating we took our own weekend trips,” Megan says. “We love how beautiful it is in Northern Michigan.

It’s a hidden gem, and we knew we wanted to get married here.”

Their special day began in the Bullfrog Chapel with the wedding ceremony. The rustic charm of the rough-hewn cedar walls and elegant chandelier lighting gave Megan the magical, woodsy atmosphere she was looking for. “I wanted something outdoors and rustic, and I loved how Frog Pond Village had both the indoor option and the outdoor gardens for all of our guests to enjoy.”

After the ceremony, guests were treated to an elegant dinner from Grandview Catering. The menu included chicken

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stuffed with basil mousse and garlic-Brie braised beef with a red wine mushroom sauce. Ann Barraclough of Aunt B’s Cake and Dessert made two, four-tier masterpiece cakes—a lemon poppy cake with raspberry fi ling and buttercream frosting and a white cake with cherry fi ling and almond frosting.

“I wish I could explain how convenient this venue was,” Megan says. “They have certain vendors they work with and everything went together so well. We don’t live Up North, so it was nice to have someone to give us good referrals.”

After dinner, guests enjoyed the beautiful August evening in the gardens outside.

Grandview Catering set up a s’mores bar by the bonfi e, and guests competed in the classic Up North vacation game corn hole. “We always play that game when we go Up North with friends and family,” Megan says. Inside, guests danced under a pergola of ivy and party lights, a breathtaking ending to a beautiful day.

Surrounded by Northern Michigan woods and a heart-shaped Ellis Lake, Frog Pond Village gave Megan the fairytale wedding she had always imagined.

PHOTOGRAPHER: SARAH BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY, SARAHBROWN-PHOTOGRAPHY.COM VENUE: FROG POND VILLAGE, A FAIRYTALE GARDEN WEDDING VENUE, INTERLOCHEN, FROGPONDVILLAGE.COM

MYNORTH.COM/WEDDING

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Opposite: Ellis Lake makes an enchanting backdrop for wedding photos. This page, clockwise: The ceremony was held in the rustically elegant Bullfrog Chapel. In honor of her father, who passed away when she was young, Megan received a coin before walking down the aisle offering his love. The log cake stand was carved with Megan and Andy’s names and wedding date. The bridal bouquet included pink garden roses, lisianthus, and baby’s breath. A picture of Megan’s father, Michael Martinez, was attached to it. Megan fashioned the programs into fans for her guests.

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This page, clockwise: Pretty in pink—and white with a sparkling tiara. The cornhole board was made with chalkboard paint so guests could sign their names. Cheers!

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This page, clockwise: Megan and Andy’s wedding cakes were topped with a flag banner reading, “Love is Sweet.” The seating arrangements were displayed in greens for a woodsy feel. The couple shared their first dance to Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud.” Each guest received sunglasses with the couple’s names and wedding date on the temple. The ballroom is set up for dinner.

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Wedding Notebook FROG POND VILLAGE

event facilities

INTIMATE ELOPEMENTS

One unforgettable day— countless ways to make it yours.

Elope Up North Style; just the two of you. We have elopement packages for up to 10 guests with choice locations on property from our Lake front to our tiny chapel! You may choose from a basic elopement to a private, intimate surf-n turf luncheon or dinner to include your officiant, flowers and photographer!

Welcome to Frog Pond Village, where you will find ten acres of private landscape groomed for your special day. We offer a woodsy, yet elegant setting among towering trees, charming frog ponds, meandering walkways and beautiful gardens. Our quaint romantic wedding chapels and ballrooms are open to the outdoors. And we’ve added to the magic, Sarah Brown Photography

twinkle lights, party lights, sparkling chandeliers and enchanting water fountains.

services

We help our brides and grooms make a unique and memorable statement with flowers and décor. We coordinate your ceremony to perfection with our recommended officiants, making it meaningful and personable. Our caterer is the best in food display, taste, quality and service for a worry free evening!

Our D.J. is wonderful and will help you coordinate your reception and for sure will “make” the party. We also put you in touch with accommodations, photographers, videographers and cake designers.

We are proud to hold titles as Voted #1 Best Wedding Venue in Northern Michigan

by City Voter and #5 Best Outdoor Wedding Venue in Michigan by The Knot. Also Voted #1 Best Wedding Venue in Northern Michigan by Traverse City Record-Eagle.

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CHAPELS Include 200 of your closest family and friends to celebrate your day!

Frog Pond Village offers two larger chapels to choose from. Both allow secluded gardens and lush greens for you and your guests to enjoy. This is a WOW experience and you’ll find your photo ops right here!

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three choice locations

flowers You will love having your own florist on site! Karen, the owner, has over 25 year’s of experience, specializing in wedding flowers, creating the exact look that you want from your personal bouquets to elegant centerpieces to floating arrangements for the ponds! We have the latest trends in flowers, vases, floral lights, river rock, moss, incredible twigs, lanterns and more! Pick it from Pinterest and I bet we have it!

UNDER THE GALA TENT FOR 50 GUESTS OR LESS How fun is this! Our Road Toad Gala Tent is a relaxed party spot! It is offered for small weddings, rehearsal dinners, morning after brunches and other special events.

And yes! We have frogs!

BALLROOMS Our two ballrooms offer you rustic elegance and are open to the patio and grounds so your guests may wander in and out all evening! Party lights spill overhead into the lush green lawn and the bar area which is outdoors as well! You will feel quite at home here! Comfy bistro chairs will be waiting for you. Our ballrooms are climate controlled for your comfort as well!

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FROG POND VILLAGE 1950 Ellis Lake Rd., Grawn, MI 49637 P.O. Box 383, Interlochen, MI 49643 231-357-9128 frog@frogpondvillage.com frogpondvillage.com

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Karen Youker

Weddings Your Way... customizes your ceremony to fit your unique style creating memories that last forever!!!

Photography

“Capture the

Weddings Your Way, is Northern Michigan’s Premier Officiant Service.

moments

We perform ceremonies at resorts, wineries, beaches, or any location of your choice!

of your life”

Affordable, passionate, and professional!

www.karenyouker.com 231-269-3458

weddings-yourway.net

Specializing in Wedding Videos. Video is shot, edited and delivered in High Definition. Capture your day in motion!

Contact Zack at 231-499-1736 traversecityvideo@gmail.com

TraverseCityVideo.com

Creating unique experiences for couples in love with music A wedding reception is the capstone to one of the most important days of your life – but it’s also a party, and music is what holds that party together. If the music doesn’t deliver, people tend to leave after they’d had their cake.

With everything on your plate, let us handle this part!

Northern Michigan’s Only Boutique DJ Service 231.94.MUSIC (946.8742) • mrmusicdjs.com

Frog Pond Village Wedding Chapels and Ballrooms

Ten acres of private naturescape ... A rustic, yet elegant setting among woods, frog ponds, and gardens!

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