Mynorth Wedding 2021

wedding FOR COUPLES WHO LOVE NORTHERN MICHIGAN » 2021

U P N ORT H THE LOOKS, THE STORIES, THE MUST-SEE VENUES

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ELEGANT DETAILS 10 IDEAS FOR YOUR BIG DAY INTIMATE VENUES BOUTIQUE WEDDING BLISS ENGAGEMENT PHOTO INSPO ROMANTIC SETTINGS + PHOTO TIPS

GRAND TRAVERSE RESORT & SPA THE HOMESTEAD BOYNE MOUNTAIN RESORT OTSEGO RESORT MISSION POINT RESORT

MYNORTH.COM/WEDDING

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HALL OF FAME

© THE WEBER PHOTOGRAPHERS

HISTORICAL ELEGANCE U N M AT C H E D S E R V I C E S

© THE WEBER PHOTOGRAPHERS

Schedule Your Tour Today | 231-237-0884 | Charlevoix, Michigan 49720 | CastleFarms.com

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Menus for all Occasions We welcome small groups and large groups - including 1,000 or more!

Pig Roast • Grilling • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner Upscale • Southern Style • Appetizers • Desserts

Grill & Roaster Rentals - No Distance Too Far

420 E. Prosper Road, Falmouth, Mi 49632 - 231.826.3333

Check out our menus online at www.ebelsgeneralstore.com ➡ Dawn Fresh Catering

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There’s No Stopping Love

Your Romantic Setting Up North

With large indoor gatherings either discouraged or illegal since last spring, the 2020 wedding season was like no other. Couple after couple who’d spent months planning the biggest event of their lives, found themselves scrambling to come up with new, outdoor venues for their weddings. But for many, overcoming obstacles only made their commitment to each other stronger—and their big day sweeter. This issue features two such stories, including how two couples—Annie and Matt Murtha and Jenna and Cole McClelland—ended up finding their dream wedding venues in their search for safe, outdoor spaces. But this issue also features three pre-COVID weddings, sure to spark joy and ideas for those special days when the pandemic is behind us.

Here’s to hoping and praying that pandemic weddings are a thing of the past by next summer (but if they aren’t, this issue has you covered with ideas!). Here is a trend I think we’d all love to see continue: Grooms are all in on the planning of their weddings. Gone are the days when their main function was the bachelor party. Today’s grooms are doing everything from taking dancing lessons to purchasing custom tuxedos (if the bride can make a to-do about choosing a gown …! ).

As I found, too, in my interviews, these new husbands have as much fun reliving their wedding day as their wives.

This issue is brimming with real-life stories of real love and the planning details that reflect it. Their shared moral? Be safe, but don’t stop loving.

weddings • special events • private parties

231 633 0211 • Bobgarvey@me.com www.traversecityweddingbarn.com 12 miles from beautiful Downtown Traverse City.

ELIZABETH EDWARDS, MANAGING EDITOR, MYNORTH WEDDINGS

Serving high-end, seasonal pastries and confections using local ingredients

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ELEGANT DETAILS GRAND TRAVERSE RESORT AND SPA OTSEGO RESORT THE HOMESTEAD

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BOYNE MOUNTAIN RESORT MISSION POINT RESORT INTIMATE VENUES ENGAGEMENT PHOTO INSPO

Justin Hankins Photography

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MyNorth Wedding is produced by MyNorthMedia. Advertising and editorial offices at: 125 Park St., Suite 155, Traverse City, MI 49684. 231.941.8174, MyNorth.com.

All rights reserved. Copyright 2021, Prism Publications Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

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© Rayan Anastor Photography

Full service wedding reception services to go along with the most beautiful Crystal Lake views and value in Benzie County.

We have openings for 2021

Crystal Lake Golf Course

8493 Fairway Dr. • Beulah, MI

clgolfbeulah.com • clg.beulah@gmail.com 231.360.8453 or 231.882.4061

Weathervane Terrace Inn & Suites

A castle for your overnight stay Our Conference Room seats 25-30 and is a great place to have your catered rehearsal dinner or after wedding brunch.

Located in the heart of Old Mission Peninsula’s rolling vineyards & cherry orchards, Mission Table is an amazing estate that is perfect for an intimate wedding reception.

Mission Table is the original house of the Stickney estate built in 1880, with incredible views of West Grand Traverse Bay. An award winning culinary team & a professional staff that anticipates your every need, will create memories that will last a lifetime.

We can accommodate ceremonies & receptions from 20–100 guests.

3 miles from Castle Farms Only rated hotel in downtown Charlevoix Free continental breakfast and high speed fiber internet Largest seasonal outdoor heated pool • Indoor hot tubs and fireplaces 32" Flat screen TVs in all rooms Group discounts available

For more information please contact our Event Director, Barbara Olson | 231.944.6984 | Barb@nubco.net

www.weathervane-chx.com • info@weathervane-chx.com 111 Pine River Ln., Charlevoix • 231.547.9955

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13512 Peninsula Dr, Traverse City, MI 49686 www.missiontable.net

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It's All in the Details Ten elegant ideas for your Northern celebration.

1. Couples’ Cocktails Personalize your bar menu with signature drinks. Have fun naming them, but make sure to list the ingredients so guests know what they’re ordering. PHOTO BY JANELLE ELISE PHOTOGRAPHY

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2. Personalized Napkins Share fun facts about your relationship, a trivia-style quiz or two truths and a lie! PHOTO BY JANELLE ELISE PHOTOGRAPHY 3. Smooch a Pooch Include your pet in your big day as a ring bearer, flower girl or just a friend to walk down the aisle with. PHOTO BY TYLEE SHAY PHOTOGRAPHY 4. Custom Illustrated Invitations A beautiful way to introduce your guests to your wedding destination.

PHOTO BY DAN STEWART PHOTOGRAPHY

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The Wedding of Your Dreams at Drummond Island Resort

The Wedding of Your Dreams at Drummond Island Resort

~ Celebrations for 2 to 200 ~ Breathtaking waterfront or wooded ceremony sites ~ Three charming rustic indoor reception venues ~ Delicious menu options ~ Nicely appointed Lodge Rooms ~ Secluded Log Cabins ~ Bridal Party Activities ~ Rehearsal Dinner, Day after Brunch ~ Bachelor/Bachelorette Getaways

Contact our Bridal Sales Team to schedule your personal appointment today!

906.493.1000 | 33494 S. Maxton Rd., Drummond Island, MI 49726 sales@drummondisland.com | www.drummondisland.com

Newest Luxury Mobile Restroom Fleet in the Midwest

16 Years Event Experience bestmobilerestrooms.com • scott@bestmobilerestrooms.com 231.709.3462 • 810.577.2944 6

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5. Chocolate Wedding Favors You can’t go wrong with a sweet treat from a local chocolate shop.

PHOTO BY SAMANTHA NICOLE PHOTOGRAPHY

6. Wine Country Decor Use wine barrels to create elegant displays with flower bouquets, pictures or candles. PHOTO BY NORTHERN ART PHOTOGRAPHY

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7. Bridal Party Shawls Winter weddings are so romantic. But goosebumps are not.

Order matching wraps for your bridesmaids. PHOTO BY SAMANTHA NICOLE PHOTOGRAPHY

8. Signature Tree Instead of a traditional guest book, have your guests sign their names along the tree branches. Then frame and hang it at home.

PHOTO BY DAN STEWART PHOTOGRAPHY

9. Place Card Stamps Help wait staff easily know which dish to serve each guest by putting meal selections (fish, beef, vegetarian, etc.) on place cards using stamps or stickers. PHOTO BY TYLEE SHAY PHOTOGRAPHY

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10. Rustic Centerpieces Bring the outdoors in with unfinished natural wood slices and fresh flowers. PHOTO BY NORTHERN ART PHOTOGRAPHY

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dream Make your

ring a reality

Specializing in custom design & designer collections.

www.wexfordjewelers.com

BIG CIT Y EXPERIENCE SMALL TOWN CHARM 231.347.1840 - 1888 E Mitchell - petoskey

taylorrentalpetoskey.com

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wedding WEDDINGS WE LOVE

STORY BY ELIZABETH EDWARDS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY NORTHERN ART PHOTOGRAPHY

2021 MyNorth Wedding

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TERRAH HANKS & CHAD TAYLOR | SEPTEMBER 5, 2020

Chad and Terrah had their first kiss on September 5, 2007. Thirteen years to the day, and three beautiful daughters later, they were married at the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City. Their wedding was worth the wait.

While the couple lives in Eaton Rapids, they chose Traverse City for their wedding as they have a cottage on Old Mission Peninsula’s East Grand Traverse Bay. They wanted to treat their guests to a weekend on the bay that has become so precious to them. And, lucky for them, Grand Traverse Resort has a beach club on East Grand Traverse Bay. Moreover, it was big enough to handle their guest list with aplomb.

Topping it off, the resort staff was also nimble and helpful enough to handle a pandemic wedding. Did we mention that it was pandemic wedding … on horseback?

The horseback part was always a part of the plan. Terrah's family owns Sundance Riding Stables in Grand Ledge, and both Terrah and Chad are rodeo contestants—she is a barrel racer and he is a steer wrestler. Horses are such a big part of their life, that they wanted them in their wedding—Terrah and her father would ride down the aisle side by side; her father would then give his horse to Chad to ride out on after the ceremony. Molly Schroderus, GTR’s wedding coordinator who was involved in the wedding’s initial planning stages (she later handed the reins over to Event Coordinator Steve Baehr), ok’d it to happen at the GTR’s beach club. If Chad and Terrah could get the horses to the beach, why not?

The reception was initially planned for the resort’s Governor’s Ballroom. Then came the pandemic and its moratorium on large indoor gatherings. One of the resort’s outdoor venues, the tented plaza, offered a partial solution. The trouble was, the tent wasn’t big enough. So Schroderus and her team offered to tent the patio portion of the plaza.

“They said, ‘Listen, you have been through thick and thin with us … we are going to make this happen,’” Terrah says.

With the reception venue solved, the wedding went seamlessly. The night before, guests were shuttled to the resort’s Turtle Creek Casino for an evening of gaming. The wedding day began with a golf scramble for the wedding guests at the beautiful Wolverine Golf Course, one of the resort’s three championship courses. 4

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The ceremony on the beach club deck brimmed with the couple’s personal touches. Terrah and her father, Terry Hanks, rode out of a grove of trees and down the aisle to Chad (and yes, she chose a wedding dress with a stretchy lining so she could saddle up), to the music of Nashville-based, renowned harpist Phyllis Taylor Sparks, who is Chad’s aunt. Sparks brought her very special 23-karat gold-leaf grand harp for the occasion. The officiant was a close family friend, Jason Pendleton, and in lieu of unity candles, the couple burned their brand into a log beside a bonfire. But without a doubt, the most important part of the ceremony were the flower girls—their daughters Zadah and Attikah—and their third daughter, Aspen, who shared ring-bearing duties with her cousin, Cammon.

From the ceremony, the guests and bridal party proceeded to the tented plaza for a plated dinner followed by dancing to the tunes of DJ Cam Ridley, a longtime friend of Terrah’s. But first came a special treat for the guests—a performance by Chad and Terrah, who had taken dance lessons beforehand. While guests watched in delight, the pair twirled and dipped to a medley of songs by Blake Shelton, The Lacs and Nate Kenyon, put together by Chad’s uncle, Nick Sparks, a grammy-award winning recording engineer and producer based in Nashville.

By the time the resort-baked red velvet cake was cut, everyone knew Chad and Terrah’s wedding would live in their memories forever.

Zadah summed it up best when she said to her mom: “That was the best day of my life. Can we do it again sometime?”

resources

Venue, Plated Dinner, Cake | Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, grandtraverseresort.com Photography | Andrea Bogart, Northern Art Photography, northernartphotography.com Videographer | Benjamin Foote, Benjamin Foote Cp, benjaminfootecp.com Gown | Sofia in Ivory/Champagne by Morilee Purchased at Pierre’s Bridal, Prom & Tuxedo, pierresbridal.com Hair, Nails & Makeup | Ledges Hair Salon; Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, Janell Marie Artistry, facebook.com/ledgeshairsalon; grandtraverseresort.com Dance Studio | Our Dance Studio, choreographed by Louis Soma, facebook.com/ourdancestudio Dance Music | R&S DJ’Z

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See more photos at MyNorth.com/GrandTraverseResort21 Know an engaged couple? Send them MyNorth Wedding magazine at ShopMyNorth.com/Wedding21

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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100 Grand Traverse Village Blvd.

Acme, MI 49610-0404 231-534-6000 800-748-0303 weddings@gtresort.com GrandTraverseResort.com

Special Events Manager Steve Baehr

Reception Capacity 2,500

Spa Director Dawn Olsen

Event Rooms 35

Spa/Golf Sales Managers Cara Goss Joann Hanafi

Guest Rooms 585

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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 of those things at your fingertips. You won’t believe it if you haven’t seen it. Get up and go at grandtraverseresort.com/weddings.

Owned and Operated by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians

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wedding WEDDINGS WE LOVE

STORY BY ELIZABETH EDWARDS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAMANTHA NICOLE PHOTOGRAPHY

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ANNA ALDRICH & MICHAEL SHAW | JANUARY 12, 2019

Michael Shaw laughs when he tells the story of meeting Anna Aldrich—the future Anna Shaw. He was sitting with a group of his buddies at a bar in Ypsilanti, near where he was finishing up at Eastern Michigan University. They were a rowdy bunch that included his fellow members of the EMU wrestling team. He spotted Anna across the room, did a double take and told his friends, “I’m going to marry that girl.”

Michael crossed the room to introduce himself and offered to buy her a tequila shot, but she was the designated driver for her girlfriends and turned down the drink. He did, however, manage to get her number. A short time later, Michael was planning a party for his sister’s 21st birthday. He’d invited all his buddies, but when his sister asked what girls were coming, he realized he had forgotten to invite girls. He called on Anna, who rounded up her friends—and a tiara and sash for Mike’s sister. Yep, she was the one.

A year and a half later, Michael was a state trooper and Anna was a nurse and they were ready for the forever commitment. Michael proposed to Anna in front of their families at Anna’s family’s Italian restaurant, Caruso’s in Angola, Indiana. She said, “Yes! Yes!” almost before he’d gotten down on one knee.

One of the many things this couple has in common is a love of snow sports—Anna is a boarder and Michael skis. With that in mind, they envisioned a winter wedding. Once they’d decided that much, they knew it would be at Otsego Resort in Gaylord. As Anna explains, the resort has been “near and dear to [her] heart [her] entire life.” She began skiing there when she was 3 years old and has since spent every Christmas there with her family.

Indeed, the resort seemed tailored to their 180-guest destination wedding. Most of the guests stayed on site in one of the resort’s four lodges, while others stayed at hotels nearby. The best part was that the entire bridal party could stay together in the resort’s Hilltop Lodge, which is divided into two wings of four rooms each, connected by a common room and kitchen.

Many guests and members of the bridal party arrived a couple of days early to ski and hang out at the River Cabin—a bar with an outdoor fire pit at the base of the back slopes and next to the Sturgeon River. By the rehearsal dinner, memories were already being made. Anna’s family brought the food from Caruso’s for the casual dinner (handmade calzones, Italian meatballs, Caprese skewers and more), held in the Hilltop Lodge’s common room. 4

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The following afternoon, the couple was married at St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord by Father Bernie, the same priest who married Anna’s parents (and he also skis at Otsego Resort!). Michael’s first look at his bride in her gown was as she came down the aisle. “I melted, then I cried my eyes out,” he says, adding that his groomsmen, who included fellow wrestlers, state troopers and a couple football players, will probably never let him live it down.

The reception was held in the resort’s Duck Blind Grille—a knotty pine-paneled room with an expansive view of the ski slopes—a winter wonderland that lit up when the sun went down and the slope lights went on. After what the couple describes as a “phenomenal dinner” of stuffed chicken breast and pecan-crusted walleye, prepared by the Duck Blind Grille staff, the newlyweds impressed their wedding guests with their choreographed dance (yes, they took lessons) to “Home” by Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros.

After that, it was everyone on the dance floor for the rest of the evening, the couple says, crediting their DJ Adam Freeman for meeting with them prior to the wedding to make sure their playlist was personalized. “I remember looking at the clock at 8:30 and telling Michael, ‘I’m getting tired. I don’t know if I can make it,’” Anna says. “And the next thing I knew, it was midnight.”

But there was more … the next morning, the staff at the Duck Blind Grille prepared a fabulous brunch, complete with an omelet station.

After the leisurely meal, it was time for goodbyes—mixed with gushes of gratitude for such a perfect occasion. “The best part about it is that we never felt pressed for time,” Michael says. “We got to spend so much time with the people we love. Otsego Resort made that happen. It’s like having your own city for the weekend.”

resources

Venue | Otsego Resort, otsegoresort.com Photographer | Samantha Nicole Photography, samanthanicolephoto.com Videography | Lindsey Leigh Media, lindseyleighmedia.com Dinner & Brunch | Otsego Resort, otsegoresort.com Cake & Rehearsal Dinner | Caruso's Italian Restaurant, carusos-restaurant.com Gown | Laura Jacob's Bridal, laurajacobsbridal.com Handmade Tuxedo | Elevated Citizen, elevatedcitizen.com Music at Wedding and Cocktail Hour | Higher Plain Flowers | Flowers by Evelyn, 989.732.6227 DJ | Adam Freeman, djadamfreeman.com Guest Favors | Alpine Chocolat Haus, alpine-chocolat-haus.com

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See more photos at MyNorth.com/OtsegoResort21 Know an engaged couple? Send them MyNorth Wedding magazine at ShopMyNorth.com/Wedding21

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Wedding Notebook Otsego Resort

Up North Wedding with a View Historical Otsego Resort offers a beautiful and charming rustic feel for your perfect destination wedding. Breathtaking outdoor wedding ceremony sites with a 25-mile vista view along with several banquet room options from a small intimate wedding reception or an evening to share with 300 of your closest friends.

The Sitzmark Terrace is our most popular ceremony site where the Sturgeon River Valley's rolling hills serve as the backdrop to your vows on your wedding day.

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Accommodations

Recreation

Whether you need a special place to bond with your bridesmaids or a lodge for both families to come together, Otsego Resort offers a variety of overnight accommodations.

Otsego Resort has something for everyone from the Hilltop Lodge to individual chalets, townhomes, and standard rooms.

Being an all-season resort there is always something to explore.

Winter Wonderland - get lost in the river valley wilderness trails, ski through natural terrain and wooded ski runs, warm up with après ski cocoa (or wine!) at the River Cabin, enjoy a heartwarming feast at the Duck Blind Grille and settle in by the fire at Logmark Bar. Summer Retreat - play two PGA championship-style golf courses, explore miles of wooded hiking trails that wind around the Otsego Resort property, offering stunning riverside, forest, and hilltop views. Our seasonal outdoor pool is a welcoming spot to sit back and relax or settle in and watch the golfers pass by from an Adirondack chair-perch. No matter what you choose Otsego Resort does not disappoint.

Otsego Resort has 80 years of experience helping families create lifelong memories. Start creating yours today!

Cuisine

Cheers to the newlyweds!

It doesn’t matter if you want a pasta bar or surf and turf, we have something for everyone. From champagne toasts and hors d’oeuvres to personalized buffets or elegant plated dinners, we make it easy for the bride and groom to select a custom menu that pleases all palettes.

Weddings as Unique as You

Otsego Resort is honored to assist you in planning a fully customizable wedding. From the linens to the food, we are here to ensure each detail is covered.

696 M32 E Gaylord, MI 49735 989-732-5181 otsegoresort.com Wedding Sales Manager Contact the resort directly at 989.732.5181 or email info@otsegoresort.com Wedding Locations 9 Ceremony Sites 9 Reception Areas

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Reception Capacity From 2 guests to 275+ guests On Site Lodging 78 Guests Hotel Rooms 2 Chalets 2 Townhomes

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wedding WEDDINGS WE LOVE

STORY BY ELIZABETH EDWARDS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAN STEWART PHOTOGRAPHY

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KAREY SEWARD & ANDREW MACDONALD | SEPTEMBER 7, 2019

Andrew and Karey met on Match.com. They were two singles living in Chicago—along with 2.7 million other people. Their first date was at a bar in Lincoln Park. It went well enough that he walked her home. That was when they realized they lived on the same block.

Of course, it takes more than geography to make a lifelong commitment, and Andrew and Karey soon realized they had all of that. They both love to laugh, love to party, love their families and friends. She is an over-planner; he balances that out with spontaneity. They share a love of the outdoors, water and boats. And it didn’t take more than one visit for Andrew to feel as passionate as Karey about the Glen Lake area where her family has summered for generations.

By the time they’d been together four years, marriage was a sure thing. But Karey had one request: To be surprised when he asked her.

(Not an easy thing to do for a woman who plans everything!) But using her birthday as an excuse, Andrew pulled it off on the rooftop of their apartment complex in Chicago. The guy who hates scrapbooking (Karey loves it) surprised her with a photo book of the 10 reasons he loves her and wants to spend the rest of his life with her. She cried as she read it. He’d made the background on the last page green. “Green meant go,” he says. Before she closed the book, he was down on one knee pulling out the ring.

And that ring? “Buying it was the scariest thing I’d ever done,” he says. But Andrew got it right.

“He’d listened to everything I ever said I wanted in a ring and found the perfect one,” Karey says. “I’m still obsessed with my ring.”

Thankfully for Andrew’s sake, choosing their wedding venue was easier. They both knew they wanted a destination wedding in the Glen Lake area. “I love out-of-town weddings because guests are invested for the whole weekend and you have more time to spend with everyone,” Karey says. That made choosing The Homestead, set on Lake Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Bay, the spectacularly obvious choice. The amenityfilled resort could easily accommodate their 185 guests—and provide a weekend full of scenic activities, beach time and water sports. Beyond that, The Homestead offers Bay Mountain for wedding ceremonies, an inspirational perch overlooking Lake Michigan, the Manitou Islands and even Glen Lake.

The “weekend” began on Thursday when the bride and a few bridesmaids moved into one big, beautiful house on the resort property, and the groom and his groomsmen moved into another house nearby. That gave plenty of time for hanging out on the beach, a hike along Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, golf and browsing the quaint shops in Glen Arbor. The rehearsal dinner was held at the resort’s casual, Northwoods rustic venue, Camp Firefly. Like all the food at The Homestead, the 4

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Italian buffet was overseen by the resort’s renowned chef, John Piombo. As the couple would find out, Piombo was just beginning to show off his culinary skills.

With the help of Sandy Luthardt, The Homestead’s event manager, and wedding coordinator Stacy Horn of Juniper & Lace Events, the wedding day, says Karey, was absolutely seamless. “They were both so wonderful to work with,” she says. “Stacy went above and beyond what we paid for.” Karey often joked with Stacy that, “You have turned into my best friend, you should be standing up at my wedding!”

Karey’s brother-in-law, Dr. David Duke, officiated at the intimate Bay Mountain ceremony. As he spoke, the sun came out and two hawks circled each other in the sky. Then it was back down the mountain on the chairlift for the reception at the resort’s Mountain Flowers Lodge for a plated dinner that included steak and salmon.

Once again, Chef John Piombo’s skills were on display: “The steak was just unreal,” Andrew says. “Everyone said it was one of the best steaks they’d ever had—and we had a bunch of Chicago foodies there.”

In lieu of a wedding cake, the couple ordered up donuts from Peace, Love & Little Donuts. Karey also surprised Andrew with a groom's cake, decorated with bagpipes complete with the Scottish MacDonald tartan and family crest.

Andrew and Karey chose Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight” for their first dance.

The couple had taken dance lessons, “so we didn’t look like idiots,” as Karey says. But guests didn’t see the full extent of Andrew’s new moves until the end of the evening when the newlyweds found themselves encircled by their loved ones as they danced to Celine Dion’s “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now.” Near the end of the song, Andrew picked Karey up and artfully swung her around. When she hit the ground she caught sight of her father tearing up with happiness.

No doubt, this couple knows how to entertain: They’d ordered up sliders to be brought in as the evening wore down. “Everyone cheered from the dance floor as they brought the platters in,” Karey says. Refueled, the bridal party kept the night going back at the groom’s house and hung out together until the wee hours of the morning.

However, everyone was up in time for the farewell brunch the next morning. Once again, the couple says, The Homestead staff outdid themselves with the beautiful spread. “I was so energized I didn’t eat,” Karey remembers. “But everyone couldn’t stop saying how great it was.” Words they also used to sum up the entire, wonderful weekend and the start of their lives together.

resources

Venue | The Homestead, thehomesteadresort.com Photographer | Dan Stewart Photography, danstewartphotography.com Wedding Planner | Stacy Horn, juniperandlaceevents.com

Videographer | LM Visuals LLC, lmvisuals.com Florist | Premier Floral Design, facebook.com/premierfloraldesign Rehearsal Dinner | The Homestead, thehomesteadresort.com Reception Dinner | The Homestead, thehomesteadresort.com DJ | Mr. Music DJ, mrmusicdjs.com Dessert Donuts | Peace Love & Little Donuts, peaceloveandlittledonuts.com Scottish Family Crest Cake | Aunt B’s Cakes & Desserts, find them on Facebook

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See more photos at MyNorth.com/TheHomestead21 Know an engaged couple? Send them MyNorth Wedding magazine at ShopMyNorth.com/Wedding21

2021 MyNorth Wedding

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Wedding Notebook The Homestead

Accommodations You’ll feel at home in one of our resort hotels or in the spaciousness of a privately-owned condominium or a home. Rates span a wide range but all are available on attractively priced wedding specials. So you can choose a level of luxury that suits your mood and your means.

Bay Mountain Ceremony

We invite you to visit a special place where generations of lovers have shared whispered promises, their faces caressed by Lake Michigan breezes, hearts touched by the vision of shimmering

A Suite at Little Belle

islands, souls stirred by watercolor sunsets over a vast bay and towering dunes. Here, at The Homestead, you’ll feel waves of emotion wash over you, as you discover the most wonderfully romantic setting in the place chosen by Good Morning America as the "Most Beautiful Place in America". You'll choose one of three wedding venues with unmatched style and beauty. Each promises a succession of memorable moments you’ll treasure forever.

To learn more, please call us. We will send you information filled with wonderful photos and warm reviews from recent brides. And, we will invite you to come for a visit. When you do, you’ll see that your perfect wedding, like Memories

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your love, can begin with a look and a touch.

Catering

We’ve carefully paired our menus with our community. They include seasonally fresh food from local farms and awardwinning wines from nearby vintners. To that we add sparkling table settings and seemless service for fabulous dining on the most important day of your lives.

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Event Facilities

Destination Services

Mountain Flowers Lodge

Almost touching the sky, and fresh as the flowers that scent its terraces, Bay Mountain offers panoramic views of Lake Michigan and Glen Lake. Your ceremony and cocktail reception can be there, dinner in the valley below at Mountain Flowers Lodge where you'll find the warmth of stone and pine logs with country gardens and a sparkling waterfall. Accommodates 170.

Camp Firefly captures the charm of the north woods with welcoming ponds, a pine-paneled great hall, covered porch with an outdoor fireplace and wildflower-lined patio overlooking a waterfall and pond. Accommodates 80.

A bouquet’s throw from the beach, Café Manitou inspires Thoreau-like vows in an intimate, shoreside setting with endless blue views of lake and sky from outdoor brick terraces a cozy café. Accommodates 40.

NEW! "Mountain Village" featuring an all new grocerant, restaurant, outdoor grill and bar, stage, dance floor and fire pits. And, a massive stone fireplace and curvilinear celebration table that's perfect for your rehearsal or brunch.

Lillyjade

You and your guests will enjoy the resort’s many amenities - beach, pools, tennis, golf, kayaks, stand up paddle boards, fitness center, skiing, and snowboarding. Your man and his groomsmen might enjoy golf at Manitou Passage Golf Club or Mountain Flowers Par 3.

You and your bridesmaids are sure to enjoy Spa Amira which overlooks Lake Michigan and offers lighthearted fun around a pool. Then, bathed in natural light beside Lillyjade Salon's reflecting pool, you and your bridemaids locks will be coiffed and colored, your nails and toenails buffed for the Big Day. You can welcome your guests with a beachfront bonfire–S’mores and sunsets are included! Your rehearsal reception, and brunch can feature sophisticated soirees or picnics to go.

Wood Ridge Road Camp Firefly

Glen Arbor, MI 49636 231-334-5000 231-334-5300 Events Phone thehomesteadresort.com Event Sales Tony Farragh Sandy Luthardt

Café Manitou

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Reception Capacity Up to 170

Event Rooms 3 Guest Rooms 225

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Choose One. You won’t be wrong.

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We’ve quietly created stylish new sites for weddings and receptions.

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They meld the majesty of Lake Michigan with the beauty of Leelanau.

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Glen Glen Arbor, Arbor, MI MI 49636 49636 || thehomesteadresort.com thehomesteadresort.com || 231.334.5000 231.334.5000 Glen49636 Arbor, MI|49636 | thehomesteadresort.com | 231.334.5000 Glen thehomesteadresort.com || 231.334.5000 Glen49636 Arbor, MI|49636 | thehomesteadresort.com | 231.334.5000 Glen Arbor, Arbor, MI MI thehomesteadresort.com 231.334.5000 12/15/20 11:24 AM

wedding WEDDINGS WE LOVE

STORY BY ELIZABETH EDWARDS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANELLE ELISE PHOTOGRAPHY

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ANNIE WEIDNER & MATT MURTHA | OCTOBER 10, 2020

Three weeks after their first date on March 28, 2017, Matt wrote a letter to Annie in a leather-bound notebook. Among other things it said, “I don’t know what the future holds, but I hope it holds you.” Both were attending Miami University (Ohio) at the time. He had just five weeks until graduation. She had a year and five weeks. In the three weeks he’d been dating Annie, he’d morphed from a guy who couldn’t wait to get out of school and start an independent life at a new job in Chicago, to a committed man.

The couple made it through that next year—Matt traveling whenever he could to Miami University, and Annie heading to Chicago when she had a break in her schedule.

After she graduated, Annie took a job in Chicago. As they continued their relationship, Matt kept writing letters in that notebook. The letters documented what they did together, what they did with their friends and the progression of their relationship. When he was ready to propose, he got her friends at work to ask her out for a girls’ happy hour. She drove with a girlfriend and when they pulled up, there was Matt, dressed in a suit—holding the notebook. He asked her to walk with him and as they did, he read her the letters. When they arrived at the Lily Pond in Lincoln Park, he got down on his knee. She could hardly see or speak through her tears, but she made her “yes” clear.

How to top the romance of that engagement? With the perfect wedding, of course.

But as it turned out, pulling it off would be complicated. Their initial plan was a destination wedding in California’s wine country. So, a year ago this fall, they planned a scouting trip to Sonoma and Napa to work out the details for a wedding on their chosen date, October 10, 2020. As they were waiting for their plane at Chicago O’Hare Airport, a friend texted and said, “Be safe.” They didn’t know what she meant until they walked over to a television and watched the news: Napa and Sonoma were on fire. They called their hotel and were told the hotel was only open to evacuees.

They decided they could easily pivot and drive south to look for venues in the Monterey/Carmel area. They did, and found a beautiful vineyard to be married in, and lined up many of the vendors that they needed to make a wedding happen. By March of 2020, they were busy buttoning-down plans when COVID-19 hit. Certainly, this will be OK by October, they thought. But by July, California was a COVID hotspot, and they could see the writing on the wall. It was time for another pivot: it would need to be a very small wedding, completely outside, in a region that was closer to Chicago and that wasn’t on the COVID hot list. Northern Michigan—a place where Annie’s family had vacationed and loved, might just be the answer.

The couple reached out to friends who’d been to weddings in the area, and the wedding venues at Boyne Mountain moved to the top of the list. And yes, Boyne Mountain had October 10, 2020, free. More exciting yet, theirs would be one of the first weddings at the new EK Preserve—a rustically elegant wooded setting on the Boyne River with a lodge for the bridal party to get ready in.

The temps were in the 70s and it was peak color season in Northern Michigan the week of the wedding. “It looked like fall, but felt like summer,” Annie says. The bridal party arrived on Wednesday and moved into the resort’s well-appointed Mountain Cabins. Over the next several days they hiked and visited nearby Boyne Valley Vineyards.

When the other guests began arriving on Friday, they hosted a golf competition on The Alpine course at Boyne Mountain. 4

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With so many gorgeous outdoor venues at Boyne Mountain, all the event functions could be held safely outside. First, a bridesmaids’ luncheon on the Beach House Lawn beside sweet Deer Lake. The rehearsal dinner was held on Stein Eriksen’s patio, at the base of a ski hill and in front of a charming Alpine-style building. When the dinner was finished, the patio became the site of the welcome party, complete with a bonfire and s’mores.

The sky was just as blue the day of the wedding, but the temperature had fallen into the 50s. Annie had purchased her wedding gown for a California wedding, but she never felt cold. “I must have had so much adrenaline that I felt like I had a coat on,” she says. The ceremony at the edge of the Boyne River was intimate and simple. The only decor was a large wooden cross that a family friend had made. The pastor, also an old family friend, included the guests in the service. Annie and Matt exchanged their own vows. “Later, friends told us that it felt like they’d been at a spiritual retreat—everything was centered on peace and love,” Annie says.

Serenity turned to jubilation as the guests and bridal party made the short walk to a huge tent—big enough to make sure all tables were spaced six feet from each other. The plated dinner offered three elegant choices: filet mignon, halibut with truffle butter and chicken piccata. Between speeches, the newlyweds snuck away with the photographer, Janelle Elise, for sunset photos. “As we were going back up the hill, the sun was filtering through these really tall trees,” Matt says. “Janelle said, ‘We have 30 seconds to capture the light, we have to run.’ So, we chased the sunset—and those are some of our favorite shots.”

The six-piece Brena Band from Grand Rapids got the tent rocking. “They played everything from ‘Come On Eileen’ to Justin Bieber,” Annie says. “I’ve never seen a wedding with the guests so involved with the music—my grandparents were dancing to songs they’d never heard of in their lives!”

The couple had planned a sparkler sendoff, but they took Janelle’s suggestion for a better fairytale ending: Dancing alone under the market lights hung in the trees. And that is how Annie and Matt ended their perfect wedding. The wedding that neither fire, nor COVID, could stop.

Read more about what Annie learned about wedding planning (by planning her own wedding three times!) on her lifestyle blog, annieweidner.com.

resources

Venue | Boyne Mountain, boynemountain.com Photographer | Janelle Elise Photography, janelleelise.com Wedding Planner | MerryMakers, merrymkr.com

Videographer | Flom Films, flomfilms.com Florist | Sweetwater Floral, sweetwaternorth.com Catering | Boyne Mountain, boynemountain.com Cake | Simply Sweet by Jessica, simplysweetbyjessica.com Live Music | Brena Band, brenaband.com Bridal Gown | Lovely Bride, lovelybride.com Hair & Makeup | Vogue Salon & Spa, vogue-salons.com Rentals | Rental Express, rentaltime.com

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See more photos at MyNorth.com/Boyne21 Know an engaged couple? Send them MyNorth Wedding magazine at ShopMyNorth.com/Wedding21

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Wedding Notebook

Janelle Elise Photography

Boyne Mountain Resort

Experience a rustically elegant private estate in the perfect Northern Michigan setting The eloquent 30-acre private estate owned by Boyne Resorts, is the original home of Midwestern ski pioneer, Everett Kircher. With white pine trees scattered throughout the property and Boyne River flowing through the backyard, this venue is nothing short of magical. Tucked away from the world and surrounded by nature.

Just minutes away from various must-see Northern Michigan destinations, The Lodge at EK Preserve is in the center of it all. With numerous breathtaking beaches, world-renowned golf courses, wine and beer trails, the amenities for your wedding weekend are endless.

Your wedding at The Lodge at EK Preserve will be filled with unforgettable memories and experiences.

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Accommodations

Here, you will find yourself connected with nature. Imagine the sounds of the river flowing, birds singing in rejoice and the rustle of wind blowing through the trees. Offering both outdoor ceremony and reception space, you can choose to dance the night away under a starry night or under a glowing tent provided by one of Northern Michigan’s well respected vendors. Let us take some of the stress away by offering an on-site Event Coordinator who will help you with the details of your wedding every step of the way up to the wedding day! Catering and beverage, linens, glassware, flatware, china – don’t sweat it. We’ve got you covered!

As an extension of our Boyne Mountain location, your guests will be provided with lodging accommodations for all needs. With over 426 guest rooms and five different condo styles to choose from, your guests will receive discounted rates for lodging and get to experience all the amenities Boyne Mountain has to offer. Better yet, your guests can take a complimentary shuttle ride to and from The Lodge at EK Preserve.

The main house and carriage house at The Lodge at EK Preserve accommodate up to 16 guests total so you and your wedding party can enjoy a fun-filled weekend quietly tucked away in nature.

Janelle Elise Photography

Janelle Elise Photography

Wedding Venues

Catering & Beverage Services Not only will the venue sweep you off your feet, but the exquisite catering. Crafted and served by our own Boyne Mountain catering team, we will do nothing but serve you and your wedding party with the utmost high-quality food and beverage service. Boyne offers a full selection of spirits, wine, beer and an exceptional cuisine to satisfy every palette.

Amenities Bring yourself and your sense of adventure! Boyne Mountain offers activities for guests of all ages. Experience the thrill of zooming through the trees on our Zipline Adventure Tour, race your friends on the Twin Zip Ride, or explore the ambiance of Northern Michigan by mountain bike or saddle!

Golf enthusiasts are welcomed! Choose from the open fairways of The Alpine or enjoy a round on The Monument. Regardless of which course you play, enjoy excellent dining and an epic sunset across the street at the Beach House on Deer Lake.

Plan an afternoon at Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark.

88,000 square feet of fun, seven waterslides and four pools.

You don’t want to miss out on the splashy experience!

Relax and recharge. The Spa at Boyne Mountain is designed to rejuvenate active adventurers – a refuge where friends can reconnect while lounging in soft robes with mimosas by the fire. The perfect complement to an exciting wedding weekend!

The Lodge at EK Preserve 1188 Addis Road Boyne Falls, MI 49713 231-549-6834 weddings@boynemountain.com Wedding Sales Manager Kate Worland

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Reception Capacity 300+

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A SPECTACULAR A SPECTACULAR SETTING FOR A SPECTACULAR SETTING FOR THE PERFECT SETTING FOR THE PERFECT DAY. THE PERFECT DAY. THE RIGHT PEOPLE. THE RIGHT DAY. SETTING. AND THE IDEAL THE RIGHT PEOPLE. THE RIGHT PARTNERS TO MAKE THE SURE THE RIGHT PEOPLE. SETTING. AND THE IDEAL RIGHT EVERYTHING COMES TOGETHER SETTING. AND THE IDEAL PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE PERFECTLY. PARTNERS TOCOMES MAKE SURE EVERYTHING TOGETHER BRING YOUR VISION AND WE EVERYTHING COMES -TOGETHER PERFECTLY. WILL BRING IT TO LIFE. PERFECTLY. BRING YOUR VISION - AND WE BRING YOURITVISION - AND WE WILL BRING TO LIFE. WILL BRING IT TO LIFE.

PROPERTY FEATURES SIX DIFFERENT VENUE SPACES PROPERTY FEATURES

PROPERTY INDOOR AND FEATURES OUTDOOR. OVER SIX DIFFERENT VENUE SPACES 400 GUESTROOMS AND SPACES SIX DIFFERENT VENUE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR. OVER CONDOS. INDOOR WATERPARK. INDOOR AND OUTDOOR. 400 GUESTROOMS AND OVER TWO 18-HOLE GOLFAND COURSES. 400 GUESTROOMS CONDOS. INDOOR WATERPARK. COUNTLESS ACTIVITIES. CONDOS. INDOOR TWO 18-HOLE GOLFWATERPARK. COURSES. TWO 18-HOLE GOLF COURSES. COUNTLESS ACTIVITIES. 2021_WED_BOYNE.indd 40 COUNTLESS ACTIVITIES.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO START PLANNING YOUR SPECIAL FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO DAY, CONTACT: FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO START PLANNING YOUR SPECIAL START PLANNING YOUR SPECIAL DAY, W E D DCONTACT: INGS@BOYNEMOUNTAIN.COM 2DAY, 3 1 - 5 4CONTACT: 9-6834 WEDDINGS@BOYNEMOUNTAIN.COM IN 2W 3E 1 -D 5D 49 - 6G8S3@ 4B O Y N E M O U N T A I N . C O M 231-549-6834 12/15/20 11:27 AM

wedding WEDDINGS WE LOVE

STORY BY CARLY SIMPSON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TYLEE SHAY PHOTOGRAPHY

2021 MyNorth Wedding

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JENNA KIMBERLEY & COLE MCCLELLAND | SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

Jenna and Cole met in college (their roommates were dating), but both of them were seeing other people at the time. After graduation, in 2009, they were living in Manhattan and, both now single, went on their first date the day after Christmas. Then a curveball came: They were moving to different cities across the country. The timing just wasn’t right.

Fast forward to 2015; Jenna and Cole were both living in their shared hometown of Des Moines, Iowa. Their college roommates, and close friends, had gotten married and were expecting their first child. Jenna and Cole were asked to be the godparents. When they saw each other at the baby shower, six years after they’d first met, they both knew the timing was finally right.

Cole proposed four years later on Christmas Eve during a ski trip in Telluride, Colorado, while they were riding a gondola up to a restaurant for dinner. Soon after, the couple started planning their wedding.

Life had another curveball for them, though. After planning two weddings due to changing COVID-19 travel restrictions and safety recommendations—the first on Italy’s Amalfi Coast and a backup plan in Telluride—Jenna and Cole were exhausted. “There is no greater premarital counseling than two people living together, working at home together and planning a wedding together during a pandemic,” Jenna says. “We were about to go to the courthouse.”

But Cole wasn’t ready to throw in the towel quite yet, so he did some research and came across Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island.

It checked all the boxes: a location within driving distance of their home in Iowa for guests to safely travel to and, most importantly, it's dog friendly. Jenna and Cole weren’t going to walk down the aisle without their 9-year-old golden retriever Mickey Mantle, who was diagnosed with lymphoma two weeks before the wedding, making it even more special to have him there.

Neither of them had been to Mackinac Island before, so eight weeks before their wedding date, they packed up the car and drove the 10-plus hours from Iowa to Northern Michigan to experience the area and tour the resort. (Jenna and Cole now plan to make the drive north every summer to celebrate their anniversary.)

“While walking up to the resort from the ferry, as soon as we saw the large front lawn with white Adirondack chairs overlooking the beautiful water, we knew that was the view we’d be looking at when we got married,” Jenna says. “After we checked in, we walked the entire property inside and out, and the second we walked into Chianti [a restaurant at the resort], we knew this was where we wanted our 4

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reception to be. We had visions of our guests mingling on both floors, with the doors to the balcony and the garden open and the band playing near the large staircases.”

Mission Point had never closed Chianti for a wedding; however, Michaelena Waite, the resort’s wedding sales manager, made it happen for Jenna and Cole. Michaelena and Senior Conference Services Manager Andrea Crawford also helped the couple navigate continually changing safety regulations, making the 55-person wedding “effortless,” Jenna says.

The day of the wedding, before the festivities kicked off, guests spent the morning playing mini-golf at The Greens of Mackinac (Mission Point’s 18-hole putting course), biking around the island (the resort offers rentals) and hiking nearby trails (Manitou Trail, which leads to the island’s famous Arch Rock, starts right behind the resort). Mickey even made a friend, Nick—a border collie and very special resort employee who patrols the lawn for geese to chase.

The outdoor ceremony was simple and elegant—a flower-adorned arbor and that Great Lakes view Jenna and Cole fell in love with—with Mickey by their side the entire time. Guests enjoyed a cocktail hour afterward with arancini, shrimp cocktail and charcuterie, while the newlyweds took photos in the resort’s gardens.

For dinner, the resort’s chefs prepared a mixed green salad with dried cherries, feta, candied pecans and a house-made vinaigrette. The second course was a choice of Lake Superior whitefish or flat iron steak and scallops, with sides of haricots verts and a classic risotto with Parmesan. Dessert was an assortment of truffles from Bella e Dolce.

Jenna and Cole agree their favorite part of the reception was their first dance to “Right Down the Line” by Gerry Rafferty, performed by the Bluewater Kings Band which kept guests dancing throughout the night.

The wedding weekend wrapped up the following evening with friends gathered cozily around a fireplace in Mission Point’s lobby, grateful for time spent together.

resources

Venue, Reception Dinner & Beverages | Mission Point Resort, missionpoint.com Photographer & Videographer | Tylee Shay & Gavin Shay, tyleeshay.com Rehearsal Dinner | Carriage House at Hotel Iroquois, iroquoishotel.com Gown | Modern Dress, modern-dress.com Tuxedo | Langel & Woods Clothiers, langelwoods.com Hair | April Ford, best friend of the bride Makeup | Lakeside Spa & Salon at Mission Point, missionpoint.com/spa Flowers | Weber’s Floral & Gift, facebook.com/webersfloralgift Cake & Desserts | Bella e Dolce, bellaedolce.com Music | Bluewater Kings Band, bluewaterkingsband.com

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Wedding Notebook

Tylee Shay Photography

Mission Point Resort

Mackinac Island’s Premier Lakefront Wedding Venue Located on the sunrise side of historic Mackinac Island, family-owned, award-winning Mission Point Resort has been a premier site for wedding ceremonies and receptions for generations. Spectacular views, lush lawns and gardens, refreshing lake breezes and a deep sense of historic character all distinguish our resort as the ideal destination for your special day. The atmosphere of genuine hospitality, relaxed elegance and inviting comfort provides the perfect setting for rest, inspiration and meaningful connections.

Christine Magee Photography

Memorable Weddings

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Whether it’s a small intimate wedding or larger celebration, the team at Mission Point is here to make your vision of your perfect day come to life. Mission Point is home to a variety of ceremony and reception spaces, all of which reflect the unparalleled beauty and tranquility of Mackinac Island. The property is set on 18 acres of expansive lawns and beautiful shoreline overlooking Lake Huron with limitless possibilities for taking gorgeous wedding photos and creating a lifetime of memories.

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Mackinac Island

Our culinary team is committed to high quality, sustainably sourced and innovative dishes and the culinary experience at Mission Point is second to none in northern Michigan.

Ingredients featured on our menus are sourced from the farms, forests and waters of the Straits of Mackinac area and state of Michigan; regional influences help to transform each meal into a memorable and delicious culinary experience.

Beautifully situated at the intersection of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, Mackinac Island is a storybook location filled with historic character and unparalleled beauty. From horse-drawn carriages and tandem bicycles to famous fudge and flowers galore, Mackinac is the perfect destination for weddings large and small, second weddings or for couples wanting to renew their vows. Consistently voted one of the top islands in the United States, Mackinac’s romantic charm can be found all around the island – century old churches, garden gazebos, turquoise blue water, refreshing lake breezes and gorgeous flowers.

Wendy Thibodeau Photography

Weber Photographers

Delicious Food

Lakeside Spa & Salon

Andrejka Photography

Mission Point is also home to Lakeside Spa & Salon, a full-service Aveda salon with a variety of bridal services and packages available for your perfect day. Lakeside Spa & Salon is the largest and most modern salon on Mackinac Island and boasts a complete menu of services for bridal parties and individuals including spa treatments, massages, facials, aromatherapy, manicures, pedicures, hair styling, eyelash enhancements and makeup application.

We also invite you to reserve our intimate bridal-ready room, which is a great private wedding headquarters for the day.

Andrejka Photography

One Lakeshore Drive Mackinac Island, MI 49757 906-430-8137 weddings@missionpoint.com missionpoint.com

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Wedding Sales Manager: Michaelena Waite

Hotel Guest Rooms: 241

Reception Capacity up to 350

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MISSION POINT MACKINAC ISLAND

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Reserve Your Dream Venue

The perfect place to say I do or host any event.

Offering various wedding and event packages.

GABRIEL FARMS & WINERY

Est. 2000 2800 East Mitchell, Petoskey, MI 49770 (231) 622-8880 • gabrielfarms2800@gmail.com www.gabrielfarmsandwinery.com

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Houdek’s

Founder of Restroom Trailers for Outdoor Weddings & Special Events

Luxury Outdoor Bathroom Trailers Comfort choices for your Northern Michigan destination wedding or event.

“Portable Frig & Bar”

• Daily and Weekend Rentals • Heat and A/C available

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231-883-9437 • rentals@geartogorentals.com geartogorentals.com

231-633-5081 • 231-256-7867 (PUMP) HOUDEKSTRAILERS.COM

DREAMY STINATION

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THE LAKE HOUSE, LUDINGTON

in timate ve n ue s Boutique wedding experiences in the time of COVID-19.

for an indoor ceremony or cocktail hour. Packages can include catering, venue décor, flowers, cake and more, making it easy to plan an island soirée. HARBOURVIEWINN.COM

BY CARLY SIMPSON | PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LAKE HOUSE

WINE & WED

As micro-weddings become more common, smaller guest lists are presenting unique opportunities for couples and their loved ones.

NAUTICAL NUPTIALS Tie the knot on the deck of Tall Ship Manitou. Sailing out of Traverse City, the Manitou has a maximum capacity of 59 passengers, with plenty of space for sitting and moving around the decks while on the water. Catering is available aboard the schooner prepared by Chef Lexi, with elegant menu items such as French baguettes along with kale, quinoa and grapefruit salad and chimichurri pork kabobs, making it a fun option for rehearsal dinners, too. TALLSHIPSAILING.COM

ISLAND “I DO’S” Exchange vows on a veranda overlooking Mackinac Island’s harbor with up to 20 guests at Harbor View Inn. The historic 19th-century inn, located near downtown, also offers a timeless gazebo with courtyard seating for up to 40 and a front lawn site that can accommodate 80. A Victorian parlor provides a cozy location

The team at Chateau Chantal will tailor a wedding package to fit your needs, from an exquisite elopement to a small ceremony with up to 44 of your closest family members and friends at the Old Mission Peninsula winery and inn. The property has several ceremony locations, including an indoor 2,000-square-foot hospitality room and an outdoor vineyard setting with a Grand Traverse Bay backdrop.

All guests and participants must be registered overnight guests at Chateau Chantal's Bed & Breakfast, giving you time to explore the stunning peninsula. CHATEAUCHANTAL.COM

LAKESIDE GATHERING Opened in June 2019, The Lake House in Ludington is set between the S.S. Badger dock and Harbor View Marina with views of Lake Michigan. The new venue features more than 5,800 square feet of space to accommodate a variety of guests counts, from 50 to 300. The LaPetit Sunset Wedding Package is perfect for small parties with up to 25 guests. Available Monday– Wednesday, it includes a waterfront ceremony site, appetizers, a plated entrée, bar service, use of a bride and groom suite and more.

LAKEHOUSEVENUE.COM

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Grace Hudson of Captured by Grace Photography is a pro at capturing couples’ intimate and adventurous moments. She shares some of the North’s most romantic settings, and tips, for engagement photos.

PHOTOS BY GRACE HUDSON, CAPTURED BY GRACE PHOTOGRAPHY

Pyramid Point, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore It's important to schedule your session an hour or two before sunset for that golden glow! Plan and budget for more time if you're going to hike around the dunes, as many of the great views are an average of a mile hike out.

COUPLE PHOTOGRAPHED: HEATHER & PETER

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Robert H. Manning Memorial Lighthouse, Empire Unique architecture not only showcases great locations, but it also creates interesting lines to draw your eyes toward the most important subject: You! COUPLE PHOTOGRAPHED: CLAIRE & JASON

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Northern Michigan Wedding Expo Traverse CiTy Win our Ultimate Wedding Package Giveaway!

You'll also have chances to get raffle prizes, door prizes and vendor prizes!

Check our website and Facebook for updates

Coming...

Summer & Fall

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Facebook: Northern MI Wedding Expo Website: www.nmiweddingexpo.com

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Warehouse District, Traverse City Don't let rain stop your adventures! Cloudy days make your skin look great and bright colors pop, plus I always carry a cute umbrella in my car in case of a rainy-day session.

COUPLE PHOTOGRAPHED: HOLLY & ROB

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Let’s make your special day even BRIGHTER. PRE-WEDDING SKIN CARE TREATMENTS ARE HERE.

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Three distinct environments to accommodate up to three hundred people bluebridgeevents.com | 231.668.6950

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Bonobo Winery, Old Mission Peninsula Choose a location you love to visit on date nights or in your free time. You're already comfortable and happy there, and that shines through in your photos!

COUPLE PHOTOGRAPHED: LAUREN & JEFF

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Chandler Lake, Traverse City The most important thing to remember is to be yourself.

Don't worry about “posing” or what to do with your hands— a great photographer will keep you moving and laughing to capture those sweet in-between moments where you authentically connect with each other.

COUPLE PHOTOGRAPHED: PAIGE & DAVID

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Suttons Bay If you want to highlight a seasonal feature like sunflowers, cherry blossoms or fall colors, make sure to communicate often and early with your photographer to plan your session at just the right time.

COUPLE PHOTOGRAPHED: SOPHIE & DAN

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Your Up North Winery Wedding Destination

“I can’t say enough good things about Chateau Chantal and our experience. I still feel like our wedding day was out of a dream. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful venue and the staff were so accommodating and easy to work with. We had the perfect day and I am so grateful to everyone at Chateau Chantal who helped make it happen.”

- Amy A. Weddings • Receptions • Elopements • Lodging 231.223.4110 | events@chateauchantal.com 2021_WEDDING_cover.indd 3

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MISSION POINT MACKINAC ISLAND

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