MyNorth Wedding, 2023

“We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect venue, our guests couldn’t stop talking about how beautiful it was. e whole venue felt like a fairytale to me.”

–Bride Katelynn, Sept 2022

weddings • special events • private parties

For Couples Who Love Up North

To know Northern Michigan is to love it. Whether you spend every summer at the family’s lakeside cottage, have an annual weekend getaway during fall color season or visit just once. And that’s what leads to so many people choosing to be married here. Every couple we interview is so excited to share a piece of Up North with their guests, and we’ve heard time and time again that their guests say, “This was the most beautiful wedding we’ve ever been to.” But it’s not just the North’s breathtaking landscapes and stunning seasons that make this place so special—it’s the wildly talented and creative wedding professionals, from planners and photographers to florists, bakers, DJs, hair stylists and more who come together to make your day shine. We hope these ideas inspire and help you plan the wedding of your dreams.

—THE EDITORS

4 | TOP TRENDS

From bold hues to elevated florals, here are seven hot wedding ideas you'll see see in 2023.

9 | GRAND TRAVERSE RESORT & SPA

When the pandemic threw a wrench in this couple’s plans for a large indoor wedding, the team at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa went above and beyond to make their special day possible.

17 | BAY VIEW WEDDINGS AT GALLAGHER FARMS

Cherry orchards? Check. Panoramic view of Grand Traverse Bay? Check. This Traverse City venue was the perfect spot for a Memorial Day Weekend destination wedding.

25 | THE HOMESTEAD

When it comes to wedding ceremonies, three times was the charm for this couple, who held out for their dream day. And The Homestead, with its sandy Lake Michigan beach and variety of lodging options, was the icing on the cake.

33 | WILLOWBROOK MILL

This idyllic event venue in equally idyllic Northport holds a special spot in the hearts of this couple, who invited friends and family to celebrate during Northern Michigan’s glorious fall color season.

44 | ENGAGEMENT PHOTO ADVENTURES

Turn your engagement photo session into a day trip or weekend getaway, picking locations that are special to you as a couple.

MyNorth Wedding is produced by MyNorth Media. Advertising and editorial offices at: 415 Cass St., Traverse City, MI 49684. 231.941.8174, MyNorth.com.

All rights reserved. Copyright 2023, Heritage Broadcasting Company of Michigan. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

from traditional

These top trends will help you plan the wedding of your dreams in 2023.

BY MELISSA CONRADIE OF CONRADIE EVENT DESIGN

to tailored

The modern-day wedding couple is all about showcasing their individuality and style; fewer couples are focused on a “traditional” approach to planning their big day. We’re seeing couples thinking outside of the box and planning wedding celebrations that are tailored to their personalities—from the décor to their attire. Follow along for some of the top wedding trends you’ll see in 2023.

1. fashion forward

The traditional white dress is likely to be replaced by shades of blue and jewel tones—cornflower blue will make an appearance this year. It’s also likely you’ll see fashion-forward suits that ditch tradition for statement pieces, incorporating fitted cuts that are simple and more comfortable. Eye-catching accessories are also becoming more prominent. If you’re seeking a softer palette, don’t worry— pastels such as peach and blush with sheer overlays are still in style this season. PHOTO

BY HALLIE KOHLER PHOTOGRAPHY

2. bold hues

We can expect to see pastels taking a bit of a back seat this year, as bolder color palettes are starting to make a splash.

PHOTO BY JESSE DAVID GREEN PHOTOGRAPHY, FLORALS BY BLOOM FLORAL DESIGN

3. intimate gatherings

Smaller celebrations allow couples to reallocate their budget and focus on creating more elevated experiences—from eye-catching décor to next-level menus.

BY SAMANTHA JAMES PHOTOGRAPHY, FLORALS BY FIELD OF FLOWERS NORTH

PHOTO

4. adventure seekers

Couples are more interested than ever in creating impactful experiences for their special day. We’re seeing couples look beyond the traditional rehearsal dinner and wedding day events, with destination wedding getaways gaining popularity. This type of wedding celebration gives couples the opportunity to really take in being surrounded by their nearest and dearest for more than one or two days. Even better: this can double as an extended vacation for the guests and a honeymoon for the couple after the wedding celebration has concluded.

5. design to new heights

Elevated florals make a full-scale impact and allow for a visually striking statement. More couples are opting for suspended floral arrangements and keeping their tabletop floral designs simple and modern by incorporating different shapes and textures.

PHOTO BY RYAN RAY PHOTOGRAPHY, FLORALS BY BLOOM FLORAL DESIGN

6. a retro touch

The puffy sleeve is back! The quintessential staple of ’80s fashion is being paired with a modern twist: form-fitting cuts to full-skirted gowns.

PHOTO BY OLIVIA ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Melissa Conradie lives in Traverse City with her husband and business partner, Dawie, and English bulldog, Lola. With a passion for design, creative endeavors and bringing people joy on their happiest days, Melissa’s boutique event planning and design company has been creating unique memories in exceptional locations since 2011. conradieeventdesign.com

7. all that glimmers

Twilight weddings that take place closer to dusk will be on trend in 2023. The season does play a role in whether or not this type of wedding is possible. Couples seeking a twilight ceremony filled with stunning candlelit walkways should opt for an autumn or winter wedding.

BY BETH PRICE PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO

GrandResortTraverse & Spa

BY ELIZABETH EDWARDS PHOTOS BY SLOW JUKE PHOTOGRAPHY

Claire Dijak & Shaughn Handley

GRAND TRAVERSE RESORT & SPA, TRAVERSE CITY | JULY 17, 2021

Claire and shaughn’s wedding is proof that, despite obstacles, love prevails. On October 26, 2019, Shaughn proposed to Claire on a vacation in Colorado. The couple, who live in Traverse City, immediately began planning a large wedding at a big indoor venue there for the next summer.

We all know what the Covid-19 lockdown did to the best-laid wedding plans. With a 2020 wedding scratched off, they booked for 2021 at the same venue. But just two months before the July date, they were told the venue would be restricted to 25 guests (Covid again). With invitations waiting to be sent out, they knew they’d have to scramble to locate an available reception venue.

Claire’s father, Tim, rolled up his sleeves and got on the phone. His calls included Grand Traverse Resort, a venue with several outdoor wedding spaces. But, of course, they were already booked. Tim didn’t give up, explaining the couple’s dilemma. The resort’s wedding coordinator at the time, Steve Baehr, graciously offered them the use of The Clubhouse and adjacent lawn at the 18th hole of the resort’s beautiful golf course, The Bear. While The Clubhouse is often used for events, it has never been the site of a wedding. Unbelievably, the resort also offered to cater and staff the wedding. Claire and Shaughn would, however, need to find their own tent, tables and chairs.

Enter the invincible Melissa Conradie of Conradie Event Design. “She helped us coordinate getting everything we needed,” Claire says. “She made it work; we wouldn’t have been able to do it without her.”

With all finally in place, Shaughn and his friends kicked off the wedding weekend with a golf outing at Grand Traverse Resort before the rehearsal dinner.

The next afternoon, the ceremony took place at St. Francis Church in Traverse City. Afterward, the wedding party boarded the Traverse City Wine & Beer Tours white trolley and headed out to Old Mission Peninsula for photos. By 5 p.m., they were back at the resort to join their guests for cocktails and appetizers.

Booking the resort at the last minute meant that the couple hadn’t had time to try the food in advance. “We thought, ‘We’ll just get what we get,’” Claire recalls. The appetizers—which included delicious bites like tuna tartare on wonton chips and crostini topped with goat cheese and morel mushrooms—were the tipoff that the entire meal would be outstanding. Not only was the food impressive, but so were the well-staffed bar and knowledgeable bartender. Then came the plated dinner with entree choices of filet mignon, cherry chicken or vegetarian pasta, all of which, Claire says, was “yummy right down to the cheesy potatoes dauphine, salad and mixed veggies.”

The couple kicked off the dancing to Gregory Alan Isakov’s “Suitcase Full of Sparks,” which set the stage for a romantic evening. Jordan Anderson with Mr. Music DJ & Event Services followed the dance with a playlist of upbeat, fun music. When guests needed to refuel, the resort staff supplied pizza. “We heard it came but we never even saw it,” Claire says, laughing. As the reception wound down, Claire and Shaughn retired to their suite in The Tower at Grand Traverse Resort—accommodations that came with a jaw-dropping view of Grand Traverse Bay. After soaking in that panorama the next morning, the newlyweds headed back to the tent for a farewell brunch, catered by the resort. “It was wonderful because we got more use out of the tent and one more chance to enjoy the way Melissa and [florist] Amy Kate decorated it,” says Claire.

The brunch was a lovely ending to the wedding that went on against all odds. “Melissa and the resort were amazing,” Claire says. “They really pulled out all the stops.”

resources

Venue

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa grandtraverseresort.com

Photography Slow Juke Photography

Videographer Mountain & Mitten Videography mountainandmitten.com

Wedding Planning & Event Design

Conradie Event Design conradieeventdesign.com

Wedding Cake

Aunt B’s Cakes & Dessert 231.642.1205

Rentals Event Theory eventtheory.com

Sensational Events TC sensationaleventstc.com

Florist Amy Kate Designs amykatedesigns.com

Music Mr. Music DJ mrmusicdjs.com

Stationery Holly Thomas Design hollythomasdesign.com

Honey Paper Boutique honeypaperboutique.wixsite.com/ website

Hair & Makeup

Pavlova Salon & Spa pavlovaspasalon.com

Trolley Traverse City Wine & Beer Tours wineandbeertours.com

Melissa and the resort were amazing. They really pulled out all the stops.

Weddings

at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

Multiple Venues

86,500 square feet of versatile indoor and outdoor function space gives you ultimate flexibility in selecting the venues for your special day.

All guests can enjoy the on-site Spa, Salon, Golf and nearby Turtle Creek Casino. With multiple venue spaces you can create intimate unions or grand affairs. Your guests will feel every bit loved, cherished and honored as the wedding couple.

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 northern Michigan charm and elegance. 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 venue selection of your choice into a truly unforgettable environment. You’ll appreciate the smooth, detail-oriented leadership of our event professionals, as they turn your vision into reality. Welcome parties and rehearsal dinners are easily arranged onsite.

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).

Catering

From 25 to 2,000 people, our Catering department can make an unforgettable experience for your wedding. 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! Our culinary team is well versed on dietary restrictions and are more than happy to accommodate your needs.

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.

• The Bear by Jack Nicklaus

• The Wolverine by Gary Player

• Spruce Run by William Newcomb

Our 100,000-square-foot Health Club offers something for everyone. Features include:

• Fully equipped Cardio and Weight Room

Whether you stay in the Hotel, the Tower or a Condominium, you’ll revel in the natural splendor of the outdoors, the luxurious amenities and outstanding accommodations within.

• The Hotel – Our six-story hotel is undergoing a $10 million renovation to be completed in Spring 2023. The renovation includes over 200 guest rooms, 2 junior suites, 4 hospitality suites and corridors.

• The Tower – Our 17-story Tower offers 186 large, luxuriously appointed rooms and suites. You’ll relax amid breathtaking views of East Grand Traverse Bay, and the rolling hills and orchards of the surrounding golf courses.

• Condominiums - Experience 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.

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 experts at Spa Grand Traverse provide endless relaxation for wedding couples and their guests alike, offering luxurious treatments and massage, along with bridal party hair and makeup services. 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 and other winter activities.

• Fitness Classes

• 15,000-square-foot Indoor Water Playground

• Recreation Pool

• 5 Indoor and 4 Outdoor Tennis Courts

100 Grand Traverse Village Blvd. Acme, MI 49610-0404 231-534-6000 800-748-0303 weddings@gtresort.com GrandTraverseResort.com

Reception Capacity 2,500 Event Rooms 35 Guest Rooms 585

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

Bay View Weddings at Gallagher Farms

BY ELIZABETH EDWARDS PHOTOS BY MEGAN HANNON PHOTOGRAPHY

Danielle Parker & Alex Solis

BAY VIEW WEDDINGS AT GALLAGHER FARMS, TRAVERSE CITY | MAY 28, 2022

Romances that begin as close friendships are generally very blessed. Such was the case with Danielle and Alex, who met as undergraduates at Ohio’s Bowling Green State University. Alex is two years older and graduated first, heading off to start his professional career. Several years later, after Danielle had graduated, the two both ended up working at their alma mater, where Alex is now chief of staff to President Rodney Rogers and Danielle is a senior director of development.

With so many shared interests, values and experiences, a romance bloomed. In January of 2021, eight years after they’d met as undergrads, Alex proposed on a hike in a nearby Toledo Metropark. Danielle was all in. The only decision left before they started their lives together was what kind of wedding they wanted.

When they started imagining their big day, Danielle recalls that Traverse City kept coming up. Alex, who is from the Detroit area, had vacationed across the state with his family throughout his childhood. But Danielle, who is from a small town in Ohio, had never been to Northern Michigan. When Alex found that out, he made plans for them to take their first trip away together to Traverse City. Smitten with the area, Danielle remembers thinking, “Where has this been all my life?” After that, the couple escaped to the Traverse area a couple times a year getting acquainted with the wineries, restaurants and scenic beauty.

With their busy careers, the two knew that if they were going to pull off a destination wedding, they’d need help, and began contacting Traverse area planners. One phone call with Meaghan Kenny of Fox & Fern Events had them sold. “We can’t speak highly enough of Meaghan and her team,” says Danielle. “We just felt really inspired by her vision for our special day. We were instantly comfortable with her and she has such great connections and relationships around Traverse City.”

After interviewing them about what kind of wedding they wanted (outdoors and hopefully on Memorial Day Weekend), Meaghan set up tours of several venues on a weekend in early March. They liked the other venues, but when they drove up the hill to Bay View Weddings at Gallagher Farms, they were blown away by the beautiful grounds that include working cherry orchards and the horizon-filled view of Grand Traverse Bay. “I thought, if it looks like this with an inch of snow on the ground and no leaves on the trees, imagine what it will look like in May,” Alex remembers.

But it was Bay View Weddings owner Rose Gallagher who really tipped the scale. “Rose is incredible and has fostered such an unforgettable venue. She is just fantastic to get to know and to work with—she is like a rockstar of the wedding world,” Danielle says.

The plans came together harmoniously for the Saturday of Memorial Weekend 2022. Danielle and Alex booked The Guesthouse at Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery (their favorite Up North winery) to stay in, while some of the 150 guests stayed in rented properties and hotels in Traverse City and others opted to camp. Before and after the wedding, guests toured wineries, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and some even headed to Mackinac Island and the Upper Peninsula.

The festivities kicked off with a Friday evening rehearsal dinner at outdoor tables set in Gallagher Farms’ cherry orchards under lights threaded through the trees. With a pasta buffet and plenty of local and West Coast wine catered by The Flying Noodle in Traverse City, the meal felt warm, rustic and Old World.

The ceremony the next day, under a blue sky, was officiated by President Rogers of Bowling Green State University. “It was really meaningful to have someone who is so important to us and could really speak to who we are,” says Danielle. The couple exchanged their own vows: “I was nervous about mine knowing Alex is such an incredible writer in his career. But it all turned out perfectly,” Danielle says. The Unity Ceremony was also very intimate; the couple combined colored glass, which they later took to a glass blowing studio where they created a symbolic glass bowl to cherish for years to come.

With the Bay View Weddings’ beautiful outdoor bar just steps from the ceremony site, happy hour commenced immediately. Boathouse Restaurant, which catered the entire event, kicked off the appetizers with an oyster bar (Alex’s big wish). The plated dinner was as memorable with duet servings of beef tenderloin with tomato jam and chicken with saffron pasta. And the cake? Alex nixed that in favor of pies (his favorite dessert) from Sister Pie in Detroit.

The newlyweds started off the dancing to Beyoncé’s rendition of “Moon River,” and from there 2Bays DJs got the floor hopping. A special bourbon and cigar bar added even more fun. Before the couple knew it, The Boathouse staff was bringing in the late-night eats—fried chicken and wagyu beef sliders as the pitch perfect event was winding to a close.

Alex sums it up by thanking three women. The first, of course, being Danielle: “I am the luckiest guy on the face of the Earth,” he says. The second and third? Rose Gallagher and Meaghan Kenny. “Your wedding is the most special day in your life and Rose and Meaghan really made the whole wedding experience for us,” Alex says. “They will always have a place in our hearts.”

resources

Venue Bay View Weddings at Gallagher Farms bayviewweddings.com

Photographer & Videography

Megan Hannon Photography meganhannonphotography.com

Wedding Planner Fox & Fern Events foxandfernevents.com

Catering Reception: Boathouse Restaurant boathouseonwestbay.com

Rehearsal Dinner: The Flying Noodle flyingnoodletc.com

Dessert Sister Pie sisterpie.com

Bartending Tonic & Lime Boutique Bartending tonicandlimemi.com

Rentals 307 Events & Tents 307events.com

Event Theory eventtheory.com

Florals Bittersweet & Co. bittersweetandco.com

DJ 2Bays DJs 2baysdjs.com

Hair and Makeup The Hair + Beauty Lounge teamhairandbeauty.com

Shuttles Blue Lakes by the Bay bluelakesbythebay.com

They will always have a place in our hearts.

Wedding Notebook

Bay View Weddings at Gallagher Farms

Wedding Ceremony

If you are looking for an incredible Ceremony Site that will take your breath away and leave your friends and family in awe - that is what you will find at Bay View Weddings at Gallagher Farms. Whether you desire a romantic site with lush grape vines and views of Grand Traverse Bay with close proximity to the tented

Northern Michigan’s Premier Farm Wedding Venue

Bay View Weddings at Gallagher Farms offers a romantic, breathtaking, beautiful, and elegant atmosphere surrounded with the most unforgettable natural Northern Michigan beauty. This family-owned venue nestled on a four hundred acre fourth generation family cherry farm which provides a stunning backdrop for your most special day. With gorgeous views of Grand Traverse Bay, Traverse City, and Leelanau County with elevations close to 1000 feet, you and your closest family and friends will not only be blown away by the magnificent natural beauty of the views but also by the pristine vineyards and cherry orchards that romantically roll along the beautiful landscape. We believe that you deserve the wedding of your dreams and we are here to help make your wedding dream become a reality.

reception site for a beautiful transition from your dream ceremony to a relaxing cocktail hour on the lawn or an elevated destination that is so stunning it will take your breath away. Full of awe-inspiring romance, rolling hills, stunning bay views, and Northern Michigan beauty that overlooks Grand Traverse Bay, Downtown Traverse City, Power Island, and Leelanau County, it will create ceremony memories that will last a lifetime. With views so stunning and worthy of the journey, it is clear your happily ever after begins here.

Wedding Venue

Services

We are committed to providing a memorable experience for you and your guests. With a wonderful staff dedicated to supporting set up, maintenance, farmers focused on caring for the aesthetics of the farm and property, and event managers, we have the expertise needed to help and assist you. We also provide a wedding coordinator for the day of the event to assist with coordinating the rehearsal and dayof-the-wedding details in a calm and pleasant demeanor all with a smile as we are happy to help and serve you. We enjoy helping you relax, enjoy every minute, and celebrate each beautiful moment of your wedding day.

When we think of a wedding, we think of the most beautiful and unforgettable day of your life. That is what you will find at our Bay View Hill Top Venue. An infinitely gorgeous destination venue on our multi-generational family cherry farm. Our tented venue for up to 250 guests provides the outdoor grandeur and elegance that every dream wedding or event may desire. After taking in this spectacular view of Grand Traverse Bay, we believe that dreams do come true.

Customize Your Day

Bay View Weddings at Gallagher Farms appreciates and values each client in selecting their own vendors that can meet your custom needs for food, music, photography, decor, and beyond. We are grateful to share the natural beauty of our multi-generational farm and venue overlooking Grand Traverse Bay, a beautiful tent with lovely concrete underneath, tables, chairs, golf carts to get around the property, restroom trailer, caterer's tent, dance floor, wood bar, bonfire and fire tables to enjoy all evening long, and an exceptional staff to assist with providing your family and friends with a wonderful and pleasant experience as they work to bring all the details together for the wedding of your dreams.

Beautiful Traverse City

Much of our farm is located within Traverse City, Michigan. Traverse City is a four-season playground for anyone who loves to be outdoors. With nearly two hundred miles of beaches, an array of delicious and enticing restaurant options, wineries, breweries, distilleries, and excellent hotels and inns, motels, resorts, or rental homes, there will be accommodations and activities to support everyone. Wedding guests will also enjoy inviting shops in historic downtown Traverse City in addition to the many downtown activities, including the National Cherry Festival that Traverse City hosts each summer, along with stunning sunrises and sunsets to start and end each day. These are just some of the many unforgettable opportunities that can be enjoyed in beautiful Traverse City.

8629 E. Lincoln Road Cedar, MI 49621

Located on the west end of Traverse City, Michigan 231.645.2732 bayviewweddings.com info@bayviewweddings.com

Wedding & Event Coordinator

Rose Gallagher

Reception Capacity Up to 250 Guests

As a fourth generation family farm, we are committed to maintaining the agricultural strength and aesthetic beauty of the farm. We strongly encourage you to come visit and explore our farm as it is an unforgettable experience that you have to see to believe. Please contact us today to set up a tour. We are happy to help and serve you.

Photos by: Jefferson May Photography

Photos by: Jefferson May Photography

The Homestead

BY

BY ELIZABETH EDWARDS

BY GRACE PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOS

CAPTURED

Adeline Sanchez & Joe Conner

When it comes to wedding ceremonies, three times was the charm for this couple. After their January 2020 engagement at O’Sheas Casino in Las Vegas, where the two had first met, Joe and Adeline quickly made plans for a large wedding the following October. Although the couple lives in California, where Adeline is from, Joe is from Michigan and introduced Adeline to Northern Michigan on family visits to Petoskey and Traverse City. Adeline fell in love with the area, and decided that she would love to be married in Northern Michigan—particularly in the autumn when the leaves were at their peak color.

Immediately after their engagement, the couple flew to Detroit where they met Joe’s parents, and headed north to check out venues. “We put a thousand miles in on one weekend,” Joe recalls. It was Northern Michigan in midwinter (a novel experience for Adeline), a season when it is hard to imagine azure waters and fiery foliage. Nevertheless, when they drove through the gracious entrance to The Homestead, they knew they’d found their venue. “Everything was covered in snow but it felt just right,” Adeline remembers.

That “just right” feeling grew when they met Sandy Luthardt, event sales manager at The Homestead. “We really hit it off with her—from the beginning we felt as though we’ve known her for a long time,” Joe says. As the couple flew back to California, they were already imagining their October wedding at The Homestead.

Then came the Covid-19 shutdown that put those plans on indefinite hold. But the couple wanted to have a child (and be married when they did) so they eloped to Glacier National Park for a small, intimate ceremony. That was wedding number one. Being legally married didn’t keep the Conners from dreaming of that big destination wedding at The Homestead. After juggling logistics—which included making sure that all the vendors they’d originally wanted were still available—the couple settled on June 3, 2022. By this time, baby Westin had come and was eight months old. But wait—there was one more small hurdle to overcome: Adeline is Catholic and Joe is Lutheran. Although they planned to have a Lutheran pastor re-marry them at The Homestead, they had attended the Catholic pre-nuptial process. In May, three weeks before their ceremony at The Homestead, they learned that for their marriage to be sanctified by the Catholic Church, it needed to be in a sacred space—meaning a church. Shifting gears one more time, Joe and Adeline arranged to be married in Traverse City’s Lutheran Church the Tuesday prior to their Homestead wedding, by Pastor Michael Goers, the same pastor who also graciously agreed to repeat the ceremony the next weekend. Check that off as ceremony number two.

When wedding number three finally came, it was a bluebird day without a cloud in the sky. In reality, however, it was a week-long celebration rather than just a day. The 107 guests came from all over the country, all of whom stayed on The Homestead property. Throughout the week they enjoyed the resort’s beautiful beach club with its pool wedged between the mouth of the Crystal River and sandy Lake Michigan beach, as well as charming Cafe Manitou and its outdoor bar. From the rehearsal barbecue at the quaint Camp Firefly right through to the après wedding brunch at CQ’s in the resort’s village, all of the festivities took place at The Homestead. In between those events, of course, was the stunning wedding ceremony at the top of a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. To the delight of the guests, the trip up was via chairlift. Guests enjoyed cocktails and music courtesy of Brian Wright of 2Bays DJs at the top of the hill prior to the moving ceremony. There, the two wed for the third (and final) time, with cobalt blue Lake Michigan in the background and baby Westin gurgling in the arms of Joe’s parents.

After the ceremony, guests rode the lift back down to the resort’s nearby Mountain Flowers Lodge for a plated dinner (choice of filet mignon, chicken,vegetarian and vegan entrees)—a dinner that, the couple agrees, was absolutely delish. The newlyweds opened the dancing to the blend of Jack Johnson’s songs “Better Together” and “Angel.” After that, the party flowed late into the night, as The Homestead staff replenished appetites with pizza and cookies, and the team at the resort’s pub, Whiskers, went above and beyond to accommodate the after-party.

The entire week was perfect thanks to many elements, and the couple especially credits The Homestead’s Luthardt with “being at the heart of everything.” It might have taken three ceremonies to feel like their marriage was complete, but the couple would do it all again to make the final one happen. “We were blessed. The whole week was amazing,” Adeline says.

We were blessed. The whole week was amazing.

Wedding Notebook

The Homestead

Accommodations

You’ll feel at home in one of our resort hotels or in the spaciousness of a privately-owned villa 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.

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 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 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.

Bay Mountain Ceremony

A Suite at Little Belle

Event

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 160.

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 60.

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.

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 in a variety of ways. Your rehearsal reception, and brunch can feature sophisticated soirees or picnics to go.

Wood Ridge Road

Glen Arbor, MI 49636 231-334-5000 231-334-5300

Camp Firefly

Mountain Flowers Lodge

Lillyjade

Choose One. You won’t be wrong.

Shhh…

We’ve quietly created unique new sites for weddings and receptions that are spectacular in any season of the year. They blossom in the spring, shine in the summer,color in the fall, and sparkle in the winter. And, they meld the majesty of Lake Michigan with the beauty of Leelanau. Choose your season ... wines will flow, flavors will swirl, and your day, your perfect day, will be made.

We’ve quietly created stylish new sites for weddings and receptions. They meld the majesty of Lake Michigan with the beauty of Leelanau. Choose one…flavors will swirl, wines will sparkle and your day, your perfect day, will be made.

weddings and receptions. with the beauty of Leelanau. sparkle and your day, made. first sight.

receptions. Leelanau. day, thehomesteadresort.com | 231.334.5000

weddings and receptions. with the beauty of Leelanau. will sparkle and your day, made. first sight. thehomesteadresort.com | 231.334.5000

Shhh…

Come see. It’ll be love at first sight. 231.334.5000

We’ve quietly created stylish new sites for weddings and receptions. They meld the majesty of Lake Michigan with the beauty of Leelanau. Choose one…flavors will swirl, wines will sparkle and your day, your perfect day, will be made. Come see. It’ll be love at first sight.

Glen Arbor, MI 49636 | thehomesteadresort.com | 231.334.5000

Glen Arbor, MI 49636 | thehomesteadresort.com | 231.334.5000

Glen Arbor, MI 49636 | thehomesteadresort.com | 231.334.5000

Willowbrook Mill

BY ELIZABETH EDWARDS

PHOTOS BY DAN STEWART PHOTOGRAPHY

Kiley Hogg & Mike Heberlein

WILLOWBROOK MILL, NORTHPORT | OCTOBER 15, 2022

On a november evening in 2018, Mike Heberlein had no idea that when he and a friend walked into The Pearl of Germantown, a dive bar in Louisville, Kentucky, his life would change for the better. Way better. After a snarky exchange with a sarcastic bartender, Mike exclaimed, “Give me a break. I'm from Chicago.”A luminescent blonde a few seats down overheard the exchange and interjected that she, too, was from Chicago and she was moving back there.

Her name was Kiley Hogg, and after the two got talking they found plenty in common. For example: Mike’s roommate at the time was his cousin, Will DiFrancesca, who it turned out was also one of Kiley’s college friends. Together, they called Will and had a laugh over the meet-cute. After completing her master’s degree six months later, Kiley finally made her move to Chicago. By that time the pair was a definite couple.

In March of 2020, with the pandemic beginning, Mike and Kiley chose to escape their city apartments for Mike’s parents’ Northport home in the peace and quiet that is the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula. His family also owns the village’s charming wedding and event venue Willowbrook Mill and the couple often worked remotely from its empty ballroom.

In January of 2021, Mike took a knee in Chicago’s Oz Park, a favorite picnic spot, to ask Kiley to marry him. Though she also researched venues in Chicago, it soon became clear that Northport was perfect for their wedding. “We realized that Willowbrook meant so much to both of us,” Kiley says. “It’s a beautiful destination and I loved the idea of having everyone in one place for the whole weekend.”

They set the wedding date, and with all of the Heberleins’ connections in the area, plans came together quickly and beautifully—including hiring wedding planner Stacy Horn of Juniper & Lace Events. The couple booked the nearby 16-bedroom Northport Bay Retreat so that many of their friends could stay there together and the space could be used for a welcome party hosted by the Heberleins.

October ushered in a spectacular color season, and many of the 120 wedding guests from all over the country arrived early in the week to take advantage of it, enjoying Leelanau Peninsula activities from wine tasting to hiking Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Beautiful weather held until Wednesday, when the temperature then fell and rain moved in, putting the plans for an outdoor ceremony at Northport’s waterside Haserot Park in jeopardy. But they had a backup plan: the quaint, white (with a steeple, of course) Trinity Church just a short walk from Willowbrook Mill. The little church was just exactly big enough to fit all the guests. “There wasn’t one seat left but everyone was warm and cozy,” says Kiley.

The moving and funny ceremony, officiated by friend/cousin Will, included an acoustic duet performed by Kiley’s brother and sister-in-law, Seamus and Kyna, who were spontaneously joined in singing by their 2-year-old son, Cormac.

The newlyweds then boarded a golf cart clad with a “Just Married” sign and cans in tow for the short trip to the enchanting Willowbrook Mill where guests were greeted by a “Bourbon and Bubbles” table filled with welcoming glasses of Mike’s favorite bourbon pours and flutes of Prosecco. As if it were staged, guests thrilled to the sight of the seasonal salmon run viewed from the footbridge as coho and Chinook salmon made their way up the Northport Creek that flows directly beneath the ballroom.

Inside the rustic-elegant venue, Christina Pfeufer, of Field of Flowers North, had created a stunning arrangement of white roses and greenery cascading around the fieldstone fireplace. White fairy lights and chandeliers twinkled from the rafters while the flames from warm gold candles cast their glow on gold Chiavari chairs. The newlyweds opted for their own sweetheart table set in front of the fireplace; an intimate perch for them to share their dinner while enjoying the happy scene of family and friends before them. And what a dinner! Dan Kelly of Catering by Kelly’s personally oversaw the serving of braised short ribs, salmon, and mushroom pasta ensuring the picture-perfect plating arrived piping hot. Dinner was followed by a blueberry-lemon wedding cake and a table filled with matching flavored cupcakes made right in Northport by Kate LaCross, owner of The Baker’s Gamble. “She’s the new baker on the block and she is phenomenal,” says Kiley.

After dessert, tables were moved to make room for dancing to the five-piece Bluewater Kings Band from Grand Rapids. The couple’s first dance was to “Beyond” by Leon Bridges. And from then on, the dance floor was packed— with Kiley leading the fun. “Quite literally, she never left the dance floor,” laughs her husband.

After the reception, the party kept going at Garage Bar-B-Q, a Northport favorite where the staff graciously stayed open late just for the wedding guests. A bit after the stroke of midnight, the storybook wedding, in the storybook venue, in the storybook village wound to a close.

resources

Venue Willowbrook Mill willowbrookmill.com

Photography Dan Stewart Photography danstewartphotography.com

Videography Montage Media Films montagemediafilms.com

Wedding Planning Juniper & Lace Events juniperandlaceevents.com

Catering

Catering by Kelly’s cateringbykellys.com

Flowers & Candles Field of Flowers North fieldofflowersnorth.com

Music

Bluewater Kings Band bluewaterkingsband.com

Cake The Baker’s Gamble facebook.com/thebakersgamble

Rentals & Décor 307 Events & Tents 307events.com

Event Theory eventtheory.com

We realized that Willowbrook meant so much to both of us.

Wedding Notebook

J. Zevalkink photo

J. Zevalkink photo

Photo by Anna at Dan Stewart Photography Mike & Kiley 10/15/22

Have your Dream Weddingon Mackinac Island

Annie Dwyer always pictured herself getting married on Mackinac Island. She envisioned an outdoor ceremony with gorgeous views, spectacular photos with perfect lighting and the ideal reception space where all her friends and family could celebrate.

Dwyer saw it all in her mind’s eye. Yet, she never could have imagined how it actually felt for her and Parker to marry at a stunning waterfront venue, then be whisked away on a horse-drawn carriage ride down Mackinac Island’s Main Street.

“Everything exceeded expectations. They do a million weddings, and they know what they’re doing. They made it super easy.”

“I didn’t really expect how excited people would be,” Dwyer said. “They were literally stopping and watching like it was a parade, clapping and cheering.

“I felt like royalty.”

Is there a wedding in your future?

Mackinac Island can make your fairytale come true. With unparalleled venues and a wealth of wedding professionals at your beck and call, Mackinac Island should

be the first place you look to make your dream wedding a reality.

Mackinac Island was an easy choice for Annie and Parker. Here are just a few reasons why the couple decided to tie the knot on Travel + Leisure’s No. 1 Best Island in the Continental U.S.

• Magnificent Views that make for amazing sun-kissed photos.

• Things to Do that made their big day feel like a destination wedding. “For so many of our guests, it turned out to be a fun vacation.”

• Hassle-Free Logistics thanks to the wedding professionals of Mackinac Island. Just lean on the knowledge and experience that has helped countless couples pull off fabulous Mackinac Island weddings any day of the week in spring, summer or fall.

• Variety of Venues both indoor and outdoor for weddings and budgets of all

4 Ways a

sizes, from historic churches and secluded gazebos to scenic waterfronts.

Of course, the wedding carriage is a nice touch, too! It was fun to have horses bring her right up to the ceremony where she could make a grand entrance and walk down the aisle, Annie said.

You can get married on Mackinac Island 24/7 –any time of the day, any day of the week.

Annie lived her fantasy, from Parker’s marriage proposal at Sunset Rock with the Mackinac Bridge on the horizon to their glorious wedding day last June. It was incredible.

Your wedding could be, too.

Grand Hotel

Jake and Elizabeth never expected to have their first dance at Mission Point Resort. They didn’t imagine their guests would enjoy food cooked at Island House Hotel and served on dishes from the Pink Pony.

But when a nearby fire disrupted the newlyweds’ reception, Mackinac Island came together to make sure their memorable day had a perfect ending.

Here’s how their amazing wedding played out…

• Jake and Elizabeth married in a beautiful ceremony at historic Ste. Anne’s Church and experienced a treasured wedding day carriage ride. Then, just as Elizabeth’s father was giving a speech during their reception, flames burst out from a neighboring cottage.

• Smoke filled the air, and the yacht club was evacuated. As the couple retreated to the church, the wedding professionals of Mackinac Island swung into action.

• Within an hour, the entire reception had been moved by bike and horse-drawn carriage to Mission Point where the CEO served food and a bellhop became the bartender. When the best man told the bride and groom that their reception was ready to resume, the couple was “blown away.”

It’s a good thing Mackinac Island has so many places skilled at hosting weddings and committed to exceptional customer service! Not even a fire could keep Jake and Elizabeth’s wedding from being a day they’ll cherish forever.

Photo by Cody Langhorne

PhotoEngagement Adventures

Turn your photo session into a day trip or weekend getaway, choosing photogenic spots that create lasting memories.

BY JULIE PALMER, CATCHFLY PHOTOGRAPHY

SECRET GARDEN AT BRYS ESTATE + OLD MISSION PENINSULA

Tip: Always double check if your photoshoot location requires a permit or not. For example, state parks and Michigan’s national lakeshores both need passes. As your wedding photographer, this is something I help my couples with. I personally like to follow the rules of each location and all Leave No Trace principles.

Kyra & Matt

Clarissa & Mike

ARCADIA DUNES + DOWNTOWN TRAVERSE CITY

Tip: Arcadia Dunes is one of the best spots to watch a sunset together, and that’s exactly what we did.

We played around the dunes for a while and then stopped to take the moment in. You’re only getting engaged once—stop, breathe and take it all in. Watch that sunset! And bring a headlamp for the trek back in the dark.

PICTURED ROCKS NATIONAL LAKESHORE

Tip: I love shooting at waterfalls when they are accessible, and finding spots where you can touch the running water and feel the mist. The walk can be slippery though. I’ve hiked down with a changing tent so that my couples could wear proper footwear and then change at the bottom. It’s always best to be safe!

Amanda & Brandon