Mynorth Wedding 2015

wedding for couples who love northern michigan » 2015

The Perfect Up North Wedding DESTINATION WEDDINGS: Ciccone Vineyard & Winery » Crystal Mountain » Frog Pond Village Grand Traverse Resort & Spa » Inn at Bay Harbor » The Homestead » ParkShore Resort West Bay Beach, A Holiday Inn Resort

CELEBRITY WEDDINGS: The NFL’s Garrett Celek and ABC’s Meteorologist Ginger Zee

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9600 Clubhouse Drive Charlevoix, Michigan 49720 chxcountryclub.com 231.547.9796

At either end of Lake Charlevoix lies a picture perfect Wedding Destination Rehearsal Dinners • Receptions • Ceremonies

Let us help you create memories to last a lifetime

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00970 Marina Drive Boyne City, Michigan 49712 sommersetyachtclub.com 231.582.9900 12/13/14 2:37 PM

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Editor’s Note

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elcome to MyNorth Wedding 2015—the sixth annual issue of this gorgeous montage of the world-class wedding possibilities available in Northern Michigan. In this, our biggest most spectacular issue to date, we bring you the stories and photos from 10 real-life Up North weddings. Count among them the fairy-tale nuptials of ABC meteorologist Ginger Zee and her husband, New York City television personality Ben Aaron, at The Inn at Bay Harbor, and the wedding of San Francisco 49ers tight end Garrett Celek and his wife, Sarah, at the bucolic Crooked Creek Ranch in Leelanau County. Why did these two celeb couples choose Northern Michigan for their wedding?

Ginger, Garrett and Sarah all have Michigan roots, but beyond that, these couples chose Northern Michigan for two basic reasons: our dramatic natural settings and the extraordinarily professional weddingindustry that has grown up here—right along with MyNorth Wedding

wedding for couples who love northern michigan » 2015

MYNORTH.COM/WEDDING A MyNorth Media Publication PRESIDENT/ EDITOR IN CHIEF VICE PRESIDENT EDITORIAL/EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR PROOFREADER ART DIRECTOR PRODUCTION DIRECTOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER WEB DIRECTOR WEB DEVELOPER MEDIA PROJECT COORDINATOR VIDEOGRAPHER CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

MARKETING DIRECTOR CIRCULATION FULFILLMENT MANAGER MARKETING COORDINATOR TICKETING DIRECTOR TICKETING COORDINATOR

Deborah Wyatt Fellows

magazine. Those are the same reasons the eight other couples we’ve profiled in this issue chose Northern Michigan to stage their big day.

Beyond those 10 weddings, you’ll also find our Wedding Notebook story with its quirky, fun ideas for personalizing your wedding details, and our Romantic Wedding Settings album—all brought to you in living color by the many talented wedding photographers we work with. Love a photo? Check out the photo credit and search the photographer on the web, where you’ll find contact information and see more examples of her or his work.

If you are planning a wedding or know someone that is, the 2015 issue of MyNorth Wedding is the place to begin.

Elizabeth Edwards Managing Editor, MyNorth Weddings

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Your Up North Wedding Details, details, details. Northern Michigan brides share the ideas that helped personalize their weddings.

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The Homestead American Idol finalist Matt Giraud played at Nadia and Mike Stohrer’s mountain top wedding—and it just kept getting better from there.

17 Grand Traverse Resort & Spa

Rhinestones, Tiffany blue and pink in every imaginable shade colored the wedding of Leann and Nathan Richards.

25 Frog Pond Village Jeff Smith Elizabeth Edwards Caroline Dahlquist Bob Wilcox Theresa Burau-Baehr Rachel Dorie Todd Zawistowski Michael Thompson Roger Lamb Rachel Fournier Kris Riley Claire Stortz Jim Driver Ann Gatrell Lisa Gillespie Jeff Hale Jill Hayes Amy Artz Joslin Cyndi Ludka Candace Morse Drew Warner Rachel North Jodi G. Simpson Dani Knoph Lori Savage Dana Allen

Office Manager

Libby Stallman

CONTROLLER

Kirstin Gorney

COVER PHOTO: KELLY SWEET/SARAH AND GARRETT CELEK

Jessica and Eddy Marshall describe themselves as outdoorsy and romantic. Looks like they found the perfect place to be married.

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33 Crystal Mountain

Molly Russell is a skier, and Jonathan Russell is a golfer. Their shared passions made for a gorgeous wedding on a ski hill overlooking the golf course.

41 West Bay Beach, A Holiday Inn Resort Elegance met beachy casual at the downtown Traverse City of Kristi and Derek Luke.

49 The Inn at Bay Harbor

Melissa and Jeff Miller combined their love for each other with their Catholic and Jewish faiths for a timelessly beautiful wedding.

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57 Ciccone Vineyard and Winery

An authentic pig roast, football metaphors, words of wisdom from Bob Marley and a fabulous vineyard setting made Jennifer and Nick Melcher’s wedding a wild success.

65 ParkShore Resort

A romantic beach on tuquoise water, dancing in the gazebo, a party popper sendoff—Chelsea and Daniel Nessel had it all for their big day.

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74 The Elements of a Beautiful Wedding

ABC’s celeb meteorologist Ginger Zee marries her NYC sweetheart at The Inn at Bay Harbor.

82 Romantic Wedding Settings

Four (gorgeous!) reasons to stage your wedding in Northern Michigan.

92 A Michigan (State) Love Story

Sarah Celek writes about her Leelanau County wedding to San Francisco 49er (and former MSU Spartan) tight end Garrett Celek.

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Your Up North

Wedding

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Northern Michigan brides share details that made their day—to help you make yours.

BY ELIZABETH EDWARDS

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1. Simple table games are great conversation starters.

PHOTO BY MELISA MCKOLAY PHOTOGRAPHY.

2. For a light, symbolic touch, release butterflies during the ceremony. Source them on the web. PHOTO BY DAN STEWART PHOTOGRAPHY.

3. Think decor that is outside the tent. PHOTO

BY DAN

STEWART PHOTOGRAPHY.

4. Problem: Not enough space on the family beach for a wedding. Solution: Build a temporary platform out over the water. PHOTO BY JENNA ROLAND PHOTOGRAPHY. 5. Create your social media hashtag and share it with the guests. PHOTO BY DAN STEWART PHOTOGRAPHY. 6. Best idea we’ve ever seen for a waterside wedding: floating fire rings. These were tended by a couple of hired kayakers. PHOTO BY JENNA ROLAND PHOTOGRAPHY. 7. Rustic elegance can be as simple as old crates and Ball jars spray-painted gold. PHOTO BY DAN STEWART PHOTOGRAPHY.

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8. Vegetarian couples, step out and introduce your guests to a totally herbaceous menu—you just might make converts. This spread was prepared by The Cooks’ House in Traverse City. PHOTO BY MELISA MCKOLAY PHOTOGRAPHY.

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Your Up North

Wedding 9. Think out of the petal box. PHOTO BY MELISA MCKOLAY PHOTOGRAPHY.

10. Keep the wee ones entertained. PHOTO BY DAN STEWART PHOTOGRAPHY.

11. The groom’s cake lets him have his moment. PHOTO

BY DAN STEWART PHOTOGRAPHY.

12. A sparkler sendoff is just plain fun. PHOTO BY MELISA MCKOLAY PHOTOGRAPHY.

13. No reason why the groomsmen can’t mix it up a little! PHOTO BY DAN STEWART PHOTOGRAPHY.

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14. Have a winter wedding—and you get to wear a white, fur-trimmed cape. PHOTO BY SCARLETT PIEDMONTE PHOTOGRAPHY.

15. Turn your reception into a hoedown with country dancing—a good “caller” makes it easy. PHOTO

BY MELISA MCKOLAY PHOTOGRAPHY.

16. Iconic landmarks make memorable photo ops.

PHOTO BY MELISA MCKOLAY PHOTOGRAPHY.

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Live Love Discover

Shady l ane cellars

9580 E. Shady Lane Suttons Bay, MI 49682 231.947.8865

shadylanecellars.com info@shadylanecellars.com Just minutes from traverse city Phtos by the compass points here

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The Homestead

STORY BY ADRIENNE ROBERTS  PHOTOGRAPHY BY VAN DE STEENE PHOTOGRAPHY

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NADIA SAFI MIKE STOHRER AUGUST 1, 2014

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THE HOMESTEAD, GLEN ARBOR

hen Nadia Safi met Mike Stohrer at a mutual friend’s Lake Michigan summer home, they bonded over their love of Michigan summers and the water. So when it came to planning their wedding five years later, they knew they wanted to get married beside that huge, romantic pool of freshwater blue.

The Homestead, a resort on Lake Michigan located in the Leelanau Peninsula’s charming town of Glen Arbor, fit their wish list. Besides being right on the water, The Homestead is surrounded by the breathtaking Sleeping Bear Dunes and, only a few miles north, the peninsula’s rolling wine country. All it took was one trip up to the resort’s ceremony venue Bay Mountain, with its view of Sleeping Bear Bay and the Manitou Islands on the horizon, to seal the deal: Nadia and Mike looked at each other and knew this was where they wanted to be married.

Nadia tried on over 30 dresses before choosing a form-fitti g gown with a lace overlay and beaded belt (for a touch of sparkle!) “I love how the dress is both laid-back and formal,” says Nadia. “It fit in perfectly with the earthy feel of The Homestead.” For the bridesmaid dresses, Nadia chose varying shades of purple to create an ombré effect that would stand out against The Homestead’s lush greenery.

In keeping with the casual, yet elegant ambiance of their event, Nadia and Mike hosted a pizza buffet and bonfi e on The Homestead’s beachside Manitou Cafe the night before their

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wedding, letting people kick back and hang out before the wedding. The day of, while Nadia got her hair and makeup done at the resort’s onsite Lillyjade salon, Mike invited his groomsmen and other guests to a golf outing at The Homestead’s Manitou Passage Golf Course—complete with prizes and a trophy he carved by hand in the shape of Michigan.

In the late afternoon sun, 160 guests rode chairlifts up to the ceremony site overlooking the serene waters of Lake Michigan.

As Nadia’s mom walked her down the aisle, Matt Giraud, an American Idol finalist and Nadia and Mike’s good friend, played the piano and sang, “I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You” made famous by Elvis Presley. “Everyone was so surprised to see Matt,” says Nadia. “It was a treat to have him play at our wedding. He was able to capture the love Mike and I feel for each other.”

A cocktail hour followed the ceremony at the top of Bay Mountain. Afterward, guests took chairlifts back down to the base of the mountain and stepped inside the enchanting Mountain Flowers Lodge. Lavender roses and black lanterns with white candles twinkling inside them added a romantic glow to the lodge.

As Matt Giraud continued to entertain during the reception, guests dined on their choice

of chicken, steak, or butternut squash ravioli and then dug into the four-tier vanilla funfetti cake with butter-cream frosting. Guests were soon dancing, and the combination of an open bar and a great DJ made it more like a trendy club than a wedding, says Nadia.

As the summer sun sank behind the Manitou Islands, the newlyweds knew their wedding had been everything they’d wanted it to be: casual and intimate yet elegant—and a celebration of summers on Lake Michigan.

PHOTOGRAPHY: VAN DE STEENE PHOTOGRAPHY, 734.218.4286, VANDESTEENEPHOTO.COM VENUE: THE HOMESTEAD, GLEN ARBOR, 231.334.5000, THEHOMESTEADRESORT.COM

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Opposite page: The bride wore drop earrings and a necklace that offered an understated sparkle to complement her beaded belt and rhinestone Badgley Mischka shoes. Flowers by Premier Floral. The bridal bouquet was an elegant, full bouquet of white hydrangeas, white garden roses, white ranunculus and soft lavender freesia wrapped in white satin. This page, clockwise: Just married on Bay Mountain with Lake Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Bay in the background. The Homestead’s wide, sandy beach was the perfect setting for a post-rehearsal dinner bonfire with the wedding guests. Lavender-colored Toms made fitting bridesmaids’ favors. Chairlifts up to Bay Mountain. American Idol finalist and friend of the newlyweds Matt Giraud performs. Hair by The Homestead’s onsite salon, Lillyjade.

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Clockwise: The bridal party: Brittany Slattery, Holly Stohrer, Melissa Secco, Lindsey Reed, Nadine Safi, Bride, Nadia and Mike Stohrer, Dan Stohrer, Jon Willis, Jason Buss, Firras Safi, Dani Safi. Photo ops abound at The Homestead. A pictureperfect thank-you note in the making. Each table was named for a city in Michigan that the couple is connected to. The newlyweds’ first dance was to “God Gave Me You,” by Blake Sheldon. Mike made the Michigan-shaped “guestbook.”

Nadia and Mike did a trash-the-dress shoot on the beach the day after the wedding.

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Mike initiating his bride into his favorite game.

The morning of the wedding he and 29 friends and family members golfed at The Homestead.

Escort cards for the Michigan-themed wedding.

View from The Homestead’s Manitou Passage Golf Club. Mountain Flowers Lodge, where the reception was held. Another scene from the après-wedding trash-the-dress shoot. Sherry from Cake Connections made the traditionalon-the-outside/funfetti-on-the-inside cake.

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Wedding Notebook THE HOMESTEAD

accommodations You’ll feel at home in one of our thoughtfully appointed guest rooms or enjoy the spaciousness of a privately owned condominium and exclusive setting of a vacation home. Stay in an historic Inn, a rustic retreat inside a modern, hilltop lodge or a romantic getaway nestled in the woods or on top of a lake-facing hillside. Choose a level of luxury that suits your mood and your means. We offer a seasonal range of rates, attractively priced packages and no minimum stays.

A ceremony at Bay Mountain

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 Sleeping Bear Bay and the world’s largest moving sand dunes. Here, at The Homestead, you’ll feel waves of emotion wash over you, as you discover the most wonderfully romantic and luxuri-

A suite at Little Belle

ous setting for your destination wedding. We’ve borrowed nature’s gifts to create three wedding venues with unmatched natural beauty. Each promises a succession of memorable moments you’ll treasure forever.

To learn more, we invite you to 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.

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catering

We’ve carefully paired our menus with our wedding settings, creating cuisine that complements your style. To award-winning local wines, fresh food from local farms and pastries made from “scratch” in our kitchens, we add sparkling table settings and expert service from unassuming staff. These are The Homestead’s ingredients 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 majestic Lake Michigan, Glen Lake and the Manitou Passage.

Guests of up to 180 can be seated here for a ceremony followed by a cocktail reception on another beautiful terrace.

When it’s time to dine and dance, we’ll whisk you and your groom from the peak to the valley below where you’ll find Mountain Flowers Lodge surrounded by country gardens and a sparkling waterfall. This timbered great hall seats up to 180 guests.

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. Outdoor brick terraces welcome up to 50 guests, and an adjoining bistro accommodates the same.

Camp Firefly captures the charm of the north woods, inside and out. Celebrate your day with up to 90 guests on a landscaped patio overlooking a pond, surrounded by a lush lawn, friendly forest and wildflowers, then dine in the rustic Great Hall of an Adirondack-style lodge set beside a waterfall and pond.

Café Manitou Ceremony

Café Manitou

You and your guests will spend each carefree moment enjoying the resort’s many amenities while surrounded by the beauty of nature. Beach. Pools. Tennis. Golf. Kayaks.

Fitness facilities. Ski runs and trails. Men enjoy “swinging” bachelor parties at our Orvis® fly fishing school or our Dave Pelz Scoring Game School. Ladies find bliss at Spa Amira, overlooking Lake Michigan, offering therapeutic massage, and lighthearted fun for bridesmaids around a spa pool. Then, bathed in natural light beside Lillyjade Salon's reflecting pool, their locks will be coiffed and colored, their nails and toenails luxuriously buffed for the Big Day. You can welcome your guests with a beachfront bonfire–S’mores and sunsets are included! Or with a pizza party at Beppi’s, a sports bar. Your rehearsal dinner, family get-togethers and wedding party luncheons can include sophisticated restaurant soirees or picnics to go. And, you can send your guests home with a bon voyage brunch.

Wood Ridge Road Glen Arbor, MI 49636 231-334-5000 231-334-5300 Events Phone thehomesteadresort.com

Camp Firefly

Camp Firefly

Event Coordinators Barb Ellis & Elizabeth Curlew

Event Rooms 3

Reception Capacity Up to 180

Guest Rooms 225

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Viewtiful Weddings

Shhh…

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

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Grand Traverse Resort & Spa

STORY BY ADRIENNE ROBERTS  PHOTOGRAPHY BY BETH PRICE OF PRICELESS PHOTOGRAPHY, INC.

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LEANN SHALLOP NATHAN RICHARDS JULY 5, 2014

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GRAND TRAVERSE RESORT & SPA, ACME

hen Leann Shallop started a new school in fifth grade, she never imagined that the first boy she had a crush on in her class would one day become her husband. While they had a shortlived relationship in seventh grade (three days, to be exact) they didn’t start dating until after high school. Eight years later, they decided to get married.

Leann and Nathan—from Macomb, Michigan—wanted a destination wedding.

Traverse City struck the perfect balance, creating an opportunity for a vacation for their guests, but it didn’t require a fl ght for their friends and family. “We chose Grand Traverse Resort and Spa because it got great reviews and everyone was so helpful there,” says Leann.

“They help you plan almost everything, from the food to the cake and beyond.”

With just 10 months to plan the wedding, Leann took her family to Arena Bridal in Shelby Township, Michigan. She tried on five dresses, falling in love with number two—a fun showy dress with a rhinestone beaded bodice and a full, feathery skirt. Leann’s wedding colors were as full-on summer as her July 5th wedding date: turquoise bridesmaids’ dresses and coral and pink-toned bouquets.

As the wedding week rolled around, the Northern Michigan fun began. On the Thursday before, Leann and the bridal party toured the nearby wineries. On Friday, the men golfed, and then everyone came together for the rehearsal dinner on the 17th floor of

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the Grand Traverse Resort, which offered spectacular views of the water and Traverse City. From this scenic perch, the couple and their friends and family enjoyed their own private view of the July 4th and Traverse City Cherry Festival fi eworks. After the last fi eworks had faded into the sky, the bridal party and guests who were staying at the resort enjoyed the quick walk to their rooms so they could turn in for the big day.

On Saturday, July 5th, Leann headed straight to the salon at the hotel and then took pictures outside with her bridal party. And then it was time to assemble for the ceremony under the large, semi-transparent golden tent set up on the resort lawn, known as The Pavilion. Under The Pavilion’s warm glow, Leann walked down the aisle that was decorated with pink hanging begonias, matching her bouquet of various shades of pink roses. Leann’s niece and nephew rode down the aisle in a wagon decorated by Leann’s mom with blue, pink, and white tulle. Reverend Crystal Yarlott of Northern Michigan Wedding Offi iants married the couple.

After a cocktail hour on The Pavilion’s patio, guests moved into the sumptuous Tower Ballroom, decorated for the wedding with turquoise tablecloths, coral napkins, and voluptuous floral arrangements. Leann’s mom played

up the rhinestone theme with the candleholders and table numbers. Even the cake, a fourtiered vanilla, chocolate, and red velvet creation, was sprinkled with rhinestones.

Amid all of this elegant, lively sparkle, guests dined on a decidedly Traverse City– inspired menu that included chicken breast with Michigan cherry chutney and a seared pork loin with a cherry chipotle glaze. Coral and turquoise lighting signaled dance time—a spirited celebration that lasted until midnight, when the wedding, once a fifth grade girl’s dream, came to a close.

PHOTOGRAPHY: BETH PRICE, PRICELESS PHOTOGRAPHY, INC., 231.929.4611, PRICELESSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM VENUE: GRAND TRAVERSE RESORT AND SPA, 800.748.0303, GRANDTRAVERSERESORT.COM

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Opposite page: Amy Kate Designs made the lush bridal bouquet of mango ranunculus, godetia, raspberry anemone, apricot and cherry pink garden roses, magenta tulips, lime green hydrangea, garden lavender, lambs ear, honeysuckle and jasmine vine with tropical foliage. This page: Exchanging vows under the yellow wedding tent. The rhinestone-studded bridal gown set a sparkly theme for the event. Flower girl Rosalie Richards and Phillip Short, ring bearer, ride in an outfitted rig. The bridesmaids carried out the color theme with turquoise cocktail-length dresses and pink-toned bouquets that mimicked the bridal bouquet. Leann’s mother decorated tambourines for shaking on the dance floor. Engraved flasks for the groomsmen.

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Nathan and his groomsmen: Vince Orsetto, Nick Richards, Brad Johnson, Nathan Richards (groom) Brian Klingenberg, Myles Barron and Chris Hall. Sparkling up the night. Private label wines were gifted to each guest. Leann and her bridesmaids: Skyler Salgot, Rachel Kunka, Alisha Mandell, Lisa Short, Katie Orsetto, Kelly Kunka, Morgan Latorre. Rhinestones from her feet to her purse. The lush grounds of the Grand Traverse Resort offer fabulous photo ops.

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The newlyweds danced their first dance to “I Won’t Give Up,” by Jason Mraz. The cake was made by the pastry chef at Grand Traverse Resort.

A private moment on the resort’s romantic grounds. Escort cards were displayed on boxes decorated with rhinestones. Dancing under pink and turquoise lights. Vases of white dendrobium orchids, Dutch white hydrangeas, tropical foliage and hanging crystals added a sophisticated touch.

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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.

• 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:

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.

• Fully equipped Cardio and Weight Room

• The Hotel - Our six-story hotel offers 238 spacious guest rooms, many with gorgeous views and wireless highspeed Internet access. Conveniences include: color cable television, bathroom television speakers, hair dryers, and much more.

• The Tower - Our beautiful 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.

• 5 Indoor and 4 Outdoor Tennis Courts

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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• Fitness Classes • 15,000-square-foot Indoor Water Playground • Recreation Pool

GRAND TRAVERSE RESORT AND SPA 100 Grand Traverse Village Blvd.

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

Special Events Manager Liz Brooks

Reception Capacity 2,500

Spa Manager Dawn Olsen

Event Rooms 35

Spa/Golf Sales Managers Kris Ruckle Katie Reas

Guest Rooms 585

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At Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, you’ll ďŹ nd a combination of wedding services and amenities unmatched elsewhere. Bridal parties delight in our 22-room spa and salon, while groomsmen relax during a round of golf. With multiple indoor and outdoor venues, our wedding 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 you do.

231-534-6203 | grandtraverseresort.com Owned & Operated by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians

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Frog Pond Village

STORY BY ADRIENNE ROBERTS  PHOTOGRAPHY BY MOLLY BEA PHOTOGRAPHY

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JESSICA THURBER EDWARD MARSHALL AUGUST 2, 2014 FROG POND VILLAGE, INTERLOCHEN

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hen Jessica was working at a restaurant in Livonia, Michigan, she unknowingly befriended her future husband’s sister. His sister would always say to her, “You’re the female version of my brother.” Sure enough they were a matched pair: eight years later, Jessica and Edward married at Frog Pond Village in Interlochen.

The Northwoods elegance of the wedding venue suited Jessica and Edward, who describe themselves as outdoorsy, romantic and old souls. “We love that it had a rustic feel but with modern conveniences,” Jessica says. “It wasn’t too over-the-top.”

Jessica and Edward, both full-time graduate students at Wayne State, planned the wedding while attending school. Jessica’s mother, Ann Marie Bourgoin, was an integral

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part of the process. Jessica wanted the wedding to have a vintage, almost fairy-tale feel, which took her all over the Midwest to fin dresses to match that mood, fina ly settling on a ball gown style wedding dress and pale pink bridesmaid dresses with ruffle details.

“I chose pale pink shades because I wanted it to look gentle against the lush green colors of Frog Pond Village,” says Jessica. “Lighter colors seemed soft and romantic.”

The wedding took place on a beautiful, clear day in August inside Frog Pond’s Bullfrog Chapel, where the fresh Northern Michigan breeze blew through open windows. After the ceremony, guests were treated to a cocktail hour complete with cheeses and fruit from Grandview Catering. The evening’s menu began with a salad dressed in lemon basil dressing

and continued on to herb-crusted pork, chicken stuffed with sundried tomatoes, and roasted redskin potatoes. The lemonfl vored cake was as light and sweet as the summer night.

Throughout the evening, guests took Polaroid pictures of each other, then pinned them to a clothesline so they could be admired and laughed over. Jessica, Edward, and their friends and family danced the night away under a wood-beamed ceiling that sparkled with twinkling lights. The party fina ly dwindled around midnight— quite fitti g for a fairy-tale wedding.

PHOTOGRAPHY: MOLLY BEA WICKES, MOLLY BEA PHOTOGRAPHY, MOLLYBEAPHOTOGRAPHYBLOG.COM VENUE: FROG POND VILLAGE, INTERLOCHEN, 231.357.9128, FROGPONDVILLAGE.COM

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Opposite: The bridesmaids wore romantic wrap dresses by Joanna August. The bride wore a ballroom style gown by Watters. She carried a bouquet of mythos garden roses, peach stock, champagne spray roses, pale pink hydrangea, white ranunculus and baby’s breath. This page, clockwise: The couple exchanged traditional vows in front of officiant Scot Gardner. Jes on her father’s arm. Flower girl Aubrey DelVecchio wore a dress by Us Angel.

The table centerpieces were mythos garden roses, peach stock, champagne spray roses, large pink hydrangea and baby’s breath. Amanda Craggs of Salon Moxie in Traverse City did the bride’s hair.

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Jes with her bridesmaids, Shannon Donovan, Katy Marshall and Sarah Carney. The bridesmaids carried bouquets of mythos garden roses, peach stock, large pink hydrangea and baby’s breath. A romantic photo op on the bridge in Frog Pond Village. Glass jars dressed up just a bit to hold baby’s breath for the outdoor decor. The couple’s rings nesting in a birdhouse on the Frog Pond grounds. The couple honeymooned in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. Rustic elegance in Frog Pond’s reception hall, where the floral arrangements of Frog Pond's Karen Jackson Snyder took center stage. Snyder also did the bridal party bouquets.

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The groomsmen were Johnny Marshall, Matt Lynch, Jeff DelVecchio and Alec Thurber. The Mike Davis Trio performed at the cocktail hour and also during the ceremony. Northern DJ Connection rocked the reception. Guests swapped Polaroid photos of themselves for their escort cards—like the blackboard says.

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Wedding Notebook FROG POND VILLAGE

event facilities

CHAPELS Elope Vegas-style; just the two of you or invite 200 of your closest friends and family to share your ceremony.

Three different chapels allow the secluded gardens and lush green grounds to be part of your service, while our facilities protect your guests from weather if necessary. Invite your officiate, or our preferred officiants would be pleased to perform your ceremony.

One unforgettable day— countless ways to make it yours.

Welcome to Frog Pond Village, where you will find ten acres of private landscape groomed for your special day. We offer a woodsy, yet elegant setting among towering trees, charming frog ponds, meandering walkways and beautiful gardens.

Our quaint, romantic wedding chapels and ballrooms open to the outdoors. And we’ve added to the magic with twinkle lights, sparkling chandeliers and enchanting water fountains.

services

We help brides make a unique and memorable statement with flowers, photography, videography, cakes and decor. We coordinate your ceremony to perfection with our clergy making it all so meaningful and personable. Our caterers are the best in food, taste, quality and service for a worry free evening.

Our D.J. is wonderful and will help you coordinate your reception and for sure will "make" the party. We also put you in touch with accommodations from B & B’s to hotels. We have truly taken special efforts to secure the best of the best vendors in their fields for you. You may visit them all on our web site.

We are proud to hold 3 titles: Voted #1 Best Wedding Venue in Northern Michigan by City Voter and #5 Best Outdoor Wedding Venue in Michigan by The Knot. Also Voted #1 Best Wedding Venue in Northern Michigan by Traverse City Record-Eagle.

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BALLROOMS Frog Pond Village can accommodate events up to 350 guests (and of course anything smaller). Choose from grand ballrooms or a formal tent graced by 15-foot cantilevered lampposts and quaint romantic patios for rehearsal dinners, cocktail hours, receptions fit for royalty and even brunch the morning after. Our website offers you a virtual tour of our facilities and grounds.

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what’s new at frog pond village

catering

Having your rehearsal dinner, luncheon or brunch at Frog Pond gives couples unmatched flexibility. You may hire a caterer or simply bring in your family's favorite appetizers and salads and order our grill to grill your own entrée.

Even if you are having your wedding at another location other than Frog Pond Village, you can have your guests in for a totally unique rehearsal dinner or morning after brunch in our Gala Tent tucked into the Northern Michigan woods and gardens and designed especially for the "small gathering of friends and family." Not to worry about a chill in the air; we have heaters to keep you warm...not to worry about a rain; we have you covered there too, and not to worry about ambience; the nature of the woods and gardens and the twinkle lights take care of this for you...there is no decorating to do!

Our professional planners can help you plan your event whether you'd like an enchanting catered gala, sparkling cocktail party or a barbeque with all the amenities.

Five years ago…we planted our “little” vineyard in hopes that this project would be the start of another dream that we had…our “ART & GARDEN PARK”! Little did we know that it would grow into so much more! It has been inspired by the owners, Karen and Bill…from a special place where Karen grew to love as a child…Ligonier, Pennsylvania. There is a town square…an oversized gazebo where local bands came to play their instruments and families simply brought their blankets and gathered on the lawn just to pass a Sunday afternoon…just to listen and relax! It is also the same place where Karen and Bill fell in love 22 years ago!

We are anxious to gather some great local outdoor art for the “artist path” and some great local talented jazz and blues musicians as well for "Smooth Sunday’s” live entertainment! We are looking for a do-it-yourself local wine maker to call our little vineyard their own, to care for and to use the producing grapes to perfect a great “property wine”! The park has a small picnic area, an artist path, and a game area where you can come and play the most interesting game of croquet you’ve ever played!

The park surrounds a town-square gazebo where we hope to create many great future memories for YOUR families!

The park will be open to the public this Summer!

You will find a picture hanging in the welcome entry of a typical Ligonier Town- Square gathering back in the 60’s when life was so different! We invite you to come visit!

photography Karen Youker Photography Capturing memories for all your life. Karen has 17 years experience, but it's not only her business, it's her passion. Karen also specializes in senior portraits, families, parties and reunions. Contact Karen at 231-269-3458 karenyouker.com

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

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

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We bring the most important ingredient to well-tailored events.

FROG POND VILLAGE’S MOST RECOMMENDED CATERER FOR OVER ELEVEN YEARS

Wedding & Event Specialists

r o v a Fl Traverse City, MI | 231.932.9713 grandviewcateringtc.com

Grandview CateringRestaurant, Rental & Catering 1/2 Page horizontal Ad, 6.875 x 4.75, full color, full bleed My North Weddings November 2013 Jen Foltz, Jeff Wiltse

BJ’s has been providing superior service for over 44 years. With a line of mobile kitchens, licensed bartenders, uniformed professional staff, and a customizable menu, we are sure to make your dreams a reality.

Fire up your appetite because our BBQ division is out of this world!

Our in-house smoked brisket and pulled pork are all the rage!

www.bjscatering.com

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Weddings • Banquets • Parties • Rentals of Tents, Tables, Chairs & More

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m&j

Crystal Mountain

STORY BY ADRIENNE ROBERTS  PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOLLI ANN STUDIOS

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Molly & Jonathan m&j

MOLLY RUSSELL JONATHAN PAULI MAY 31, 2014 CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN, THOMPSONVILLE

m

olly Russell was working as a beverage cart girl at a golf course in St. Johns, Michigan, when Jonathan Pauli, a handsome student at Oakland University, bought her a pack of M&M’s. Here’s the happy ending to that sweet story: they were married six years later.

But first, of course, there was a wedding.

Molly, a lifelong skier, and Jon, an avid golfer, wanted to be married at a venue that showcased their passions. Crystal Mountain fi that description—the resort’s two golf courses, were open—and although there wasn’t snow in May thankfully, the chairlifts were available to transport the bridal party and their guests to the top of the mountain for the ceremony.

The events planners at Crystal Mountain made it easy for Molly to plan most of the wedding while she was still in dental school in Milwaukee. Jon, too, was a big help. With his career in finan e, he proved apt at handling

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the spreadsheets and making calls. “While my mom and I were at a Packers game one day, Jon and his mom were tasting cakes,” Molly says with a laugh.

As the wedding weekend began, 160 guests from the Midwest and beyond arrived at Crystal Mountain for what turned out to be their own mini vacations, given the resort’s many amenities. “I loved the idea of making a weekend out of the wedding and giving our guests a little vacation,” says Molly.

In lieu of a traditional rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding, Molly, Jonathan, and their guests relaxed with pizza and beer.

A blue and cloudless sky graced the day as guests hopped aboard chairlifts that whisked them up to the ceremony at the top of the ski hill. There, Molly and Jon exchanged vows overlooking Betsie River Valley.

Butlers stationed at the base of the mountain stood ready to serve wine, water or lemonade after the ceremony—a detail that was

as necessary as it was elegant, as it was one of the hottest days of summer.

Dining was under a tent set up on the lovely lodge lawn. Molly’s favorite color, yellow, dotted the decor in paper lanterns hanging from the tent ceiling and fl wer arrangements that included yellow roses and craspedia—a variety of sunny-colored button-sized daisy. Guests had their choice of steak or fish for dinner. For dessert, there was a pink champagne–fl vored cake with mother-approved buttercream frosting (Molly’s mom is a frosting afi ionado).

The partying started as the DJ struck up the first tune and didn’t end until the after-reception party in the Vista Lounge with its view of the mountain—a perfectly romantic spot for Mr. and Mrs. Pauli to start their happily ever after.

PHOTOGRAPHY: HOLLI VANDERVEEN, HOLLI ANN STUDIOS, HOLLIANNSTUDIOS.COM VENUE: CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN, THOMPSONVILLE, 231.378.2000, CRYSTALMOUNTAIN.COM

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Opposite: Flowers by Victoria’s Floral Design and Gifts in Beulah. Bridesmaids’ bouquets: yellow garden, regular and spray roses with crespedia and yellow ranunculus wrapped in twine. Bridal bouquet: white regular and spray roses, lisianthus, baby’s breath and ranunculus.

The bride wore a Kenneth Winston battenburg lace gown with a Swarovski crystal jeweled neckline and corset back. This page, clockwise: The couple exchanged traditional vows before Pastor Jamey Nichols (from Molly’s hometown church). Boutonnieres sport the groom’s love of golf. Ring bearer Liam Pauli heads bravely down the aisle with his sign, while his younger brother Jack (in the background) wasn’t quite ready to pull duty.

The bouquet is wrapped in lace from Molly’s mother’s wedding gown, then draped in the “something blue” garter. The bride and her attendants rock-hopping to the ceremony from Crystal Mountain’s charming Cottages at Water’s Edge where family members stayed.

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This page, clockwise: Top row from left: Rob Reynolds, Brett Pauli, Peter Russell and Ryan Schultheiss. Middle Row from left: Michael Gurecki, Ellie Dowden, Laura Schindelholz, Betsy LeVand, Betsy Wiles, Brieanne Oehlke, and Brian Pauli.

Front row: Jonathan and Molly Pauli. The beer mug of cigars and other goodies was Molly’s wedding gift to Jonathan.

The mug is engraved with “All of Me Loves All of You,” the lyrics to the newlyweds’ first dance song. Cake by Kingsley Cakes. Cocktails slopeside. Photo ops abound on the Crystal Mountain grounds. The reception centerpieces were lovely minimalist versions of the bridal bouquets.

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This page, clockwise. The couple vacationed in nearby Glen Arbor after the wedding but plan a formal honeymoon to St. Lucia the day after Christmas. Molly wore Alessandras by Badgley Mischka. The Paulis’ rings are from Harr’s Jewerly in St. John’s, Michigan. Molly’s engagement ring is a tapered cathedral setting with a round solitaire diamond. Her band is a semi-circle of pave-set round diamonds.

Husband and wife ride the chairlift down from their mountaintop ceremony. Tables set for the reception under a tent on Crystal’s lovely grounds. The champagne-lace bridesmaids dresses were from SimplyDresses.com.

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Wedding Notebook CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN

accommodations

Photo by: Siri Salonen Photography

Beautiful accommodations and a wide range of lodging options at Crystal Mountain will be sure to fill every guest's needs. Stay at a Celtic “castle,” a mountain top condo, 1900s-style cottage, a slopeside bungalow, a townhome set into dense hardwood forests or a cozy hotel room right at the heart of Crystal Mountain. Some can sleep up to 10 guests and almost every one has a fireplace and in-room whirlpool tub. Magnificent!

guest services Weddings shine at Crystal. eymoons, Crystal Mountain has a long, glowing history of exceptional wedding events. From top to bottom, indoors and out, Crystal is a complete and wondrous wedding experience.

With award-winning wintertime skiing and splendid summer golf, your Crystal Mountain wedding can be held here any time of year, secure in the knowledge that everything will be in place for a truly memorable event.

Some of the Midwest’s finest

Photo by: Mitch Ranger Photography

resort lodging. Versatile dining

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options. Complete full-service spa and fitness center. Spacious outdoor heated pool, water playground and year round hot tub. Wedding parties and guests never need to leave the grounds because it’s all right here.

Photo by: Memories by Mandi

From showers and rehearsal dinners to ceremonies, receptions and even hon-

Crystal offers a comprehensive slate of services sure to please wedding parties and guests alike. Crystal Spa offers bridal party make-up services, massage, body wraps, facials, manicures, pedicures and a full range of men’s spa services as well.

We can provide a welcome bonfire, gift basket delivery, free on-site shuttle service and more. And we encourage all wedding parties to join us in lessening the environmental impact of their event by purchasing renewable energy offsets.

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event facilities

Recreation

Simply gorgeous. Choose from among many splendid ceremony and reception locations at Crystal, indoors or out.

Ceremonies can be held a the top of our mountain, where guests will arrive by chairlift, or down by the Petritz Pond Lawn, the Front Lawn under a beautiful white gazebo, tucked in the woods under the recently renovated Jessie Frohlich Amphitheater in the Michigan Legacy Art Park or inside the Crystal Center surrounded by the view of the breathtaking slopes. Receptions can be held under a Pavilion Tent, in the woods or in one of our elegant Crystal Center banquet rooms. Reception rooms feature a dance floor, table linens, skirted head table as well as gift, cake and DJ tables.

Dinners include votive candles on all guest tables. Dinners of 100 or more entitle the bride and groom to a complimentary overnight hotel room stay on the night of the reception.

Spectacular! Summer weddings mean guests can partake of Crystal’s two championship caliber golf courses, 10-acre practice facility, the Park At Water’s Edge pool and water playground, new Edge Adventure Course with elevated ropes course and zip line, miles of hiking and biking trails, Michigan’s only Alpine Slide, plus the amazing Lake Michigan shoreline and Sleeping Bear Dunes just a short drive away.

Winter guests can ski 45 beautifully groomed downhill runs, 40k of scenic cross-country trails, take a horse-drawn surrey ride, go ice skating, dog sledding and snowshoeing. Award-winning kids’, family and group activities are also available.

catering Cooked and prepared on-site, Crystal’s catering is second to none. Choose from a wide variety of dining options, offering fresh entrees using ingredients from local farms, specially designed around your needs and desires. Whether your tastes lean toward opulent full-course presentations or a delightfully simple outdoor barbeque, Crystal pulls it off with style and flair. Even going-away breakfasts can be arranged.

CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN 12500 Crystal Mountain Drive Thompsonville, MI 49683 855-546-9733 Fax: 231-378-4603 crystalmountain.com

Proprietors Jim and Chris MacInnes

Recreation Director Janice Davidson

Wedding & Special Events Sales Manager Amanda Milarch

Reception Capacity Up to 350 guests

AmandaMilarch@crystalmountain.com

Direct line is 231.378.2038 Spa Director Stephanie Scott

Event Rooms 5 indoor, tent and outside options available Guest Rooms 246 wedding 2015

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THIS WAS IT. The moment I had dreamt about since I was a little girl.

And things couldn’t have been more perfect.

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

MAKE IT YOUR MOMENT. 844.277.0193 C RYSTA LMOUNTAIN.COM

Siri Salonen Photography - Traverse City, MI

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k&d

West Bay Beach, A Holiday Inn Resort

STORY BY ADRIENNE ROBERTS  PHOTOGRAPHY BY COLLEEN WARREN

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Kristi & Derek k&d

KRISTI TORRETTI DEREK LUKE JUNE 27, 2014

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WEST BAY BEACH, A HOLIDAY INN RESORT TRAVERSE CITY

risti Torretti and Derek Luke both grew up in Iron Mountain, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. They lived a mere 2.5 miles away from each other, but it wasn’t until she was a senior in college and he was a freshman that they fina ly met at a party. After dating on and off for 11 years, they decided to get married at West Bay Beach, A Holiday Inn Resort. “We love Traverse City,” says Kristi. “It has a great culture, and there are so many things to do.”

West Bay Beach promised the all-inclusive destination wedding the couple had dreamed of. The guests and bridal party could all stay at the hotel together, the ceremony would be on the sandy, Lake Michigan waterfront just steps from the hotel, and the ballroom is just a couple steps from the beach and past the pool.

Making it sweeter yet, the resort just completed a 7 million dollar renovation including restaurants, banquet spaces and hotel rooms.

To top it all off, when the reception ended, the devoted revelers could keep dancing in View, the resort’s onsite nightclub.

As for theme, Kristi and Derek knew they wanted to give their beach wedding a sense of the nautical, without going overboard—as Kristi says, a “not a not nautical theme.” That sentiment played out in a lively mix of navy blue and orange—as in the groom’s orange pants and the fl wer girls’ striped navy and white dresses.

The couple’s Traverse City–based friend, Richard Harrison, served as their de facto wedding planner and was an immense help to

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Kristi and Derek as they planned their wedding from Lake Orion, Michigan. Richard, who had lived in the Hamptons, brought an East Coast–resort touch to the wedding. He did everything from arranging the flowers to deciding on the decorations.

Kristi bought three wedding dresses before she was fina ly happy with her decision—a full gown with spaghetti straps, vintage buttons, a big bow in the back and, her favorite part, pockets. The gown is fun, elegant and totally Kristi.

The morning of the wedding, the couple watched the bold sun rise over the bay from their water-view room. As the morning progressed, sailboats and paddle boarders drifted by their window. Later in the day, about 115 guests watched as Kristi and Derek took their vows at the water’s edge in an intimate ceremony offi iated by Kristi’s uncle Tommy, a pastor. The couple’s daughter was one of the fl wer girls. “There was not a dry eye there that day,” says Kristi. “[My uncle] knows Derek and me well and described who we are as a couple in just a few words.”

Guests sipped cocktails waterside before they were led into the ballroom. West Bay Beach, A Holiday Inn Resort catered the elegant dinner. Guests had their choice of grilled sirloin topped with forest mushrooms and red wine au jus or lemon caper chicken with basil white wine sauce. The

raspberry and almond salad was made with locally grown bib lettuce.

The one thing Kristi was very specific about was the cake—she wanted it from her favorite bakery in Iron Mountain, Andrea’s Sweet Design. Kristi’s mom made the six and a half hour trek down from Iron Mountain to Traverse City with the cherryfi led chocolate forest cake safely stowed.

Thankfully, the cake made it safely—there was no back-up plan.

Kristi and Derek’s first dance was to Kip Moore’s quietly romantic song “Hey Pretty Girl.” They spent the rest of the evening dancing and mingling with their guests. The time was elegant and intimate and perfect. And yes, there were still revelers ready to head to View for more partying when the reception wound down. Oh what a night!

PHOTOGRAPHY: COLLEEN WARREN, CMWARREN10@GMAIL.COM VENUE: WEST BAY BEACH RESORT, A HOLIDAY INN

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Opposite: Kristi wore a Vera Wang A-line silhouette gown called simply, White. Lydia Kutten of Salon Stage in Traverse City did her hair.

This page, clockwise: The bride and groom went barefoot for the beachside wedding, although Kristi wore decorative barefoot sandals made for her by a family friend, Cathy Nobert. The couple exchanged traditional vows mixed with personalized touches in front of Pastor Tom Porta.

Wedding guests whiled away time before the late afternoon wedding playing on rented jet skis and visiting nearby wineries. Richard Harrison of Traverse City did the flowers. The bridal bouquet was white hydrangea with ivory roses and hosta leaves. The rehearsal dinner was at North Peak Brewery in Traverse City.

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This page, clockwise: The bridal party: Best Man Corey Luke, Matron of Honor Kristen Chapman, Kelli Nobert, Casey Luke and Kristi and Derek Luke. Children: Flower girl Maddi Nobert, Mara Luke, daughter of Kristi and Derek, Andrew Nobert and Nicholas Hernandez. Following the wedding the newlyweds honeymooned in Playa Mujeres, Mexico. Vases of blue delphinium add to the blues of the day. Mother and daughter.

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This Page: The Lukes share a quiet moment together. The reception centerpieces were vases of baby’s breathe en masse and vases of white hydrangea and blue delphinium. For the reception she slipped into a pair of white satin peep toe flats by David’s Bridal. Music was by Mister Music DJ & Event Service. The Cinematographer was Future Focus Media of Traverse City. Drawing in the sand is just one of many natural perks of a beachside wedding.

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Wedding Notebook WEST BAY BEACH, A HOLIDAY INN RESORT

event facilities

Look what you will find in the heart of Traverse City The only full service resort in downtown Traverse City is nestled on the pristine sugar-sand beaches of West Grand Traverse Bay. West Bay Beach, a Holiday Inn Resort offers the perfect combination of area attractions and amenities. Shopping,

With over 6,000 square feet of newly renovated private event space, you'll see why our resort is a popular location for many destination weddings. In addition, all of our restaurants and private venues are available for your rehearsal dinner, bridal party luncheon, or a farewell brunch.

West Bay Beach Resort specializes in unique outdoor wedding ceremonies.

Bring a sense of grace and leisure to your wedding experience. Imagine your ceremony near the sparkling waters of Lake Michigan, vineyard-covered peninsulas, and the ambiance of downtown Traverse City. Whether you choose to host your ceremony on our beach, lawn or under our beautifully aged, historic willow tree, our picturesque landscape is sure to exceed your wedding dreams!

As a four season resort we would be happy to host your special day during any of the Up North Michigan seasons.

nightlife, art galleries, the State Theatre, several restaurants, parks and public beaches are just a short walk away, making our location the best in town! Take advantage of our stylish modern decor, panoramic views of the bay and the magnificent Northern Michigan sunsets over the water, as the perfect backdrops for your special day.

At West Bay Beach Resort, we understand your wedding day is an event you've dreamed of your whole life. Our entire staff is dedicated to being true leaders of hospitality, and are committed to creating positive memories for all of our guests.

We encourage you to contact our wedding sales manager for more information, or to schedule a complementary site visit to tour our beautiful property. Make sure to request a wedding folio complete with photos, menus, package details, vendors, and more to make your wedding planning a breeze!

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accommodations

Guest Services You and your guests will enjoy unrivaled amenities when you book your wedding at West Bay Beach Resort!

Take advantage of our knowledgeable concierge, who can help you book a wine tour on Old Mission Peninsula, a charter fishing excursion on Grand Traverse Bay, or a shuttle service to local attractions. Or simply stay on-site and enjoy our indoor and outdoor pools, hot tub, fitness room, children's activities center, beachfront cabanas and lounge furniture, boat and bike rentals, and more!

For a real taste of Traverse City, you'll want to join us at our seasonal outdoor patio bar featuring live entertainment, or in our

Our 179 well-appointed guest rooms feature floor-toceiling windows with inspiring views of West Grand Traverse Bay. Newly renovated and decorated with a contemporary look, all guest rooms are designed to provide maximum comfort for our guests with multiple in-room luxuries. You can even personalize your guests' experience by working with our concierge to distrubute welcome bags upon check-in.

Need a room block for your loved ones? Our wedding sales manager will be able to assist you with booking a room block for your guests at competitive seasonal rates.

breakfast bistro serving Starbucks coffee.

If it's the night life you seek, our award-winning nightclub hosts DJ's every weekend to keep the fun going after your wedding reception!

catering

WEST BAY BEACH, A HOLIDAY INN RESORT 615 East Front Street Traverse City, MI 49686 The culinary team at West Bay Beach Resort has developed menus that feature comfort food with a contemporary twist and a strong emphasis on locally grown ingredients.

Whether it's s'mores around a bonfire on the beach, a cocktail and hors d'oeuvres reception, or a six-course plated dinner, we will assist you with selecting the perfect menu for your reception.

Enhance the ambiance of your special day with our list of highly recommended local vendors for ice sculptures, flowers, linens, and centerpieces!

800-888-8020 www.tcwestbay.com

Sales Manager Rachelle Grockau 231.421.2126 rgrockau@innisfree.com

Event Rooms 3 Indoor and 2 Outdoor Guest Rooms 179

Reception Capacity 200 guests wedding 2014

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Beautiful Downtown Traverse City Weddings

The dedicated staff at West Bay Beach, a Holiday Inn Resort understands your wedding day is an event you’ve dreamed of your whole life. We would like nothing better than to help your vision become a reality.

Contact our Sales Manager: Rachelle Grockau to set up a Site Visit Today!

Direct: 231.421.2126 Email: rgrockau@innisfree.com

Photo by: Siri Salonen Photography

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The Inn at Bay Harbor

STORY BY ADRIENNE ROBERTS  PHOTOGRAPHY BY NERI PHOTO

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MELISSA MOLINE JEFF MILLER SEPTEMBER 27, 2014

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THE INN AT BAY HARBOR, BAY HARBOR

eff Miller and Melissa Moline had recently become engaged when Melissa got another big question popped to her—this one from Brie Kear, sales manager at the The Inn at Bay Harbor: Could Melissa plan her wedding by the end of September, in just three months?

The back-story: After Jeff proposed to Melissa (at the Waldorf Astoria in Chicago, where a surprise of fl wers, champagne and ring were waiting!) The Inn at Bay Harbor was the couple’s first choice for a wedding venue. The classically beautiful venue set on Lake Michigan could fulfi l their wish to be married beside the water. Moreover, it was an ideal destination wedding location for Jeff’s family in Kansas City, Missouri, and Melissa’s in Alma, Michigan.

The couple was broken-hearted to find however, that The Inn was booked out much further than they wanted to wait. Then at zero-hour, a cancellation rescued their dream.

Thrilled and a bit nervous, Melissa and Jeff shifted into wedding prep overdrive.

Job 1: Melissa quickly made an appointment at BHLDN, Anthropologie’s sister brand, which carries vintage-inspired wedding dresses.

In her hourlong appointment, Melissa bought three dresses, and ended up choosing a strapless Nicole Miller lace gown with scalloped edges.

Her cousin and maid-of-honor, Michon Moline, also wore a Nicole Miller strapless dress—this one tea-length and champagne.

On the day of the wedding, Melissa and her friends hit the one-of-a-kind boutiques of Bay Harbor and Petoskey, and Jeff and his guys

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visited local breweries. When the curtain fina ly went up on this wedding, every elegant detail was in place: it looked anything but rushed.

The event opened in the early evening with cocktails under a tent set up on The Inn’s wide green lawn and in sight of the simply elegant lakeside wedding altar. Guests mingled to the soft sound of the Bayshore Strings, a trio who put a classic twist on music as diverse as Jason Mraz and the Black Eyed Peas.

As the big moment approached, guests moved casually, some still with drinks in hand, to be seated in the en plein air ceremony venue.

It was a fairytale setting: Powder blue sky, deep blue Lake Michigan, and an altar of white chiffon curtains embellished with matching bouquets of white and coral roses.

Melissa’s grandmother walked her down the grassy aisle decorated in luxurious swirls of white roses. And so began a ceremony that was a unique hybrid of two religions—Melissa is Catholic, and Jeff is Jewish.

Cocktails and appetizers followed, and then guests were seated in The Inn’s elegant dining room with its black-and-white tiled floor and row of glossy white ornamental columns. The plated dinner included salmon, beef tenderloin and garlic rustic potatoes. Before the dinner had ended the much-heralded Bluewater Kings Band from Detroit had the guests dancing to everything from Motown to old-school rock— and Jack Johnson’s “Better Together”—which

Melissa and Jeff had spent two months practicing for their first dance as man and wife.

While no doubt the couple is better together, they “messed up at the end of the dance,” Melissa says, with a laugh.

When guests weren’t dancing, they could toast marshmallows and build s’mores at an outdoor lounge equipped with fi e rings. Guests also loved the Motion Booth—an updated version of a photo booth that puts live-action videos onto a screen. “We wanted to make our wedding a great time for the guests who stay at [places like] the Ritz Carlton, but we also wanted the people who love camping to enjoy themselves, too,” Melissa says.

After the reception, the party continued with pizza and drinks in The Inn’s South American Grille & Wine Bar—a fitti g ending for an event that blended an upscale resort vacation with the casual ambiance of a gettogether with friends and family.

PHOTOGRAPHY: NERI RIDGES, NERIPHOTO, NERIPHOTO.COM VENUE: THE INN AT BAY HARBOR, 231.439.4000, INNATBAYHARBOR.COM

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Clockwise: The orchid-petal monogram was a gift from Jeff’s parents, Jerry and Lauren Miller. It was a decoration at both the wedding breakfast and later at the reception. The bride wore Badgley Mischkas, style Kassidy II Platform Pump. Junior bridesmaids Isabella and Anna Miller. Photo ops abound at The Inn at Bay Harbor. The framed bar menu. Jennifer Haf of BLOOM floral design created the lush aisle petal art. The combination Jewish and Catholic ceremony was officiated by both Rabbi Scott Segal and Father Tom Page.

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Clockwise: The bride with her maid of honor, Michon Moline. The bouquets and reception floral arrangements (by BLOOM floral design) were made of succulents, dahlias, roses, lisianthus, hydrangea, baby’s breath and dusty green. Champagne linens by Tableau Events set an elegant tone at the reception. Guests received potted succulents. Desserts were by Simply Sweet by Jessica. Plein air cocktail tables dressed for the event.

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Clockwise: “I chose a simple vanilla wedding cake since we went a little crazy with the rest of the dessert bar,” Melissa says. The reception area at The Inn at Bay Harbor includes a tented veranda that doubles as a dance floor. The bride’s hair was done by Talulu Beauty Lounge in Petoskey. The newlyweds’ first dance was “Better Together,” by Jack Johnson.

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Wedding Notebook THE INN AT BAY HARBOR - A RENAISSANCE GOLF RESORT

Event Facilities

The Inn’s shoreline setting offers a multitude of indoor and outdoor options for wedding ceremonies and receptions, as well as rehearsal dinners, showers and anniversary parties. The event’s locale holds so many nuptial memories and The Inn’s certified wedding planners have every detail in mind—including coordination of floral and photography services and the creation of unique menus, to ensure each of those memories lasts a lifetime. From a ceremony on the lakeside lawn and dinner reception in an exclusive country club setting to a sunset reception on the outdoor terrace or intimate celebration in a spacious suite overlooking Little Traverse Bay, couples select The Inn knowing the perfect day begins with the perfect location.

Say I Do in Style The Inn at Bay Harbor takes you back to a time when elegance reigned supreme, service was an art form, and serene surroundings were all that was needed to make each a very special day. A place of extraordinary connection. The perfect place for an exchange of vows. A luxurious Victorian-style resort located on the shores of Lake Michigan, The Inn at Bay Harbor delights guests with spectacular lake views, stirring breezes and glorious sunsets. Its stunning setting and ambiance of romance complement fresh and inspired presentations to make yours a remarkably unforgettable wedding.

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Three incredible northern Michigan resorts and award-winning spas, each an achievement of grace and style.

Activities/Recreation Your outdoor surroundings are breathtaking. Your choices of inspired recreation are endless. Award-winning golf awaits just minutes from your doorstep. The prestigious Bay Harbor Golf Club offers three unique courses to delight the novice and scratch player alike while the views from Crooked Tree Golf Club will leave guests almost as breathless as your wedding dress. Beyond the greens, spend the day searching for Petoskey Stones and relaxing in a cabana on The Inn’s private beach or soak up the sun in a lounge chair around the pool while sipping refreshing beverages and noshing on tasty tidbits from the Cabana Bar. Nearby resort towns Petoskey, Harbor Springs and Charlevoix offer culture, adventure and shopping, while the Village at Bay Harbor—a short walk from The Inn—offers fine dining and fun, unique shopping for the quint-

accommodations

essential “Up North” experience. Biking paths, casino gaming, performing arts and more await your discovery.

From the moment of arrival when warmly welcomed by The Inn at Bay Harbor’s dedicated team, you, along with everyone in your wedding party, can expect a level of gracious hospitality not soon forgotten. Listed among the Best Hotels in the World by Travel + Leisure, The Inn offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites and cottages, designed with lakeside charm and elegance, many with a fireplace and stunning views of Lake Michigan. The resort’s accommodations are conveniently accessed from any location you select for your momentous celebration of love.

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

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

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

800.862.6 BOYNEWEDDINGS.C 800-862-6963 • boyneweddings.com Wedding Sales Manager Brie Kear 231.439.4078 bkear@innatbayharbor.com

Reception Capacity 175

Event Managers Lindsay Kaler Tracy Thomson

Event Space Lake Lawn (ceremony), Sagamore’s Dining Room, Lakeside Terrace, and Bay Harbor Golf Club (reception)

Spa Manager Fallon Lejeune

Rooms and Suites 129

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

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

Boyne Highlands | Boyne Mountain The Inn At Bay Harbor – A Renaissance Golf Resort

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Ciccone Vineyard & Winery

STORY BY ADRIENNE ROBERTS  PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINA TROGAN PHOTOGRAPHY

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Jennifer & Nick j&n

JENNIFER FREITAS NICK MELCHER OCTOBER 11, 2014

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CICCONE VINEYARD & WINERY, SUTTONS BAY

enn Freitas and Nick Melcher are an unlikely match. She stands a mere 5-feet tall and is from the East Coast. Nick is a 6-foot-4-inch-tall Midwesterner and former college football player. They met at a dueling piano bar while both were vacationing in Myrtle Beach. She tapped him on the shoulder and asked him to move out of the way—and that was the start of a beautiful—if nontraditional!—love story.

When it came time to plan their wedding, both Nick and Jenn knew they wanted a fall wedding — they’re avid football fans and autumn is their favorite season. Because Nick is from Oak Forest, Illinois, and Jenn is from Fall River, Massachusetts, they also wanted a destination wedding, somewhere between their two hometowns. In Traverse City they found the geography they were looking for, as well as a region that spoke to their hearts. “We love being outside, and we love good people, good beer, and good food,” says Jenn. “Traverse City felt like home.”

After browsing venues in the Traverse area, the couple headed out to the Leelanau Peninsula wine country—where they found Ciccone Vineyard & Winery. The lush rolling hills, shimmering view of Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay and picturesque vineyards convinced them they’d found where they would wed.

Nick and Jenn launched their wedding week by driving from their home in Chicago to Wisconsin, where they drove their car aboard the S.S. Badger car ferry for a lei-

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surely 5-hour scenic boat ride across Lake Michigan to the Michigan City of Ludington, a couple hours’ drive south of Traverse City. Nick had always wanted to take the amenityfi led cruise, and it seemed an appropriate preamble to their Michigan wedding.

Once in Michigan, the couple whiled away the days before their wedding touring the dozens of wineries clustered around Ciccone Vineyard & Winery with family and friends. On their wedding day, 65 guests gathered in this breathtaking setting and listened to the words of Bob Marley, as read by the couple’s friend and offi iant Ben Cassan.

Jenn and Nick wrote their own vows, which included football references and many laughs.

As the newlyweds entered the reception in the renovated barn, they were introduced to a remix of “I’m Shipping Up to Boston,” by Dropkick Murphys and The Blues Brothers’ “Sweet Home Chicago”—homages to their hometowns. With their kicked-back style, it’s no wonder that Jenn and Nick opted to treat their guests to an authentic down-home pig roast provided by Chef’s Pride Catering.

Once the band starting playing, Jenn and Nick didn’t leave the dance floor all evening.

The reception ended when the (remaining!)

guests and bridal party boarded a chartered bus for a wild (but safe!) ride while everyone did Michigan Apple Shots—Jenn and Nick’s version of the Washington Apple Shot that involves apple schnapps.

The happy newlyweds indulged their firs morning as a married couple in quintessential laid-back style: Jenn ate a cheeseburger, and Nick watched football. Bliss.

PHOTOGRAPHY: CHRISTINA TROGAN PHOTOGRAPHY, 231.360.4953, CHRISTINATROGAN.COM VENUE: CICCONE VINEYARD & WINERY, 231.271.5553, CICCONEVINEYARD.COM

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Opposite page: The bride wore a Mori Lee strapless trumpet style gown with embroidered appliques over the net and a satin band ruched over the empire waste. The bride’s Badgley Mischka shoes were a gift to her. This page, clockwise: Mileage signs point to the couples’ hometowns and to Myrtle Beach, where they met. Initials in wine cork—nice! Flip-flops for the guest are a welcome touch at casual outdoor weddings.

The bride's brother, Johnathan Freitas, gave her away. The bridal bouquet was handmade by the bride’s brother and sister-in-law. Pashminas for the guests are a must at an outdoor wedding. The view from Ciccone Vineyards & Winery moves from the vines, to hardwoods and on to Grand Traverse Bay winking on the horizon.

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This page, clockwise: The casual ceremony by friend and officiant Ben Cassan included football references and Bob Marley quotes. Chef’s Pride Catering provided the pig roast.

Flower girl Sonia Freitas wore a handmade dress by Tutu Cute & Co. Grapes nearly ready for harvest. Guests received their thank you notes at their place settings. The Blossom Shop in Traverse City provided the bridesmaids and flower girl bouquets made from ranunculus, blueberry, dusty miller and ivory garden spray roses. All Cakes, All Occasions baked the cake—which included one carrot layer, Nick’s favorite.

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This page Clockwise: Photo ops abound at Ciccone Vineyard & Winery where receptions are held in a refurbished 19th-century barn. The newlyweds’ first dance was to “I Don’t Dance,”

by Lee Brice, courtesy of DJs Joshua and Jeremy Sprague. The wedding party from left to right: Sonal Choudhary, Elizabeth Grigas, Elizabeth Ehrhart, Lindsay Rocha, Nicole Madore, Amy Freitas, Sofia Freitas, Jenn and Nick Melcher, Michael Lynch Jr, Andy Stitnicky, Justin Jacobek, William Ehrhart, Paul Moersch, Gilbert Rocha III. Bottles of house wine line the bar.

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Wedding Notebook CICCONE VINEYARD & WINERY

catering CHEF’S PRIDE CATERING: Larry Burdek personally creates every meal with over 600 of his own recipes. The food is wonderful, the events memorable, and the team of professionals are always ready to serve you. Not only do we offer the ideal wedding, but we also cater to many other types of Michigan events.

Contact Larry Burdek at chef@lburdek.com or 231-943-9683. chefspridecatering.com

Ciccone Vineyard & Winery Whether you’re taking in the breathtaking views of West Grand Traverse Bay, strolling among the plush hillsides of the vineyard or enjoying the intimate ambiance of our Old World Tasting Room, you’ll find Ciccone Vineyard & Winery offers the most distinctive and versatile backdrops for any occasion.

Our rustic turn-of-the century barn offers a generously proportioned space featuring a casually elegant interior. The versatile space is designed to complement the most delicate of pallets to those with more rustic characters. When bathed in the warmth of strewn lights, the barn transforms into a space that is not only spectacular but one of a kind.

Explore the many options at Ciccone Vineyard & Winery Ciccone Vineyard & Winery is dedicated to making your day perfect. We will accommodate your choice of vendors, giving you the opportunity to customize every aspect of your day. Selecting from the area's vast array of photographers, florists, and caterers ensures you will find the perfect details to complement your perfect day. Our ded-

UPTOWN CATERING: A special day. A special evening. A special night. A special dinner.

Remembering the times when everything was special. Uptown Catering...

Standing on the other side with you on your special day. Contact Paul at paul@opagrill.com or 231-947-6721. uptowntc.com

photographers CHRISTINA TROGAN PHOTOGRAPHY: Specializing in providing a unique mix of creative candids and modern portraits that tell the story of your day from beginning to end. Graduate of the College of Creative Studies in Detroit, MI and current member of the Professional Photographers of America.

Contact Christina at nagort@gmail.com or 231-360-4953. christinatrogan.com KELLY SWEET PHOTOGRAPHY Elegant, timeless and personal wedding photography for the discriminating bride.

Kelly resides in Michigan, but is available for travel nationally and internationally.

Contact Kelly Sweet at kelly@kellysweet. com or 616-822-1754. kellysweet.com

icated events team, along with the absolute best vendors in Northern Michigan, will ensure your event is executed to perfection. Let Ciccone Vineyard & Winery make your wedding day dreams a reality.

Ciccone Vineyard & Winery ... The first day of forever starts here!

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DAN & MELISSA PHOTOGRAPHY: It’s not just about award winning images; it’s about creating an amazing experience. Combining our creative vision with your personality is why we love what we do. We’re always working to produce images that you will love.

Contact Dan and Melissa at danandmelissaphotography.com

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lodging

desserts

HILLTOP LOG LODGE: Hilltop Log Lodge is one of the more luxurious and larger lodges in Leelanau wine country. Architecturally unique, unmatched views over the bay to Traverse City... it accommodates families and can host rehearsal dinners in a spectacular, casual and elegant setting.

Contact Jeff or Richard at hilltoploglodge@aol.com. hilltoploglodge.com

ALL CAKES, ALL OCCASIONS: Whether you are looking for simple elegance or an extravagant centerpiece, Hannah will work with you to create a dream cake for your wedding. There are over 20 flavors to choose from, and your cake will be fresh and delicious upon delivery. Contact Hannah at hannah@allcakesalloccasions.com or 231-714-4099. allcakesalloccasions.com

VISIT UP NORTH VACATION RENTALS: Plan a memorable “Up North,” vacation in the Leelanau Peninsula, Traverse City, or surrounding areas. Relax in a great home, cottage, or condo while enjoying the beaches, restaurants, wineries, and more. We’re open all year for daily, weekly, and monthly vacations during any season. Contact us at 231-922-8922. visitupnorth.com

SUGARKISSED: Imagine your big day adorned with a dessert for every tastebud and a dessert table set with your own unique style. Winner of 3 March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction Best Presentation Awards, Sugarkissed is here with every sweet treat. Imagined. Created. Kissed. Contact Christina at sugarkissedtc@yahoo.com or 231-421-9156. sugarkissedtc.com

floral

bands

FIELD OF FLOWERS/CHRISTINA PFEUFER DESIGNS: Special event floral design, fresh cut flowe farm, and ornamental garden. With 30 years of floral design and wedding production experience, Christina can provide inspired floral creations for the day of your dreams. Contact Christina at Christina@fieldofflowersfarm.com or 231-256-9530. fieldofflowersfarm.com

MAIN STREET PIANOS: This musical team performs an all-request show with interactive comedy to entertain any audience. The impressive repertoire of songs can provide an unforgettable experience sure to have your audience singing, clapping and dancing the night away! Contact Joe at joe@aceswildentertainment.com or 614-561-5577. mainstreetduel.com

AMY KATE DESIGNS: Artistry, passion and knowledge are all elements vital to wedding and special event floral design. Stimulating details, striking colors, rich textures, and soft enduring scents, are combined to ensure your event flowers are without doubt extraordinary. Contact Amy at info@amykatedesigns.com or 231-8836170. amykatedesigns.com

dj

NORTHERN MICHIGAN DJ: The "Right" DJ will find that crucial balance between your vision, the guest's desires, and the success of your event. Northern Michigan DJ wants to apply its unequalled experience, organization, and professionalism to your next function. Contact Paul at bdjskdjs@acegroup.cc or 231-269-3636. northernmichigandj.com

GREAT SCOTT: Featuring 5 guys on keyboard, guitar, bass and drums - there's no way you can resist the dance floor! With over 15 years of experience, you can rest assured your party will be in excellent hands with the highest quality professional talent and equipment. Contact Joe at joe@ aceswildentertainment.com or 614-561-5577. greatscottlive.com

TRILOGY: We know how important your wedding or event is and we adjust the intensity of our live music show to match the desired level of the energy for your evening. We offer low key elegant background music to energy packed performances or any combination of both per your request.

Contact Tim at contact@trilogy-band. com or 313-383-6825. trilogy-band.com

CICCONE VINEYARD & WINERY

Special Events Manager Sarah Titus Event Capacity Based on Location

103 Hilltop Rd, Suttons Bay, MI 49682 We provide the views, 231-271-5553 Event Locations 3

Rehearsal Dinner Options Available

www.cicconevineyard.com info@cicconevineyard.com

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www.bythebaytc@gmail.com www.bythebaytc@gmail.com

EVENT PLANNING

CATERING

EQUIPMENT RENTAL

There are many factors to consider when planning your outdoor event. Let us help you make your event memorable.

We will work with your caterer to make sure they are set up with all the equipment that they need.

We provide the highest quality equipment in Northern Michigan. We rent tents, chairs, flooring, lighting, heaters, and more!

PO Box 879 • Traverse City, MI 49865 • 231.631.1804 • monstreymacdonald.com • alex@monstreymacdonald.com 64

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ParkShore Resort

STORY BY ADRIENNE ROBERTS  PHOTOGRAPHY BY LUX LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

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Chelsea & Daniel c&d

CHELSEA PFLUGRAD DANIEL NESSEL JUNE 1, 2014 PARKSHORE RESORT, TRAVERSE CITY

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helsea Pfl grad grew up in Traverse City and Daniel Nessel was from nearby. The couple thought they knew all the city’s hidden secrets—but when, on their search for their dream wedding venue, they walked to the waterside of the ParkShore Resort, set between busy US31 and East Grand Traverse Bay, the sight took their breath away. There, surrounded by lush landscaping, a sandy beach and the aqua water, sat a small, tented white gazebo.

It would make a picture-perfect beginning for their life together. And a fitti g end to their long and occasionally tough courtship: Danny is three years older than Chelsea, and when he went to college out of state, they figured it was best to break up. But ever since the moment she’d first set eyes on Danny, Chelsea just knew they’d end up together. Proof? She’d dried and

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saved all the fl wers he’d ever given her.

ParkShore’s beach sparkled under full sun.

Chelsea walked down the grassy aisle—strewn in those dried fl wer petals—on her brother’s arm.

Her father, Traverse City physician Dr. Chester Pflugrad, offi iated. After the ceremony, while the 60 or so guests looked on from the resort’s tented terrace, the newlyweds danced to “Never Stop,”

by Safety Suit—performed by Chelsea’s brother Jeremy. “It was my favorite moment,” Chelsea remembers. “We couldn’t see the guests because they were up on the deck. Time stood still.”

The wedding meal, served on the terrace, was light, classy and fun—just as the Nessels wanted. And then it was off—with photographer Melissa Lande of Lux Light Photography in tow—to enjoy their hometown with their bridal party and close family and friends.

“We wanted to concentrate more on the ceremony and the photographs than the reception,” Chelsea says. And take pictures they did, from the sandy shores of Grand Traverse Bay to the historic grounds of the Grand Traverse Commons. The last stop before returning to the beach in time for the sunset was Moomers Homemade Ice Cream, Traverse City’s muchloved dairy farm/ice cream shop. The couple had frequented Moomers on dates—but they’d never before been able to order the Wholly Cow: Ten scoops of ice cream and a bottle of whipped cream. Oh what fun they had!

PHOTOGRAPHY: MELISSA LANDE, LUX LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY. LUXLIGHTPHOTOGRAPHY.COM VENUE: PARKSHORE RESORT, TRAVERSE CITY, 231.947.3800, PARKSHORERESORT.COM

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Opposite: The heart-cut diamond in Chelsea’s engagement ring symbolizes the hundreds of heart-shaped beach stones that Daniel has found and given to Chelsea over the years.

Chelsea eschewed flower bouquets for feathers. The bride wore a Casablanca mermaid-style gown with a sweetheart neckline. Her grandfather picked out her veil, and her grandmother picked out her hairpiece. This page, clockwise: Chelsea and her bridesmaids. The maid of honor helps the bride into her dress. Chelsea’s brother, Chet, walked her down the aisle, since her father officiated. Guests were asked to write advice on the hearts. Chelsea’s mother gifted her the heart-shaped diamond necklace to match her engagement ring.

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This page: The wedding party: Flower girl Aspen Young; bridesmaids Charlotte Lemieux, Bianca Wagner, Robin Priest, Kat Garcia, matron of honor (Chelsea’s sister) Jessica Preston; best man Jeremy Plfugrad; groomsmen Andrew Sansonetti, Liam Nessel, Justin Preston, Ben Priest. Chelsea says of the wedding’s color theme: “Purple symbolizes mystery and magic which keep love alive and gray often represents security and the future.” The Black Bottom wedding cake was from Underground Cheesecake Company. After the wedding the entire bridal party went to Moomers, where they dug into a Wholly Cow sundae. The landscaped grounds and destination facilities at ParkShore Resort are perfect for weddings.

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This page: The wedding party poses in the gazebo.

A spontaneous moment after the ceremony: “Paradise City,” by Guns N' Roses, came on the playlist, Dad Pflugrad started rocking out on the electric piano, and the bridal party shook it up.

The ceremony venue as seen from the tented reception terrace. It was back to the beautiful ParkShore beach in the evening for more photos. The Nessels exited the reception under a party-popper sendoff. “We wanted to imitate fireworks, since we couldn’t have real ones with such an early wedding,” Chelsea explains.

“It was a loud, colorful explosion of color and laughter.” The couple credited ParkShore wedding planner Fawn Punturo with the event’s flawless execution.

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Wedding Notebook PARKSHORE RESORT

accommodations

Your Ideal Michigan Beach Wedding Exchange your vows in our pristine white, beachfront gazebo! Afterwards, join your guests on our intimate, outdoor reception deck overlooking scenic East Grand Traverse Bay. Let us help you plan your perfect wedding. We can assist with everything from cakes to catering and flowers to photographers, making your wedding a memorable one!

The ParkShore Resort Wedding Venue reviews: Michigan Outdoor Wedding Council: August 2013 The ParkShore Resort offers one of the finest beachfront wedding venues in the State…

The ParkShore Resort is located at the base of East Grand Traverse Bay in Traverse City, Michigan. The Resort rests in the center of what has become known as the Miracle Mile. The Miracle Mile is appropriately named as it is a one mile long shoreline of Pure Michigan beach abundant with hotels, restaurants and summer attractions. Some of these attractions include Boat and Jet Ski Rentals, Parasailing, Miniature Golf for all ages, as well as hiking and biking trails just across the street that allow access to the Greater Traverse City area.

The ParkShore Resort proudly occupies 450 feet of pristine beachfront. This meticulously goomed beach is graciously lined with comfortable lounge chairs thus offering a family destination sure to please everyone. The Resort boasts of 80 rooms including Jacuzzi and Family Suites, walkout Beachfront rooms, King Fireplace rooms and more. Reservations are suggested during most seasons to assure the most desirable accommodations.

The Wedding Forum Guide: April 2014 The gold standard for outdoor wedding venues is presented to The ParkShore Resort in Traverse City. Their outstanding facility, attention to every detail and location on the Grand Traverse Bay make your experience one to be proud to share…

Mathew and Wendy Schwartz: August 2014 Our wedding day was a fairy tale come true thanks to the staff and efforts of the ParkShore Resort…

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event facilities

For the wedding season, June through September, the ParkShore Resort offers a beachfront elevated Gazebo with the Grand Traverse Bay as the backdrop. Wedding guests view the ceremony comfortably from their seats in the plush green grass. The boardwalks approach the Gazebo from both directions to allow the bridal party a storybook entrance and departure from the ceremony. Every detail of the wedding is reviewed with the bridal party by the wedding coordinator once an event date is chosen. The final walk through prior to the event day assures all parties that their dreams materialize as planned. On the day of the wedding, the event coordinator oversees the ceremony and controls the music and sound, assuring the bride and groom that all details are addressed.

The dining area known as Morels provides a private and intimate atmosphere fantastic for hosting a rehearsal dinner.

The chef will work with the bridal party and make every effort to accommodate their most personal requests.

On the day of the ceremony, the Bride and her Bridesmaids can enjoy mimosas in the ParkShore Lounge before making their way to the on-site Bridal Dressing Room. The dressing room is furnished comfortably and provides a well-lit and mirrored space that is perfect for allowing the bridal party an intimate setting for preparing for the ceremony. If desired, hairstylists and makeup artists can be standing by to primp and pamper the Bride all the way to the final walk down the aisle.

Lastly, there is the reception. Directly adjacent to the ceremony area is a 2000 square foot covered deck that can accommodate up to 125 guests for a seated reception meal.

The area overlooks the bay and creates a picturesque venue for your reception. The staff will suggest local caterers that can accommodate the most modest or extreme catering needs. The ParkShore Resort offers a full bar option staffed by their in house bartenders. Local live entertainment or DJ services are readily available to meet your needs as well.

You have the complete ability to customize every phase of the reception to your own personal desires. As always, the staff is there to guide and help you with all decisions.

After the reception the party can be continued in the ParkShore Lounge where you can dance to the music of DJ Thunder or you may choose to take your group to the beach fire pits for some quite reflection of the event under the starlit East Grand Traverse Bay.

Dining The ParkShore Resort is the only beachfront Resort on The Miracle Mile with an onsite restaurant and lounge. The staff of the ParkShore Lounge serves lunch and dinner daily from 3pm – 10pm and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. The menu is quite diverse and a hit with even the most traveled guests.

Entrees like Oyster Rockefeller, Hand Cut Tenderloin, Coconut Rum Whitefish and Pan Seared Ahi Tuna are accompanied by fresh steamed vegetables, specialty salads and of course, your beverage of choice. The lounge offers live entertainment weekly with a DJ on Friday and Saturday nights. This is always a favorite of the wedding parties during their stay with the resort.

PARKSHORE RESORT 1401 US 31 North Traverse City, MI 49686 231-947-3800 877-349-8898 info@parkshoreresort.com parkshoreresort.com Special Events Manager Fawn Punturo

Event Rooms 2

Reception Capacity 125

Guest Rooms 80

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Journey Should Begin on

Your

Grand Traverse Bay

Dedicated Wedding Planning Staff

Intimate Outdoor Waterfront Gazebo & Reception Deck u Yo

re rD

ch Wedding am Bea Des ti n ati on

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1401 US 31 North • Traverse City • 1.877.349.8898 www.parkshoreresort.clom Photo by: Lux Light Photography

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“ ,” with a view.

Beautiful view of Grand Traverse Bay Outdoor ceremonies available v Capacity for up to 300 v Onsite catering and bar services v v

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Ginger wore gray satin wedges by Ellie Wren Custom Wedding Shoes. The cameo on Ginger’s bouquet has been in the family for generations. Ginger explains: “My grandmother’s mother gave it to her, the eldest daughter on her wedding day. When passed to my mother (her eldest daughter), I grew up adoring it and knowing that someday it would be mine. For my grandmother it held great significance because she would pawn it for a short time to feed her family, then go buy it back when she could. They did this several times but always got it back.” Tableau Events of Petoskey did the guestbook, gift bags (that held water-scented soy candles) and paper-cone flower holder.

Simply Sweet by Jessica of Petoskey made the cake. Ginger’s engagement ring is a princess cut set on a platinum band, with a diamondencircled wedding band.

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 The Elements of a

Beautiful Wedding It was a (mostly) sunny day when ABC’s celebrity meteorologist Ginger Zee married NYC television personality Ben Aaron at The Inn at Bay Harbor.

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he bride moved gracefully down a grassy aisle, strewn with white rose petals, to her groom who waited on a bluff above the Lake Michigan shore. If by chance you were near the beach at The Inn at Bay Harbor that day and didn’t instantly recognize the celebrity bride, you might have figured it out by her shoes: gray satin wedges sprinkled in a storm of crystals with tornadoes on each heel …

Yes, the bride was ABC meteorologist Ginger Zee, a Michigan native, who’d wooed her groom, NYC television personality Ben Aaron, to her home state to wed. With a setting like the Inn at Bay Harbor, it hadn’t taken much convincing. The palace-sized white resort-hotel, built in the style of elegant Victorian-era lodges, looks

out over the wide, blue waters of a most romantic Great Lake—a view that is all-important to Ginger.

“I’m from Grand Rapids and we always camped on Lake Michigan,” Ginger told us in a pre-wedding interview. “I feel a connection with Lake Michigan, especially Up North where you can see that crystal blue water. Whenever I come home to Michigan I go straight to the lake. It’s like going to an island, but you’re home.”

Outfitted with such amenities as golf courses and a spa, surrounded by the posh Bay Harbor shops and rising near the Petoskey commercial district, the inn is the very definition of destination wedding, which is exactly what Ginger and Ben were looking for.

Everybody was able to stay in the same place and “that’s one thing

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I love about the inn,” Ginger said. “You have your own space, but you are all together so you can get some personal connections going.

Getting my mom and his mom together ... those sorts of things that don’t happen as often as they should in our world. Our families are spread out all over the country.”

The 50 or so friends and family who attended the wedding began trickling in on Thursday. Among them were Ginger and Ben’s close friend and wedding planner extraordinaire Francesco Bilotto, who had worked for months coordinating a team of talented professionals in the Northern Michigan events industry, including Jennifer Haf of BLOOM floral design, Jessica Stubbs of Simply Sweets by Jessica, Sheila Wright of Tableau Events, photographer Michael Murphy IV and Lindsay Kaler, senior event manager at The Inn at Bay Harbor.

After the simple ceremony, during which Ginger and Ben took their vows in a circle of white rose petals, guests headed to cocktails under a tent set up on an outdoor dining room adjacent to the inn’s main dining room. Working with the team of event professionals, Bilotto achieved what he calls a “formal nautical look” with navy blue table linens, dark club chairs and white-on-white tabletop bouquets created from garden roses, tea roses, carnations and baby’s breath.

Dinner was plated with guests seated at one long banquet table in the inn’s elegant dining room. Ball-shaped (clouds!) white floral centerpieces ran the length of the table, interspersed with white tea lights and scattered rose petals. After a dinner that began with an artisan cheese plate and continued on to choices of veggie quinoa, grilled salmon, Parmesan-encrusted chicken or filet mignon, guests moved back out to the tented patio for a cake with tiers of carrot, red velvet and vanilla. As the northern night enveloped the fairytale

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

By the time the dancing started, Ginger had changed into a second pair of shoes.

Sky blue stilettos these, embellished in crystals set in the shape of clouds and in the word Love. When she lifted her feet and flashed her soles, you saw it was true: This bride walks on rainbows.

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This page, clockwise: Ginger’s stepfather, Carl Craft, and her father, Bob Zuidgeest, walked her down the aisle. Carl made the wooden puzzle. Ginger and Ben exchanged private vows before the ceremony in a suite at The Inn at Bay Harbor. Ginger’s brother, Sean Zee, musician and lead singer in the band The Outer Vibe, played at the wedding. The Outer Vibe rocked the evening reception.

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For All Your Wedding Needs

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A rustic-elegant farmstead nestled in the heart of Boyne Country. Specializing in farm-to-table receptions, private parties, cooking classes and wine tastings.

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Clockwise: The couple exchanged interactive singing vows with the guests in front of family friend Anthony Koutsoftas. Chairs ready for the new Mr. and Mrs. Colonomos— Ginger continues to use Zee as her professional name, although she officially took Ben’s last name (Aaron is his professional name). Photo ops abound at the beautiful Inn at Bay Harbor. All guests were seated at one fabulous banquet table for dinner. The Inn at Bay Harbor on the horizon.

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CELEBRATE YOUR SPECIAL DAY IN A MAGICAL PLACE HISTORIC BARNS PARK AND BOTANIC GARDEN IN TRAVERSE CITY

There are so many choices: The stunning Cathedral Barn The lovely Garden Tent lawn The open-air Pavilion and Visitor Center gardens.

The Botanic Garden is situated within Historic Barns Park on the grounds of the Grand Traverse Commons.

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Cathedral Barn One of the most unique park settings anywhere!

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A place that speaks to the past and rejoices in the present. A place to celebrate your future.

Northern rental management oliverartcenterfrankfort.org/premier-rentals Specializing in beachfront rental homes & cottages for your out of town guests or romantic honeymoon.

From 2 guests to the entire family

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The bride wore a form-fitting lace Pnina Tornai gown with a sweeping veil. The groom wore a traditional black suit. The Victorian architecture of Bay Harbor was a fitting backdrop for their classic style. Wedding planner Francesco Bilotto says all the way back to New York City he dreamed about the cake—layers of carrot, red velvet and vanilla—made by Simply Sweet by Jessica.

scene, the band The Outer Vibe rocked the house down with a sound they self-describe as Big America Energy—“a collage of the Motor City’s passion and power, the upbeat, good feelings of the West Coast and a cinematic Southwestern nostalgia.” The lead singer, Sean Zee, is, you guessed it, Ginger’s brother. As Francesco quipped at the reception to Ginger’s mother, Dawn, “What is going on with the DNA that you have such talented kids?”

By the time the dancing started, Ginger had changed into a second pair of shoes. Sky blue stilettos these, embellished in crystals set in the shape of clouds and in the word Love. When she lifted her feet and flashed her soles, you saw it was true: This bride walks on rainbows.

ELIZABETH EDWARDS IS MANAGING EDITOR OF MYNORTH WEDDING. LISSA@TRAVERSEMAGAZINE.COM

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Storybook Weddings

bloomfloraldesign.com 231.675.9017 Photo by Andy Wakeman

TraverseCity.com | 800-TRAVERSE

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Romantic Wedding Settings Water, Winter, Vineyards and Countryside: Four reasons to be married in Northern Michigan TEXT BY ELIZABETH EDWARDS

Water

Your Up North

Wedding Brigid and Justin Plamondon made romantic waves at Empire Beach during their wedding shoot. PHOTO BY MELISSA LANDE OF LUX LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY, LUXLIGHTPHOTOGRAPHY.NET.

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Simply Elegant.

HISTORIC RAMSDELL THEATRE & BALLROOM Seats up to 300 Call (231) 398-9770 101 Maple St. • Manistee, MI 49660

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Amazing DJ’s, Photo Booths, LED Up-Lighting, Personalized Monograms, Limousines, Party Buses, Keepsake Videos, and much, much, more!!!

Call Today: 888 DJ-4 HIRE • 989 386-2221 www.soundproductions.com

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Winter

Your Up North

Wedding The theme was icy glamour for the Castle Farms wedding of Candice and Corey Murphy. PHOTO BY ERIKA BLACKWELL OF CENTER OF ATTENTION PHOTOGRAPHY, COAPHOTO.COM.

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Something Old, Something New 1

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Northern Michigan Gifts & Ideas for Your Special Day

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These gifts and many more from the Wedding category are available for purchase on ShopMyNorth.com.

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1. Reflections of a Life Up North Have your guests sign this book filled with essays about the beauty, wonder and joy of life Up North paired with photography from a decade of Traverse, Northern Michigan’s Magazine. $39.95 2. HOMES Notebook 54 Pages of lined paper keep track of your wedding weekend memories, the perfect place for guests to leave their thanks & best wishes. $9.50 3. MyNorth Pint 4-Pack Raise a toast with your wedding or bachelor party and sip in style with these go-anywhere pints designed for outdoors lifestyles. $39.95

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4. Dark Chocolate Covered Dried Cherries A signature Traverse City treat, these cherries make a tasty addition to dessert tables, bars, or take-home goodie bags. $18.95 5. Leland Gal Wine Bag A charming way to dress up any bottle of wine, Leland gal adds a designer flair to Northern Michigan’s prized wines. Leave a bottle for them to discover in their room. $12.00

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6. Petoskey Stone Pillow Add a touch of Michigan to your wedding décor, or surprise special guests when they check in with this accent pillow appliqued with the silhouette of Michigan in a beautiful Petoskey Stone fabric. $42.00 7. Sleeping Bear Gallery Handmade in Michigan Sterling Silver Beads Sold in sets of 2, these beads hallmark the places you love most in Northern Michigan - A memorable gift for moms and bridesmaids. $95.00 8. Just Good Dark Chocolate Bars, 3 pack Handcrafted in small batches from bean to bar in a tiny chocolate factory in Leland, these organic artisan bars are great additions to welcome baskets or as favors. $17.85

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9. Korner Gem Leland Blue & Petoskey Unity with Beads & Chain A quintessential Northern Michigan gift, the signature Petoskey Stone and Leland Blue Unity Bead is strung on a sterling silver chain for a stunning look representative of sea and sand Up North, two families coming together or just something blue. $145.00+ 10. MyNorth Women’s Zip-Up Fleece Keep your bridesmaids or groomsmen warm while they’re in town with a sharp light-weight fleece for all seasons. $39.95

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11. Northern Michigan Morning for Two The ultimate gift for any couple who loves Northern Michigan, give them an entire year of Traverse Magazine, plus an eye-opening pound of coffee and 2 MyNorth Coffee Cups. $54.95 12. MyNorth Stainless Travel Mug with Leather Cuff Put luxury in the hands of your wedding party with these stainless steel travel mugs with removable leather cuffs embossed with the MyNorth N. $24.95

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13. Becky Thatcher 3 Branch Twigg Bracelet A whimsical adornment, this sterling silver cuff is a timeless gift for the bride who loves nature. $425.00 14. Beautiful Sleeping Bear Dunes Package: Book + DVD Out-of-town guests take the beauty of Sleeping Bear Dunes home, a great gift that will remind them of the special time for years to come. $24.95 15. Elizabeth Blair Freshwater Cultured Chiclet Stud Earrings You’ll love wearing these timeless studs on the big day and for many occasions after. $295.00

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16. Elizabeth Blair Freshwater Cultured Coin Pearl Linen Bracelet Freshwater cultured coin pearls add a touch of elegance to her stunning wedding dress. $275.00 17. Color Coordinated Wine Glasses 4 gorgeous glasses made from recycled wine bottles. Choose from yellow, green, amber or cobalt blue. A perfect addition to vineyard weddings & they make lovely vases, too! $40.00 18. Clean Cotton Soy Wax Candle Set in a recycled wine bottle & inspired by the D.H. Day Barn, this candle makes out-of-town guests feel right at home in Northern Michigan. $16.00 wedding 2015

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Get more ideas from the MyNorth Wedding Editors, free!

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Includes appetizers, dinner, coffee, punch, skirted tables with china place settings and glasses.

Bartenders also included.

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Vineyards

Your Up North

Wedding Gregg Davis walks his daughter, bride Dani Davis, down a grapevine aisle to meet her groom, Gerard Knoph, at Brengman Brothers Crain Hill Vineyards in Leelanau County. PHOTO BY CHRIS WEAVER OF 2THIRTYONE PHOTOGRAPHY, 2THIRTYONE.COM.

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Sunday • January 11th 2015 • Lansing Center Doors open from 11am to 4pm. Fashion show starts at 2pm.

Tickets are $6 at the door.

Fashion show at 2pm featuring David’s Bridal, MW Tux, Becker’s Bridal and Sound Productions.

Come see the latest fashions including Bridal Gowns, Bridesmaids Dresses, Flower Girls & Mother of the Bride.

Don’t miss an opportunity to meet over 90 of the most sought after wedding professionals and learn new and creative ideas for your perfect wedding! Many exhibitors will be offering samples, demonstrations, and money-saving specials the day of the show. Talk one on one with the wedding experts and professionals.

Visit our Saginaw Bridal World show on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at The Dow Event Center 90

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Countryside

Your Up North

Wedding Newlyweds Trevor and Jen Smith came home from the Big Apple to be married at a farm setting in Leelanau County. PHOTO BY MELISA MCKOLAY PHOTOGRAPHER, MCKOLAYPHOTO.COM.

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Love A Michigan (State)

Story

He may play for the San Francisco 49ers, but Garrett Celek’s blood runs green and white—which is just one reason why he and his wife, Sarah, chose to be married in Northern Michigan. Sarah tells us the rest of the story.

BY SARAH CELEK • PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY SWEET OF KELLY SWEET PHOTOGRAPHY. KELLYSWEET.COM

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Clockwise: Mackenzie Celek, Garrett’s sister, did Sarah’s hair. She wore an Allure Couture lace and charmeuse gown in café ivory with beading throughout. The bridal suite at Crooked Creek Ranch where Sarah and her bridesmaids dressed. Vintage photo props abound at Crooked Creek Ranch. Sarah, Garrett and his mom R & D’d the mint beverage. Elizabeth Dee, a wedding guest who happens to be a professional makeup artist pinch hit (exquisitely!) at the last minute when the one Sarah had hired was a no-show.

Opposite: Sarah’s father, Dave Hinton, walks her down the grassy aisle. Jezebel-the-truck lives at Crooked Creek Ranch.

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We Meet

I grew up in Birch Run, Michigan, and Garrett grew up in Ohio. Garrett earned a full scholarship to Michigan State University to play football, and I grew up a Spartan and knew I always wanted to go to school there. The summer before my freshman year at State, 2007, I studied abroad in Italy. The university housed us at McDonnell Hall a few nights prior to our departure for a crash course in Italian.

Garrett spent that same summer in McDonnell Hall for training camp. My roommate knew one of Garrett's teammates and we ran into her friend at lunch. He invited us to sit with him and a few teammates, Garrett being one of them. We all hung out later that afternoon and Garrett asked each one of us for our numbers so we could stay in touch. He tells me later he did this just to get my number but was afraid to ask … Anyway, I left for Italy, and we stayed in touch throughout the summer. In the fall, my freshman year, I was assigned to Case Hall and what do you know? Garrett’s dorm room is one floor above. We started dating immediately and have been together ever since. Last month was the 7th anniversary of our first date.

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… and I end up saying “Yes,” because at this point we're already kissing, and then as he hugs me he fi ally says “marry me?”

Everyone around us was clapping and Mackenzie was in full shock—he hadn’t told her anything.

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Harrison.Studio.com

Kim Lora Photography

WINE COUNTRY COLLECTION UNIQUE CeLeBRATION

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The Proposal

Romantic photo ops abound at Crooked Creek Ranch. The couple exchanged traditional vows in front of Father Peter Szafran. “The arbor was my favorite part of the wedding décor,” Sarah says. Jennifer Has of BLOOM floral design created the arbor along with all of the lush organic floral arrangements that complemented the natural surroundings at Crooked Creek Ranch, blending seamlessly with the barn and lakeside wedding location. Sarah chose a timeless palette of neutral white and green designed with abundant textural elements. Flowers from BLOOM’s cutting gardens were sourced to complete the earthy yet refined arrangements.

After our first season with the 49ers, Garrett's parents took us on a vacation to Key West, Florida. We landed late in the afternoon and once we got settled in our place it was almost sunset. Garrett suggested we make it down to the ocean in time to catch the sunset and check out Mallory Square. As we were about to leave, Garrett's younger sister, Mackenzie, asked to come along and, of course, I said yes. Looking back I can see Garrett wasn't too excited for her to tag along but at the time I didn't think anything of it.

We made our way down to the water, Mackenzie and I leisurely taking it all in. Meanwhile, Garrett is frantically trying to find the perfect spot to watch the sunset, which is unlike him.

I kept saying, “This is fine, we can see from here.” There are hundreds of people already gathered to watch at this point. Finally Garrett finds a spot where no one is sitting, probably because it was such a precarious perch over the water(!), but we sat and got ready to watch.

Then a woman behind us, in a completely unplanned and random gesture, asks, “You two are such a beautiful couple, could I take your picture for you?”

Garrett immediately says “Yes,” and adds that we should stand up for the picture, which is also totally unlike him. I was wearing a cute new dress so I'm definitely taking advantage of this opportunity—of course let's take a standing-up picture! As I go to smile at the camera I realize Garrett is no longer at my side. He's on one knee. Ring in hand. I drop down with him just out of shock. He says “Will you … pause … and I end up saying “Yes,” because at this point we're already kissing, and then as he hugs me he finally says “marry me?” Everyone around us was clapping and Mackenzie was in full shock—he hadn’t told her anything.

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Outdoor Weddings

Lavabo Bathroom Trailers: the perfect solution for comfortably accommodating guests at your wedding or special events.

Houdek’s Bathroom Trailers for Outdoor Weddings & Special Events

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Rent the “Party Tender” our exclusive traveling wet bar!

Make Your Wedding

Uniquely Leland

18 rooms

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room for a 30x50 tent • capacity 400

231.256.9848 lelandlodge.com 565 Pearl Street, Leland Open Year Around

Photography by Dan and Melissa

MYNORTH.COM/WEDDING

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It was a perfect evening for our families to meet and enjoy the lake.”

Man and wife—after a nearly seven-year courtship. The bridesmaids wore Mori Lee Chiffon bridesmaid dresses in Tiffany Blue. The bride's Christian Louboutin Mouskito bow satin pumps held up well down the aisle—and up in the air.

An Up North Wedding

Growing up, Garrett spent his summers on Torch Lake and I spent mine on Sand Lake, outside of Tawas. Going Up North was a huge part of both of our lives, and it's how we like to spend our off-seasons now. I have always wanted an outdoor wedding on the water and originally we were thinking of having it at his family's house on Torch. We decided it was too unrealistic with our family size and started searching venues around the area.

We wanted to make this wedding a vacation for our entire family, and also make it an opportunity to show everyone how truly special Northern Michigan is. I saw a wedding at Crooked Creek Ranch on the Leelanau Peninsula while searching the web and I knew that was the place. It was absolutely perfect. It had the water, the barn, the animals, a truly spectacular setting that we both felt embodied the way Garrett and I grew up—something we've really come to cherish after spending time in crazy overcrowded Silicon Valley.

We suggested our guests stay on Torch Lake and rented out cabins near the Celeks’ house. Garrett's parents hosted the rehearsal dinner on Thursday before the wedding at the house and opened it up to the entire guest list for a cocktail party afterward. It was a perfect evening for our families to meet and enjoy the lake. The following day, Friday, we had everyone out on the sand bar. Many guests brought boats and we all anchored out in the water. We hired a company that provided various water sports including wake surfing and had a blast! It was so nice to be able to share a weekend with family and friends at our favorite place on earth.

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Sunday January 18, 2015 1:00 - 4:00 pm San Marino Club 1685 E. Big Beaver Road Troy, MI 48083

Sunday February 8, 2015 1:00 - 4:00 pm The Inn at St. John’s 44045 Five Mile Road Plymouth, MI 48170

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Sunday February 22, 2015 1:00 - 4:00 pm The Iroquois Club 43248 N. Woodward Ave. Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302

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Sunday March 8, 2015 1:00 - 4:00 pm The Best Western Plus Sterling Inn 34911 Van Dyke Ave. Sterling Heights, MI 48312

Sunday March 22, 2015 1:00 - 4:00 pm Weber’s Inn 3050 Jackson Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103

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Sunday September 27, 2015 1:00 - 4:00 pm Weber’s Inn 3050 Jackson Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103

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Sunday November 8, 2015 1:00 - 4:00 pm The Inn at St. John’s 44045 Five Mile Road Plymouth, MI 48170

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The Wedding

It was really important to us that we use local vendors. Crooked Creek provided the food, which was absolutely amazing. The owner, Pam, added a pig roast to her standard bbq menu to give the event a backyard-wedding feel. The pig was complete with a little football in the mouth, Pam's idea, and it was a big hit—or at least a conversation piece!

Simply Sweet by Jessica made our cake and other desserts. She absolutely outdid herself with multiple elaborate dessert tables. This was the most important part of the planning process as far as Garrett was concerned. He was away for football during most of our vendor meetings, but he made sure he attended the cake tasting, and I totally let him take the reins. I think he nailed it.

My dad walked me down the aisle while two acoustic guitarists, longtime friends of my mom's, John Krogman & Jon Van, played "Truly, Madly, Deeply" by Ray LaMontagne. I held it together until I saw Garrett. Then the tears flowed uncontrollably. I can definitel say it was the happiest day of my life, exactly as I had envisioned it, on the water, midJuly with all of my closest friends and family nearby, marrying the man of my dreams.

Crooked Creek Ranch had everything Sarah and Garrett were looking for in a wedding venue: beach frontage (2000 feet on Lake Leelanau) 160 acres of pastoral acres that include vineyards and a renovated 19th-century barn. Simply Sweet by Jessica made the desserts, including the textured butter cream chocolate cake with vanilla butter cream frosting cake. The best man’s toast.

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Brides-to-Be Brides-to-Be Show ShowList List Sunday, January 11,11, 2015, 12-3:30 pmpm Sunday, January 2015, 12-3:30 THE SHERATON ANN ARBOR HOTEL THE SHERATON ANN ARBOR HOTEL 3200 Boardwalk, AnnAnn Arbor 3200 Boardwalk, Arbor Sunday, January 25,25, 2015, 12-3:30 pmpm Sunday, January 2015, 12-3:30 ST.ST. LUCY’S BANQUET CENTER LUCY’S BANQUET CENTER 200200 E. Wattles Rd,Rd, Troy E. Wattles Troy Sunday, February 15,15, 2015, 12-3:30 pmpm Sunday, February 2015, 12-3:30 ZUCCARO BANQUETS & CATERING ZUCCARO BANQUETS & CATERING 46601 Gratiot Ave, Chesterfield 46601 Gratiot Ave, Chesterfield Sunday, March 1, 2015, 12-3:30 pmpm Sunday, March 1, 2015, 12-3:30 MONAGHAN BANQUET CENTER MONAGHAN BANQUET CENTER 19801 Farmington Rd,Rd, Livonia 19801 Farmington Livonia

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Sunday, March 22,22, 2015, 12-3:30 pmpm Sunday, March 2015, 12-3:30 HOLIDAY INN SOUTHGATE HOLIDAY INN SOUTHGATE 17201 Northline Rd., Southgate 17201 Northline Rd., Southgate Sunday, April 19,19, 2015, 12-3:30 pmpm Sunday, April 2015, 12-3:30 FORESTRE EVENT CENTER FORESTRE EVENT CENTER 1919 Star Batt Dr.,Dr., Rochester Hills 1919 Star Batt Rochester Hills Sunday, JulyJuly 26,26, 2015, 12-3:30 pmpm Sunday, 2015, 12-3:30 I.A.C.S BANQUET & CONFERENCE I.A.C.S BANQUET & CONFERENCE CENTER CENTER 43843 Romeo Plank, Clinton Twp. 43843 Romeo Plank, Clinton Twp. (Near Partridge Creek Mall) (Near Partridge Creek Mall)

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Sunday, August 9, 2015, 12-3:30 pmpm Sunday, August 9, 2015, 12-3:30 THE SHERATON NOVI THE SHERATON NOVI 21111 Haggerty Rd,Rd, Novi 21111 Haggerty Novi Sunday, October 25,25, 2015, 12-3:30 pmpm Sunday, October 2015, 12-3:30 THE MIRAGE THE MIRAGE 16980 18 18 Mile Rd,Rd, Clinton Twp. 16980 Mile Clinton Twp.

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MYNORTH.COM/WEDDING

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The Wedding Continued Following the ceremony guests gathered at the boathouse for a cocktail hour while Van & Krogman played. The reception was back at the barn where we toasted, dined and had our first dances. Garrett's coach (of the San Francisco 49ers), Jim Harbaugh, was in attendance with his wife, Sarah. He did a reading at the ceremony and also gave a beautiful speech at the rehearsal complete with a "Who could possibly have it better than Garrett and Sarah? NOBODY!" He also added a little Wolverine shout out (he played for the University of Michigan), which was quickly combated with yells of GO GREEN, GO WHITE! by our many Spartan guests in attendance.

Jedi Mindtrip, our band, was absolutely incredible. There were so many people up dancing, the wood floors in the barn were bowing. The end came upon us far sooner than any of us wanted. We chanted "one more song" on and on to the band, no one wanting the night to end.

The wedding party: Flower Girl Jordan Celek (Garrett's niece), Stephanie Celek (Garrett's sister), Mackenzie Celek (Garrett's sister), Katie Betcher, Juliet Robertson, Maid of Honor Shannon Flynn, Sarah and Garrett Celek, Best Man Travis Jacob, Brent Celek (Garrett's brother, Philadelphia Eagles tight end), Tyler Celek (Garrett's brother), Cody Schmunk (Sarah’s brother), Vance McDonald (San Francisco 49ers Tight End), Ring Bearer Tristen Celek (Garrett's nephew).The newlyweds honeymooned in Maui then flew straight to San Francisco in time for Garrett to make it to the 49ers training camp. Crooked Creek meanders throughout the property. An antique door makes a great prop for escort cards.

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KIRKBRIDE HALL 700 Cottageview Dr. Ste. 200 Traverse City, MI 49684

SOJOURN LAKESIDE RESORT 2332 East Dixon Lake Rd. Gaylord, MI 49735

Let Kirkbride Hall’s historical charm act as the stunning backdrop for your memorable wedding. Centered in the heart of The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, Kirkbride Hall can accommodate receptions of 150 guests or ceremonies up to 250 guests. Kirkbride Hall’s character, charm and historic significance will elevate the senses and leave your guests in complete awe. Call to schedule a private tour!

231-941-1961 www.KirkbrideHall.com

Sojourn Lakeside Resort is a unique rustic & elegant private wedding venue. The pinnacle of Northern Michigan beauty, we offer a wedding experience unlike any other. Our venue includes immaculate landscaping, a large beach, banquet facilities on the water, large outdoor spaces, 20 guestrooms, and much more.

All this private to the guests of one event at a time.

989-370-7873 sojournlakesideresort.com

231-369-2805 northernmilimoservice.com

Let us help you take his breath away

TO HAVE & TO HOLD BRIDAL BOUTIQUE 516 E. Front Street Traverse City, MI 49686

A Matter Of Taste at Tapawingo provides personalized catering services customized to you and your event. Not only can events be held on location at Tapawingo, but they are also equipped to travel within a one-hour distance of Ellsworth MI. This includes Traverse City, Charlevoix, Bay Harbor, and Petoskey.

A MATTER OF TASTE 9502 Lake Street Ellsworth, MI 49729

231-588-1000 • 231-675-7659 www.amatteroftastemi.com

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Check our website for information about guided tours.

231-938-9300 www.musichouse.org

We want to give you the most special experience when choosing your wedding gown.

Offering gowns for the entire bridal party, you will truly look and feel beautiful in a gown from To Have and To Hold.

231-922-9333 www.tohaveandtoholdtc.com

Your Wedding guests will relax and enjoy their stay in our newly renovated and modern rooms. Start your morning with a hot breakfast, compliments of the Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott.

Call us at 231.922.7900 and ask about special group pricing.

FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES 3701 North Country Dr Traverse City, MI 49684

Music House Museum houses a one-of-a-kind collection of rare antique musical instruments from 1870 through 1930, displayed in authentic period settings—a parlor, a general store, and a saloon.

A unique setting for weddings, rehearsal dinners, and receptions.

THE MUSIC HOUSE MUSEUM 7377 US 31 North Williamsburg, MI 49690

A real beauty inside and out, this Limousine Bus named “Gretchen” is a one of a kind for Northern Michigan. Wrap around leather seating for 18, Flashing LED lights throughout, Mega Sound System and Graphic Displays. She is ready to ROCK! Your friends will enjoy a nice Cool ride and Cool drinks with the A/C system and 3 Beverage Stations with 2 built-in Coolers. A perfect choice for Weddings and Large Groups.

Lets get this Party Started !!!!

PREMIER FLORAL DESIGN 800 Cottageview Dr. Ste. 55 Traverse City, MI 49684

231-922-7900 www.Marriott.com/TVCFI

Weddings are precious occasionsthe feeling of the day is what family and friends will treasure.

We use our expertise, together with your vision, to create a floral atmosphere that is the perfect reflection of your unique personal style. Come to Premier Floral Design and experience an enchanting convergence of quality and creativity.

231-947-1167 premierfloraldesign.com

MYNORTH.COM/WEDDING

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CHATEAU CHANTAL 15900 Rue de Vin Traverse City, MI 49686

Perfect for a boutique wedding experience, Chateau Chantal offers an outstanding setting for small weddings- 42 people or less. Choose from the indoor 2,000 square foot hospitality room or an outdoor setting amongst the vineyards and sparkling blue bays. Elopement, vow renewal, Champagne brunch, and wine rehearsal dinner packages also available. Don’t forget your private label wedding wine!

231-223-4110 www.chateauchantal.com

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

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

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

WEDDINGS YOUR WAY weddingsyourway@hotmail.com

Traverse City, MI

Unique Gems & Jewelry

SATURN GEMS 100 N. Mitchell Cadillac, MI 49601

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Design the Perfect Ring at Saturn Gems!

Our Advanced Computer Design System makes Customization Simple and Easy. Watch as your Dream Ring comes to Life in 3D. We Make it Special at Saturn Gems.

Bridesmaid and Groomsmen’s Gifts Made to Order - Or Browse our Vast Selection of Citizen Eco Drive Watches and Beautiful Diamond and Gemstone Jewelry.

231-876-2040 www.saturngems.net

I have a home-based business in Frankfort, MI. I am a retired home-economics teacher and have baked cakes for over 30 years. My aim is to please and I will do my best to make your cake a special part of your wedding. I look forward to hearing from you.

KITTLESON CAKES Frankfort, MI 49635

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231-352-9944 home 231-499-1943 cell kittlesoncakes.wordpress.com

231-946-8444 www.weddings-yourway.net

Cadillac Tuxedo LLC is dedicated to helping you pick out the perfect tuxedo for any occasion! We have a wide selection of colors (even camouflage) for you to choose from.

Welcome to Korner Gem, a full service jeweler located in Traverse City, Michigan. Korner Gem has been in the industry of creating one of a kind pieces for over 30 years. We carry some of the finest and most extensive collections of gems and natural stones in the Traverse City area.

KORNER GEM 13031 S. Fisherman Cv. Traverse City, MI 49684

Affordable, passionate, and professional!

We fit everyone and take the time to make our measurements to ensure your tux is perfect for your special event!

Serving Couples for 25 years!

910 South Mitchell Cadillac, MI 49601

CRYSTAL LAKE WEDDINGS 8493 Fairway Dr. Beulah, MI 49617

231-775-2856 www.cadillactux.com

Picture reciting your wedding vows outdoors in Northern Michigan, with pristine Crystal Lake as a backdrop.

After enjoying dinner under the classic white wedding tent, you and your guests mingle and sip cocktails on the lush green lawns with breathtaking sunset views. Envision dancing the night away for the first time as husband and wife, surrounded by your closest friends and family. Your special day which everyone is sure to remember.

231-409-7858 CrystalLakeWeddings.com

wedding See Your Business Here!

MyNorth Wedding is distributed to couples who love Northern Michigan through wedding shows, bridal salons and online at ShopMyNorth.com.

To place your ad in this magazine or in our online directory at MyNorth.com/wedding, contact Sales@TraverseMagazine.com or 800.678.3416.

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Dear Brides and Grooms, As you plan your upcoming wedding celebration, I invite you to consider Mission Point Resort.

With an outstanding Mackinac Island waterfront location; relaxed, welcoming ambiance; and a real dedication to service, Mission Point is an ideal choice for weddings of all sizes up to 500 guests. You can choose from a wide variety of ceremony locations and reception venues, many with outstanding views of Lake Huron, both indoors and outdoors. With an intense and growing focus on locally sourced foods, Mission Point offers creative, elegant culinary choices in all of our event spaces, organized by our dedicated Weddings Team. There is a great mix of guest rooms and suites, multiple on-site restaurants and many onsite activities and amenities, including bike rental, tennis, swimming pool, spa, water-side putting course, movies, kid’s arcade, and lawn games.

Please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated Wedding Consultants at 906-8473000 to further assist you.

Looking forward to welcoming you to the island, Bradley McCallum General Manager 906-847-3002

Experience the magic Picture Perfect Up North Weddings.

800.833.7711 | www.missionpoint.com

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