Recent Tweets
- We're looking for PR/Mktg students. The internships are unpaid, but the experience is invaluable. Tweet us if interested.
- @debralu Thanks and a happy weekend to you.
- A few more of our great #FF friends: @BiggbyBob @Olgaskitchen @MIadvantage @EasternMarket @SteelSkinz @GreaterLansing @MichbytheBottle
- Some #SuperBowl menu ideas: @GFSalsa @TubbysGS @BellsBrewery @BetterMade @shortbrewing @MyFaygo @KarsNuts @kathleenscookie @hudsonville_ic
- @Blondedeblanc Glad to hear it!
- #FF Great friends of ours: @TubbysGS, @BetterMade, @CoffeeBeaneryHQ, @HillersMarket, @ChemicalBank, @TomHolzerFord, @PureMichigan #Michigan
- RT @wxyzalicia: CASTING CALL: ExtremeMakeoverWeightLossEdition Sat.10am-4pm @GardnerWhite on Ford Rd in Canton. http://t.co/5RMvOveI
- Our deepest sympathy to the family, friends, and colleagues of Jeff Murri of @Fox2News, gone far too soon.
- Picking out your outfit this morning? Wear RED to increase awareness of heart disease as the leading killer of women.
- Evidence that U.S. #manufacturing may be gaining competitive ground on China: http://t.co/5RSv84Ds #USA
Did You Know?
Complimentary assistance is available for drivers too afraid to cross Mighty Mac, the...
What Can I Do?
Send an email to friends and family telling them about Buy Michigan Now.
Making a Michigan Wedding Part 1 - The Venue
by Ana Skidmore
A couple has many decisions to make before they can walk down the aisle. Often this starts with selecting a wedding planner to coordinate all the details and make the process a more seamless, stress-free one. The planner will then want to start with the guest count, which factors into many decisions, especially selecting a venue that will comfortably fit the entire group.
Once a guest count has been established, the search can begin. Let's take a tour of some beautiful Michigan options. Starting in the north, Stafford’s Perry Hotel in Petoskey can accommodate up to a 220-guest reception with rooms available for out-of-towners right on site. On the National Register for Historic sites, the hotel offers guests a cozy library, private baths in each room, trolley tours and boat rides on The Pointer.
Continuing down the west side of the state, Castle Farms in Charlevoix is the place to go for the royal at heart. Featuring outdoor wedding chapels, magnificent formal gardens, soaring towers and stone archways, the Castle can hold small receptions of 10-60 guests on up to large soirées of 500! Several ceremony sites are also available at the Castle, both inside and out.
For those interested in a more intimate destination wedding, Chateau Chantal might be your perfect match, accomodating 42 guests or fewer. For the ceremony, this winery offers a stunning outdoor setting with a backdrop amongst the vineyards and sparkling blue bays, as well as an indoor hospitality room. Each guest must also be staying at the Bed & Breakfast on site, which is included in the cost of the wedding. In-house wine is of course served during the reception.
Our last stop in the north is Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville. You can have your wedding any way you want here – from indoor ceremonies and receptions to outdoor celebrations, 60 to 350 guests, and even lodging available on site. There are plenty of options from which to choose. If you plan to stay a while, their Crystal Spa is available for pre-wedding pampering, as well as a championship golf course for the guys to hang out while hair and makeup is being done.
In Saugatuk, Felt Mansion (also on the National Register for Historic Places) is available for rent. Rooms here include a quiet library, open parlor, covered terrace, fine dining rooms, and a third floor grand ballroom, making possible a variety of events from intimate family gatherings to formal banquets. The maximum capacity is 200 for a seated reception, and the ballroom is truly a blank canvas for couples to decorate exactly how they want.
Cobblestone Farm in Ann Arbor is a great option for couples who want to bring in their own beer, wine and food – often providing a large cost savings. The three-story oak timber frame barn accommodates 220 guests, with some tables placed on a second level which overlooks the main reception area below. This also serves as an indoor ceremony site or backup location if weather prohibits outdoor use. Rental of the property is slightly lower for residents and includes exclusive use of the grounds.
The Henry Ford Museum and Estate offer beautiful, unique options for couples searching for a reception venue in Dearborn. The estate is separated from the museum area, and offers a seated dining experience followed by an evening of dancing and exploring through the rest of the estate. This location also allows you to bring in your own alcohol, which provides a bit of a cost savings for today's budget-conscious couples. The museum offers three locations for weddings: Lovett Hall, the Museum itself (yes, right where all the cars are!) and Greenfield Village. Saturday minimums do require a significant number of guests, but for more intimate weddings a Friday or Sunday event would be perfect.
The final stop on our list is the newly renovated Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). Rental options include the breathtaking lobby, Kresge Court, the Great Hall, and Rivera Court. The DIA supplies the room(s), basic rentals, food and beverage, audiovisual support and security. At 677,000 square feet, the institute is the second largest municipally-owned museum in the United States, with an art collection worth over one billion dollars. Your guests are guaranteed to be wowed!
Once a local venue has been chosen, it’s time for the dress. Be sure to read the next installment in our series--dresses created by Michigan-based designers!
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Ana Skidmore is a Michigan wedding planner and owner of Twofoot Creative, who specializes in helping couples create an event that is uniquely suited to their own style. ana@twofootcreative.com
Photos courtesy of the venues: 1) Chateau Chantal; 2) Stafford's Perry Hotel; 3&4) Chateau Chantal; 5&6) Crystal Mountain; 7&8) DIA
User Comments (1)
Thank you for mentioning Chateau Chantal - it's such a beautiful location for weddings - mine was there as well! We also offer small services or an "elopement package" with in-house officients - a personal and cost efficient wedding!
To post a comment you have to login. Login here