Tag: castle events

Why to Book a Weekday Wedding

Written by Karrie Mueller on May 7, 2020. Posted in Blog, Wedding Tips & Trends. No Comments on Why to Book a Weekday Wedding

Weddings are almost always expected to be on a Saturday. But, why? There are plenty of other days of the week that would make for a perfect wedding day. Don’t push the idea away just yet, because there are plenty of reasons to show weekdays some attention.

Longer Vacation Time for Guests

Wedding guests are already looking forward to a fun-filled day catching up with family and friends. If your wedding is on a Friday, it allows them to take a couple extra hours, or even the day, to set aside for your wedding weekend. Same goes for a Monday wedding. Why stop there? Any day of the week can allow for some extra days off surrounding your big day. With Save the Dates and invitations, guests have more than enough time to plan accordingly and make a little vacation out of the week. If your wedding is being held at Castle Farms, guests can spend a few days enjoying local restaurants and shops downtown, touring the Mushroom Houses, hiking, exploring the Castle’s grounds, or venturing all over northern Michigan. They’ll have the opportunity to see and experience local food and activities or simply take an extra day to relax before heading home.

More Vendor Availability

Taking all the Saturday weddings into consideration, think of how open caterers, photographers, DJ’s, and other vendors are on, say, Mondays, Wednesdays, or even Fridays! This means that you have more options available to you on your wedding date. Had to ditch plans with your favorite local restaurant due to availability? Not when you’re booking them on a weekday!

Save Money

In some cases, it is way less expensive to have a wedding on any day other than a Saturday. Wedding venues can range anywhere from high to low. When weekdays are thrown into that equation, prices can drop dramatically. Saving on your venue can allow you to splurge in other areas, or just simply save some cash because, let’s face it, weddings can be expensive! Holding your wedding on a weekday can also be more affordable for your guests. Staying in a hotel room, in some cases, can be priced lower on a weekday.

More Quality Time with Out of Town Guests

Your wedding day—while absolutely beautiful and memorable—is a busy whirlwind of a day: from getting dressed and ready, to taking photos, getting married, taking more photos, briefly greeting guests, and enjoying your planned special events like having dinner, toasts, and dancing. Having a Monday or Friday wedding frees up more time to sit down and catch up with those who traveled far for your big day. Guests who work weekdays, would typically already have the weekend off, which means no one is in a rush to get out of town, allowing them more time to spend with the newlyweds.

A More Intimate Wedding

If you were planning on a more intimate wedding to begin with, a weekday wedding may be perfect for you. While there are quite a few people who work weekends and atypical weekday hours (take our Event Team, for example!), there are about 83% of Americans working the typical Monday through Friday. Though many employees have flexible work schedules where they can use a personal day or make up hours another day of the week, inviting weekday workers could still lead to having a narrowed down guest list giving you a quaint and intimate experience. If you’re planning your wedding festivities surrounding a weekday wedding, you can expect to have less-populated hotels, bars, and restaurants, even in a tourist town like Charlevoix. Even your venue will feel more exclusive to you and your guests.

Picking a date is such an important wedding decision. It is your future anniversary, after all! If there’s a date that you’re set on, go for it. It will fall on a weekend at some point in the future. After all, no matter what day you get married on, food tastes the same, pictures will still turn out beautifully, and at the end of the day, you can still have the wedding of your dreams. The fact is, your guests will try their best to be there if they really want (and are able) to celebrate with you. Therefore, it shouldn’t matter whether you choose a weekday or weekend day; choose what is best for you and embrace the memories that will be had on that special day!

Using Technology to Plan Your Wedding

Written by Karrie Mueller on April 8, 2020. Posted in Blog, Wedding Tips & Trends. No Comments on Using Technology to Plan Your Wedding

When planning your wedding, there’s so much more than just creating a wedding hashtag online. As necessary as it might be to scope out the work of photographers on Instagram or get inspiration from a Pinterest board, there are tons of online resources that can make wedding planning a breeze. The best part? You don’t have to leave your living room!

If planning in general is where you’re stuck, turn to wedding planning apps, like Wedding Planner by both The Knot and WeddingWire. Apps like those can build all kinds of useful tools like a spending plan based on your unique budget, guest list-tracking, streamlining vendor contacts, and creating a timeline.

Along with wedding planning apps, are sites that make the more personal side of your wedding a piece of cake. Wedding cake, that is. Zola provides an all-in-one registry site, builds free wedding websites, and Save the Dates. It’s the perfect one-stop-shop when it comes to creating a platform your guests can visit for any wedding day details.

Speaking of Save the Dates, it’s becoming more and more common to send them virtually. Think of all the time it takes to seal each envelope or the expense when it comes to postage. By sending them online, you can personalize any template without the risk of anything getting lost in the mail or accidentally thrown out. Oftentimes, you can send your Save the Dates right from your wedding website.

There are some circumstances that make getting your bridesmaids to a bridal shop all at once difficult. That’s why sites like Azazie are great resources. Through this site, your bridesmaids can easily select samples online, try them on at home, mail the samples back, and order their gown!

When it comes to finding those personalized pieces that make your wedding unique, Etsy is the place to be. Etsy is great for those customized pieces, while supporting a small business. You can get anything from engraved gifts, to signs, to programs, to flower girl baskets. Whatever you’re looking for, you can find it on there. If you’ve ever passed those adorable monogrammed table numbers at someone else’s reception and wondered “Where on earth did they get those?” Odds are, it was Etsy.

While you’re browsing the web, be sure to read up on all Castle Farms’ blogs. We have an entire category of blogs dedicated solely to wedding tips and trends. If you’re stumped on where to go from here, read more Castle blogs here.

On the day of your wedding, there are even more technological resources you can use to enhance your big day. Lots of couples these days are choosing to livestream their ceremonies on social media. This can be great when sticking to an intimate ceremony setting or accommodating elderly relatives who couldn’t make it. Couples can also add other fun elements to their big day using the internet, like creating customized Snapchat filters guests can use when sharing with friends. Video booths are also great, interactive ways for guests to have fun at your reception. They can create GIFs to share on social media, or just look back and laugh at the virtual memories they created.

Whether you’re leaning towards an unplugged ceremony or something more social media-savvy, there are countless online resources that you can use when planning your wedding!

Indoor or Outdoor Wedding? You Can Have Both at Castle Farms

Written by Karrie Mueller on March 17, 2020. Posted in Blog, Wedding Tips & Trends. No Comments on Indoor or Outdoor Wedding? You Can Have Both at Castle Farms

Every couple wants their wedding to fit their unique style as much as possible, and setting has a lot to do with that. Whether you choose an indoor or outdoor wedding, Castle Farms can make either happen for you. Most weddings, taking place during May through October, consist of an outdoor ceremony in a courtyard, followed by a cocktail hour and reception in an adjacent room. Castle Farms provides the perfect mix of both indoor and outdoor charm.

Our outdoor ceremony spaces include stunning gardens and flowing fountains, meaning that excessive ceremony décor isn’t entirely necessary, here at the castle. Your ceremony will do well with an arch and some personalized floral arrangements but let the castle’s architecture do the rest.

Ceremony backdrops can be anything from a lush garden to a cobblestone courtyard, however, when inclement weather strikes, Castle Farms always provides a Plan B. Our staff is always fully prepared with a back-up plan when it comes to the not-so-stunning rainstorm. Rain is considered lucky on your wedding day, but soaked guests would say otherwise. That’s why Castle Farms always has a spare space to use, free of charge.

Each reception space at Castle Farms is paired with an adjoining outdoor space, perfect for a couple cocktail tables or lawn games. The dance floor may not be for everyone, so you can take advantage of these spaces by providing a family-friendly atmosphere for guests of all ages. It can serve as a quieter place to socialize, or just cool off after a night full of dancing.

During your cocktail hour, you can take advantage of the beautiful landscape and scenery that Castle Farms has to offer with your photographer and bridal party. The natural light and sunset photo ops will provide such unique wedding photos that will adorn your walls for years to come.

From November through April, indoor ceremony spaces provide the opportunity for an intimately lit atmosphere. The stone walls provide a gorgeous setting for your Castle wedding. You can also bring your décor to the next level using draping, candles, and other personalized décor. Whether it be indoor or outdoor, you’re guaranteed the wedding of your dreams at Castle Farms.

Modern Twists on Old Traditions

Written by Karrie Mueller on February 27, 2020. Posted in Blog, Wedding Tips & Trends. No Comments on Modern Twists on Old Traditions

There are some wedding traditions that are as old as time, which means that there are some couples out there that are looking to put their own spin on old traditions. Though some brides wait years to toss a bouquet of their own, others may be eager to sprinkle their own version of fun on their special day.

Programs are one of the first things your guests see upon arrival. If you’re getting married outside on a particularly hot day, turn that program into a fan for your guests. Or, create a more brochure-looking program, full of fun facts about the newlyweds.

Flowers are one of the biggest expenses when planning a wedding. However, they’re not for every couple. Modern style often calls for a much greener, simplistic style. For that reason, some couples might want to opt for a bit more of a green palette than a floral one. This could include popping succulents on your dessert table or spreading ivy around your centerpieces. Adding a few blossoms is also a great way to tie in the bride’s bouquet or incorporate more color into your palette. The way a bold, emerald green pops against the stoned walls of the castle will add a tasteful, modern twist on your wedding that will stand out from the rest. No matter the time of year, the greenery of springtime or the holly and ivy of winter is sure to make your décor stand out.

Candles are a beautiful way to warm up a space, but that can be done with so much more than a few strategically placed tea lights. Consider stringing lights along your arch or provide a soft glow by placing them behind your draping. Rice lights are great for adding that extra detail on a buffet table. If candles are part of your vision, place a few in lanterns. Lanterns will bring more of your theme into fruition, whether it be elegant or gothic. All of which will complement the chandeliers and light fixtures that hang from the castle walls and ceilings. If you plan to put a retro spin on your décor, consider some neon signs to light up your reception space. These modern lighting fixtures will light up the evening without burning out by the end of the night.

Dessert is a must for any wedding. However, cake may not always be the ideal choice for every couple. A spin on this traditional wedding dessert can be used for something like cupcakes or cake pops. Color palette and theme can still be used on these adorable desserts by any bakery, and still works perfectly for what would traditionally be the “cake cutting” portion of the evening. If you’re looking to stray specifically away from the cake side of things, consider a variety in a dessert bar, candy bar, or ordering personalized cookies for your guests.

Guest books have become far from what they’re traditionally known for, a book. Nowadays, couples often choose something that they can better display in their home, like a custom-made sign that guests can write messages on. Another nontraditional guest book idea to consider is a minimalistic painting that relates to the couple that guests can write on with metallic, permanent markers, or even a photo of the two printed on a canvas.

Since Polaroid-style cameras are all the rage these days, simply taking a photo and captioning it before placing it in a scrapbook is a great way for guests to personalize their well-wishes and truly capture the fun that they’re having. This will be a great piece for you two to look back on, years into the future!

As much as everyone loves Beyonce’s “Single Ladies,” the bouquet toss just isn’t for everyone. It may be more up your ally to play a couple with your new husband or wife, like the classic shoe game, answering questions such as “Who said ‘I love you’ first,” or “Who instigated the first kiss?”

There are countless other ways to make your day unique to you. Some of those include creating a customized Snapchat filter or doing a “first-look.” What is most important is that these modern twists are unique to you as a couple and make your special day as memorable as it can be!

Must-Do’s the Morning of Your Wedding

Written by Karrie Mueller on February 4, 2020. Posted in Blog, Wedding Tips & Trends. No Comments on Must-Do’s the Morning of Your Wedding

Many couples say that their wedding goes by in the blink of an eye. That’s why the morning is a great time to prep yourself for the day you’ve spent so long preparing for. Here’s a list of things that may help you out the morning of your wedding and keep you from scrambling later in the day.

Eat

Believe it or not, eating is one thing that slips the minds of many couples on their big day. Make sure that you and your bridal party are well-energized before the day’s events kick off with a full breakfast and maybe a coffee or two.

Get dressed and ready!

You can choose to get your hair and makeup done at a salon or hire a stylist to travel to your place of lodging. The dressing room at Castle Farms is included 2 hours before your ceremony start time until the end of the evening. It’s a space best designed to get your dresses on after your hair and makeup is complete. If you’d like to rent it for an earlier arrival time to spend the morning getting ready at your venue, there is most often an option to do so; just check with a Castle Coordinator! Make sure you have a solid transportation plan from your place of lodging to the salon or venue.

wedding in Michigan — Always Photographic

Check in with your vendors.

The coordinators at Castle Farms are excellent about being detail-oriented and on top of the tasks at hand. Be sure to touch base with them to see if everyone has arrived, all arrangements have been dropped off, etc.

Take pictures with your wedding party.

Whether you’re with your group of gals, guys, or both, you’ll want to remember the time you spent surrounded by the people you love most. Have the photographer come into your dressing room and take photos of your party popping champagne, getting ready, or giving words of encouragement.

Give gifts to your wedding party.

Leading up to this point, odds are your party has gone above and beyond when it comes to being there for you on your big day. Be sure to recognize this by giving them a gift, whether it be a personalized trinket or something that they can wear. Give them something to remember the time they spent leading up to your big day.

Make sure you have an emergency kit.

An emergency kit is something you’ll want to be easily accessible to all members of your bridal party the day of your wedding. These can include bandages, to lash glue. Read every essential you’ll need in your emergency kit here.

Take time for yourself.

Since you are likely to have a busy day ahead, don’t forget to do what you need to do in order to prep yourself. This may include doing a face mask before you get your makeup done, going for a quick jog, or even sneaking in a drink. It’s amazing what a mimosa or a Bloody Mary can do to kickstart the morning of your wedding.

castle wedding in Michigan — Lauren Elaine Photography

The day of your wedding can be hectic, but if you consider incorporating these tips into your morning, it can be much more relaxed and stress free!

Honoring Loved Ones on Your Wedding Day

Written by Karrie Mueller on July 24, 2019. Posted in Blog, Decor Ideas, Family, Wedding Decor, Wedding Tips & Trends, Weddings. No Comments on Honoring Loved Ones on Your Wedding Day

You are told your wedding will be the happiest day of your life!

You can picture how everything will look: the flowers, the dress, music playing as you walk down the aisle, and most importantly, the people you want to surround yourself with. Unfortunately, sometimes the ones we want to be there the most cannot be there on this big day.

Those people will have a special spot in your heart, whether grandparents, parents, friends, or other loved ones and you can honor them in a special way on your wedding day.

Here is a list on how to just that:

Photographs:

This is a great way to display the photographs at the wedding of your loved ones. They could be displayed in frames, on a clothesline hanging in a special spot, or a slideshow on a laptop or photo frame. These are all beautiful ways to have them present on this day and allow your guests to see the important people in your lives.

Poem on the program:

This is another way to show family and friends how you feel about the people who meant so much to you. This can be done by having a poem that explains the love you feel for your loved ones or personal words about them with a list of their names underneath.

Adding a personal item in the bouquet:

Add a personal touch to your bouquet with a personal item or small picture of a loved one. You can have a locket, charms, jewelry, a rosary, or cross. This way they can be close to you as you walk down the aisle.

Something borrowed:

Something borrowed, something blue, something old, something new. This is a classic rhyme that some brides follow for good luck on your wedding day. This is another way to incorporate special items of a family member to honor them. This can be done by wearing jewelry from a loved one, pinning a family heirloom to your dress or bouquet, or sewing a piece of a family member’s clothing to the wedding gown.

Dedicating a song to them:

There are plenty of opportunities during the reception to have a special moment to honor a loved one. Most likely there is a song that makes you think of them and laugh, cry, smile, or all the above. Pick a song that has a special meaning to you to be apart of your big day then invite the loved ones that came to celebrate with you to honor them in a dance.

Vase with a rose:

A simple way to honor loved ones is to pick either your favorite flowers, or their favorite flowers and have a vase at the ceremony or reception dedicated to them. To personalize it you can attach the names of those you are honoring and your guests will be able to see the flowers that are for those wonderful people that were a part of your life.

Burning Candle:

Lastly, to honor a loved one you can burn a candle in honor of them. This can also have a picture or sign next to it for display to personalize it. Just another beautiful sentiment that is simple with a lot of meaning.