Tag: castle wedding

Things to do in Charlevoix for Grooms & Groomsmen

Written by Karrie Mueller on August 29, 2019. Posted in Blog, Wedding Tips & Trends, Weddings. No Comments on Things to do in Charlevoix for Grooms & Groomsmen

Looking for things to do in the Charlevoix area for the groom and his groomsmen?

While Charlevoix may be a small town, there is plenty to do for the guys to partake in year round.

Golfing

There are lots of golf courses in the Charlevoix area. If you have time before rehearsal the day prior, why not spend some time with the guys at the Charlevoix Country Club? A couple of other local options are Dunmaglas and A-Ga-Ming Antrim Dells. These are great courses to hit 9 or 18 holes. The Charlevoix City Golf Club is another affordable option located just on the north side of Charlevoix.

If you prefer to go disc golfing, Mt. McSauba has a great challenging course in their wooded trails along Lake Michigan.

Beach

In the summer months, there’s nothing quite like hanging out at the beach. Swim and play volleyball at Lake Michigan Beach or Ferry Beach. If you’re on the north side of town, cook out at Depot Beach. For a more rustic atmosphere, hike out to McSauba Beach.

For an extra fun activity on the water, you can rent paddle boards or kayaks from Schulman Paddleworks located downtown Charlevoix.

Camping

Fisherman’s Island State Park is a rustic campground for tents and RVs. If you choose one of the popular campsites along the water, you can have quick access to swim and enjoy an evening bonfire right near the shore.

Fishing

Whitecaps Fishing Charters will provide you with all the gear needed to fish for walleye, trout, or salmon out on the lake. It’s a true up north experience!

Skiing & Snowboarding

Once the snow falls, take an afternoon to hit the slopes at Mt. McSauba. You can also go snowshoeing or cross country skiing in their wooded trails. For a larger scale ski resort, travel about 35 minutes to Boyne Mountain Resort. You can ski, snowboard, snowshoe and even zipline at this fun snowy wonderland.

Barber Shop

For pictures that will last forever, you’ll want to look your best. Groomsmen could make going to the Charlevoix Barber Shop a group activity, ensuring that everyone is groomed to perfection.

Food & Drink

Start your morning off with coffee and a breakfast Aussie pie at Harwood Gold Cafe. Or pick up a latte and a crepe from That French Place. Morning Dew Cafe offers delicious breakfast bagels and donuts with a cup of joe. For a quick outdoor stop in the summer, locate the Long Day Coffee Truck in the Van Pelt Alley to enjoy a pastry with your cappuccino. All of these great coffee shops are located downtown Charlevoix.

Check out Bridge Street Tap Room or Lake Charlevoix Brewing for a large selection of craft beer. 1918 Cellars at a Castle Farms has a selection of locally made wine and hard ciders. Bier’s Inwood Brewery is another neat location for pizza, games, beer, and hard cider. You could also set up a brewery tour to visit other breweries in surrounding towns.

Gifts & Extras

Gift the groom or groomsmen with cigars from Wild West Tobacco, only 1 mile from Castle Farms.

Buy everyone a bottle of wine from 1918 Cellars or Esperance to enjoy over the weekend. If your group prefers beer, then pick up a growler at Bridge Street Tap Room.

While your wedding day will certainly be one to remember, why not make the rest of your weekend with your closest friends and family a fun and memorable time!? Enjoy what Charlevoix has to offer and set aside some time to create memories with your best pals!

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.

How To Keep Your Wedding Green

Written by Karrie Mueller on June 19, 2019. Posted in Blog, Decor Ideas, How-To, Wedding Decor, Wedding Tips & Trends, Weddings. No Comments on How To Keep Your Wedding Green

Here are some great, inexpensive ideas for environmentally friendly decor for your special day!

Choose Seeded Paper

Seeded paper is a great way to help the environment, along with making for a fun gift for guests. Seeded paper is made with recycled paper and is embedded with flower seeds. All you have to do is plant the paper as is, and in the proper conditions flowers should pop! Seeded paper could be used for eco-friendly programs, invitations, menus, seating cards, and just about anything else that uses paper. The packages of paper vary in costs due to how many you order, but most are very affordable. When exploring different seeded paper options, you will find different designs, colors, and sizes, making it the perfect paper for any theme!

Below are some links to get your shopping started:

Recycled Decor

Reusing items you already own save the environment and your budget! Old mason jars have a great rustic look and could be used as flower vases, candle holders, or decorated however you prefer. Candle holders that you or family have that are gently used could make for an elegant, environmentally friendly display. Old wood could be cut to make chargers, seating card holders, or candle displays. There are plenty of ways to create centerpieces that are unique and special to your wedding!

Donate

No need to throw out leftover decor! There are many fun ways to reuse, recycle, or donate those goods. Flowers are a big item that couples tend to throw away for numerous reasons. Sometimes it is because there is either so many that they do not know what to do with them, others are traveling because they are not local, or they simply do not want them. You can research organizations that could pick up your various arrangements and donate them to local hospitals, retirement homes, assisted living centers, homeless shelters, or even schools! This is a great way to not waste and also give back to the community.

Alternative Party Favors

Who doesn’t love a late night snack? Edible party favors are a crowd favorite. This is a great way to reduce waste because whatever your guests don’t take can be used in your own home! There are a number of other great favor ideas that are better for the environment and will help you avoid a large box of leftover koozies or sunglasses.

Wedding Emergency Kit- 10 Things You NEED!

Written by Karrie Mueller on June 7, 2019. Posted in Ask the Coordinators, Blog, Wedding Tips & Trends, Weddings. No Comments on Wedding Emergency Kit- 10 Things You NEED!

Many brides are going through this big day for the first time and may need help knowing what to bring with, should any emergencies occur out of the blue. We are here to help by giving you an easy and comprehensive checklist of what you should pack to make sure the bride is prepared for whatever comes her way!

1. Food & Water! (The MOST Important!)

Many people that get married are so busy during the day of, that they forget to eat! On an important day like this it is crucial to nourish your body!

2. Stain Remover Stick

All day essentials that fall along these lines also include static spray and a lint roller. This is so important to have post-dinner and post photos. Some photo locations are in a muddy area so if ANYTHING gets on your dress you want to be able to combat the stains with this handy little tool! It is also important to having the bride’s outfit looking at the top of it’s game which can be achieved with the help of these items!

3. Sewing Kit

This can also include fashion tape, safety pins, and extra buttons that can be used to repair something if it breaks during the day of the wedding. We recommend bringing thread in black, white, and the color of the bridesmaid dresses. It is always better to be safe than sorry! It is also important to prevent things from falling down or off which usually can be easily fixed with double sided tape or safety pins.

4. Makeup Touch-Up Items

What you bring is ultimately up to you, but mainly we see lipstick, translucent powder, concealer, and mascara for touch ups. If you have decided to wear false lashes, make sure to bring the glue along!

5. Nail Polish & Remover

Whether the nail polish is clear or in the color of your wedding it is easy to do quick touch ups or take it all off if it does not match!

6. Hair accessories

This includes ponytails, bobby pins, hairspray, a brush or comb. All of these items can help to keep hair where it is supposed to be whether it is during photos or a long night of dancing with your closest friends and family!

7. Sandpaper

One of the less self-explanatory items on the list, sandpaper can be used when a bride or groom have brand new shoes for their wedding day and need to scuff up the bottoms. This prevents potential slipping if their ceremony or reception space aren’t carpeted.

8. Medication

This can include eye drops, pain reliever, allergy medication, Band-Aids and more! If you are prone to allergies it might also be beneficial to bring tissues as spring months can be pretty intense on runny noses and watery eyes.

9. Toothbrush & Toothpaste

This is also something that everyone already thinks of, but it is one of the most important things to make sure to bring. If you are planning on getting photos taken at any point after dinner it’s important to make sure your teeth are gleaming white! You can also bring along mints or gum and mouthwash to keep your breath fresh while you are visiting with all your guests.

10. Deodorant & Perfume

It is important for this one to make sure it is not something that will show up on the bridesmaids dresses as no one wants deodorant marks in their photos! It might also be good to look into something that has a long-lasting freshness guarantee as wedding days can be long, hot, and stressful!

If you forget something, many of these items can be found for purchase in the Castle Farms Welcome Center! Hopefully with this list you can be fully prepared for your big day and everything will run as smoothly as possible. Enjoy your big day!

Having an Unplugged Wedding Ceremony Carlson Photography

Unplugged Ceremony

Written by Karrie Mueller on April 24, 2019. Posted in Blog, Wedding Decor, Wedding Tips & Trends, Weddings. No Comments on Unplugged Ceremony

Not only is it a big day for you and your soon to be spouse but also for your friends and family…

who will want to capture every moment of it.

Phone at Wedding Ceremony Dan and Melissa Photography

Phones at Wedding Ceremony Darrell Christie Photography

Phone at Unplugged Wedding Darrell Christie Photography

Wedding aisle phones at ceremony Castle Farms MI

Now keep in mind that there are appropriate times that friends and family should be allowed to do this, but during the ceremony they should be fully in the moment. Since you have hired a professional to take care of it all, it’s important to let your friends and family know before the ceremony starts to silence all devices and to leave the photography and video to the professionals hired.

Here are some clever ways to express this to your guests:

Unplugged Wedding Sign Chris Van Winkle Photography

Unplugged Wedding Sign E.C. Campbell Photography

Unplugged Wedding Ceremony Sign Erik Roush Photography

Unplugged Wedding Sign Northern Art Photography

Unplugged Wedding Castle Farms Oden & Janelle Photography

Unplugged Wedding Sign Castle Farms Paxton Photography

Unplugged Wedding Sign Matt and Ashley Photography

Tabletop Unplugged Wedding Sign Castle Farms Charlevoix MI

When it comes to your reception, you want your guests to share the memories with you. What better way to do this than display an Instagram hashtag unique to you as a couple for people to keep the trend going all night long. Another great idea is purchasing a snap chat filter. This way your guests are documenting moments with you, your friends and family that make for lasting memories from your big day.

Instagram Wedding Sign Beth Joy Photography

Instagram Reception Sign Captured by Grace Photography

Instagram Reception Sign E.C. Campbell Photography

Instagram Wedding Sign Future Focus Media

Snapchat Wedding Sign Northern Art Photography

Snapchat Wedding Sign Oden & Janelle Photography

Wedding Hashtag Sign Tatum Photo and Design

Social Media Wedding Reception Sign Castle Farms

Pop of Color

Written by Karrie Mueller on March 22, 2019. Posted in Blog, Decor Ideas, Wedding Tips & Trends, Weddings. No Comments on Pop of Color

This time of year in northern Michigan always brings an absence of color…

When we think of March, we think of gray skies, melting snow, and bare trees. But that doesn’t mean we can’t dream of bright colors and feel instantly transported to a tropical climate.

This year’s Pantone color of the year, Living Coral, is a truly inspirational color to tie into your wedding theme. Living Coral is a particularly unique color as it can be translated into décor in a multitude of ways. It can be softened with some complimentary warmer hues, such as peach, blush, gold, or beige. It can stand alone as a beautiful contrast color from an otherwise __ palette. The shape of coral can also inspire brides to incorporate abstract shapes, textures, and natural elements into their wedding décor. We invite you to rethink the traditional, classic wedding colors, and offer a bolder twist that is a truly unique reflection of you. Here are a few inspirational looks that we are loving for 2019.

Tropical Glam

Make Coral the star of your color palette with stationary, bridesmaids dresses, signature cocktails or napkins. Keeping decorations simple, and adding small touches of greenery, such as ferns or palm fronds effectively create a tropical, glamorous affair.

Living Coral Pop of Color Castle Farms MI Wedding

Pop of Color Cocktails Castle Farms MI Wedding

Pop of Color Centerpieces Castle Farms Michigan Wedding

Sophisticated Sunset Palette

Compliment coral with warm accents, such as peaches, pinks, gold or rose gold. Peach-colored roses, dahlias, and peonies are never in short supply in the summer season. Compliment your centerpieces with gold flatware, chargers or table numbers.

Pop of Color Groomsmen Socks Castle Farms Wedding

Pop of Color Bridal Bouquet Castle Farms Wedding

Light Pop of Color Fairytale Wedding Castle Farms

Bold colors

Coral can act as an accent color to a bright, cheery palate. You can incorporate bright colors and patterns into your glassware, linens, florals, and even bridesmaids dresses, all in different bright shades. Who says everything has to match? You do not have to be limited to a few colors with your palate. The more color you use, the more festive the occasion!

Bold Pop of Color Wedding Reception Table Castle Farms

Happy Newlyweds Castle Farms Weddings with Pops of Color

Pop of Color Wedding Centerpieces Castle Farms Reception

Winter Wonderland

Coral even makes a great contrast color to an otherwise muted or neutral palette, which makes it versatile for every season. Incorporating coral into smaller accent pieces gives your winter décor the perfect pop of color, to warm up any chilly occasion! For this, we recommend keeping it more subtle. Try coral tapered candles, napkins, favors, escort cards or menus.

Pop of Color Living Coral Wedding Centerpieces Castle Farms MI

Winter Wedding Pops of Color Bridesmaids Castle Farms Events

Bright Pop of Color Wedding Cake Topper Castle Farms MI

Element Inspiration

Sometimes, organic elements in nature can be the inspiration for our wedding theme more than colors, such as geodes, cacti, or even coral. These simple, yet inexpensive elements can make for a great addition to your wedding décor.