weddings NORTHERN MICHIGAN
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Surrounded by beaches, orchards and vineyards, adjacent to Traverse City’s hopping restaurant and bar scene and boasting its own three championship golf courses, Grand Traverse Resort & Spa defines the term destination wedding.
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T E X T BY E L I Z A B E T H E D WA R D S
Summer Loving P H O T O S BY R O C K H I L L S T U D I O
Tyler Scarsella
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Grace Hamann Grand Traverse Resort and Spa AUGUST 5, 2023
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A Setting Made for Love
At sunset, Grace and Tyler headed to Grand Traverse Resort’s beach club for romantic photos.
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n 2016, grace was working as a hostess in a restaurant in Clarkston, her hometown, when a handsome server named Tyler asked her on a date. The two never looked back. When it came time to plan their wedding, two things they agreed on from the get-go were where and what season. “We always said that we wanted to get married in Northern Michigan in the summer,” Grace says. “We have amazing memories Up North and love how beautiful the summers are.” While the couple had visited (and loved) several Northern Michigan towns from Frankfort to Elk Rapids, one destination stood out to them: Grand Traverse Resort, located just north of Traverse City. As a child, Grace swam at the resort, courtesy of her grandmother who was a longtime member of the health and fitness club. Throw in the fact that Grace and Tyler both love to golf, and Grand Traverse Resort with its three championship courses was at the top of their venue list. The clincher? The Plaza, a semi-permanent tent structure that overlooks the resort’s golf course The Bear, was ideal for their reception that would include a 130-guest plated dinner. Likewise, The Pavilion nearby, with its open sides and canopied top, satisfied their dream
of an outdoor ceremony. The couple’s wedding day could not have been more perfect—and seamless: “Grand Traverse Resort made everything so easy! It was the perfect one-stop shop when it came to all of the set up and dining necessities,” Grace says. Hiring day-of coordinator Jill Good of Grateful Gatherings was a splurge that Grace says was well worth it and also helped make the day completely stress-free. After the ceremony, the bridal party and their guests headed to The Plaza for upscale appetizers and drinks, including the couple’s signature cocktails: Paloma for him, Sex on the Beach for her, and a shared favorite, gin and tonic with elderflower liqueur. An elegantly executed dinner followed. At sunset, the couple quietly slipped off to the resort’s beautiful beach on East Grand Traverse Bay for an intimate interlude and some gorgeous photos. Refreshed, Grace and Tyler kicked the party into gear with their first dance to “Until I Found You” by Stephen Sanchez and Em Beihold. While their happily full guests swirled around the dance floor for the rest of the evening, the newlyweds only had eyes for each other. “Afterward, we both talked about how during the ceremony we felt like nothing else existed other than the two of us. It was a magical feeling,” Grace says.”
A Simply Elegant Dinner
At the plated dinner, guests had their choice of three gourmet entrees that included filet of beef tenderloin with garlic mashed potatoes and sundried tomato shiitake mushroom jus; Grace chose simple candles and greenery for the tablescapes: “I wanted a modern, minimalistic vibe,” she says, adding that the simple decor, “ended up being a savings for us.”
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From Vows to Marlo the Dog
The open-sides of The Pavilion welcomed the summer breeze into the ceremony, while its canopied top offered protection from the elements; The sumptuous two-tiered strawberry crème cake was filled with vanilla chiffon soaked in strawberry simple syrup, layered with strawberry jam and white chocolate mousse and frosted with American butter cream embossed with floral and gold leaf detailing. The real icing on top, however? The custom sculpture of Marlo, the bride and groom’s dog; Bright and seasonal flowers set a tone. “I knew I wanted the florals to have a beautiful pop of color and to give a summer wildflower feel,” Grace says.
wedding resources Venue: Grand Traverse Resort & Spa // Photographer: Rockhill Studio // Videographer: Media Potion // Day-of Coordinator: Grateful Gatherings Complete Catering + Shuttle: Grand Traverse Resort & Spa // Rentals: Sensational Events // Florist: Forage & Frolic // DJ: Bee Entertainment Stationery: Grace Scarcella // Hair & Makeup: K. Noelle Artistry SPONSORED CONTENT
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Wedding Notebook
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
Michigan’s Premier Resort Experience People often remark that the most appealing thing about the 900-acre Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is its sense of northern Michigan charm and elegance. When couples choose to exchange their vows here, it feels especially romantic. Sincerity resonates among the trees, and love sparkles on the water. Simply put, it just feels right. Our wedding staff is practiced at transforming the venue selection of your choice into a truly unforgettable environment. You’ll appreciate the smooth, detail-oriented leadership of our event professionals, as they turn your vision into reality. Welcome parties and rehearsal dinners are easily arranged onsite. From our convenient, centrally located Midwest location, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is easily accessible to all of your guests – just ten minutes by Resort shuttle from Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport (TVC).
MULTIPLE VENUES: 86,500 square feet of versatile indoor and outdoor function space gives you ultimate flexibility in selecting the venues for your special day. All guests can enjoy the on-site Spa, Salon, Golf and nearby Turtle Creek Casino. With multiple venue spaces you can create intimate unions or grand affairs. Your guests will feel every bit loved, cherished and honored as the wedding couple. 25 56
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CATERING: From 25 to 2,000 people, our Catering department can make an unforgettable experience for your wedding. Weddings are a time for celebration, and our catering staff can work with you on any specialty menu to suit your attendees and their finer tastes! Our culinary team is well versed on dietary restrictions and are more than happy to accommodate your needs.
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GUEST SERVICES: At Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, you’ll find nearly 600 rooms, suites, and condominiums plus a combination of services and amenities unmatched elsewhere. The experts at Spa Grand Traverse provide endless relaxation for wedding couples and their guests alike, offering luxurious treatments and massage, along with bridal party hair and makeup services. Guests will enjoy a pre-wedding round of golf on one of our three premier courses, a tension-releasing game of tennis, or a relaxing whirlpool. Pristine beaches and exciting water sports are additional options that will make your wedding a memorable mini-getaway for each and every guest. Winter weddings have a special allure with our crackling fireplaces, snow-covered views, and elegant lodge atmosphere. Your guests can also enjoy cross-country skiing and other winter activities.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Whether you stay in the Hotel, the Tower or a Condominium, you’ll revel in the natural splendor of the outdoors, the luxurious amenities and outstanding accommodations within. • The Hotel – Our six-story hotel is undergoing a $10 million renovation to be completed in Spring 2023. The renovation includes over 200 guest rooms, 2 junior suites, 4 hospitality suites and corridors.
• The Tower – Our 17-story Tower offers 186 large, luxuriously appointed rooms and suites. You’ll relax amid breathtaking views of East Grand Traverse Bay, and the rolling hills and orchards of the surrounding golf courses. • Condominiums - Experience fairway or beachfront living when you get away to one of our 161 condominiums. Studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom accommodations are available in a variety of locations.
• The Bear by Jack Nicklaus • The Wolverine by Gary Player • Spruce Run by William Newcomb Our 100,000-square-foot Health Club offers something for everyone. Features include: • Fully equipped Cardio and Weight Room • Fitness Classes • 15,000-square-foot Indoor Water Playground • Recreation Pool • 5 Indoor and 4 Outdoor Tennis Courts
100 Grand Traverse Village Blvd.
Event Rooms 35
Acme, MI 49610-0404
Guest Rooms 585
231-534-6000 • 800-748-0303
Reception Capacity 2,500
weddings@gtresort.com
Wedding Sales & Service Manager Payton Taylor
GrandTraverseResort.com
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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.
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