Weddings North Magazine 2022

Weddings North 2022

VENUE GUIDE EVERYTHING BUT THE WEDDING COUPLES: WOULD YOU DO IT AGAIN? UNIQUE VENUES

A BRAINERD DISPATCH PUBLICATION

What’s your

dream wedding?

Start your history together in the heart of Minnesota’s lake country. Breezy Point Resort provides the perfect setting for friends and family to gather and celebrate and offers ceremony and reception venues for groups from 20 to 450 guests. Choose from a wide variety of lodging and dining options, as well as a long list of recreational and entertainment options, including the Serenity Spa.

800.432.3777 | breezypointresort.com

a unique

Destination Wedding Resort

Pine Peaks is a unique Destination Wedding Resort of magnificent surroundings in the middle of the Brainerd Lakes area. We provide an easy and relaxing experience for you, and offer exceptional service for a stress free, perfect three to four day experience. Our on-site Retreat Lodge will house your entire Wedding Party or families. Our Event Center has everything you will need for your wedding. One visit to our gorgeous facility and we know you’ll fall in love.

Wedding Photos by Advent Imaging

We have partnered with Pine Peaks Lodge and Suites, a boutique Hotel just six miles away in beautiful downtown Crosslake for your out of town wedding guests.

PINE PEAKS EVENT CENTER

39957 Swanburg Road South | Crosslake, MN 56442 612 986-6800 | www.PinePeaksEventCenter.com

WHILE OTHER WEDDING VENUES ARE COLLECTING DUST…..WE ARE COLLECTING AWARDS. 2019

PICK

2019

SPONSORED CONTENT ARROWWOOD LODGE • 15 A Wedding Destination with Rustic Charm BREEZY POINT • 8 Planning your wedding will be a breeze at Breezy Point Resort CRAGUN’S • 13 The magic of the lakeside beckons at Cragun’s Resort CROW WING COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS • 19 Enchantment at the Fairgrounds

ON THE COVER

Jessica Lundstrom-Halvorson and Joe Herberg of Brainerd, Minnesota married at Pine Peaks Wedding and Event Center.

CUB FOODS • 9 A budget doesn’t have to stop you from having your dream wedding E.L. MENK • 34 Beauty and emotions that will last a lifetime

Photo by Paul Middlestaedt adventimaging.com

EMILY KAYE BRIDAL • 12 The perfect wedding dress GRAND VIEW LODGE • 6 Downsizing a must?

Try upscaling your event to give your guests a stellar experience they won’t soon forget

39957 Swanburg Road South Pine River, MN 56474 218-251-8800 pinepeakseventcenter.com

Weddings North Weddings North is an annual publication published by the Brainerd Dispatch.

CONTENTS 2022

10 Everything but the wedding There are lots of details to go over in planning a wedding, but what about everything else?

By Sheila Helmberger

PUBLISHER PETE MOHS ADVERTISING DIRECTOR SUSIE ALTERS ELLER CONTENT COORDINATOR / COPY EDITOR DELYNN HOWARD PAGE DESIGNER MOLLIE BURLINGAME ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES, QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND STORY SUGGESTIONS: (218) 855-5895 (800) 432-3703 Advertising@ BrainerdDispatch.com ATTN: WeddingsNorth Brainerd Dispatch P.O. Box 974 Brainerd, MN 56401

4 | 2022 Weddings North

16 Unique venues 24

Don’t overlook those unique venues that might be the perfect match for the couples’ personalities.

By Sheila Helmberger

Couples: Would you do it again?

Interviews with lakes area married couples asking if they’d “do it all over again?”

By Sheila DeChantal

36 2022 Venue Guide

A quick-look graph at facility and grounds offerings for venues advertised in this publication.

By Weddings North Staff

NISSWA COMMUNITY EVENT CENTER • 28 The best little town in Minnesota welcomes your wedding party NORTHLAND ARBORETUM • 7 Your intimate wedding in an awe-inspiring venue PARTY TIME RENTAL • 31 The magic behind the party PEQUOT LAKES SUPERVALU • 33 Easy DIY Wedding Planning PINE PEAKS WEDDING AND EVENT CENTER • 20-21, 38 Weekend Weddings More Memorable Moments Winter Wedding Celebration PIT HAPPENS • 22 Let the barbecue do the talkin’ REEDS MARKET • 14 Delicious wedding desserts SIMPLY RUSTIC FLORAL DESIGN • 35 Wedding day florals WHITEFISH LODGE AND SUITES • 29 Look no further for your wedding destination location Let the Whitefish Properties help you destress as you dress

Editor’s Note: Due to incorrect information submitted to Weddings North, the couple on the front cover of the 2021 Weddings North magazine was misidentified along with the photographer credit. Jeremiah and Alexa Hoffman were on last year’s cover. The photographer is Kelley Asbury from Kelley Jo Imaging.

Here, you will find the best of everything. Including yourself.

VARIETY OF VENUES

AWARD-WINNING CUISINE

BREATHTAKING GROUNDS

NISSWA MINNESOTA

BEST MINNESOTA DESTINATION VENUE FOR 9 YEARS IN A ROW -

DELUXE LODGING

GRANDVIEWLODGE.COM

MN BRIDE MAGAZINE -

SPONSORED CONTENT | GRAND VIEW LODGE

Downsizing a must?

Try upscaling your event to give your guests a stellar experience they won’t soon forget

BY SUE STERLING

The “new normal” has brought about significant changes in the wedding world. Grand View Lodge offers you and your guests high-quality service, exquisite cuisine, scenic views and top-notch amenities while giving you more time with your guests. With our StaySafe Initiative, we will help you create memories while keeping safety in mind.

6 | 2022 Weddings North

Grand View Lodge offers a variety of indoor and outdoor venues. Many couples are incorporating the outdoor elements this year with our grand staircase being the most desirable location. Envision yourself walking down the iconic stone grand staircase — the lake in sight and the historic main lodge in the background surrounded by towering pines and your loved one. Cinderella would be envious.

From rooms in the historic main lodge, the new North boutique hotel, honeymoon cabins on the lake, luxury townhouses and fairway residences — you and your guests will enjoy a comfortable, relaxing stay before, during and after your wedding celebration.

Ideal as a destination wedding, Grand View can accommodate wedding parties in multiple units or larger reunion cabins. A variety of scenic views, including the lake, forest and golf courses, are sure to please guests from near and far. The majority of accommodations are within easy walking distance to resort amenities including restaurants, a fitness center, Glacial Waters Spa, golf courses, gift shops, tennis courts, the beach, and pool with hot tubs and water slide. The chapel opens to a vaulted ceiling with a gorgeous stained-glass window at the peak.

Our professional wedding planners will work with you to select the perfect options for your dream wedding.

Our services include site selection, accommodations, scheduling, catering and coordinating your reception needs. We can also assist in selecting vendors for all your wedding needs to make your day perfect.

Grand View is highly creative in offering different styles of setting up private venues. Couples have been downsizing their guest lists and are focusing more on the culinary experience for their guests. Our culinary team is passionate about making your wedding an unforgettable experience. They can conduct private tasting appointments for our couples and cater to every palate. Grand View offers a range of full-service cuisine options, including rehearsal dinners, bridal luncheons and in-room service for private parties.

Plated dinners are recommended and our chef’s staff can assist with distributing food at stations. Appetizers and desserts can be displayed on tables family-style.

With the need to seat fewer guests per table, guests have an opportunity for quality conversation and reminiscing.

Grand View Lodge strives to make your wedding dreams come true through their meticulous planning, award-winning culinary team and breathtaking grounds, venues and amenities. Call the team at Grand View Lodge to inquire about your dream wedding or schedule a tour with one of their knowledgeable planners. Host your wedding at the beautiful and iconic Grand View Lodge and create the magical memories you’ll remember for years to come.

SPONSORED CONTENT | NORTHLAND ARBORETUM

Your intimate wedding in an awe-inspiring venue

BY SUE SMITH-GRIER Choosing the venues for your wedding ceremony and reception are the most important decisions you will make when planning your wedding. The Northland Arboretum in Brainerd offers outdoor and indoor alternatives. The breathtaking scenery of the great outdoors where you are surrounded by majestic pines, prairie grasses and wildflowers or if indoors is more to your liking, our Fireside Room and the lower level of the building can be decorated to suit your tastes. Our awe-inspiring surroundings provide the perfect backdrop for exquisite wedding photos.

You may desire a small intimate wedding with a few family members and friends or a big celebration that includes over a hundred relatives, friends and colleagues. When you tour the Arboretum with our event planner, Kelly Hughes, you will see all that we have to offer to accommodate your special day.

Under the Sun or Moon

Located on 500 acres of beautiful land, Northland Arboretum offers three enchanting gazebos, each one within a beautiful setting. The gazebos offer privacy for your outdoor wedding and with each season, the surroundings provide a stunning backdrop.

Holden Gazebo provides an exquisite setting for smaller intimate outdoor weddings while the Prairie Gazebo area, located in a beautiful sea of grass, provides space for as many as 200 wedding guests.

Indoor Romance

We provide the option to combine your indoor and outdoor spaces as you wish for a truly customized experience. The Fireside Room with its cozy fireplace is the perfect setting for a small, intimate romantic indoor wedding. It accommodates up to 64 guests and is perfect for winter weddings.

The Arboretum’s lower level accommodates 170 guests and has a dance floor. Enjoy an indoor/outdoor experience when you make use of the adjoining patio with its outdoor lighting.

The Arboretum’s two indoor spaces are both equipped with full kitchens. Tables and chairs are included in the rental. We also have speakers, cocktail tables, chair covers and napkins available for rent. Our vendors’ list provides a variety of caterers, or you can bring food in.

Access to your preferred space is provided the previous night for your convenience.

Use this time to decorate for the big day or host the groom’s dinner.

Be inspired as Kelly offers guidance with ideas, themes and vendors.

For more information, contact the Northland Arboretum at 218-829-8770 or visit northlandarb.org.

Breathtaking!

2022 Dates Available!

Photo by DeAnn Caddy

Voted “Best Wedding & Party Venue”

218-829-8770 | northlandarb.org 14250 Conservation Drive, Brainerd, MN

Photo by Adventimaging

2022 Weddings North | 7

SPONSORED CONTENT | BREEZY POINT RESORT

Planning your wedding will be a breeze at Breezy Point Resort

BY SHEILA HELMBERGER If your dream wedding includes an outdoor setting surrounded by lush greenery on a breathtaking golf course, or a picturesque spot beside one of the area’s beautiful lakes, Breezy Point Resort is the perfect spot for you.

The wedding specialists at Breezy Point will offer a guided tour of everything they have to offer and then sit down with you and talk about the things that are most important to you for your day.

Whether it is location, scenery, the meal, or the after party, they will help your vision come together and make sure you and your guests have a day to remember.

A new wedding pavilion at Antler’s White Birch Golf Course offers a gorgeous new spot, with a touch of elegance, for an exquisite outdoor ceremony surrounded by lush greenery and waterfalls.

The pavilion can easily accommodate 220 for the wedding ceremony or serve 120 for your reception. Your wedding photos will be breathtaking and admired for years to come with the scenery at Antler’s Pavilion as a backdrop. When the sun sets, the twinkling chandeliers at the pavilion will complement the evening perfectly. A built-in sound system means you can listen to your own playlist created with music that has memories for the two of 8 | 2022 Weddings North

you or offers a crystal clear sound to listen to your band or DJ. A wedding at the resort, in business for over a century, offers all the accommodations for your friends and family. They will have plenty to do at the resort during their stay while you enjoy the final preparations for your wedding. Feel like a trip to the spa to unwind before the big event? They can help with that, too.

Besides Antler’s Pavilion, Breezy Point Resort has other locations that may be suitable for exchanging your vows. The Point Lawn, at the edge of the Pelican Lake, can seat more than 300 people and The Breezy Point Conference Center is perfect for the guest list up to 500. The Breezy Belle is a paddle boat owned by the resort and is one more unique venue to consider. It is perfect for a rehearsal dinner or smaller wedding with a guest list up to 100.

For the wedding dance, Breezy Point has three different ballrooms: the Whitebirch, Minnesota and Lakeside, each with its own style to accommodate guests.

Call Breezy Point Resort soon to tour everything they have to offer and lock in the details of your own perfect wedding. The helpful wedding staff at the resort will be there for all the planning, from beginning to end. You’ve thought about it your entire lives, now it’s time to make it happen.

SPONSORED CONTENT | CUB FOODS

A budget doesn’t have to stop you from having your dream wedding

BY SHEILA HELMBERGER Prices for everything are on the rise these days. Planning your wedding is no different. You may have to make a few tweaks to afford it all, but you can still have your dream wedding.

If you are trying to keep the budget in balance and still plan a beautiful and tasteful wedding, rehearsal dinner or other gathering, Cub Foods can help.

Plan to meet with the managers at Cub Foods and let them know the size of your guest list. They will work with you to create possibilities for your menu that won’t break the bank but will still impress your guests. And it doesn’t stop at the food.

The cake decorators from the

Cub Foods bakery can create a full-sized sheet cake that is professionally and elegantly decorated that will serve nearly 100.

A walk through the vibrant floral department at Cub Foods and you will already be envisioning the centerpieces for the tables, your wedding bouquet and more for the bridal party and boutonnieres for the men.

From the flowers to the wedding cake, to the food for your reception, Cub Foods can be your one stop to get it all done. Let Cub Foods help you to have the affordable, yet beautiful, wedding you’ve always dreamed of.

Big Cakes... small cakes...

Cup Cakes...

JUST A CALL AWAY!

OPEN 24 HOURS • BAXTER - (218) 828-4601 • BRAINERD - (218) 828-1816 2022 Weddings North | 9

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

(Everything but the Wedding)

10 | 2022 Weddings North

BY SHEILA HELMBERGER Your wedding is the culmination of months, even years, of planning.

So, it can be more than a little fun when the weeks leading up to your wedding include events that others will plan to celebrate you. While some of the events have changed and evolved during the years, they are still special parts of the weeks leading up to your wedding.

The Wedding Shower

This is the day to let your friends and family “shower” you with well wishes. You may have more than one shower if your own family, future in-laws or friends host separate gatherings. Female friends and relatives of the bride once attended the wedding shower. Today’s showers can include both members of the wedding couple and include everyone.

The budget for the shower is up to the host(s). There will be decorations to purchase, invitations to send, either through the mail or online, a light menu to plan, and then, there are those famous shower games to organize.

Any venue that can accommodate the size of the guest list will be suitable for the shower. Whether it’s held in a private home or yard, a rental space or other gathering area, you’ll need space for all your guests, tables for the food, the dessert and the gifts.

While the mention of a shower game can create a line for the restroom, they can double as a great ice breaker and often lead to plenty of laughs.

Bachelor and Bachelorette Party

The guest list for the bachelor or bachelorette party will probably look a little bit different than the one for the shower.

While the event used to be one night, today the parties often include entire weekends and sometimes

travel to popular vacation spots. The party sometimes includes activities the group can do together such as a weekend playing golf or skiing, time in a spa, a tour of local breweries or wineries, or a night on the town with a designated driver. Party guests sometimes gift the wedding couple playful or intimate gifts to add to the fun.

Other ideas for the party include doing a group activity together. Hire a chef to teach the group how to cook a signature dish or host a craft night where guests can create oneof-a-kind gifts to keep or give to the wedding couple.

Rehearsal Dinner

The rehearsal dinner, or groom’s dinner, follows the practice for the wedding ceremony the night before your wedding. This is another place that allows the couple to add an individualized touch. Whether the dinner is an informal cook-out, or a more formal sit-down dinner at your favorite restaurant, it includes the wedding party and both sides of the family who attended the rehearsal and their guests. While this event is a bit more low-key, plan to wrap up the night a little early as the big day is just around the corner.

Wedding Party Gifts

The people in your wedding party are important to you. They’ve been here every step of the way. Say thank you to each with a gift that serves as a special keepsake.

From candles to jewelry or monogrammed glassware, your attendants will treasure a gift they know you chose just for them.

If you’re not sure what to give, it can be fun to choose something practical for them to use either before or during the wedding, such as jewelry or cuff links, a monogrammed make-up bag or toiletry bag or a comfortable set of loungewear. Make sure to include age-appropriate gifts for younger members of the wedding party.

2022 Weddings North | 11

SPONSORED CONTENT | EMILY KAYE BRIDAL

The perfect wedding dress

BY SUE READY Whether you’ve dreamed of a wedding gown since you were 5 years old and know exactly its characteristics right down to the last sequins and pieces of lace, finding the dress of your dreams can be stressful. After all, you’ve probably never worn it before and can certainly feel as if it’s the most expensive piece of clothing you’ll ever own.

Looking for a casual non-stressful wedding experience? Check out Emily Kaye Bridal, the newest addition to the bridal scene in the lakes area region. Owner Emily Beutz recently opened her bridal shop in Nisswa

12 | 2022 Weddings North

right off Highway 371 for a convenient and attentive shopping experience for all your bridal needs. Here you’ll find wedding dresses priced in a wide range between $800 to $2,500, representing a variety of designers — Justin Alexander, Allure Bridal and Eddy K. Emily Kaye Bridal is a one-stop shopping experience for brides with veils, shoes and jewelry. Customized in-house alterations are available so the bride will have the perfect fit. A fun addition and not to be overlooked for the bridal collection are felt (fedora style) and cowgirl hand painted hats. They’re perfect for engagement and bachelorette parties and even your honeymoon, created by custom designer Brittany Cleppers.

Emily strives to support local businesses, especially female owned ones, with her partnership list of preferred vendors.

Her resources include contacts with local businesses in the area like DJs, photographers, wedding planners, florists and salons.

Emily’s future expansion of her company is expanding a one-stop shop for bridal gowns to include tuxedos, and bridesmaids gowns.

Social media plays a huge part in promoting Emily Kaye Bridal. The shop is featured on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, a variety of chamber postings and store brochures distributed to local resorts.

Emily has found many more rewarding moments than challenges as a shop owner.

“I have one of the best jobs in the world! It is very enjoyable work. Some of my favorite moments are when the brides walk out of the dressing room in their favorite gown and everyone starts to cry (happy tears, of course). Moments like that make all my hard work, intense research, sweat and tears worth it,” Emily explained.

SPONSORED CONTENT | CRAGUN’S RESORT

The magic of the lakeside beckons at Cragun’s Resort

BY SUE STERLING Beautiful surroundings, exceptional service, scrumptious food and magical moments are yours at Cragun’s Resort on Gull Lake. They invite couples who are seeking a scenic setting for their important celebration to check out the many sites for their nuptials.

They offer the perfect venue for every season, size and budget. One of their most popular outdoor wedding venues is the patio at the Legacy Clubhouse overlooking the manicured grounds of Cragun’s Legacy Golf Courses. With a variety of onsite locations to choose from, your reception could take place just inside in the Legacy Pavilion. The Pavilion also provides great back-up space in case of inclement weather.

If a beach wedding is your dream, an outdoor ceremony under swaying willows

with Gull Lake as your backdrop is the perfect setting. There is easy access right into our main lodge for your reception with plenty of indoor back-up in case of weather issues. For that added touch of class, we offer rooms to rent for bridal parties to get ready before the wedding. Imagine enjoying mimosas, finger sandwiches and mini desserts with your bridesmaids while getting ready for the big event.

Have a winter wedding on your calendar?

Cragun’s offers an off-season wedding opportunity for you to put together a distinctly charming celebration with many creative options, such as an intimate candlelight ceremony or a wedding in front of an inviting fireplace. Drink seasonal beverages like mulled wine, hot apple cider and minty hot chocolate, or enjoy snowmobiling, ice skating, dog sled rides and cross-country skiing. Let your

cragunsresort

fb.com/cragunsresort

imagination soar.

Great photography opportunities abound at Cragun’s — wooded areas, dockside or beachside for the water lovers. The marina or cruise ship could be the setting for boating enthusiasts. And, of course, our manicured, landscaped courses for those who want world-class golf scenery.

Cragun’s caters to your individual needs.

Our onsite coordinator works with each couple to customize a package with activities to fit the season and will tailor the event to fit your budget. We also offer a variety of rental items from audio visual equipment to dance floors to a horsedrawn carriage.

Let our 80 years of experience provide you with an experience you and your guests will never forget. Make some magical memories on the shores of beautiful Gull Lake.

craguns.com

3 DIFFERENT VENUES ■ 80 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE ■ 1 AMAZING WEDDING

and a thousand “I love yous”

- LAKESIDE -

- ON THE WATER -

- ON THE GREEN -

2022 Weddings North | 13

SPONSORED CONTENT | REEDS MARKET BAKERY

Wedding Cakes Delicious & Cupcakes desserts

The Icing On Your Perfect Day! From traditional to trendy and every inspiration in between. There’s no order too tall or too small!

Reeds Market

BAKERY 35561 CR 3 CROSSLAKE

(218) 692-2711 • EXT.1 Bakery@ReedsMarket.com (email) See our photos on Facebook 14 | 2022 Weddings North

BY SHEILA HELMBERGER The sweetest day of your life deserves to be topped-off with the most delectable treats.

Reeds Market in Crosslake can make sure that happens.

From fillings and frosting to toppings, let the professional staff in the bakery know what you envision for the dessert table at your wedding and they will be happy to work with you to create the “oohs and aahs” for your reception centerpiece.

Tiered cakes with bridges and cake toppers have long been the standard at wedding ceremonies. The couple slice the cake together and it is served when the meal is over. Now there are even more options. Today’s dessert tables are as much a work of art as they are delicious.

Salena Snow, bakery manager at Reeds Market, says today’s wedding desserts can be anything from doughnuts to decorated cookies, brownies and bars.

They still make plenty of wedding cakes, too. A birch cake, with the appearance of a real birch tree, is one style that has become popular at the bakery. Another is a naked cake, a style that barely has any frosting at all. Greenery and live flowers complementing the color theme of the wedding are other ways couples have chosen to put the final touches on their cake.

“We offer complimentary tastings for the bride and groom to help them make all of their selections,” says Snow. Reeds specializes in chocolate, marble and white cakes. Once any fillings are decided, it’s time to talk about decoration. If you’ve seen a photo of a cake you would like, bring it along to Reeds Market for your tasting and they can make it happen.

Reeds Market in Crosslake can handle and deliver the finished products and set it all up for a fee or they will be sure to have it ready for you to pick up from the bakery.

Years of experience from the bakery staff at Reeds Market will ensure you get just what you want for your wedding dessert.

SPONSORED CONTENT | ARROWWOOD LODGE AT BRAINERD LAKES

A wedding destination with rustic charm

BY SUE READY Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes offers a picturesque northwoods hotel experience right in the heart of lake country. They are able to give you the wedding of your dreams. Wedding specials are available with 50% off food and beverage minimum and room rentals during November and January to May. Arrowwood Lodge has been an up north featured destination in Minnesota Bride Magazine. Award winning culinary full service is available with a variety of unique food choices. According to Catering Sales Manager and wedding planner Lindsey Mac Laughlin, “Arrowwood stands out because it can offer the up north feel for a wedding without being one of the bigger resorts on a lake and without a big price tag.”

Wedding facilities include access to an outdoor courtyard with a pergola perfect

for a wedding ceremony. A fire pit for cozy evening gatherings adds a new dimension to guest entertaining. Inside the lodge, two Sand Ballrooms cover 5,200 square feet.

With its massive size it offers versatility and endless possibilities for planning wedding receptions. Banquet bars, hardwood dance floor, welcome common area, a two-story fieldstone gas fireplace and a complimentary king whirlpool suite for bride and groom on the night of their reception are a huge draw for couples booking their wedding venue.

Head Chef Jake Zontelli raises the bar making exceptional quality and delectable food offerings for guests. His culinary skills with personal touches raise ordinary food to new levels with several twists and turns along the way. Couples have a variety of choices when choosing their reception food plus a complimentary food tasting.

Mouthwatering themed buffet choices are available such as Mexican, barbecue, Italian and the ever popular Home Sweet Minnesota. Plated meals of fish, steak and chicken are also available options. Each buffet offers a variety of desserts. Bridal couples are welcome to bring their own cake. Wine can be brought in, though a corkage fee is charged. Chef Jake’s menus are flexible and can offer meals for those who have dietary restrictions, gluten free and vegetarian needs.

Lindsey finds many rewarding moments in her work despite the challenges of uncertainty of product availability and delivery. “All the planning and stress that couples endure I get to see them on their happiest day, laughing, having fun and being in love,” she said.

Contact Lindsey Mac Laughlin at 218-822-5573 for more information.

2022 Weddings North | 15

UNIQUE VENUES can provide a personal touch

BY SHEILA HELMBERGER You’ve had years to envision the ceremony in your mind. You’ve formed friendships with people who will stand beside you when you exchange your vows. You’ve imagined what you’d wear and thought about the ideal spot for your honeymoon.

It’s finally time to plan your wedding.

16 | 2022 Weddings North

Where do you even begin?

Locking down the venue early will make it easier to make so many other decisions.

Will it be indoors or outdoors? Will you need a large space to accommodate that growing guest list or a smaller, more intimate space for just your closest friends and family?

A Brewery or Winery

If you enjoy an evening at the neighborhood brewery or winery, it could be just the perfect place for the two of you to exchange your vows. Jody Drummond of Brainerd’s Dennis Drummond Wine Co. says they have hosted 45 weddings in the past 4 1/2 years. The winery, set on a spacious property on the edge of Brainerd, offers all the space a wedding couple might need to host their wedding and reception.

The winery has a beautiful outside covered patio for the vow exchange and rooms for both to get ready with their attendants. A photographer’s dream, the wooden barrels and 10 acres behind the winery offers exquisite settings for your wedding photos. The setting on the back patio creates a breathtaking spot to say your vows to one another whether you get married in the daytime or under the stars. Chandeliers on the back patio and sconces in the ballroom set the scene for a romantic and lovely wedding.

Riding Stable

If horses are your passion, and you’d love to include them in your celebration, a ceremony at your favorite riding stable could be a dream come true. Sheree Evenson owns Outback Trail Rides Inc. in Pillager. She says a small wedding has taken place in a little park area off the trails and they have hosted a wedding luncheon onsite. She says lots of couples have chosen the location to get engaged.

A big part of your wedding budget will go for the venue and set the tone for the amount you will be able to spend on other things. With today’s rustic and farmhouse trends and your own personalities to consider, there may be possibilities of which you haven’t even thought.

Besides size and cost, you’ll want to find a spot with the potential for the perfect photos.

A Perfect Spot

Consider a local zoo, a vacation rental on the beach, a local garden or other spot that means something special to the two of you. A community park or garden creates the perfect backdrop for you to exchange your vows. Know that before you start making plans for one of the off-beat locations, you will have to get permission and some of the venues may require special permits or insurance before you have a true green light.

Getting married in your own home or cabin or one that belongs to a friend or family member can feel like the perfect spot. Whether it is because of sentimental or financial reasons, you will need to dig in and take on tasks that may normally be done by a wedding planner or staff member of a larger, more traditional venue.

You will need to have enough restrooms to accommodate the size of your group and coordinate rentals for everything from tables and chairs to linens and glassware.

A manicured backyard can be an inviting space to celebrate.

Lights and landscape, spaces with flowers and a flat terrain to set up the food should be on your checklist of must-haves.

* photo by Aimee Jobs/Flowers by Kate Kuepers

We rent tents, tables, chairs, dance floors and much more!

Balloon decor and retail decorating options also available!

15867 Edgewood Drive Baxter, MN 56425 • 218-828-2127 • 877-328-2127

www.partyworldbrainerd.com 18 | 2022 Weddings North

SPONSORED CONTENT | CROW WING COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

Enchantment at the Fairgrounds

BY SUE SMITH-GRIER Crow Wing County Fairgrounds offers you the opportunity to create a truly memorable day that is as unique as you are. Start with a clean slate. Several buildings to choose from, space for up to 800 guests, and a list of vendors offering everything you need to make your special day exciting and unforgettable.

The possibilities at the fairgrounds are endless. You can make your special day as elegant or as rustic as you please.

Whether you are leaning toward a small traditional event, or something out of a fairytale with a horse-drawn carriage, your creativity and imagination can make it happen here.

The Curling Club building is a favorite spot for couples to hold an indoor wedding. Some choose this space to host a formal dinner. It also serves as an ideal

place for indoor dancing.

With the preferred vendor list provided, you can pick and choose the services and entertainment you want to create

the perfect event. Go simple or go big, you determine how spectacular your wedding and reception will be. There is plenty of room for indoor and outdoor fun. Choose a place to say your vows, a

space for eating, a space for dancing, a space for kids to play.

Your guests can choose to stay at one of the many hotels or resorts located within a few miles of the fairgrounds or they can stay on the fairgrounds where RV spaces with electrical hookups are available.

Outdoor aficionados can bring their tents and camping gear and enjoy one of the many campsites.

Let your imagination soar and create an enchanting, exciting event that your friends and family will remember for years to come. Crow Wing County Fairgrounds can be transformed into the place of your dreams.

Call Crow Wing County Fairgrounds Manager Gary Doucette at 218-838-9671 for more information or to schedule a walk-through.

See you at the Expo!

Want your event to be unique?

The Possibilities are Endless!

From Groomsmen Dinner to Wedding, to Reception, to Dance, into next day Brunch and Gift Opening we have the room to accommodate 800 guests and 40 acres of area to play and camp.

Call the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds at 218-829-6680 for more information or to reserve a date for your event.

Crow Wing County Fairgrounds PO Box 169, Brainerd, MN 56401 crowwingcountyfair.com

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W E H AV E T H E V E N U E . YO U P I C K T H E S E A S O N .

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SPONSORED CONTENT | PINE PEAKS WEDDING AND EVENT CENTER

Weekend weddings more memorable moments

BY SHEILA HELMBERGER What if you could spend your entire wedding weekend celebrating with your friends and family at a beautiful private 80-acre gated estate?

With Pine Peaks Wedding and Event Center near Crosslake, owners Priscilla Soos and her husband, David, own and operate a wedding resort that offers a true destination wedding. Secluded away from everything, they make it possible to wake up the morning of your vows and have a cup of coffee and relax instead of running around from place to place picking up items you have rented.

David and Priscilla provide almost everything a wedding couple might need.

They furnish tables, chairs, linens, skirting and chair covers in multiple colors. Chair sashes and table runners in 24 colors plus an entire storage room filled with decorations. Most couples don’t have to haul much at all. Set up is done by the wedding party on Thursday and Friday and take down is done by the staff at Pine Peaks on Sunday morning.

The Property

Priscilla gives each couple an extensive tour of the property when they meet – and there’s a lot to see. The property offers a view from every deck and porch of serene beauty. It’s a photographer’s dream of corn fields, rolling hills and flowers. Several sites for the ceremony include your choice of arbors and each is surrounded by wildflower and perennial gardens. There is a bubbling rock with a pond and a fountain through the spring and fall months.

The seasons in lake country can change quickly and sometimes overnight. Raising and lowering tent walls and using heaters and fans, you can create your own ideal temperature and make things as cozy or as open as you’d like.

The Big Day

To ensure your wedding reception meal is as fresh as possible, all meals are prepared on site in the new Pine Peaks kitchen and prep kitchen by Chef

Dewey Albrecht. The wedding couple, with Priscilla and Chef Dewey, will work together to create the custom reception menu to wow the guests. Your wedding guests will be served refreshments and custom cocktails at Pine Peaks’ newly enhanced bar complete with a large choice of domestic, imported and craft

The home features a gourmet kitchen, a screened porch with a fireplace, games, an outdoor sauna and fire pit and a propane fire pit in the screen porch.

Priscilla and David know your wedding is more than just one really big day. It’s a weekend affair and the house is available to rent to couples from Thursday through Monday. Rooms for your guests are readily available in and close to Crosslake, Pequot Lakes, Pine River and Jenkins, just a few miles away from Pine Peaks with shuttle service available to and from the reception. There are over 300 VRBO rental homes in the Crosslake area for those guests who would like to stay for a few days.

Extras

beers and selection of fine liquors fit for your wedding reception.

We allow customers to bring their own desserts and snacks for their reception,” says Priscilla. Parking spaces are available for many motorhomes during the spring, summer and fall months with power, sewers and water hookups. Delivery, setup and removal for RV rentals can be arranged.

The Retreat House

“Just about every couple uses our retreat house,” says Priscilla. Across a pathway from the event center is a 5,000-squarefoot home with five bedrooms, four bathrooms and a loft with four more beds. Typically, the wedding party and a few friends will stay here and have a nice time for several days. The master suite includes a Jacuzzi and a see-through fireplace. Also on site, a two-chair hair and makeup salon, a recreation room with a pool table and laundry facilities.

After the rehearsal, just move your wedding party into a space in the pavilion and have your groom’s dinner right there. Woodfired pizzas can be made, or you could grill burgers or steaks for the wedding party, offering a nice laid-back evening before the big day.

There is no doubt Pine Peaks offers a few extras that other venues can’t. Your entire list of To Dos such as rehearsal dinner, hair and makeup, beautiful wedding photos and videos can be done onsite as well as the “I dos” with a beautiful onsite inside or outdoors wedding ceremony.

“We’ve had more than 400 weddings and no two have been the same,” Priscilla says. Nearly 50 weddings are already booked for 2022 and 2023. Unlike many venues, we provide all liability insurances.

Call 218 251-8800 to talk to Priscilla for more information and to set up a tour.

Pine Peaks Wedding and Event Center, with a capacity of around 300, has been the recipient of awards from The Knot and WeddingWire as well as The Best Wedding Venue in Minnesota from the Minneapolis St Paul Magazine.

The Brainerd Dispatch and Pine Peaks Wedding and Event Center contributed to this content.

Priscilla & David Soos, Owners & Operators

2022 Weddings North | 21

SPONSORED CONTENT | PIT HAPPENS

Let the barbecue do the talkin’

BY SHEILA HELMBERGER Barbecue foods are a hit almost any time, so why not at your wedding reception?

Owner Adam Peterson says his business, Pit Happens, has been catering weddings for the past couple of years and things must be going well because he says the calendar keeps filling up.

Not your typical barbecue, Pit Happens specializes in the smoked element in dishes, using various exotic woods, such as peach wood, orange wood, grape or cherry, to add a one-of-a-kind flavor to its dishes. The award-winning brisket is a popular request for wedding receptions, along with smoked macaroni and cheese. Creations such as Italian fare, with a smoked element and vegetarian selections are also favorites.

Peterson has won awards for his ribs, wings and brisket and loves to see others enjoy

his cooking. “We can do anything from backyards to main venues,” Peterson said.

He says he stumbled into the barbecue world when he returned to Brainerd after

college in 2008 and joined the Jaycees to get involved in the community. When a team backed out of the annual Ribfest, he was asked to make some ribs and create

an entry. At the time he told them, “I’ve never done it before, but I’ll give it a try.” He enjoyed it. “People seemed to like it,” he said, so he started catering and purchased a food truck.

Since then, Pit Happens has cooked for groups of more than 800.

Adam’s wife, Ashley, and his twin brother, Jared, have joined the crew to make sure things run smoothly.

He is happy to offer the wedding couple a tasting of dishes they might like to serve and help them plan the details for the reception food. The food truck makes it possible to provide late night woodfired pizza and other dishes for your wedding guests.

Pit Happens provides the plates, silverware and glassware for their events and handles the clean-up at the end of the night.

To learn more about Pit Happens, check them out on Facebook and Instagram or call them at 218-851-0003.

BOOK US TODAY! Catering That Your Guests Will Remember

Weddings, Reunions and for all of your other catering events!

Pit Happens Catering specializes in wood fire smoked meats, cheeses, seafood, and deserts.

Also offering vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options 22 | 2022 Weddings North

Pithappenscatering.com 218-851-0003 info@pithappenscatering.com Hours: Appointment Only

2022 Weddings North | 23

WOULD YOU DO IT ALL AGAIN? Local married couples answer questions about their wedding days

BY SHEILA DECHANTAL (35 YEARS MARRIED) What a fun opportunity to be asked to put together this section for the Weddings North magazine on local married couples. In reality, I had no idea how long my friends, family and community connections have been married, so where to begin?

The answer was a Facebook post simply asking, “How Many Years Has Everyone Been Married?” I was hoping for a few responses to get me started.

Instead, I was amazed to see the responses fly in, totaling 231 comments.

I enjoyed seeing all the responses, as well as interviewing the couples selected. What a joy to hear about their special day, funny happenings and incredible memories.

24 | 2022 Weddings North

Advice: PATRICK AND SARA SUNDBERG (19 Years)

Married: Oct. 12, 2002.

Where: Lakewood Church in Baxter, Minnesota.

Size of Wedding: “It was big, about 260 people.”

Fun Memory: “My favorite moment was when

Patrick and I saw each other for the first time on our wedding day. We were so excited to be getting married and after all of the planning and preparations, the day was finally here. A funny moment was during our reception when the sound didn’t work on our video we had prepared. No matter what they tried, they couldn’t get the sound to work. We decided to still play the video. Everyone made the appropriate “aww” and “cute” comments at the pictures. However, the best part was the interview portion. I talk with my hands…A LOT. It looked ridiculous to watch me tell the story of how Patrick proposed with no sound. We all had a great laugh!”

Anything you would change: “Honestly, as cheesy as it sounds, the day was perfect. We loved every minute of it. The only thing we would change is to have more time to visit with our guests.

I kept trying to make it to all the tables to say ‘hi’ and someone would pull me back up front for something. I would turn around to go back to the table and they had left. I was bummed because what other time do you have all of your friends and family gathered together in one place?!”

“Marriage is a team effort.

You need to work together, help each other out, pick up each other’s slack and communicate through all of the seasons of life and marriage.”

2022 Weddings North | 25

Advice:

“Our advice on a successful marriage is pretty similar. Bret would say that you should think of your marriage as a 75-25 relationship, always ready to give more than you receive on both sides. Suzette would say that in a marriage you don’t keep score. You don’t ever think about having done the dishes, so it is their turn. Or that taking care of your spouse makes you less than them.

Enjoy taking care of your spouse!”

26 | 2022 Weddings North

BRET AND SUZETTE JEVNING (32 Years)

Married: Oct. 12, 2002.

Where: “We were married in Suzette‘s hometown of

Turtle Lake, North Dakota, at a beautiful little Lutheran church. We loved the amazing stained glass cross lit up at the altar.”

Size of Wedding: “We had a small wedding.”

Fun Memory: “The day of our wedding the

temperature was 40 below, without the wind. Cars gelled up and stopped running in the parking lot. The interstate closed, so some guests from afar were not able to make it.

For our honeymoon, we took a short trip to Minot, North Dakota, where we spent the night at the Sheridan. It was so cold that the heater had frozen up in our bedroom and we had no heat. When we called down to the front desk, they said that sometimes the cleaners would turn the heat down after cleaning a room when it was unoccupied, that we just needed to turn the heat on. Two hours later we called back a second time to ask to change rooms because the heat was not working. Their response was, ‘It’s your honeymoon, you shouldn’t need heat.’ Bret’s response was, ‘Do you know how cranky my wife is when she’s cold?’ We got a new room.”

Anything you would change: “The only thing we would have changed would have been to hire a professional photographer. A friend offered to take our photos and we thought that was a kind gesture. Back then, photos were taken on a camera with a film, and he took photos over the top of photos he had already taken, so they were double exposed. As a result, our only wedding photos are photos that friends had taken on the side.”

Advice:

“Don’t take the little things too seriously.”

JIM AND TONI CZECZOK (38 Years)

Married: Oct. 6, 1984.

Where: “We were married by two priests at St. Francis

Church in Brainerd.”

Size of Wedding: “It was large, 375 guests as we

both come from large families. Toni originally wanted to elope, but Jim said his mom would be heartbroken if they did.” In retrospect, they are glad they went with the big wedding surrounded by family and friends.”

Fun Memory: “We had a live band that was going their separate ways after the wedding. They were a group of local guys called Meryl Mallard and the Duck Tones.

Jim and his four brothers went on stage and sang with them. That is one of our favorite memories of the day.”

Anything you would change: “Nope. Not a thing.”

Advice:

“Never give up on one another. Seek counseling during rough patches and take your time.

Never give up!”

KENNETH AND SANDRA PETERSON (71 Years)

Married: Feb. 17, 1951.

Where: Trinity Lutheran Church in Brainerd.

Memory: “We had our wedding dance at The Fort in St. Mathias. It was raining and the windows were iced up on the vehicle and the wipers did not work well.”

Quote from the article in paper: “The bride entered in a street length gown of white Moire taffeta, designed with fitted bodice neck insert and sweetheart neckline. She wore a Dutch cap of matching material and white rose detail. She carried an arm bouquet of red roses. Her pearl necklace was a gift from her sister.”

Editor’s Note: Sadly, Kenneth passed away Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, at his home. Sandra still wanted us to include them in this article.

2022 Weddings North | 27

SPONSORED CONTENT | NISSWA COMMUNITY EVENT CENTER

The best little town in Minnesota welcomes your wedding party

BY SUE SMITH-GRIER Creative minds can turn the simplest venue into a glorious magical space. The Nisswa Community Event Center lends itself nicely to the imaginative spirit and becomes what you want it to be for your special day.

The center can be used for the ceremony, reception or both. With a price point that can accommodate budgets large and small, it is the venue of choice for many couples who love the setting of the lakes area.

building provide the perfect blank slate for you to bring your unique wedding dream to life.

The center can accommodate 270 guests.

You provide linens. Your chosen caterer has a fully equipped kitchen to work in.

The center also has a bar service available with drinks provided by the Pickle Factory.

We can also provide disposal and cleanup services.

Create Your Own Bliss

The Nisswa Community Event Center is equipped with audio-visual gear for your convenience. You can create a slideshow of pictures for guests to view throughout the reception. Cordless microphones are also available.

There is plenty of space for dancing. Book your favorite band, opt for karaoke, or do both if you prefer. The action can go on until closing at 12:30 a.m.

Whether you have a traditional day in mind or want to pull out all the stops and create a wedding your guests will always remember as extraordinarily yours (thinking unicorns and light sabers?!), the community event center near downtown Nisswa is the ideal spot to let your imagination soar. From rustic country and western to ethereal, the spaciousness and high ceilings of the

Lights, Cameras, Action!

Up North Elegance For Any Budget

Nisswa Community Event Center | 218-963-4444

22x40 dance floor | 299 occ. cap. | smoke-free bar rental | kitchen | tables and chairs all included | clean-up available https://www.cityofnisswa.com/departments/community_center/index.php

28 | 2022 Weddings North

Fresh Air Venue

Nowadays the prospect of an outdoor wedding is literally a breath of fresh air. The center is located in the city park, surrounded by nature; it is the perfect setting for saying your vows. Pavilions provide shelter and shade for guests. Kids will enjoy the playground and outdoor activities will keep families entertained.

The Best Little Town in Minnesota

Nisswa is known for its unique atmosphere and appealing shops. Before and after your wedding, guests can enjoy the specialty shops and excellent restaurants adding to the perfection of your special day. Plan the best day of your new life in “the best little town in Minnesota.”

Schedule a walk-through by contacting Maggi at 218-963-4444 or email mwentler@ ci.nisswa.mn.us.

SPONSORED CONTENT | WHITEFISH LODGE AND SUITES

Look no further for your destination wedding location Let the Whitefish Properties help you destress as you dress

BY SUE STERLING “Two venues equals one very great location for your wedding!”

Crosslake is the place wedding dreams are made of!

Whitefish Lodge & Suites is only two blocks from the Whitefish Chain of Lakes. Manhattan Beach Lodge is a historic venue located on Big Trout Lake of the Whitefish Chain. Whether you are looking for an upscale location or a more intimate experience, these two venues have everything you could want. Use them separately or coordinate their attributes for a totally unique experience.

Whitefish Lodge & Suites is an “all in one” wedding venue with 54 cabin-themed rooms, a 4,500-square-foot banquet room that can accommodate up to 300 for a seated dinner reception, with a large beautiful room with two stone fireplaces, big windows and a built-in dance floor.

Manhattan Beach Lodge is an incredibly exceptional venue for a private wedding celebration. Outdoor ceremonies can be held on the large lakeside grass area or right on the main dock with your guests’ toes in the sand. This historic site is located on Big Trout Lake of the Whitefish Chain and has 19 lakeside rooms, suites and specialty suites. Your lodging guests are given a special preferred room rate including complimentary breakfast. When you book a wedding at Manhattan Beach Lodge, the entire venue is closed to the public.

Meeting your needs and exceeding your expectations is our goal. Crystal Glaser, director of sales and marketing, will help you plan the most memorable day of your life.

She can be reached at 218-692-2246, ext. 412 or crystal@ crosslakereservations.com.

TWO PREMIER WEDDING DESTINATIONS In Beautiful Crosslake, MN

Look no further for your wedding location! Whitefish Lodge & Manhattan Beach Lodge offer year-round endless possibilities – indoor/outdoor locations for ceremonies and socials with indoor receptions.

Only one wedding per venue, per weekend so you aren’t just another wedding…. but the only wedding!!

CONTACT US TODAY! CRYSTAL GLASER, Director of Sales and Marketing CRYSTAL@CROSSLAKERESERVATIONS.COM CELL: 218-251-2171 WWW.CROSSLAKERESERVATIONS.COM

“We had our wedding at Manhattan Beach Lodge in June 2021. It was the best day ever! We worked with Crystal for over a year to plan our day. She was so helpful, knowledgeable and easy to work with, and she really took the stress out of wedding planning. All of the staff was so wonderful and kept the day moving smoothly. All of our guests raved about the day, the food and the location, saying it was the best wedding (and food) they’ve ever been to. I couldn’t recommend this location more; it truly is the best place to get married!”

/ Emily V / the knot / 6.26.21 2022 Weddings North | 29

Need a place to hold your Special Event?

WE CAN ACCOMMODATE YOU! ▶ Wedding Receptions ▶ Anniversaries

▶ Birthdays ▶ Retirement Parties

▶ Showers ▶ Reunions ▶ Meetings & More

For information and to book your special event visit www.brainerdlegion255.org and contact Janelle at 218-829-2249 or brainerdlegion255@gmail.com

BRAINERD AMERICAN LEGION POST 255 708 Front Street, Brainerd, MN 56401

FULL BAR • FULL KITCHEN • WEDDINGS • MEETINGS

OUR HALL IS AVAILABLE FOR WEDDINGS AND MEETINGS Pavillion and Hall can be rented jointly.

PAVILLION SEATS 100

HEATED/AIR-CONDITIONED 4 SEASON

GARRISON VFW POST 1816 27234 Monroe St., Garrison, MN 56450 www.garrisonvfwpost1816.com 30 | 2022 Weddings North

HALL SEATS 130

320-692-4414 to set up an appointment.

Email » garrisonvfwpost1816@hotmail.com Facebook » Garrison VFW Post 1816 VFW Phone Number » 320-692-4414 POC » Cindi 218-251-2694

SPONSORED CONTENT | PARTY TIME RENTAL

The magic behind the party

BY NICOLE STRACEK Party Time Rental is committed to providing extraordinary service and the best quality rental items to help make any special day go off without a hitch. Conveniently located in Brainerd, the staff at Party Time Rental is knowledgeable and truly cares about your special day just as much as you do. From delivering equipment on time to safely installing the equipment, the staff at Party Time Rental wants your event to be as stress free as possible.

Owners Brad and Lori Kohorst are honored to serve the Brainerd lakes area and truly love what they do. “We love that we have been able to grow with our community!

Whether it’s assisting couples with their rental needs to host a fabulous wedding event or a small

intimate celebration, we are there to assist in the details. We also love to help families with celebrations like anniversaries, family reunions or birthday parties and our corporate clients with customer appreciation days or employee events throughout the summer.

We have found it rewarding to walk people through the steps of planning their special celebrations!” said Lori.

With a wide variety of rental equipment customers can find everything they need from tables and chairs to canopies and bounce houses. Additional rental items include lighting, dance floors, staging tableware and grills along with specialty farm tables and crossback chairs to accommodate larger events.

Because each celebration is unique

on its own, Lori and Brad strive to make every event special. Couples who have a vision for their special day can count on the team at Party Time Rental to be professional, friendly and on time. “We want to make that dream come true and make sure they get to enjoy the day with family and friends knowing the setup and takedown details will be accomplished as required by the Party Time team.”

Whether you are hosting a small get together, an elegant wedding or a large party, you can find all of your equipment needs at Party Time Rental. Please visit the PTR website at partytimerentalmn.com or call 218-829-6300 for more information.

Check out and like the Party Time Facebook page and enjoy photos of events present and past and helpful party planning tips.

PartyTimeRentalMN.com

218-829-6300

2022 Weddings North | 31

Fun ways to UTILIZE SOCIAL MEDIA IN YOUR WEDDING

BY METRO CREATIVE Young couples tying the knot today grew up with social media, so it’s no great surprise that so many want to utilize various platforms when planning their weddings. In fact, the Brides 2018 American Wedding Survey found that 87 percent of brides turned to the social media platform Pinterest for inspiration when planning their weddings.

On the surface, modern wedding ceremonies and receptions may look similar to the nuptials of yesteryear. However, engaged couples have increasingly incorporated social media into their weddings, and the following are some fun and creative ways to embrace that trend.

via social media may be especially useful for couples who want to enjoy destination weddings, which tend to be small affairs due to travel constraints.

HASHTAG THE WEDDING

A couple-specific hashtag can serve as something akin to a wedding album, only it’s one everyone can easily access via the couple’s chosen social media platform.

Encourage guests to hashtag photos from the wedding so everyone can have a good time looking back on the ceremony and reception once the day has come and gone.

PLAN WITH YOUR PARTY

Social media can be as fun, inclusive and

useful when planning the wedding as it can during the wedding itself. Brides and grooms can create their own private Pinterest boards and share them with the wedding party. Everyone can then use the private board to bounce ideas off each other. Couples can infuse a little fun into the Pinterest board by encouraging their groomsmen and bridesmaids to post outrageous outfit ideas or submit singalong song requests to be played during the reception.

Social media is a big part of modern couples’ lives, so it makes sense for them to find fun ways to incorporate various platforms into their weddings.

CREATE A SOCIAL MEDIA PHOTO BOOTH

Guests may take more pictures at modern weddings than the photographers who were hired to document the happy couple’s big day from start to finish. Social media boards are digital screens that display social media walls. Live event social media boards collect and curate content from social media channels and display it on a single digital screen. Users, in this case a couple’s guests, simply use a predetermined hashtag when posting photos and the images are then displayed on digital screens in real time. This can be a fun way to engage guests during the reception.

LIVE STREAM THE WEDDING

Live streams became very popular during the pandemic, when couples getting married had to pare down their guest lists in order to adhere to social distancing guidelines. But live streams can continue to be used after the pandemic, as there will always be guests who can’t make it to the wedding. Facebook Live was a go-to social media platform for live streaming weddings during the pandemic, and it can be utilized to involve loved ones in the festivities even if they can’t be there in person. Live streaming 32 | 2022 Weddings North

dedicAted on-site WeddinG coordinAtor  AFFordAble eleGAnce  Food & beverAGe PAckAGe oPtions For Your recePtion

Guest AccommodAtions AvAilAble riGht next door At

STAPLES, MN

218.895.1300

www.timberlakehotel.com

timberlAke hotel  PrivAte dininG room AvAilAble For Your Grooms dinner

SPONSORED CONTENT | PEQUOT LAKES SUPERVALU

Easy DIY wedding planning

BY SUE READY Planning to create a DIY wedding reception, groom’s dinner at home or a special event? Pequot Lakes SuperValu is there to help you every step of the way in your planning.

Budget friendly party trays filled with fruits, cheeses, meats and their own popular broasted chicken meals are convenient sides available for pickup. A wide variety of deli and bakery fresh items, and farm fresh seasonal produce is available all year round, along with a full service meat and seafood counter.

Pequot Lakes SuperValu is a full service grocery store in the heart of the lake country. It’s locally owned by the third generation Quisberg family. Their sister stores Cub in Brainerd and Cub in Baxter are also owned by the Quisbergs. The staff is available to

help with special event planning needs and prides itself on personalized flexible customer service. Customer consultation

helps budget savvy couples problem-solve what to serve, serving sizes and other aspects of food preparation. Custom made

wedding cakes can be ordered through Cub Foods along with bridal bouquets and floral arrangements. You can save time and money by having your order delivered to SuperValu for your special event. Typically the store needs 24 hour advance notice for special food orders. If coming to the lake and needing groceries, keep in mind Pequot Lakes SuperValu is a great place to stop and shop for your needs.

The store has implemented online shopping and curbside pickup at shop.pequotlakessupervalu.com.

A locally owned small town grocery store that focuses on customer service, Pequot Lakes SuperValu is a destination not to miss. Supporting area small businesses is a good investment in the local economy.

30581 Patriot Avenue Pequot Lakes, MN 56472 218-568-5001 www.pequotlakessupervalu.com Locally owned and operated

Have your cake and eat it, too!

See us for Your Wedding’s Floral and Catering needs - your affordable choice!

2022 Weddings North | 33

SPONSORED CONTENT | E.L. MENK JEWELERS

Beauty and emotions that will last a lifetime Well-known for their reliability, quality workmanship and expertise in creating one-of-a-kind custom bridal sets and engagement rings, E.L. Menk Jewelers has been a trusted source for thousands of wedding couples since 1979.

BY REBECCA FLANSBURG Store owner Ed Menk and his experienced staff have never lost sight of their commitment to offering quality fine jewelry to Brainerd lakes area customers along with personalized service that is second to none. The staff has not only been with the company for many years, together they collectively have more than 100 years of experience in the jewelry and diamond industry.

They also know that purchasing a ring for an engagement or a wedding is one of the important expenditures in a couple’s life. And it’s a decision that will be better made with the knowledge and guidance of an expert.

“We enjoy helping brides and grooms find the perfect wedding ring for their special occasion and have options for every budget,” Menk confirmed. “Our wedding bands are made of the best materials and the highest craftsmanship and we offer only stones cut to maximum brilliance. Our wide selection of diamond rings include solitaires, ideal square diamonds, engagement rings, colored diamonds, custom designed bands and many more. For couples looking to match an existing ring, our design team can custom create a single or double wedding band that matches their ring beautifully.”

34 | 2022 Weddings North

A locally-owned and operated business, E.L. Menk Jewelers’ selection includes beautiful bracelets, necklaces and rings that are as classic and unique as their customers are. They also offer couples diversity in jewelry choices and the largest collection of Canadianmined and cut diamonds in the area. To view and appreciate the true brilliance and sparkle of a diamond, and know that it is the right diamond for the occasion, brides and grooms find they benefit from working one-on-one with someone who is also a part of their community.

If a wedding proposal is in the future, E.L. Menk can take the pressure off grooms-to-be by offering a unique service that helps them with the decision-making process. After working to select the best diamond for the future groom’s budget and vision, the selected diamond is then mounted in a simple solitaire setting. This works to preserve the magic and excitement of the proposal, yet gives the bride-to-be an option of returning the solitaire setting and then selecting a new setting that better fits her style and taste.

“The times have changed, but we haven’t,” Menk noted. “We have always been focused on providing the best service and expertise possible right within the walls of this building. In our

jewelry workshop we not only create fine jewelry, we perform quality repairs and maintenance to keep your items looking like new. All of our production and repair work is done onsite by my expert staff members who specialize in repairs, custom jewelry production and appraisals. Our customers’ satisfaction is always in the forefront of our minds and we continually work to ensure that everyone leaves this store with a smile that sparkles as brightly as the diamonds we sell.”

As E.L. Menk Jewelers celebrates its 43rd year in business, Menk credits his company’s longevity to consistently offering excellence in customer service, professionalism, integrity along with cultivating long-term relationships with the customers who are now considered friends. In an era where online deals tempt buyers with cheap prices on inferior products, he also points out that there is no substitute for a trusted relationship with a hometown jeweler.

“We’ve been here a long time and we will continue to be here for years to come,” Menk concluded. “We are proud to be able to use our knowledge and vast selection of stones and settings to assist brides and grooms-to-be in making a selection that not only reflects their relationship’s beauty and emotions, but also one that that will last a lifetime.

SPONSORED CONTENT | SIMPLY RUSTIC FLORAL DESIGN

Wedding day florals

BY SARAH NELSON KATZENBERGER Wedding season is just around the corner and Melissa Kay Krueger of Simply Rustic Floral Design in Crosslake is ready to pull out all the stops when it comes to providing unique floral arrangements. Simply Rustic Floral Design is not only a retail florist in Crosslake but a premier wedding florist that serves brides-to-be with wedding plans anywhere in the entire lakes area.

Simply Rustic is headed into their third year in business but they are by no means new to the industry. Krueger’s design team boasts of 25-plus years of experience in wedding floral arrangements. “Thanks to the mentorship and friendship of Terri who has been by my side since the day I opened the store,” said Krueger.

“We are designers,” Krueger said. “We take our designs seriously — that’s what sets us apart.”

Simply Rustic takes a unique approach in their arrangements by steering away from the typical variety available from many floral

shops and e-commerce options and paying close attention to each individual bride.

“We ask about colors. About personality.

We want to know what makes people happy and what catches their eye,” Krueger said.

“We know each bride is so unique and want our floral arrangements to reflect that.”

Krueger works one on one with each bride to tailor their wedding day florals to fit their unique personality.

On the big day, Krueger closes her storefront to concentrate all her efforts on the wedding florals.

“This is the biggest day of their lives,” Kruger said. “It’s really important to us that we are able to focus 100% of our attention on the bride.”

While the options are limitless, Krueger said the real strong suit of Simply Rustic is their use of simplistic, natural aesthetics.

“Our name says it all,” Krueger said. “We can do anything but simply rustic is where we shine.”

Krueger opened Simply Rustic Floral Design in Crosslake early in 2020 just as the COVID-19 pandemic was taking shape.

Faced with the ever-changing uncertainty of the pandemic, Krueger decided to take a leap of faith and hasn’t looked back since.

“I do what I love,” she said. “I wouldn’t change a thing.”

We would love to create unique & gorgeous designs for your very special day!

Call us today for a personal consultation!  35736 Allen Ave., Crosslake, MN 56442 (218) 692-0120 simplyrusticfloraldesign@gmail.com 2022 Weddings North | 35

Venue Guide 2022

thebarnatstoneyhillsmn.com | 5392 290th St, Cushing

BREEZY POINT RESORT

BANQUET FACILITIES AVAILABLE

CRAGUN’S RESORT

Call today to book your meeting or event!

Fraternal Order of Eagles, Brainerd Aerie 287 (218) 829-4216 | 124 Front Street, Brainerd Monday - Thursday 12 noon - 10 pm Friday & Saturday 11 am - 11 pm www.brainerdeagles.com

Main St., Nisswa | 218.963.3306 | www.rwjewelers.com

CWC FAIRGROUNDS DENNIS DRUMMOND WINE COMPANY

GRAND VIEW LODGE

MANHATTAN BEACH LODGE ARROWWOOD LODGE AT BRAINERD LAKES

Always HOMEMADE. Always DELICIOUS.

NISSWA COMMUNITY EVENT CENTER NORTHLAND ARBORETUM

Unique and handcrafted custom cakes and desserts to make your special day extra sweet.

PINE PEAKS WEDDING & EVENT CENTER

707 Laurel Street | Downtown Brainerd knottypinebakery.com | 218-454-2470

WHITEFISH LODGE & SUITES

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BRAINERD AMERICAN LEGION

Dennis Drummond W I N E

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C O M P A N Y

Wine Tasting • Weddings Bistro Lunch & Dinner www.DDWCO.com Brainerd 36 | 2022 Weddings North

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LARSONS BARN

Larson’s Barn McGregor

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Specialties/Amenities

500

Ballroom overlooks Pelican Lake, beachside and pavillion options; Breezy Belle boat with 100 capacity.

450+

Stunning views of Gull Lake, manicured golf courses, beachside and ballroom options, Gull Lake Cruises Luxury Yacht.

800

40 acres, completely fenced in, 70+ campsites; multiple buildings and Mills Free Stage.

200

Bridesroom available with mirror, great lighting and private bathroom (groomsroom also availble).

Wedding patio facing the sunset!

400

Most awarded property in the state. Iconic ceremony sites and a wide variety of reception venues that are perfect for parties of 20 to 400 guests.

150

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Big Trout Lake of the Whitefish Chain; venue is completely exclusive when booked for a wedding.

250

Ballroom with built in dance floor and 2 fireplaces with 250 person capacity. Outdoor ceremony space, and on-site lodging. Customizable menus.

299

Ample parking, proximity to city park for outdoor options.

170

Unlimited outdoor guest capacity; surrounded by breathtaking gardens and wildlife.

300

Four-Season Wedding Resort with on-site Wedding Party lodging and Motor/RV parking plus Hotel Lodging.

250

Handicap accessible. Sound system and in-house audio/visual available.

300

Overlooks the 11th hole of Crosswoods Golf Course; “all in one” wedding venue.

330

Off-sites liquor/bar available. Great food and friendly staff!

230

Pavilion and Hall available for receptions. Can be combined for larger wedding accommodations.

299

Larson’s Barn McGregor

Larson’s Barn McGregor

Larson’s Barn McGregor

Larson’s Barn McGregor

Beautiful Rustic Barn located on 80 acres with camping & lodging with nearby lodging, restaurants, golf, and nature!

2022 Weddings North | 37

SPONSORED CONTENT | PINE PEAKS WEDDING AND EVENT CENTER

Winter wedding celebration

BY SHEILA HELMBERGER What if you could spend your entire wedding weekend celebrating with your friends and family at a beautiful private 80acre gated estate?

With Pine Peaks Wedding and Event Center near Crosslake, owners Priscilla Soos and her husband, David, own and operate a wedding resort that offers a true destination wedding. Secluded away from everything, they make it possible to wake up the morning of your vows and have a cup of coffee and relax instead of running around from place to place picking up items you have rented.

David and Priscilla provide almost everything a wedding couple might need.

They furnish tables, chairs, linens, skirting and chair covers in multiple colors. Chair sashes and table runners in 24 colors plus an entire storage room filled with decorations. Most couples don’t have to haul much at all. Set up is done by the wedding party on Thursday and Friday and take down is done by the staff at Pine Peaks on Sunday morning.

The Property

Priscilla gives each couple an extensive tour of the property when they meet – and there’s a lot to see. The property offers a view from every deck and porch of serene beauty.

It’s a photographer’s dream of corn fields, rolling hills and flowers. Several sites for the ceremony include your choice of arbors and each is surrounded by wildflower and perennial gardens. There is a bubbling rock with a pond and a fountain through the spring and fall months.

The seasons in lake country can change quickly and sometimes overnight. Raising and lowering tent walls and using heaters and fans, you can create your own ideal temperature and make things as cozy or as open as you’d like.

38 | 2022 Weddings North

The Big Day

To ensure your wedding reception meal is as fresh as possible, all meals are prepared on site in the new Pine Peaks kitchen and prep kitchen by Chef Dewey Albrecht.

The wedding couple, with Priscilla and Chef Dewey, will work together to create the custom reception menu to wow the guests. Your wedding guests will be served refreshments and custom cocktails at Pine Peaks’ newly enhanced bar complete with a large choice of domestic, imported and craft beers and selection of fine liquors fit for your wedding reception.

We allow customers to bring their own desserts and snacks for their reception,” says Priscilla. Parking spaces are available for many motorhomes during the spring, summer and fall months with power, sewers and water hookups. Delivery, setup and removal for RV rentals can be arranged.

The Retreat House

“Just about every couple uses our retreat house,” says Priscilla. Across a pathway from the event center is a 5,000-square-foot home with five bedrooms, four bathrooms and a loft with four more beds. Typically, the wedding party and a few friends will stay here and have a nice time for several days.

The master suite includes a Jacuzzi and a see-through fireplace. Also on site, a twochair hair and makeup salon, a recreation room with a pool table and laundry facilities.

The home features a gourmet kitchen, a screened porch with a fireplace, games, an outdoor sauna and fire pit and a propane fire pit in the screen porch.

Priscilla and David know your wedding is more than just one really big day. It’s a weekend affair and the house is available to rent to couples from Thursday through Monday. Rooms for your guests are readily available in and close to Crosslake, Pequot

Lakes, Pine River and Jenkins, just a few miles away from Pine Peaks with shuttle service available to and from the reception.

There are over 300 VRBO rental homes in the Crosslake area for those guests who would like to stay for a few days.

Extras

After the rehearsal, just move your wedding party into a space in the pavilion and have your groom’s dinner right there.

Woodfired pizzas can be made, or you could grill burgers or steaks for the wedding party, offering a nice laid-back evening before the big day.

There is no doubt Pine Peaks offers a few extras that other venues can’t. Your entire list of To Dos such as rehearsal dinner, hair and makeup, beautiful wedding photos and videos can be done onsite as well as the “I dos” with a beautiful onsite inside or outdoors wedding ceremony.

“We’ve had more than 400 weddings and no two have been the same,” Priscilla says.

Nearly 50 weddings are already booked for 2022 and 2023. Unlike many venues, we provide all liability insurances. Call 218 251-8800 to talk to Priscilla for more information and to set up a tour.

Pine Peaks Wedding and Event Center, with a capacity of around 300, has been the recipient of awards from The Knot and WeddingWire as well as The Best Wedding Venue in Minnesota from the Minneapolis St Paul Magazine.

Winter Wedding Discounts

Winter wedding packages are discounted for the months of November through April.

Pine Peaks Wedding and Event Center is beautiful during the winter months. Call 218-251-8800 for more information and to set up a tour.

Priscilla & David Soos, Owners & Operators

WINTER WEDDING

Wonderland

by Paul Middlestaedt -Avent Imaging

by Paul Middlestaedt -Avent Imaging

essional Photographer

photo by Joe Dose prof

by Paul Middlestaedt -Ave

nt Imaging

nt Imaging

by Paul Middlestaedt -Ave

photo by Joe Dose

Voted #1 Jeweler!

Corner of 7th & Laurel · Downtown Brainerd

829-7266

www.elmenkjewelers.com