Weddings North Spring 2015 Issue

2015

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS A DESTINATION WEDDING WITH A RECEPTION AT HOME

THE RIGHT PICK BLOOMS, BUDGETS AND BACKDROPS

NP EVENT SPACE BRIDES RAVE ABOUT THIS NEW VENUE OPTION

PLUS • CATERING IN HIGH DEF • WEDDINGS AND SOCIAL MEDIA • WHAT DOES YOUR RING SAY ABOUT YOU • DREAMY LIGHT, BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS • ROMANTIC WINTER WEDDING

The Perfect Dress Finding your dream gown on a budget 7 Dresses featuring 2015 trends

and

A Brainerd Dispatch Publication

Outdoor Wedding O

The Wedding Venue Inspired by nature.

Here are some of the things we specialize in: • Bridal Shower • Bachelorette Party • Grooms Dinner • Ceremony • Reception • Gift Opening • Lodging • Offsite Catering Available

Let us be apart of your special day.

Call us today for this one-of-a-kind outdoor venue 219624 Weddings North | 2015 County Road

3 | Brainerd, MN 56401 | 218-829-7507 | www.thewoodsmn.com

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CONTENTS 2015

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FEATURES COUTURE GOWNS

Tips and ideas on how to fit your dream gown into your budget while overcoming dress dilemmas.

Page 16

By Aimee Jobe

NP EVENT CENTER

ON THE COVER

Photo by Aimee Jobe Taneal Jobe on her wedding day at her parent’s home in Jenkins, MN.

1571 Northern Pacific Road Brainerd, MN (952) 994-0037 www.AimeeJobe.com

An old railroad yard turns into a popular venue when photographer Aimee Jobe realizes her dream.

Page 20

By Jodie Tweed

26

OUR STORY FEATURE COUPLE Craig & Mallori Sheik

THREE CHEERS!

3 Cheers Hospitality, the umbrella name reflecting the partnership between Prairie Bay and Sherwood Forest will deliver exciting new venue options. Page 30

By Jodie Tweed

TRENDING FEATURES ACCENTING YOUR DAY

Bouquets of neutral blooms and greenery like air plants are all the rave along with making a personal statement in decor. Page 8

By Jenny Holmes

BUFFET OR SIT-DOWN

Many agree that food along with how it is served is a bride and groom’s most important consideration.

See the pros and cons of buffet and sit-down service styles. Page 34

SOCIAL WEDDING STATUS Social media is changing the way brides plan, organize and share wedding details. Page 6 CTW Features

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

7 STYLISH DRESSES FOR 2015

See the beautiful dresses illustrating the top trends of 2015. Page 18

PUBLISHER

Tim Bogenschutz ADVERTISING MANAGER

Susie Alters

MARKETING COORDINATOR

Leo Miller

DESIGN AND LAYOUT

Lisa Henry

COPY EDITOR

DeLynn Howard ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES

(218) 829-4705 (800) 432-3703

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND STORY SUGGESTIONS: Lisa.Henry@BrainerdDispatch.com

ATTN: WeddingsNorth Brainerd Dispatch P.O. Box 974 Brainerd, MN 56401

8

photo by CHRISTINA JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY

SPONSORED CONTENT Aimee Jobe Photography • 4

A Love For Dreamy Light

by Aimee Jobe

The Woods

•5

by Jodie Tweed

Catering In High Def

by Nick Miller

• 12

Bloom Designs

by Kate Kuepers

Create Your Dream Wedding Breezy Point Resort

• 19

Romantic Winter Wedding

by Jodie Tweed

•7

Bloom Designs

• 13

by Jodie Tweed

A Wedding In The Woods Prairie Bay

Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes

E.L. Menk

• 24

Engagement Rings

by Ed Menk

Craguns

• 30

Dynamite Reflections Entertainment • 33

Love & Marriage

by Karie Lynn

Whitefish Lodge & Suites

• 35

Importance of Great Food

by Crystal Glaser

Pine Peaks • 40

Accommodating All Seasons

by Dr. Julie Ann Nyland Peterson

Wedding Along The Shore

by Mary Beth Zea

2015 | Weddings North 3

Sponsored Content

A LOVE FOR DREAMY LIGHT and beautiful wedding photography submitted by Aimee Jobe Photography Aimee Jobe loves weddings.

She has been shooting in the Brainerd lakes area and all over Minnesota since 2010 and welcomes many new couples each year to visit at her studio at Northern Pacific Center. “With many wedding photography choices, it is important to find a photographer that fits with your personality and style. While I love working with couples that want a more romantic and airy feel with a high attention to detail, I know that I am not as great for those looking for bolder or more fashion forward photography. My style lends heavily to images filled to the brim with natural light and smiles full of love. I also can never get enough of a stunning bouquet or adorable flower girl...beautiful details make my heart (and photos) sing. My favorite part of the day? A happy couple - because that joy is what love is all about.� -Aimee

WEDDING DAY TIP Do you love the feeling of images filled with romantic natural light? Keep in mind your photographer actually needs light to create these images so remember to consider this while choosing everything from your getting ready space to portraits to the actual ceremony itself. fff 4 Weddings North | 2015

Sponsored Content

The Woods in Brainerd offers woodsy weddings.

WEDDING IN THE WOODS

by Jodie Tweed Last May, Luke and Terri Ebnet purchased the former Chapparral Restaurant and the Timbermist (now their event center) along with its adjoining 12-acre property located in Brainerd. The beauty of the surrounding woods inspired not only its name change to The Woods Restaurant and Bar, but sparked an idea for an exciting new offering: Why not give brides and grooms the option of a wedding in the woods?

The Ebnets had been through the wedding planning process with family members before. They toured the entire state looking at beautiful outdoor and indoor venues for weddings locations, so Bar with overhead screen. Terri Ebnet knew what was available and she saw an unmet need in the Brainerd lakes area.

While there are higher end and low-cost wedding options in the Brainerd lakes area, the Ebnets saw a unique opportunity for families with mid-level wedding budgets, right in their own backyard.

“We were looking for the right fit, and I knew there was a niche out there

for weddings in the woods,” Terri Ebnet explained.

An outdoor wedding, especially when combined with a wedding reception held at The Woods Banquet and Event Center, provides a destination wedding and reception at a price many families can afford.

The Ebnets also offer lodging at The Woods Hotel, which has 12 guest rooms and a two-bedroom kitchenette suite, along with a Private Retreat House, a four-bedroom, fourbath home with gourmet chef ’s kitchen tucked into The Woods.

The home is perfect for bridal parties, family reunions or other gatherings. They have developed partnerships with Brainerd hotels and can provide a shuttle service for families staying off site.

Luke Ebnet built the rustic gazebo at the outdoor wedding site. They also added stamped, concrete paths leading to the wooded site last summer. The irrigation system and grass were added last year, and this summer they plan to do more landscaping and install larger steps leading to the gazebo. There is also a nearby pond where they will be installing a dock for scenic wedding photographs.

The concept of a wedding in the woods was an immediate hit. They’ve already booked about 16 weddings for summer and are now booking into 2016.

The Ebnets said in the future they may add other wedding options on the property because of its popularity.

“Everybody who has walked through the doors was interested in looking at the property, and every single one of them has booked it,” Ebnet said, of an outdoor wedding.

The Woods Event Center can host receptions for up to around 275 guests, and they also cater weddings and other events off-site.

If you’re interested in a outdoor wedding, give us a call at 218-829-7507 or visit www.thewoodsmn.com

A great option for couples who love the outdoors.

2015 | Weddings North 5

TRENDING #SocialWedding Status

by CWC Features Social media has become the No. 1 way for brides-to-be to connect with wedding brands and products, according to the 2014 American Wedding Study from BRIDES magazine. A new #SocialWeddingSurvey from The Knot and Mashable (the first was released in 2012) further illustrates social’s growing impact. Here’s a look at the some of the latest social stats:

photo by CHRISTINA JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY

PINTEREST REIGNS SUPREME According to the BRIDES survey:

67 % of brides-to-be pin content on Pinterest, up from 43 percent in 2012

SOCIAL NETWORKING NEWS

STATUS UPDATE

64 % pin content to come back to/purchase or execute their wedding plans

According to the BRIDES survey, after sharing their engagement news with close family and friends, 71 percent changed their social-media status to “engaged.” Further, 59 percent posted a ring pic to social networks, and 46 percent shared their news on social media. To keep guests up to date throughout the planning process, 37 percent of bridesto-be post photos and updates from cake tastings and other vendor visits The Knot/Mashable survey found that 28 percent of couples changed their Facebook relationship status within hours of getting engaged. After the wedding, one-third of couples will change their status the next day.

54 % share Pinterest boards with their vendors.

WEDDING APPS

PHOTO-SHARING SITUATION

Nearly 9 in 10 (89 percent) of couples download wedding-planning apps on their smartphones, according to The Knot/Mashable survey. The top categories:

19 % MOBILE CHECKLIST 15 % ORGANIZATIONAL 13 % BUDGETING 12 % COUNTDOWN Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of brides-to-be use an app to plan/shop for the wedding, according to the BRIDES survey.

According to The Knot/Mashable survey:

70 % of brides-to-be pinned to a wedding board before getting engaged.

#HASHTAGS – YES OR NO? 55 % of couples use a wedding hashtag, up from less than 10 percent just two years ago, According to The Knot/Mashable survey.

According to The Knot/Mashable Survey:

57 % of couples are OK with guests posting wedding photos to Facebook and Instagram.

35 % have mixed feeling about what their guests share.

8%

do not like photo-sharing because they want to control what is public.

According to the BRIDES survey:

11 % of couples institute a social media ban and ask guests not to post photos to social sites.

CWC FEATURES

6 Weddings North | 2015

CATERING IN

Sponsored Content

HIGH DEF

by Nick Miller The Brainerd lakes area provides one of the most varied, picturesque wedding destination locations in the great state of Minnesota.

We are lucky to have an abundance of outdoor venues, parks, lake homes, barns and banquet facilities in our region to host a wedding, and in our nine years as a caterer, we have been lucky enough to cater to all of them.

Providing hospitality for a wedding day is the best part of what we do. We love food and are honored to contribute to a bride and groom’s special day. Our responsibility is to be an informative and flexible partner in crafting a day to remember. Building a menu together is always a unique experience, taking into

account taste buds, budget and seasonality. And that is where it gets fun.

There is nothing better than filling your wedding menu with local, seasonal goodies. Items from area farms crowd our menu at Prairie Bay and our other properties as much as possible.

We consider it “High Definition Food” and we love it. We purchase from more than 30 different area farmers and have on-site herb gardens to support every kitchen. Summer salads just pop with fresh picked greens and locally harvested berries. There is never a better

Beet salad with goat cheese.

time to have our signature Build your Own Bruschetta than in August with multi-colored heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil pesto and fresh house-smoked mozzarella.

As a premier caterer in the Brainerd lakes area, we strive to provide specialized event planning from beginning to end. With our unique menu options and exceptional service, we are confident in providing your event with a memorable experience of any style. Let us take the worry off your hands and dedicate our expertise to you. fff

2015 | Weddings North 7

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photo by GRADDY PHOTOGRAPHY The ‘clipped from the garden’ look is very popular including peonies, garden roses and the Ranunculus.

ACCENTING YOUR DAY Blooms, budgets and backdrops

by Jenny Holmes

When it comes to wedding planning today, Pinterest is undeniably boss. In the era of this popular social media tool, Pinterest has certainly dictated tips, tricks and trends when it comes to planning for the “big day.”

8 Weddings North | 2015

“It’s certainly a great visual tool,” Kuepers noted. “But what you see on Pinterest isn’t always possible from an availability standpoint. Also, in a world of Photoshop, many of the colors in photos are altered. I can’t tell you how many times someone has showed me a picture and I’m like, ‘That’s not possible; that color doesn’t exist.’ That tends to be a bit frustrating.”

Kuepers is owner and operator of Bloom Designs, specializing in floral and event decor in the lakes area.

“For this coming season, we’re seeing a lot of neutrals accented with greenery,” she said. “Ivories, whites, blush and lots of greens. A real organic look.” In lieu of typical floral shop arrangements, brides are going for a look of freshly picked garden-variety flowers placed into a vase. Colors for apparel are also closely following the rule of neutral with champagne and blush-hued dresses with subtle accents.

For men, charcoals and grays are replacing black suits and tuxedos. And gone are the days of the tiered wedding cake.

Dessert stations and candies are feeding into a new generation of brides.

photo by AIMEE JOBE

photo by AIMEE JOBE

FLORAL TRENDS NEUTRAL COLORS AND GREENS GARDEN FLOWERS SUCCULENTS, AIR PLANTS, HERBS AND TWIGS

When planning their wedding, brides are quick to identify a favorite bloom to be the focal point of their day. However, focusing first on the overall feel you want for your event will help you hone in on flowers that will help compliment the theme. Not only will this help you stay within your budget, it will also assist with the availability – or lack, thereof – of certain blooms to the timing of the seasons.

Everyone loves peonies for spring and summer nuptials, Kuepers noted.

“They’re a huge flower choice.” However, there is a short window of availability for this delicate bloom.

If you really like a particular flower, let your florist know. But be open to the fact that if it’s not available, they can substitute something else.

“Mother Nature is who I work with, so I need wiggle room for flowers that could be affected by elements beyond my control,” Kuepers said.

“For peonies, I substitute garden roses.

They’re similar in size, smell and petal count and really give you the same look.

People often have the misnomer that if you can’t get it here you can get it somewhere else. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.”

Another flower great for achieving the ‘clipped from the garden’ look is the Ranunculus. Available in a wide variety of shades, the Ranunculus has multiple layers of paper-thin petals. Garden roses are

PEONY

RANUNCULUS

ROSE

You may have to use a substitution to achieve the same look. depending on availability and budget.

BANQUET FACILITIES AVAILABLE Call today to book your meeting or event!

Fraternal Order of Eagles, Brainerd Aerie 287 (218) 829-4216 | 124 Front Street, Brainerd, MN 56401 Monday - Thursday 11 am - 10:30 pm Friday & Saturday 11 am - 12:30 am www.brainerdeagles.com

CHECK FACEB OOK PAGE FOR CURRE NT EVENT S

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BLOOMS

For a personal touch, heirloom jewelry can be incorporated into the bridal bouquet.

2015 | Weddings North 9

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Focus on the overall feel of the event.

photo by AIMEE JOBE

Dessert stations and candies are feeding into a new generation of brides.

TRENDS DECOR

PERSONAL TRINKETS PHOTOS NATURAL ELEMENTS BISTRO LIGHTING

ATTIRE

photo by CHRISTINA JOHNSON PHOTOGRPAHY

also a popular flower. With a larger window of availability, garden roses come in shades like the breathtaking ‘Juliet’ variety, a soft shade of peach. These petals can be quite pricey, so a tip Kuepers shares is to save them for the bridal bouquet and use sparingly in the bridesmaids’ bouquets, then substitute with regular peach-colored roses in other areas to tie the arrangements together.

“I’ve had brides use all baby’s breath for their bridesmaids’ bouquets. It saves on the budget and looks gorgeous. We’ve also done large balls of hydrangeas.

Right now, air plants are the rage. These greens typically don’t have a root system and don’t depend on soil or water, as they get the nutrients they require from the air.

10 Weddings North | 2015

photo by CHRISTINA JOHNSON PHOTOGRPAHY

Succulents are also trending. While still a bit on the pricier side, they provide unique greenery to an event looking for something to offset flowers. Great examples of this are aloe and hens-and-chicks.

Work in unique greens like herbs and sticks to provide a fun twist to traditional arrangements.

BUDGETS

According to the Brides American Wedding Study, last year the average couple spent $23,883 on their wedding with an average of 153 guests. According to that same study, brides typically spend about eight to 10 percent of their overall budget on flowers. This includes the bridal bouquet, bridesmaids’ bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, and ceremony and

CHAMPAGNE AND BLUSH-HUED DRESSES CHARCOALS AND GRAY SUITS ARE REPLACING BLACK TUXEDOS

reception arrangements.

“When I first meet with a bride, I’ll look at their ideas, pictures and swatches. We discuss the basics, including budget. If you have a budget in mind, share it with your vendor right away so they can steer you in the right direction.”

Kuepers mixes the decor among the tables from tall arrangements to something more candle-based to help the floral budget last longer.

Another great way to stretch your floral budget is to repurpose the bridesmaids’ bouquets. Have vases ready at the head table for bridesmaids to safely set their bouquets. Not only does it increase the amount of floral centerpieces, it also allows them to free their hands.

BACKDROP

2015 | Weddings North 11

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If booked in 2015

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Family-owned and operated since 1950

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Great location only 30 min from Brainerd & St. Cloud.

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Kuepers always suggests working in something that has extra special meaning that will only add to the special day.

She has had brides give her pieces of heirloom jewelry passed down from a mother or grandparent to incorporate into the bridal bouquet. Or perhaps work in a piece of a relative’s wedding dress fabric somewhere.

Consider bringing in photographs or personal trinkets significant to the couple to personalize mantel areas in a reception venue.

When considering room décor, Kuepers said natural elements continue to be hot.

“People expect that, especially when they come to the lakes area. But create it in subtle ways with natural elements rather than typical up-north décor.”

While the popularity of burlap is waning, bistro lighting has entered with a vengeance. “They have a very Italian garden feel,” Kuepers said.

Many couples are moving toward harvest tables, or where the head table is moved into ‘U-shape’ to encourage eye contact and better conversation for the bridal party.

Linens can add an easy and inexpensive pop of color or pattern to each table.

Kuepers said an easy way to incorporate color onto the table is by taking a colored or patterned napkin and spread it square in the center.

Look at the venue as a whole, think of all the spaces your guests will see and give it a personal touch.

From dessert stations and cupcake towers to cigar bars and customized beer cozies, Kuepers says the bottom line is ensuring your vision is met. After all, this is intended to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“Every bride’s vision is unique,” Kuepers said. “Even though we’re in the world of Pinterest, each wedding has its own unique spin to it and personality tends to come through. Just be true to yourself and your personality. That’s where it’s fun. If your style is elegant and you’ve always dreamed of that quintessential wedding, go with that. Love it now.” fff

2015 | Weddings North 11

Sponsored Content

BLOOM DESIGNS

by Kate Kuepers Wedding flowers and décor set the tone for your special day - the beginning of the rest of your lives together. I love being part of this momentous occasion and bringing your dreams to life.

Kate Kuepers, Owner and operator of Bloom Designs. photos by AIMEE JOBE

My career as a wedding florist began in high school, when I worked for the neighborhood floral shop. I began honing my skills all through high school and into college, and there, my passion for event planning began.

It was four years ago when I was asked to help with my sister Anne’s wedding, on the Chesapeake Bay, and I decided that it was the perfect fit for a career I loved doing. After that, I received more referrals and requests for special events and I developed as a floral designer, creating and working with fresh flowers. Weddings are the majority of my business (I occasionally get to work on a benefit or corporate event). I love the unique personalities of each couple and the thrill of making their vision come to life. It never ceases to amaze me how each wedding turns out to be a completely unique and individual look reflecting the couple.

I don’t like to consider myself a ‘typical florist.’ My goal is to get to know you and completely embrace and enhance your vision for

“I love the unique personalities of each couple and the thrill of making their vision come to life.”

- Kate Kuepers

Brides Agree Jennifer - Stunning Kelli - All Perfect Katy - Beautiful Detail your wedding day. In addition to providing artisan flowers, I will help coordinate and style every detail – big and small – throughout the process. The best compliment is when a bride says it was even better than she had envisioned.

My commitment doesn’t end when the flowers have been delivered and the guests have been seated. I pride myself on a start to finish process. We’ll meet as soon as you have your colors chosen, and I’ll be the one to hand you your bridal bouquet just moments before you say “I do.”

I realize this is more than just another event. This is the first day of the rest of your life. I would be honored to have the chance to talk with you about your special day and help make it better than you even imagined. fff

12 Weddings North | 2015

Sponsored Content

CREATE YOUR DREAM WEDDING At Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes

The Brainerd lakes area has become a year-round destination wedding location and many brides are choosing Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes to celebrate one of the most important occasions of their lives.

Whether you have Brainerd connections or simply love the beauty of the lakes, Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes has something for everyone.

“We can start with your rehearsal dinner the night before your ceremony and provide lodging for hotel guests, along with planning your wedding and reception,” explained Karolyn A. McCarte, director of sales at Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes. “We’ve had small, intimate weddings of 20-30 people and can accommodate up to 300 guests at our largest weddings.”

Cassandra James, director of catering, has extensive wedding planning experience and can help brides navigate all the details and decision-making that goes into planning their dream wedding. Her job is to eliminate as much stress as possible to create lasting memories for everyone.

If your family and friends are traveling

to the Brainerd lakes area for the entire weekend, Arrowwood Lodge can block off rooms for the entire crew to enjoy time together. Families can relax together in their hotel suites, eat dinner at Baxter’s Bar & Grill or have fun with the kids at the Paul Bunyan Water Park, Arrowwood Lodge’s 30,000 square-foot water park.

Book your wedding for between January and May 2015 and you’ll receive a 50 percent discount off food, beverages and room rentals, up to a $3,000 value.

Visit www.arrowwoodbrainerd.com to discover how Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes can help you create the wedding of your dreams. fff

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reate your dream wedding... at Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes *Sands Ballroom is able to accommodate up to 300 guests *On-Site Pergola and Courtyard for Ceremonies or Indoor Fireplaces for off-season weddings *Complimentary King Whirlpool Suite for the Bride & Groom

*Full Service Food & Beverage Catering and Staff by Arrowwood Lodge *Hotel Rooms for Guests at a Special Rate *Rehearsal Dinner and Gift Opening Rooms Available

www.arrowwoodbrainerd.com

(218) 822-5573 • 6967 Lake Forest Rd. Baxter, MN

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by Jodie Tweed

2015 | Weddings North 13

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COUTURE GOWNS Finding one to fit your budget

by Aimee Jobe

One of the most exciting steps after getting engaged is finding your dream dress. You make a few appointments at bridal boutiques and head out with your most important ladies in tow. photos by AIMEE JOBE

14 14 Weddings Weddings North North || 2015 2015

One - you found what you were looking for, but the cost of the dress alone is going to break the bank.

Two - you just couldn’t quite find what you were looking for.

You may be one of the lucky few who find their perfect dress within the budget on that first outing, but chances are you may run into the following two issues. One you found what you were looking for, but the cost of the dress alone is going to break the bank and you still have to consider alterations and accessories. Two - you just couldn’t quite find what you were looking for.

Have your heart set on the latest gown from a great designer? If you are loving the new collections from amazing designers like Hayley Paige, Anna Maier, Truvelle, Pronovias, Watters, Amsale and so many more that refresh their collections each season, keep your eye out for trunk shows.

Bridal stores get in the latest collection for a short time period (generally a weekend) and offer appointments to try the new collection. What are the great things about this limited time showing? They usually offer a 10 to 25 percent discount on the new dresses during the trunk show and sometimes the designer is actually on hand to discuss custom designs and modifications. This is a win-win in the find your new dream wedding gown book.

Our next scenario is you have found a dress you love in store, but have one of two issues. First, the average wedding dress takes four to eight months to be delivered and your wedding is in three months (you need it faster!). Second, you love the dress

Book your ceremony and reception with us for the most unforgettable and magical day of your life.

Outdoor Wedding Sites & Indoor Reception Area Available. Contact us at 218-829-8770.

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TWO COMMON ISSUES

Visit our website for information www.northlandarb.org

14250 Conservation Drive Brainerd, Minnesota

Email us at info@northlandarb.org or call 218-829-8770

Rehearsal Dinner Grooms Dinner Bridal Showers Wedding Dinners

Connie Ritter

Custom on-site Catering.

Your site or mine?

218-828-3575 cell 218-821-3575

Kerrie Harms

218-270-2490 cell 218-851-4990

“These Chicks Can Cook”

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2015 | Weddings North 15

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and the sample fits great, but it is just too expensive. Great option - ask the store about their sample gowns. Many local stores will have dress options you can buy off the rack as a sample. These dresses have been tried on by previous brides (like yourself) and may have slight wear and tear or cleaning required. What are the positives? It is available now and also available at a great discount.

Many stores tout a 35 to 70 percent discount on sample gowns. Being that wedding gowns usually need to have slight alterations like length, many of the imperfections will be removed during alterations. Then a quality clean and press and you have an amazing couture gown at a great price with a quick turnaround time.

The last scenario is for the more daring bride. You have tried to find your dress locally or maybe even statewide and still can’t find one that fits within your budget. It takes a little guts to put your trust in an online purchase for such an important item, but the cost benefits and bottom line budget savings are incredible, especially if buying a pre-owned gown.

As most sellers of pre-owned wedding dresses have a no-return policy, it is important to make sure you are 100 percent clear on all details before purchasing. First, make sure the seller has many photographs of the actual wedding dress (not just stock images off the internet) as well as detail images of any flaws. Second, check and double check measurements. Most dresses can’t be let out and you don’t want to end up with a dress that doesn’t fit. Third, think long and hard about the purchase. Don’t just jump at a gown because it is an amazing deal or the first you see. Do your research and it will 16 Weddings North | 2015

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DO YOUR RESEARCH and it will pay with a huge discount.

Real Commitment. Real Success.

Trista Oseland, Realtor ®

218-839-5784

Agent of the Year 2014

Board of Directors - Greater Lakes Association of Realtors 2014 National Sales Award

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Tower Properties Each office independently owned and operated

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pay with a huge discount - likely a 50 to 70 percent discount off the retail price. What to do if you end of with a dress that wasn’t what you thought? First, if it was a seller error (damage to dress, wrong measurements, etc.), there is usually buyer protection through payment processor and you can submit a claim. What if it just wasn’t what you were thinking? Even though it is a pain, you can re-list and continue to search for your gown. Check out oncewed. com, tradesy.com and preownedweddingdresses.com to shop for pre-owned gowns.

On this same idea, you may be able to find a local boutique that offers preowned, sample and new wedding gowns at a great discount. Elizabeth Heart Bridal Boutique in Brainerd offers a large collection of unique and one-of-a-kind to the area dresses. The gowns retail for $2,000 to $11,000, but sell in the boutique for $700 to $3,900. With designers including Monique Lhuillier, Vera Wang, Pronovias, Manuel Mota, Priscilla of Boston, Melissa Sweet, Platinum, San Patrick, La Sposa and more. Being that most are sample gowns that have been cleaned and restored locally, the majority are bridal size 8 and 10 (street size 4 to 8) with a small variety of gowns available in other sizes.

Overall, there are so many absolutely incredible wedding dresses on the market as well as many ways to purchase. Many brides prefer the great service and experience of a beautiful bridal salon, while others are just as happy ordering online or shopping for a pre-owned gown. Your dream dress could be waiting for you almost anywhere. Happy shopping! fff

Staples, MN

218.454.0870 610 Front Street, Brainerd, MN

www.pictureperfectframingstudio.com 001201821r1

2015 | Weddings North 17

by Brooke Showell CTW Features

From elegant necklines and daring backs to romantic lace and hints of shimmer, designers

7

are showing an unprecedented glamour in the season’s impossibly exciting bridal gowns.

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INTRICATE DETAILS

STYLISH DRESSES FOR 2015

Melissa Sweet Style MS251089

Val Stefani Style D8084

SLEEVES

Winnie Couture Style Marylou

18 Weddings North | 2015

LACE OVERLAYS

Eugenia Couture Style 3944 Rose

ILLUSION BACKS

Moonlight Couture Style H1277

BEYOND WHITE

Winnie Couture Style Emilina

EMBROIDERY

Claire Pettibone Style Raphaella

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ROMANTIC WINTER WEDDING While the busiest wedding seasons in Minnesota are typically summer and fall, don’t rule out the idea of a romantic winter wedding.

by Jodie Tweed Imagine cocktails with family and friends in front of a roaring fireplace, a wedding party hayride and dogsled rides on the frozen lake and pristine winter photo opportunities for you, your groom and the entire bridal party.

Better yet, you’ll often be able to take advantage of seasonal room discounts and specials if you plan a wedding in the off season.

“Winter weddings at Breezy Point Resort are fabulous,” said Bonnie Tweed, director of marketing and group services at Breezy Point Resort. “They can be more intimate and private than the hustle and bustle in the summer.”

Breezy Point Resort can host small, intimate lakeside weddings of 20 guests to large lakeside ballroom wedding receptions for up to

450 guests. The resort has three experienced wedding planners and an event coordinator who works directly with the bride to ensure her day is memorable and special.

Lodging can range from hotel rooms and suites to large cabins with fireplaces. Breezy Point Resort has shuttle buses that can take guests from every cabin to a resort facility so they don’t have to drive or walk.

Your wedding party and guests will receive room specials that include nightly cocktails during a two-hour cocktail hour at Dockside and daily breakfasts each winter weekend at no extra charge. They can enjoy a host of indoor and outdoor amenities, including swimming pools, hot tubs, skating rinks, broomball, hockey, snow golf, curling,

cross-country skiing and a big bonfire on the beach each weekend throughout the winter months. The resort also has a coffee shop, The Coffee House, featuring Caribou Coffee.

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2015 | Weddings North 19

Northern Pacific Building a new legacy

by Jodie Tweed

photos by AIMEE JOBE

It may seem crazy, at first, to think about having your wedding at a former railroad shop.

But if you step foot in the 8,000 square-foot Northern Pacific Event Space at the Northern Pacific Center in Brainerd, you will soon realize why, in one year, it’s becoming one of the top wedding sites in the Brainerd lakes area.

“This is a serious dream come true.”

AIMEE JOBE

Last year there were seven weddings and other events held at the NP Event Space.

As of March there are over 25 weddings and/or receptions booked for summer. That number is anticipated to climb. The space is already being booked well into 2016.

The destination wedding location is a dream come true for Aimee Jobe.

Jobe, a wedding photographer, has been a tenant at the Northern Pacific Center since 2011. For 10 years she worked in the Twin Cities and would come up on weekends to the Brainerd lakes area. As she began renovating her own photography studio space at 20 Weddings North | 2015

the former Clock Tower building, she also explored the other outbuildings that made up the 47-acre property.

The expansive, historic buildings had character and would be an incredible place to host weddings, she thought. Jobe had photographed big budget weddings in the Twin Cities and knew that the Northern Pacific Center could attract many couples who wanted a location that was unique and industrial.

The property is owned by Dave Hutton and Dick Crandall, who purchased the site as an investment in 1993. Hutton told Jobe last

April, after many months of discussions and planning, he would finance “their joint venture,” as he called opening up the NP Event Space. Jobe, a co-owner, is responsible for the daily operations of the facility, as well as booking weddings and other events.

“He took a huge risk,” Jobe said of Hutton.

“Everyone told us it was going to fail.”

Jobe booked a few weddings for last summer, even before the renovations had begun.

She and her husband, Preston, did a lot of the work themselves, often bringing their son, Ethan, 18 months, along. His family owns a sawmill in Jenkins, and they used old

Event Space

Top and bottom Left: The ďŹ rst wedding held at the NP Event Space, June 7, 2014.

Solid wood farmhouse-style tables are included in wedding rentals with the option to rent Chiavari chairs.

2015 | Weddings North 21

Photos clockwise starting left: Bridal portrait photographed from the east end of property showing the historic powerplant.

Nick and Alexandra Makowski, Sept. 27, 2014 (top, right).

Billie Jo and Jeremy Olson in the alfalfa ďŹ eld in back of the property, Aug. 23, 2014 (middle, right).

Alexandra Makowsky puts on her veil while getting ready in the loft space (bottom, right).

Nick and Alexandra Makowski held an indoor ceremony prior to the reception (bottom, left).

22 Weddings North | 2015

has 28 businesses that lease property on the site. As interest in the property continues to grow, more buildings are being renovated into office space for small business owners.

“This space has started to change the perspective of the property,” Jobe said of the NP Event Space. “It’s a perfect base for creative businesses. It doesn’t feel like work when you’re in a space that is so inspiring. I’m always happy here.”

Jobe said watching the reaction of wedding

guests’ faces as they enter the NP Event Space is always a highlight for her.

“People literally stop in their tracks,” Jobe said with a smile. “It’s funny how much time they spend staring at the ceiling and walls.”

For more information on the Northern Pacific Event Space, visit www.thenpspace.com. fff

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weathered wood that had been buried in the ground at the mill to build the thick legs of the large farmhouse-style tables.

The bathrooms were constructed using galvanized steel walls. They reused as much material as possible that was found on the property to decrease the project costs. Jobe discovered that the owners had an original 1871 wooden Northern Pacific sign from inside the clock tower. They graciously allowed her to use it for her space. Natural light seeps into the immense space from the many original windows. They updated the space with electrical and industrial lighting, along with chandeliers. They purchased Chiavari chairs because quality was important for Jobe.

“Our goal was to keep it as close to what it was as we could,” Jobe explained.

Imagine scrubbing an 8,000 square-foot cement floor on your hands and knees. For Jobe, the work has been a labor of love.

“Every wedding photographer wants their own venue,” said Jobe. “This is a serious dream come true. It has been for me.”

There are a few outdoor locations for weddings on the property.

The Red outdoor space is located in front of large red doors that were once the entrances for the former railroad train repair shop. The Courtyard, located between Buildings 2 and 3, is a unique spot with an industrial-looking backdrop created from the neighboring buildings.

A short distance from the Northern Pacific Event Space is the Loft, which features more than 2,000 square-feet of whitewashed brick walls, hardwood floors and restored windows. It’s an elegant space for the wedding party to hang out before the wedding or a place where the bride and her bridesmaids can get ready together.

Jobe said about 70 percent of the people who book weddings at the Northern Pacific Event Space have Brainerd ties, but there are other couples who found them online and loved the look and feel of the wedding space.

When a couple books the space, they are actually booking the entire weekend, Friday through Sunday. So there is no rush to leave so another wedding party can take over.

The weekend is all about them and their celebration.

Jobe said the NP Event Space has been so successful that they’re planning to renovate the Great Northern Exchange building for another, more full-service wedding reception option. The Northern Pacific property

2015 | Weddings North 23

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by Ed Menk E. L. Menk Jewelers has been on the corner of 7th and Laurel in downtown Brainerd since before many of their customers were born.

Every day has been a joy for them, with some of the nicest people in the world coming through their doors: An engagement ring is a symbol of all that is good about being in love. For 6 million years your diamond has been waiting for this moment. It shows the world you are committed to each other and to your life together. It tells the world you are special in someone’s life.

Finding the right diamond for you can be a big step. It will be with you for the rest of your life together and is most important. Rings can be designed and made to fit this precious stone. Side stones can be added and the color of the gold, the shape, weight and strength of the ring can be matched to the diamond. It is truly yours from start to finish.

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WEDDING ALONG THE SHORE

by MaryBeth Zea Cragun’s Resort is the preferred Brainerd lakes area wedding destination offering two properties that can host everything from the most intimate to the grandest of celebrations in any season of the year.

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er with its polished floors and high ceilings.

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2015 | Weddings North 25

OUR STORY

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Craig and Mallori

photos by KELSEY ANDERSON

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by Jodie Tweed

Craig and Mallori Sheik got married at a resort in Mexico, but choose to return to Brainerd and celebrate with a 1920s vintage style wedding reception at the Northern Pacific Event Space.

26 Weddings North | 2015 26 Weddings North | 2015

Mallori, a licensed social worker for Greater Minnesota Family Services, is also earning her master’s degree in social work.

She will graduate in 2017.

Craig owns Sharper Image Landscape Maintenance and also attends Central Lakes College, where he is working on his associate’s degree.

Mallori and Craig Sheik met in August 2010. Mallori’s fiancé Denver and father of her 1-1/2-year-old son, London (now 6) had passed away six months before. She was still grieving this difficult loss. But she made a last-minute decision to go on a party bus for a friend’s birthday celebration.

She didn’t know Craig, although he knew who she was since he had graduated from Brainerd High School with her late fiancé in 2000. Mallori, also a BHS graduate, graduated in 2005.

“I wasn’t there to meet anyone,” added Craig, as he and Mallori shared their story.

“But I recognized her and introduced myself.”

It wasn’t until the bus stopped at Craig’s house at the end of the night that he got up the courage to ask for her phone number.

She said no.

“I was really persistent,” Craig explained.

“She was really into photography and I said I needed some business photos.”

So she relented and gave him her number.

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HOW THEY MET

A day or so later, Craig called and they had what can best be described as the most awkward phone conversation ever. At the end of their conversation, Craig invited her to go out to dinner and a movie with a group of mutual friends later that week.

Mallori insisted it was not a date. She would go, but they’d be going as friends only.

For three months, Mallori and Craig hung out with friends, as friends. Eventually, he asked if she’d like to do something alone, just the two of them, and he made her dinner at her place.

They grew closer.

At one point, around Halloween 2010, Craig gave her “the interview.”

“I literally refer to it as ‘the interview,’” Mallori explained.

Craig asked her a series of questions about what she wanted in life, her goals – everything. He asked if she was ready to settle down and think about getting married.

“She wasn’t ready,” Craig recalled. “I was

just very matter of fact on what I was looking for.”

Soon after, Craig asked Mallori if she’d be his girlfriend.

“I did the very standard and corny, ‘Will you be my girlfriend?,’” Craig said with a smile.

“I’m a sarcastic person and I think I said, ‘Yeah, I don’t think this is going to work,’” Mallori added. But she did say yes.

They went through some rough patches.

Mallori was still trying to rebuild her life.

She had been in a relationship with her late fiancé for eight years before his death. It took some time to heal. But they stayed together and things grew more serious.

By May 2011 Craig had already moved much of his stuff into Mallori’s apartment.

They were living together for awhile before Mallori learned she was pregnant. Their son Hudson was born on Feb. 6, 2012.

When Hudson was a year old, they planned a weekend getaway, just the two of them, to Phoenix, Ariz., to stay with Craig’s sister, Carmela.

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Top Left: The Sheik family.

Craig, Hudson, Mallori and London at the NP Event Space in Brainerd.

THE PROPOSAL

While Mallori had been pestering him for awhile to become engaged, she didn’t expect he would pop the question while on their trip.

Craig’s sister Carmela had scouted three different locations that could be the perfect backdrop for an unexpected proposal. The foursome, including Carmela’s fiancé, planned to visit all three.

“You know how in your mind things are so much bigger? I was worried. Am I being awkward? Is she going to know? I didn’t laugh; I kind of panicked.”

Dinner lasted too long, and they no longer had the time to go to the final potential proposal location. Craig knew he had to propose at the place they were going for dessert, a rooftop restaurant that overlooked the entire city.

During dessert, Craig asked Carmela for a mint out of her purse. It was their code word for the ring.

It didn’t register for her at first. He asked again.

“Her face was blank,” Mallori recalled, laughing.

“I had asked her earlier if I could put my phone in her purse and she had said, no, that she didn’t have room.”

Craig dropped to one knee and asked Mallori to marry him.

“I said, ‘Shut up! Seriously?,’” Mallori recalled with a laugh. “I didn’t make that very girly.”

28 Weddings North | 2015

Top Right: Mallori had been collecting vintage suitcases, typewriters, old glass vases, beads, furniture, even old doors, for a year leading up to the wedding, even though she was unsure how she would use them.

Mallori and Craig exchanged wedding vows at an outdoor gazebo at the Barcelo Huatulco Beach Resort on Jan. 28, 2014, surrounded by about 30 family members, friends and their two sons.

THE WEDDING

Mallori said right away they knew they wanted a destination wedding.

They sought the help of Kari Satre at Traveler’s Fare in Brainerd. Satre recommended Huatulco, Mexico, located near Guatemala. It was a beautiful location at an all-inclusive resort and it was affordable.

The company also helped coordinate the trip for their guests and allowed the guests to make down payments up to 60 days before the trip. It really helped those that couldn’t afford to pay in one lump sum.

Mallori didn’t want to spend much on a wedding dress, so she found a simple but nice “flowy” dress at a Twin Cities consignment shop. She also picked out a dress for her wedding reception back home in Brainerd.

The entire wedding party stayed at the resort for a week together, enjoying the sand and sun. It was 95 degrees and sunny each day.

All the wedding arrangements were planned out for them. The decorations were as beautiful as the location.

Mallori’s friend Jake Bednar was her man of honor, and her sister-in-law,

Mallory Avery, was her bridesmaid. Jason Nolan served as Craig’s best man and Brad Irving was his groomsman. Mallori’s uncle took their wedding photos.

“It exceeded our expectations,” Craig said of the wedding site and resort.

THE RECEPTION

They wanted somewhere unique to celebrate their wedding back home with family and friends.

On June 21, 2014 Mallori and Craig were the second couple to host their reception at the Great Northern Exchange at the Northern Pacific Center.

A month before the wedding the floors were just being poured in the renovated building.

“I love everything vintage, and I knew I wanted vintage and I wanted the railroad,” Mallori said.

The couple had fun creating a vintage feel for their reception. Craig cut the wood himself for the middle of each table centerpiece. A friend manufactured a branding iron with the letter “S” on it, and the couple spent evenings around a campfire with Mallori’s family branding wooden coasters.

Mallori scraped and spray painted a countless number of old wine bottles for each table. She went to Joann Fabrics and bought burlap and taffeta for the tables.

They bought artificial flowers from a craft store in St. Cloud. A friend, who is an interior designer, helped them set up the room.

Valari Diller of Merrifield catered the reception and Dean Carlson, of Night Magic Productions, provided D.J. services. Their photographer was Kelsey Anderson.

The decorations, combined with the rich history and look of the building were breathtaking.

The entire bridal party wore vintage wedding attire, and about 75 percent of their 300 guests wore 1920s style clothing.

While they didn’t have a second wedding, they did add two more members to their wedding party, Kayla Pallanch and Josh Schueller.

“People who attended thought it was amazing,” said Craig.

The couple paid about $10,000 total for both their destination wedding and wedding reception back home including a discount for their reception since the facility had just opened. They got what they both

wanted, and it was within their budget, too.

As an added bonus, Mallori sold the entire lot of her vintage wedding decorations to another bride who wanted a vintage-themed wedding.

THEIR ADVICE

Book your destination wedding with a travel agent. Craig recommends if you’re considering a destination wedding, let your guests know as far ahead as possible

so they can start planning and saving for it, too.

Be organized. If you’re not, call for backup. Lastly, don’t forget to have fun.

“You want to enjoy it and not get caught up in the details,” said Mallori.

“It’s stressful, but you’re not going to do it again,” added Craig. fff

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Cheers!

Cheers!

THREE

Prairie Bay to offer new venue and catering option

The wedding “show-stopper,” build-your-own bruschetta. Basil is picked fresh from their own herb garden the morning of the wedding.

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photos submitted by NICK MILLER

by Jodie Tweed

For 11 years, Prairie Bay Restaurant in Baxter has built a reputation for serving outstanding seasonal dishes, often featuring locally grown food.

In January, the restaurant was purchased from Fargo, N.D., owner Mike Bollinger by Nick Miller, Matt Annand and John Poston.

Prairie Bay’s name won’t change under new ownership, but the trio created an umbrella company, 3 Cheers Hospitality, to reflect the many facets of their newly formed business partnership.

Miller, who had served as Prairie Bay general manager, and Annand, who was the restaurant’s executive chef, joined Poston, who owned Sherwood Forest in Lake Shore.

Under their company, 3 Cheers Hospitality, are both Prairie Bay and Sherwood Forest, along with Prairie Bay’s catering business.

30 Weddings North | 2015

The company, starting this summer, will also be operating the restaurant at Lost Lake Lodge.

Poston said the new business opens up fresh new opportunities for weddings in the Brainerd lakes area. Sherwood Forest has historically been a beautiful location for weddings and they plan to boost the number of weddings at the venue. They’ve added new outdoor amenities for summer outdoor weddings and renovated a cabin on the property into a bridal lounge called Maid Marian’s Cottage. “We’ve been catering for 10 years and weddings have been a lot of fun because everybody is happy,” Miller explained. “It’s

great to be part of their big day. We hope to be the second thing they talk about after the bride – the food. We want to create a buzz about the food.”

Prairie Bay typically would hire 20-30 employees during the busy summer season.

With 3 Cheers Hospitality, they will now be hiring about 70 staff members for summer.

The unique aspect of their catering business is that even when they cater weddings off site, the staff members are experienced restaurant servers. They cater on-location, as well as private weddings and receptions.

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“It’s a great space for a mid-sized wedding group.

The maximum for a sit down dinner is 170 guests,”

says Nick Miller, about Sherwood Forest.

Sherwood Forest

beat,” Miller said. “They’re really good at it; they love their job. It makes it that much better.”

Sherwood Forest started back as a wedding reception site, with some on-site ceremonies, last summer. Prairie Bay also provided food for the restaurant. Sherwood Forest will open as a full-service restaurant Thursdays through Sunday, starting in April, and then open full-time for the summer sometime in May. The restaurant will be closed when there is a wedding.

“Sherwood Forest is definitely going to be a restaurant, but we don’t want to take away from the idea of having some fun weddings out there,” Miller said. “It’s a great space for a mid-sized wedding group. The maximum for a sit down dinner is 170 guests.”

Annand said their partnership with Lost

photo by BIFF ULM

Lake Lodge also provides them with access to cabins for wedding parties that also want to book Sherwood Forest.

They’re also in the process of building a working relationship with a company that provides car service for weddings hosted at their venues.

“We’re trying to create this cool wedding group that works well together,” Miller explained.

Annand said their catering staff can work within any budget to fit the needs of any bride and groom. While Prairie Bay is known for quality fine dining, they also can cater simple buffets.

“Short ribs are a huge favorite and the build-your-own bruschetta is a show-stopper at a wedding,” Miller said, of their catering menu. “When you take the bruschetta

Maid Marian’s Cottage is for the bridal party to get ready before the big event, featuring stylist chairs and walls of mirrors.

32 Weddings North | 2015

platter out and put it on the table, especially later in the season, it’s filled with purple and yellow tomatoes and the basil is picked out of our own herb garden that morning for the wedding.”

Prairie Bay works with about 25-30 different local farms, as well as through Sprout MN, a Brainerd-based regional food hub that distributes locally produced foods for retail, wholesale and other business uses.

Miller said they try to plan menus for weddings around the growing season.

“When we’re planning weddings, we know what things are being harvested so they’re at their peak,” Miller said.

To learn more about Prairie Bay, Sherwood Forest and its wedding catering options, visit www.prairiebay.com. fff

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SEPTEMBER

20 Save the date!

LOVE & MARRIAGE 2nd Annual Wedding Fair

by Karie Lynn Dynamite Reflections Entertainment will present the 2nd Annual Love and Marriage Fair on Sept. 20, 2015 at the Brainerd Lakes Curling Club building located on the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds. It will run 1 p.m.-5 p.m. with a Fashion Show at 4 p.m. There will be prizes given away all day with a Grand Prize given away at 4:45 p.m.

This wedding fair is a fun and entertaining way to plan your upcoming wedding as well as win prizes, watch the latest fashions and visit with many vendors. There will be cake and food tastings, and much more! The goal here is to continue to grow this wedding fair

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2015 | Weddings North 33

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BUFFET OR SIT-DOWN Which style is right for you and your wedding

Couples have options when choosing dinner service for their weddings, and some need not serve dinner at all. An early wedding may consist of a brunch or some passed appetizers, while some couples opt for a cocktail party in lieu of a dinner party. Still, some weddings feature only desserts.

BUFFET SERVICE

Buffets present an array of foods that cater to the various dietary needs of guests. Those at the reception can sample several different foods rather than be restricted to one main course. Guests can limit portion sizes or sometimes return for second helpings. Buffets are generally less formal and allow guests to mingle more readily.

Buffet-style meals may produce long lines as guests pick and choose their meals. While experienced catering managers and reception site staff should have plans in place to create a free-flow of guests to the buffet stations, there will be a first and a last table called to eat, and guests on the tail end of the service may be stuck with whatever is left over if food is not adequately restocked. In an effort to accommodate everyone, extra food may be cooked for buffet-style dinners, which can be costly and wasteful.

In addition, guests are asked to do more work, as they need to get up and retrieve their own food.

SIT-DOWN DINNER

A sit-down dinner consists of several courses of plated food served by a waitstaff.

Guests never have to leave their seats, and sit-down service is usually in line with a formal reception. Some food offerings at sit-down dinners tend to be fancy and presented in a manner that is appealing both to the eye and the palate.

There are several advantages to sit-down meals. Guests can focus entirely on enjoying themselves and conversing with fellow guests rather than getting up to seek out food, and those with mobility issues do not have to worry about maneuvering to a buffet station or trying to balance food. Guests get top-notch treatment and will have a waitstaff on call to fill their every need, which can make an affair more memorable for all in attendance.

Sit-down dinners are typically more expensive. Guests are generally given several choices for the main course, and that could mean ordering extra food and preparing it to be ready for guests’ selections. Serving meals may take longer, and sometimes meals may not arrive hot to the table. Guests may be limited to certain food choices, and portion sizes may not be what guests were hoping for. Sitting idle for a while can affect the mood of the reception and lead to boredom.

34 Weddings North | 2015

Sponsored Content

by Crystal Glaser One of the most important aspects of planning a wedding is deciding on your catering services.

photo by TAMMY SUE LOSSING, SHE CAPTURES

Your wedding is the most important day of your life, and you want everything to be perfect. Besides your location, the food and drink for your wedding celebration will probably consume the largest portion of your wedding budget.

When you book your special day at Whitefish Lodge or Manhattan Beach Lodge, our excellent catering company – Whitefish Catering is part of the package. Whitefish Catering has won many awards and continues to receive excellent reviews from wedding clients. fff “The dinner menu had a ton of options. Food was excellent!

We had the wild rice stuffed walleye with lemon sauce and the mornay chicken (also, the sweet potatoes with autumn spices were so so yummy!). The prices were reasonable, more affordable than some of the fine dining restaurants in the cities/Rochester, but the food was just as good, if not better!”

– Mrs. Kelsey Hunter, wedding at Whitefish Lodge 11/1/14

TWO PREMIER WEDDING DESTINATIONS In Beautiful Crosslake, MN

Look no further for your destination location!

Whitefish Lodge and Manhattan Beach Lodge offer year-round endless possibilities— indoor and outdoor locations for ceremonies and socials with indoor receptions.

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

CONTACT US TODAY! CRYSTAL GLASER, Director of Sales and Marketing CRYSTAL@CROSSLAKERESEVATIONS.COM (218) 692-2246, EXT 412 WWW.CROSSLAKERESERVATIONS.COM

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IMPORTANCE OF GREAT FOOD

“All of our guests commented on the day of and weeks following that it was the best wedding they have ever attended. I would like to think it had to do with my planning but the 80 degree sunny weather, beautiful venue and outstanding food (wild rice stuffed walleye, prime rib, artichoke parmesean stuffed chicken), midnight lakeside bonfire, and impeccable service are what all our guests cited.”

– Mrs. Christina Brady, wedding at Manhattan Beach Lodge 9/27/14 2015 | Weddings North 35

2015 | Weddings North 35

WEDDINGS NORTH 2015 DIRECTORY

Jewelry

Receptions/Banquets/Resorts

623 Laurel Street Brainerd, MN (218) 829-7266 www.ELMenkJewelers.com

At Brainerd Lakes 6967 Lake Forest Road Baxter, MN (877) 687-5634 www.LodgeHotelsBrainerd.com

E. L. Menk Jewelry

Bakery

Reed’s Market

35561 Co Rd 3 Crosslake, MN 56442 (218) 692-2711 ReedsMarket.com Facebook.com/ReedsMarket

Arrowwood Lodge

Riddles Jewelry

Breezy Point Resort

Westgate Mall Baxter, MN (218) 828-1254 www.RiddlesJewelry.com

Catering

Connie’s Kitchen

9252 Breezy Point Drive Breezy Point, MN (800) 432-3777 (218) 562-7811 www.BreezyPointResort.com

Photographers

9360 Wild Rice Road Brainerd, MN (218) 821-3575 www.ConniesKitchenBrainerd.com

Aimee Jobe

Cragun’s Resort on Gull

1571 Northern Pacific Road Brainerd, MN (952) 994-0037 www.AimeeJobe.com

Prairie Bay Grill and Catering 15115 Edgewood Drive Baxter, MN (218) 824-6444 www.PrairieBay.com

Brainerd, MN 800-CRAGUNS (800-272-4867) ext. 8857 www.Craguns.com

Christina Johnson

Eagles Club Aerie 287

514 3rd Street Southeast Little Falls, MN (320) 630-1361 www.ChristinaJohnsonPhotography.com

Entertainment

Dynamite Reflections Entertainment

124 Front Street Brainerd, MN (218) 829-4216 www.BrainerdEagles.com

Kelli Engstrom Photography

14715 Edgewood Drive Baxter, MN (218) 851-7082 www.InnerHealingHypnosis.com

Falls Ballroom

PO Box 83 Crosslake, MN (218) 692-4626 www.KelliEngstrom.com

Floral

15879 MN-27 Little Falls, MN (320) 632-9992 www.FallsBallroom.com

Luminous Prints Photography

Landmark Inn

14302 Cottage Grove Drive Baxter, MN (218) 330-7846 www.LuminousPrints.com

Bloom Designs

Central Minnesota (218) 330-2867 www.BloomDesignsMN.com

631 3rd Ave, NE Staples, MN (218) 894-4444 www.Landmark-Inn.net

Picture Perfect

Health and Wellness

Manhattan Beach Lodge

610 Front Street Brainerd, MN (218) 454-0870 www.PicturePerfectFramingStudio.com

Susan Bushard

Plexus Ambassador Brainerd Lakes Area (218) 820-8675 www.ThrivingWithPlexus.com

39051 Co Rd 66 Crosslake, MN 56442 (218) 692-3381 www.MBLodge.com

First Time Homebuyer Expert

Karin Nelson 218-839-6310

Staples, MN

Thrive!

For New Beginnings

www.thrivingwithplexus.com

, SRES®

®

betsyhollister@edinarealty.com www.BetsyHollister.com

36 Weddings North | 2015

218-820-8675

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Betsy Hollister, Realtor (218) 330-1920

Life isn’t about surviving...it’s about thriving! health 001206995r1

wellness

weight control

Chiropractor/Acupuncture Nutritional Response Testing

www.loneoakchiro.com info@loneoakchiro.com

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218-894-4444

thrivingwithplexus@gmail.com

KarinNelson@edinarealty.com

Susan Bushard

See more at Landmark-Inn.net

Dr. Thea Feierabend p: 218.454.3015

Independent Ambassador 290265

The Landmark Inn Retreat Center

Lodging, Banquets, Scrapbooking, & Quilting Retreats

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Realtor

311 WEST WASHINGTON STREET | BRAINERD, MN 56401

Schedule Today for Your FREE Initial Chiropractic Consultation.

Announce your engagement!

(218) 829-4705

Real Estate

CONTINUED

Rental Equipment/Supplies

Rod Opp, Realtor Edina Real Estate

Northland Arboretum

Party Time Rental

4750 White Gables Rd Brainerd, MN (218) 829-6300 www.PartyTimeRentalMN.com

15354 Dellwood Drive #100 Brainerd, MN (218) 820-4375 www.RodOpp.com

14250 Conservation Drive Brainerd, MN (218) 829-8770 www.NorthlandArb.org

Matt Pelphrey & Tamara Malan, Realtors The Pelphrey Marketing Group Exit Lakes Realty Premier

Pine Peaks

39957 Swanburg Road, South Crosslake, MN (888) 471-4279 www.PinePeaksEventCenter.com

The Johnson Center Baxter, MN (218) 838-1660 • (218) 838-3881 www.Brainerd-Homes.com

The NP Event Space

210 Blacksmith Circle Brainerd, MN (218) 833-2532 www.TheNPSpace.com

Bliss Spalon

4430 Main Street Pequot Lakes, MN 56472 (218) 568-5185 www.BlissSpalon.com

17122 State Highway 371 Brainerd, MN (218) 851-3543 www.BrainerdAreaRealEstate.com

14150 Swann Drive Crosslake, MN (218) 692-2246 www.Whitefish-Lodge.com

Special Section Advertising Brainerd Dispatch Echo Journal

Trista Oseland, REALTOR® Weichert Realtors, Tower Properties

506 James St. Brainerd, MN 56401 (218) 829-4705 www.BrainerdDispatch.com www.PineAndLakes.com

17122 State Highway 371 Brainerd, MN (218) 839-5784 www.WRTower.com

The Woods

19624 Co Rd 3 Brainerd, MN (218) 829-7507 www.TheWoodsMN.com

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Jennifer Werhan,

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Visit us at Landmark-Inn.net

Tammy Schultz

Open To The Public To Rent!

Knowledge. Experience.

Commitment.

Curling Club Building

Realtor

Located at the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds

_ Weddings/Receptions _ Anniversary Parties _ _ Family Reunions _ Birthday Parties _ _ Graduation Parties _ Also available for:

Sandy Swanson, Realtor®

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Remember us when planning your special events: 001200576r1

218-851-1988

Thank you to all our advertisers who make this publication a success!

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The Most Unique Wedding Venue!

TammySchultz@edinarealty.com TammySchultz.edinarealty.com

218-831-5243

homesbykatie.com

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218-849-5169 Each office independently owned and operated.

Staples, MN

Exquisite Service.

Premier Properties.

Cindy Couture-Noyes Special Occasion Styling since 1992 Updos * Nails * Pedicures & More!

Experience matters. Hundreds of brides have put their trust in us on their special day! saloncouturemn.com 218.568.8771 Pequot Lakes

REALTOR®

218-894-4444

15867 Edgewood Drive N Baxter, MN (218) 828-2127 www.PartyWorldBaxter.com

Salon

Colleen Goedker, REALTOR® Weichert Realtors, Tower Properties

Whitefish Lodge & Suites

Party World

Auctions _ Craft Shows _ Business Annual Picnics _ Class Reunions Call the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds 218-829-6680 for more information or to reserve a date for your event.

Baxter Office 218-839-4390

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Receptions/Banquets/Resorts

2015 | Weddings North 37

Sponsored Content

Brilliant sunrises, dramatic sunsets, cascading fields, indoor/outdoor fireplaces and wildflower gardens.

ACCOMMODATING ALL SEASONS Pine Peaks Retreat and Event Center

by Dr. Julie Ann Nyland Peterson SHE SAID YES! Now you’ve found Pine Peaks Retreat and Event center, the perfect destination

for a northwoods-themed wedding! This serene wilderness sanctuary is removed from outside distractions offering a complete four season wedding destination resort.

Owners Dave and Julie Peterson ensure the wedding comes together as simply and smoothly as possible to make your dream wedding weekend a reality. This beautiful property has been in Dave’s family for four generations.

A typical wedding weekend unfolds like clockwork. Decoration begins on Thursday with many complimentary decorations: linens, skirting, props and lighting. The rehearsal dinner is held on Friday with onsite options to host an intimate family and friends event. The sun rises and it’s Saturday, the day to say “I DO!” The bridal party gets ready and the celebration begins. Onsite wedding ceremonies are available outdoors or in the pavilion followed by the reception and dance. Sunday is used for brunch, gift opening, guest departure and relaxation. Rest up for the honeymoon by taking an additional night’s stay on Sunday night in the retreat house on us. Best of all, the entire venue is completely private for the duration of the wedding weekend from Thursday until Monday.

“We were looking for someplace that would be more intimate and that is exactly what we got at Pine Peaks Event Center,” said Tiffany, a recent bride.

The retreat house comfortably sleeps 20 or more for the wedding party, including the bridal couple in the Jacuzzi fireplace suite complete with a professional two-chair hair salon. It’s perfect for the bride, along with her bridesmaids to relax in style and prepare for the wedding ceremony.

Use the gourmet kitchen complete with outdoor grills to put together meals and snacks for the whole entourage.

This gated 80-acre country estate offers picture brilliant sunrises, dramatic sunsets, cascading fields, wildflower gardens, rows of evergreens,

38 Weddings North | 2015

beautifully manicured grounds and an outdoor fire pit. It’s a photographer’s dream. The event center welcomes up to 275plus wedding guests, plus outdoor wedding ceremony settings for 300-plus. The fireplace pavilion can hold 30-40 guests perfect for the rehearsal dinner. Complimentary WED SAFE cancellation insurance is also provided.

The wedding guests can experience rustic luxury when they relax nearby at Pine Peaks Lodge and Suites (affiliated partner) with 38 rooms and suites, located in Crosslake, with shuttle service available. There are 150 hotel rooms in a 12-mile radius around Pine Peaks.

One visit to our gorgeous facility and we know you’ll fall in love. Let Pine Peaks Retreat and Event Center make your wedding dreams a reality! fff

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 Pine Peaksservice is a unique of four magnifi exceptional for aDestination stress free,Wedding perfect Resort three to daycent surroundings in the middle of the Brainerd Lakes area. We experience. Our on-site Retreat Lodge will house your entire provide an easy and relaxing experience for you, and offer Wedding Party or families. Our Event Center has everything you exceptional service for a stress free, perfect three to four day will need foron-site your wedding.

One will visithouse to our experience.

Our Retreat Lodge your entire gorgeous and we fallhas ineverything love.

Wedding Partyfacility or families.

Ourknow Eventyou’ll Center you will need for your wedding. One visit to our gorgeous facility and we know you’ll fall in love.

PINE PEAKS EVENT CENTER

39957 Swanburg Road South | Crosslake, MN 56442 PINE PEAKS EVENT CENTER 888 471-4279 | www.PinePeaksEventCenter.com

39957 Swanburg Road South | Crosslake, MN 56442 888 471-4279 | www.PinePeaksEventCenter.com

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

Crosslake for your out of town wedding guests.

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WHILEOTHER OTHERWEDDING WEDDING VENUES COLLECTING WHILE VENUES AREARE COLLECTING DUST…..WE ARE COLLECTING AWARDS. DUST…..WE ARE COLLECTING AWARDS. 2015 | Weddings North 39

Photo by:

Artisan Flowers & Event Styling

www.bloomdesignsmn.com | bloomdesignsmn@gmail.com | 218-330-2867

40 Weddings North | 2015