Castle Farms 2018

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$$29castle farms==5 STORY BY ELIZABETH EDWARDS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL MURPHY IV PHOTOGRAPHY, MICHAELMURPHYIV.COM

$$8jordyn & chad==7 JORDYN SOMERVILLE & CHAD PETHERICK SEPTEMBER 29, 2017

Chad’s plan was to propose to Jordyn as they watched the sunrise over Lake Superior at a scenic spot a short hike away from where the couple was camping in the Apostle Islands. But he slept through his alarm. There was still time though, to catch the sunrise at a small beach behind their campsite. It was dark, and Jordyn was still half asleep. She didn’t notice him grab the GoPro and lean it against a rock near where they settled. A few minutes later Jordyn was saying, “Yes!” and the GoPro was catching it, sunrise and all. Flash forward one year later, almost to the day, to Castle Farms, a fairytale setting in Charlevoix, where Chad and Jordyn were wed. Jordyn had exchanged her rumpled camping clothes for a bridal gown. From the bejeweled bodice right down to her glittering Badgley Mischka heels, Jordyn sparkled.

The couple’s decision to be married across Lake Michigan from their Wisconsin home was based on their shared love of Northern Michigan. Both Jordyn and Chad grew up in the mitten state, and Chad’s parents have a home in Elk Rapids. “We wanted a destination wedding but also didn’t want our families who live downstate to have to travel too far, so Up North felt like the best of both worlds,” Jordyn says. After exploring a number of venues, the couple was sold on Castle Farms for the staff ’s attention to detail and the fact that each couple is assigned their own wedding coordinator.

Another winning point: “Castle Farms is so organically beautiful it doesn’t need a lot of decorations,” Jordyn says.

Indeed, Castle Farms is an architectural jewel, built in 1918 by the then vice-president of Sears, Albert Loeb, as a state-of-the-art dairy farm. Working with local masons who used local stone, Loeb modeled the buildings after European castles and barns. The venue now houses five stunning wedding areas. Chad and Jordyn chose an area of the venue called the Knight's Castle, as it could accommodate their 200 guests. They also loved its cobblestone walls, wood-beamed ceilings and the fact that the room is separate from the rest of the castle and connected to a private courtyard with a stone chapel nestled within.

In perfect keeping with the rustic stone building theme, the wedding party stayed in a Charlevoix landmark known as the Thatch House (for its genuine thatch roof ), which was constructed of stone by legendary builder Earl Young in the early 1900s. Chad and Jordyn stayed in the separate but attached chalet. Besides being picturesque, the lodging is just off Charlevoix’s sweet downtown, tucked between Lake Michigan and Round Lake/Lake Charlevoix.

The rehearsal dinner at Tapawingo, an elegant venue near Charlevoix that is set on the bank of a small, serene lake, was followed by an after-party and meet-and-greet at East Park Tavern in downtown Charlevoix. In early afternoon of wedding day, the couple did their “first look” in the intimate setting of the Thatch House. Bridal party photos in the beautiful waterside park across the street immediately followed, and the session was wrapped up in time for the couple to enjoy pre-ceremony cocktails with their guests in the Knight's Castle. Jordyn and Chad were married on the steps of the stone chapel. Chad’s three young nephews, driving a toy pickup truck, delivered the couple their rings. “Since we didn’t have flower girls we wanted to make the boys more prominent,” says Jordyn. Needless to say, the trio almost drove away with the show.

After the ceremony it was a short walk across the Knight’s Courtyard to the plated dinner. Dessert was Traverse City’s mega-popular Moomers Homemade Ice Cream, served in a cup or a cone. After that, the wedding party rocked the cobblestone walls to tunes courtesy of D.J. Ryan Rousseau. As the reception wound down, the newlyweds and their friends headed back to the Thatch House to continue the celebration into the wee hours.

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Clockwise from top: Jordyn’s hair and makeup were done by Bliss Salon and Spa in nearby Boyne City. Her father, Bryan Somerville, walked her down the outdoor aisle to the stone chapel. Jordyn’s Badgley Mishka heels.

Bridesmaids: Brittany Shami, Jordan Sparks, Kira Petherick, Angel Gagin, Tess Dudley, Jessica Somerville. Groomsmen: Andrew Blank, Hunter King, Jon Ciani, Valant Jaddou, Tyler Gradolph, Tom Menas.

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Flowers by Thyme Hill Designs. The enchanted ceremony in the stone chapel. Jordyn rented vintage furniture, including the love seat she and Chad sat on at dinner, from Serradella in Charlevoix. Guests toasted the couple with glasses of rosé rimmed in gold sugarand a blackberry garnish. The newlyweds kicked off the dancing to “Wanted,” by Hunter Hayes.

resources

Venue | Castle Farms, Charlevoix Photography | Michael Murphy IV Photography, Charlevoix Catering | A Matter of Taste at Tapawingo, Ellsworth Flowers | Thyme Hill Designs, Charlevoix Ice Cream | Moomers Homemade Ice Cream, Traverse City Rentals | Serradella, Charlevoix Music | D.J. Ryan Rousseau Hair & Makeup | Bliss Salon and Spa, Boyne City

See more photos at MyNorth.com/CastleFarmsWedding

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Wedding Notebook Castle Farms

Wedding Venues

Historical Elegance & Unmatched Service

Chris Van Winkle Photography

Beth Joy Photography

Rachel Smaller Photography

The Castle offers a reception room for every style and size of wedding. From garden rooms filled with light to regal stone walls and arched cathedral windows, each room presents a myriad of opportunities to create your own unique style.

All your basics are taken care of, including tables, chairs, white linens, as well as set up of your locations according to your specifications. Many couples rent colored linens or other dĂŠcor to help transform the spaces, but courtyards and arches look just as sweet with a minimal touch.

memorable. The century-old stonework provides a dramatic backdrop for ceremonies and receptions. Arches found around every corner offer endless opportunities for photographs while acres of manicured gardens attract butterflies and couples looking for a secluded kiss. Our goal is to help your wedding live up to your dreams, and our expertise means we can make that dream a reality.

E.C. Campbell Photography

Weddings at Castle Farms are often exquisite, frequently stunning, and always

Charlevoix the Beautiful

With over a decade of expertise, our primary focus is hosting weddings that create a one of a kind experience for you and your guests. Our Venue Coordinators, plus a dedicated team of set up staff, gardeners, housekeepers, and maintenance, ensure you will have a stress-free wedding.

Nestled in the resort community of Charlevoix, there are accommodation options to suit everyone. You will find your guests well taken care of in any of the local Bed & Breakfasts, Hotels & Inns, Motels or Rental Homes.

Wedding guests will be happy to explore our beautiful town. A scenic harbor, welcoming shops, manicured parks, enticing restaurants, wood chipped nature trails, and the perfect sunset view at the lighthouse are just some of the sights you’ll see in our area.

Lux Light Photography

Services

1918 Cellars Wine Label

A13 Studios

Always Photographic

New in 2018, Castle Farms has transformed a stone chamber into a wine tasting room serving 1918 Cellars wine, crafted specifically for the Castle. Couples and visitors alike will enjoy the ambiance of relaxing under the wood beamed ceilings while sipping Michigan-produced wine.

Wedding couples can enjoy a private tasting to select their specific combination that is pleasing to the palette and leaves a smile on the lips.

5052 M-66 North • Charlevoix, MI 49720 231-237-0884 • CastleFarms.com

Vendors We allow you the flexibility to choose your own vendors, including your caterer, as well as purchase the beer and liquor for your event. It’s a significant advantage for any couple interested in saving money, and allows you even more opportunities for creativity. Wine service is provided by Castle Farms and features our own brand, 1918 Cellars.

Venue Specialists Rebekah Moser Kayla Eggers Reception Capacity Up to 350 guests Varies by venue

Ceremony Locations 3 Reception Rooms 5 Unique Photo Opps 12 Courtyards & Gardens with countless backdrops

© BETH JOY PHOT OGRAPHY

Historical Elegance

Unmatched Service

© LUX LIGHT PHOT OGRAPHY

(231) 237-0884 | Charlevoix, Michigan 49720 | CastleFarms.com