The Ridge at Verterra Vineyards 2018

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the ridge at $$7verterra vineyards==8 STORY BY ELIZABETH EDWARDS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATT AND ASHLEY PHOTOGRAPHY, MATTANDASHLEYPHOTO.COM

a$$16 ngie & bryan==16 ANGIE CAMACHO & BRYAN PARKER AUGUST 5, 2017

When your boyfriend is Senior Manager for Digital Operations at Marvel Studios (Thor 3: Ragnarok, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Captain America: Civil War ...) you can expect his romantic side to have an element of the make-believe. Such as the plastic diamond ring Bryan gave Angie on her first trip to meet his family in the Midwest. His young niece had given it to him years before and told him to give it to his girlfriend. He wasn’t dating anyone at the time, but he promised his niece he would save it for someone special. He hung on to the ring for three years, until he met Angie—that someone special.

Angie still thinks of that as the real proposal, since she knew from that moment that she wanted to marry him.

Flash-forward two years to an outing together on a beach near the couple’s Los Angeles home. Angie turned around to find Bryan down on one knee ... she began to tear up ... from behind his back he pulled out ... a stuffed Gerald-the-seal (from Finding Dory, a movie they’d recently watched together). Ooops! Flustered, Angie started packing their things. And then he was down on one knee again, this time with a ring box that held a real diamond ring.

Things got real after that—in a good way. Angie, who was raised in California (and is a Division Manager at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine), had fallen in love with Traverse City, where Bryan was raised and where his parents still live. She wanted her family, all from the L.A. area, to visit and what better reason than their wedding?

While researching venues in the Traverse City area, the couple came across The Ridge at Verterra Vineyards. The couple knew they wanted their wedding to be an intimate, elegant low-key event—and definitely outdoors. The Ridge would make that possible and more. As its name implies, the venue is set on a ridge in the Verterra vineyards—with a view overlooking Grand Traverse Bay. Outfitted with a state-of-theart reception terrace that can be covered with a tent, and a beautiful new building that houses a wedding lounge, catering prep area and restrooms, the venue offered an outdoor event with the comforts of an indoor one.

The venue also came with plenty of space for an inclusive event—ceremony, cocktail hour, lawn games and reception. “That setting is so beautiful,” Angie says. “You wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.”

Bryan’s best friend from college, Izzy Weiss, officiated at the ceremony (set in the natural amphitheater at the edge of a pond on the property), and yes, there were some plastic ring/stuffed seal anecdotes woven into his words ... after cocktails and lawn games, a plated dinner was served under the tent. Catered by Trattoria Stella (where Bryan’s sister, Kelsey Parker works), the menu featured poached halibut with white wine beurre blanc and marinated, char-grilled beef tenderloin, followed by a dessert of blondies, and tarts. The staff at Verterra vineyards worked with the couple to pair estate wines with the courses—Tasting Room & Events Manager Lindy Kellogg even attended the menu tasting at Stella’s with Angie and Bryan.

As a fun snack after the dancing started, Angie and Bryan cut a heart-shaped pizza and handed it out. Guests loved it. They also loved the piece of Grand Traverse Pie Company cherry pie that was packed and ready for them to take home as a wedding favor. It was a sweet way to end an enchanted day.

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“I wanted something modern—with a light feeling that fit into the setting,” says Angie of the flowers by BLOOM Floral Design. A modern-rustic onsite facility houses a wedding lounge for the bridal party to get ready, as well as a caterer’s prep station. The wedding party: Grooms party, left to right: Officiant Izzy Weiss, Alex Scharf, Matthew Parker, Bryan Parker (groom), Matt Delmanowski, Shauntel Paaluhi Aquino. Bridesmaids, left to right: Paige Purcell, Siena Kramer, Corinna Takahashi, Marie Caramacho.

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$$8gorgeous==8

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BLOOM Floral Design’s execution of Angies’s wish for a lot of greenery plays out across the bridal table. The grounds at The Ridge at Verterra include woods, vineyards and fields. The chairs and tables came from 307 Events. The venue at a distance: The facility that houses the restrooms, wedding lounge and catering prep station; state-of-the-art terrace and tent; stone amphitheater—perfect for ceremonies. Jamie Weiss, Izzy Weiss and young Tess Reilly playing Jenga.

resources

Venue | The Ridge at Verterra Vineyards Photography | Matt and Ashley Photography Video | Future Focus Media Flowers | BLOOM Floral Design Catering | Trattoria Stella Table & Chair Rentals | American Rentals Lighting & Specialty Décor | 307 Events Music | 2Bays DJs Hair & Makeup | On-site Bridal

See more photos at MyNorth.com/VerterraWedding

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Wedding Notebook

Sarah Muether

The Ridge at Verterra Vineyards

A Perfect Pairing At The Ridge at Verterra Vineyards we have carefully designed unique spaces to celebrate in the heart of Leelanau Peninsula. A natural setting surrounded by over 15 acres of private vineyards, hardwood forests and expansive views of Grand Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan along with modern amenities for the ultimate in comfort and quality. Your guests will enjoy raising a glass of our award winning Verterra wines in honor of

Dan Stewart Photography

Dan Stewart Photography

your special day. Cheers!

Services

Event Facilities

Sarah Muether

The Ridge provides a luxurious wedding lounge for dressing, hair and makeup while relaxing with sparkling wines. Host your ceremony for up to 300 guests in the stone amphitheater overlooking the vineyards, pond, forest and bay as you exchange your nuptials.

Following the ceremony, the party begins with a Verterra Signature Sparkling Cocktail on the Reception Terrace. The terrace is located above the ceremony area with reception tent, customized to the size of your wedding, provides the beauty of the outdoors but with protection from the elements. Your caterer of choice will service your hors d’oeuvres and meal from the dedicated catering space located away from the celebration tent.

Sarah Muether

Dan Stewart Photography

Our experienced team of event managers will assist with navigating all aspects of planning and executing your unique celebration. Once your plan is set, our talented team will work with your vendors of choice, coordinating all the rehearsal and day-of details with a calm demeanor and smile, all while we pour our award winning wines for you and your guests to celebrate your union

Vendors We will assist you as you select vendors of your choice or our preferred vendors we have worked with and provide the utmost in quality services. We will coordinate all vendor deliveries and logistics of set-up, so you fully enjoy all the special moments of the day.

Bluebird Restaurant Specializing in Rehearsal Dinners. Our riverfront dining room is an ideal place for your event, from 10 – 60 people, year round (except January).

We will make your event special, at a price that will certainly please you. Call 231-256-9081 and ask for Lynn.

103 River St Leland , MI 49654 231-256-2115 verterrawinery.com Ask about our Award Winning Wines Dry Reds, Whites, Sparkling & Hard Ciders Tasting Room & Event Manager Lindy Kellogg

Ceremony & Reception Capacity up to 300

Verterra is a place to come back to over the seasons to toast the many special moments of your lifetime together.

Embrace The Beauty THE RIDGE AT VERTERRA VINEYARDS

AN EXCEPTIONAL SETTING FOR YOUR EXTRAORDINARY DAY A new venue in a private, natural setting surrounded by pristine vineyards with vast views of Grand Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan, The Ridge at Verterra Vineyards is a one-of-a-kind, out-of-the-way event location, minutes from Traverse City.

Our experienced team will guide you in selecting local vendors and coordinating rehearsal, ceremony, and reception for a stress-free day. The Ridge provides a luxurious wedding lounge, indoor restrooms, catering area, and celebration spaces accomodating up to 300 guests.

Toast to your love with Verterra’s award winning wines in an unmatched vineyard setting!

BOOK TODAY

231.256.2115

events@verterrawinery.com