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ParkShore Resort
STORY BY ADRIENNE ROBERTS PHOTOGRAPHY BY LUX LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY
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Chelsea & Daniel c&d
CHELSEA PFLUGRAD DANIEL NESSEL JUNE 1, 2014 PARKSHORE RESORT, TRAVERSE CITY
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helsea Pfl grad grew up in Traverse City and Daniel Nessel was from nearby. The couple thought they knew all the city’s hidden secrets—but when, on their search for their dream wedding venue, they walked to the waterside of the ParkShore Resort, set between busy US31 and East Grand Traverse Bay, the sight took their breath away. There, surrounded by lush landscaping, a sandy beach and the aqua water, sat a small, tented white gazebo. It would make a picture-perfect beginning for their life together. And a fitti g end to their long and occasionally tough courtship: Danny is three years older than Chelsea, and when he went to college out of state, they figured it was best to break up. But ever since the moment she’d first set eyes on Danny, Chelsea just knew they’d end up together. Proof? She’d dried and
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saved all the fl wers he’d ever given her. ParkShore’s beach sparkled under full sun. Chelsea walked down the grassy aisle—strewn in those dried fl wer petals—on her brother’s arm. Her father, Traverse City physician Dr. Chester Pflugrad, offi iated. After the ceremony, while the 60 or so guests looked on from the resort’s tented terrace, the newlyweds danced to “Never Stop,” by Safety Suit—performed by Chelsea’s brother Jeremy. “It was my favorite moment,” Chelsea remembers. “We couldn’t see the guests because they were up on the deck. Time stood still.” The wedding meal, served on the terrace, was light, classy and fun—just as the Nessels wanted. And then it was off—with photographer Melissa Lande of Lux Light Photography in tow—to enjoy their hometown with their bridal party and close family and friends.
“We wanted to concentrate more on the ceremony and the photographs than the reception,” Chelsea says. And take pictures they did, from the sandy shores of Grand Traverse Bay to the historic grounds of the Grand Traverse Commons. The last stop before returning to the beach in time for the sunset was Moomers Homemade Ice Cream, Traverse City’s muchloved dairy farm/ice cream shop. The couple had frequented Moomers on dates—but they’d never before been able to order the Wholly Cow: Ten scoops of ice cream and a bottle of whipped cream. Oh what fun they had! PHOTOGRAPHY: MELISSA LANDE, LUX LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY. LUXLIGHTPHOTOGRAPHY.COM VENUE: PARKSHORE RESORT, TRAVERSE CITY, 231.947.3800, PARKSHORERESORT.COM
MYNORTH.COM/WEDDING
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Opposite: The heart-cut diamond in Chelsea’s engagement ring symbolizes the hundreds of heart-shaped beach stones that Daniel has found and given to Chelsea over the years. Chelsea eschewed flower bouquets for feathers. The bride wore a Casablanca mermaid-style gown with a sweetheart neckline. Her grandfather picked out her veil, and her grandmother picked out her hairpiece. This page, clockwise: Chelsea and her bridesmaids. The maid of honor helps the bride into her dress. Chelsea’s brother, Chet, walked her down the aisle, since her father officiated. Guests were asked to write advice on the hearts. Chelsea’s mother gifted her the heart-shaped diamond necklace to match her engagement ring.
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This page: The wedding party: Flower girl Aspen Young; bridesmaids Charlotte Lemieux, Bianca Wagner, Robin Priest, Kat Garcia, matron of honor (Chelsea’s sister) Jessica Preston; best man Jeremy Plfugrad; groomsmen Andrew Sansonetti, Liam Nessel, Justin Preston, Ben Priest. Chelsea says of the wedding’s color theme: “Purple symbolizes mystery and magic which keep love alive and gray often represents security and the future.” The Black Bottom wedding cake was from Underground Cheesecake Company. After the wedding the entire bridal party went to Moomers, where they dug into a Wholly Cow sundae. The landscaped grounds and destination facilities at ParkShore Resort are perfect for weddings.
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This page: The wedding party poses in the gazebo. A spontaneous moment after the ceremony: “Paradise City,” by Guns N' Roses, came on the playlist, Dad Pflugrad started rocking out on the electric piano, and the bridal party shook it up. The ceremony venue as seen from the tented reception terrace. It was back to the beautiful ParkShore beach in the evening for more photos. The Nessels exited the reception under a party-popper sendoff. “We wanted to imitate fireworks, since we couldn’t have real ones with such an early wedding,” Chelsea explains. “It was a loud, colorful explosion of color and laughter.” The couple credited ParkShore wedding planner Fawn Punturo with the event’s flawless execution.
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Wedding Notebook PARKSHORE RESORT
accommodations
Your Ideal Michigan Beach Wedding Exchange your vows in our pristine white, beachfront gazebo! Afterwards, join your guests on our intimate, outdoor reception deck overlooking scenic East Grand Traverse Bay. Let us help you plan your perfect wedding. We can assist with everything from cakes to catering and flowers to photographers, making your wedding a memorable one!
The ParkShore Resort Wedding Venue reviews: Michigan Outdoor Wedding Council: August 2013 The ParkShore Resort offers one of the finest beachfront wedding venues in the State…
The ParkShore Resort is located at the base of East Grand Traverse Bay in Traverse City, Michigan. The Resort rests in the center of what has become known as the Miracle Mile. The Miracle Mile is appropriately named as it is a one mile long shoreline of Pure Michigan beach abundant with hotels, restaurants and summer attractions. Some of these attractions include Boat and Jet Ski Rentals, Parasailing, Miniature Golf for all ages, as well as hiking and biking trails just across the street that allow access to the Greater Traverse City area. The ParkShore Resort proudly occupies 450 feet of pristine beachfront. This meticulously goomed beach is graciously lined with comfortable lounge chairs thus offering a family destination sure to please everyone. The Resort boasts of 80 rooms including Jacuzzi and Family Suites, walkout Beachfront rooms, King Fireplace rooms and more. Reservations are suggested during most seasons to assure the most desirable accommodations.
The Wedding Forum Guide: April 2014 The gold standard for outdoor wedding venues is presented to The ParkShore Resort in Traverse City. Their outstanding facility, attention to every detail and location on the Grand Traverse Bay make your experience one to be proud to share… Mathew and Wendy Schwartz: August 2014 Our wedding day was a fairy tale come true thanks to the staff and efforts of the ParkShore Resort…
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event facilities
For the wedding season, June through September, the ParkShore Resort offers a beachfront elevated Gazebo with the Grand Traverse Bay as the backdrop. Wedding guests view the ceremony comfortably from their seats in the plush green grass. The boardwalks approach the Gazebo from both directions to allow the bridal party a storybook entrance and departure from the ceremony. Every detail of the wedding is reviewed with the bridal party by the wedding coordinator once an event date is chosen. The final walk through prior to the event day assures all parties that their dreams materialize as planned. On the day of the wedding, the event coordinator oversees the ceremony and controls the music and sound, assuring the bride and groom that all details are addressed. The dining area known as Morels provides a private and intimate atmosphere fantastic for hosting a rehearsal dinner. The chef will work with the bridal party and make every effort to accommodate their most personal requests. On the day of the ceremony, the Bride and her Bridesmaids can enjoy mimosas in the ParkShore Lounge before making their way to the on-site Bridal Dressing Room. The dressing room is furnished comfortably and provides a well-lit and mirrored space that is perfect for allowing the bridal party an intimate setting for preparing for the ceremony. If desired, hairstylists and makeup artists can be standing by to primp and pamper the Bride all the way to the final walk down the aisle. Lastly, there is the reception. Directly adjacent to the ceremony area is a 2000 square foot covered deck that can accommodate up to 125 guests for a seated reception meal. The area overlooks the bay and creates a picturesque venue for your reception. The staff will suggest local caterers that can accommodate the most modest or extreme catering needs. The ParkShore Resort offers a full bar option staffed by their in house bartenders. Local live entertainment or DJ services are readily available to meet your needs as well. You have the complete ability to customize every phase of the reception to your own personal desires. As always, the staff is there to guide and help you with all decisions. After the reception the party can be continued in the ParkShore Lounge where you can dance to the music of DJ Thunder or you may choose to take your group to the beach fire pits for some quite reflection of the event under the starlit East Grand Traverse Bay.
Dining The ParkShore Resort is the only beachfront Resort on The Miracle Mile with an onsite restaurant and lounge. The staff of the ParkShore Lounge serves lunch and dinner daily from 3pm – 10pm and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. The menu is quite diverse and a hit with even the most traveled guests. Entrees like Oyster Rockefeller, Hand Cut Tenderloin, Coconut Rum Whitefish and Pan Seared Ahi Tuna are accompanied by fresh steamed vegetables, specialty salads and of course, your beverage of choice. The lounge offers live entertainment weekly with a DJ on Friday and Saturday nights. This is always a favorite of the wedding parties during their stay with the resort.
PARKSHORE RESORT 1401 US 31 North Traverse City, MI 49686 231-947-3800 877-349-8898 info@parkshoreresort.com parkshoreresort.com Special Events Manager Fawn Punturo
Event Rooms 2
Reception Capacity 125
Guest Rooms 80
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1401 US 31 North • Traverse City • 1.877.349.8898 www.parkshoreresort.clom Photo by: Lux Light Photography
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