2020 Kirkbride Hall

wedding WEDDINGS WE LOVE

STORY BY CARA MCDONALD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY HALLIE KOHLER

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ELLE BODNAR & CHRIS BURGESS | DECEMBER 22, 2018

When Elle and Chris Burgess started dating, she was fresh out of Traverse City Central High School and heading to college in Kalamazoo. While most long-distance relationships at this age end up college casualties, the two made it work. Elle graduated and moved back up to Traverse City for awhile, then moved away again as her career as a high school counselor evolved, and the two commuted faithfully, as they had for years.

On a snowy December night, Chris proposed.

One year to the day later, on December 22, 2018, Elle and Chris gathered with friends and family at Kirkbride Hall to exchange vows.

“I’ve always wanted a wedding around Christmas, I just think it’s so romantic,” Elle says. “One of my cousins had a winter wedding and it was beautiful—the lights, the fresh snow. Just the spirit of Christmas, it’s such an exciting time.”

The pair wanted an elegant but relaxed celebration. At first, Elle considered other options, but eventually they landed on Kirkbride Hall at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons.

“A friend had been married there in the summer,” Elle says. “I’d seen her photos and thought, oh my gosh, it’s architecturally just really beautiful.” The pair worked with Meg Gutowski, event manager at Kirkbride Hall. “Right off the bat her personality was so soothing and organized. Once we found the dates were available, it was a no-brainer.”

Kirkbride Hall, formerly known as the Chapel, once hosted services, socials, dances and concerts for state hospital patients. Its soaring ceilings and stained glass windows were part of the philosophy of mental health treatment pioneered by Joseph Kirkbride in the 19th century, who believed architecture and design that facilitated beauty, fresh air and sunlight were healing forces.

Now an events space, Kirkbride Hall is once again a gathering place for celebrations, and to the Burgesses it was perfect, offering a blank slate for their Christmas vision. Elle found ruby red (“Christmas red,” she says) dresses for her bridesmaids to illuminate the space, and hints of red from potted poinsettias lined the aisle. Friend and florist Lindsey Kukla of Cherryland Floral and Gifts added bouquets of red and white roses with pepperberry and eucalyptus. Sheer curtains framed the ceremony space, while white pillar candles and a fairy-lit Christmas tree provided warmth and sparkle.

After the ceremony, while the guests mingled in the lobby over cocktails and Shorts Local Light and Bellaire Brown beers (a gift from a friend who worked at the brewery) the crew flipped the space for the reception, catered by Grandview Catering.

For dessert, the vanilla cake and a slew of cupcakes were ordered from Sam’s Club— the bride loves their buttercream—and gussied up by Kukla with floral elements inspired by the bouquets. Elle used a favorite cake stand for the cake, and borrowed cupcake stands from a friend’s wedding.

“That’s just us—simple and not too crazy,” Elle says. “It ended up being the perfect day and it set a good tone for our marriage.” She adds: “Our family did a lot for us and they helped us keep perspective: what truly matters are the vows.”

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resources

Venue | Kirkbride Hall Photography | Hallie Kohler Flowers | Cherryland Floral & Gifts Caterer | Grandview Catering Bridal Gown | Becker’s Bridal

See more photos at MyNorth.com/KirkbrideHall20 Friend getting married? Get them a copy at ShopMyNorth.com/Wedding20

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Wedding Notebook

Weddings by Cheyenne

Kirkbride Hall

History Transformed Located at the heart of Building 50 at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, the recently restored Kirkbride Hall was the original Chapel of the Traverse City State Hospital built in 1885. The historic ballroom with cathedral like ceilings and stained glass windows create the perfect background for your reception and ceremony. Kirkbride Hall is an ideally intimate Northern Michigan wedding venue with accommodations for wedding ceremonies and receptions up to 160 guests. Our ceremony venues range from our stunning cathedral-like historic chapel to natural and serene outdoor ceremonies.

Wedding Venue We provide tables and chairs with ivory or white linens for up to 160 guests, access to our private bridal suite starting at 10:00 am until the conclusion of your event, dance floor (up to 18'x18') and day of venue manager on-site for the duration of your event.

Accommodations

Catering James Perry Catering – With nearly twenty years in the profession, Chef Kaylee Davenport --co-owner of James Perry Catering-- and her team of experienced chefs are continuously challenging the boundaries of culinary imagination and breaking new ground as one of Northern Michigan's extraordinary catering companies. As the premier caterer of Kirkbride Hall, in the Village at Grand Traverse Commons, James Perry Catering is privy to hosting a wide range of upscale events that is sure to make any moment in life unforgettable.

Est. 2019 - Call now to receive a complimentary quote for your upcoming event. 231.590.4938

The Historic Front Lawn at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons KIRKBRIDE SUITE: Just above Kirkbride Hall the suite sleeps up to 10 guests. A private-stop elevator delivers you to a fully furnished condominium with 3 king bedrooms on the main level, each with a private bathroom and a large loft with a queen-sized sleeper sofa and queen bed, also with a full bath and a jet tub. All beds feature luxury linens and covers. Historic bricks and beams and dramatic open-ceiling angles combined with new flooring and an abundance of wood finishes create a space that is stunning and remarkably comfortable. The perfect place to rest and relax.

THE LOFTS AT 58: Recently completed the lofts at 58 are part of the adaptive re-use of the former kitchens and dry goods storage building (designated as “Building 58”) of the former Traverse City State Hospital. It is located just west of Building 50. Building 58 was one of the key service and support buildings for the operations of the sprawling state hospital campus.

Our 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom condos in building 58 are available for short term rental and are located just steps from Kirkbride Hall.

Our front lawn is the largest Arboretum in Northern Michigan, home to over 30 different varieties of trees from around the world and a key part of Dr. Munson’s theory that “Beauty is Therapy”. Our special ceremony spot at the center of two big beautiful maple trees is the ideal spot to say “I do”.

The Village at Grand Traverse Commons The former Traverse City State Hospital is immersed in over 100 years of history. The evolution from a state run asylum to a thriving and bustling community is the foundation of what makes The Village what it is today. The Village is the perfect space to host your next event. Aside from the beautiful charm of the historic buildings and the scenic landscape, The Village provides endless excitement for each of your guests to enjoy. With various retail shops, eateries and wineries, hiking trails, events and historic tours, The Village of Grand Traverse Commons will leave your guests in awe!

700 Cottageview Dr. Traverse City, MI 49684 231.941.1961 kirkbridehall.com Kate@kirkbridehall.com Meeting and Event Sales Manager Kate Angove

Capacities: Ceremony 160 guests Dinner Reception 160 guests Cocktail Reception 220 guests

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