Bay View Weddings at Gallagher Farms, MyNorth Wedding 2019

bay view weddings

wedding WEDDINGS WE LOVE

at gallagher farms

STORY BY ELIZABETH EDWARDS PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAN STEWART PHOTOGRAPHY

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Cherry orchard photo ops are easy as, well, pie, at Bay View Weddings. The pale blue, blush pink and green color palette that Dani chose subtly captured the colors of water and cherry orchards that help to make this venue so gorgeous.

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bay view weddings at gallagher farms

Dani & Gabe JUNE 30, 2018

Dani and Gabe started dating in high school, so, seven years later when they were still a couple, Gabe says, “It was about time!” to get married. Dani might have known a proposal was in the works, but she had one request of Gabe: that she be surprised.

The couple was moving from Michigan to Iowa where Gabe was going to school so that Dani could take a job as product engineer at HNI Corporation, an office furniture manufacturer. Before they left, Gabe told her he’d ordered a ring and it would be delivered to her parents’ house. They’d bring it when they made their first visit. Then he’d figure out a way to surprise her with it.

Slick guy that he is, Gabe had the ring sent to Iowa—and as they were waiting for her parents to arrive on their first visit he put on romantic music, got down on one knee and pulled out the ring. She was so busy asking how he pulled it off she almost forgot to say, “yes,”—for at least a minute.

There was never any doubt that the wedding would be in the Traverse/Leelanau area where they were both raised. Both Dani and Gabe attended St. Francis High School but they also had a number of friends and family from Leelanau St. Mary’s High School.

After deciding on the quaint country church of St. Mary’s in Lake Leelanau for their ceremony, they decided that a tented reception at the stunning new Bay View Weddings at Gallagher Farms would be the perfect complement. Surrounded by cherry orchards, the site rises nearly a thousand feet over the surrounding countryside, East and West Grand Traverse Bay shorelines and Power Island.

The wedding day arrived warm with a bright blue sky. The drive (aboard Blue Lakes By the Bay party bus) on country roads flanked by vineyards and cherry orchards from Lake Leelanau to Bay View Weddings was postcard beautiful.

Imagine their delight when soon after they’d arrived Michigan State’s “Sparty,” showed up to help kick off the reception. The venue offers either carriage or tractor rides up the winding drive to the Bay View Hill Top reception area. The newlyweds chose a hayride for their riotous wedding party of 14 bridesmaids and groomsmen—and Sparty jumped on with them. It was a good time. Understatement. “At one point I thought a suit would rip ... there were cherries thrown,” says Dani.

When they arrived, the tent—large enough to seat the couples’ 250 guests—was perfectly set up with the soft blue palette Dani had requested for her tables and floral arrangements. The family-style dinner catered by Grandview Catering featured braised beef with rosemary glaze, roasted baby potatoes and chicken stuffed with prosciutto and spinach and covered in vodka cream sauce. In keeping with the Gallagher Farms’ theme, the dessert table popped with cherry treats.

As the newlyweds finished their first dance to Then by Brad Paisley, one of the many blessings of being married in this stunning setting was being painted across the sky—the fiery-hued sunset over Grand Traverse Bay. Dani and Gabe stole away from the party for a moment to enjoy the moment together.

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Ready to pour at the outdoor bar. The wedding party got a hayride to the reception. The reception tent set to go—note the band of blue on the horizon. Lawn games, including a monogrammed game of corn hole, were a hit.

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resources

Venue | Bay View Weddings at Gallagher Farms Photography | Dan Stewart Photography Flowers | Sweetwater Floral Caterer | Grandview Catering Cake and Dessert Bar | Brulotte’s Cakery & Sweets Music | Mr. Music DJs Hair & Makeup | M.O. Hair and Beauty Lounge Bridal Gown | Bianca Bridal Decor Rentals | 307 Events Event Coordinator | Fox + Fern Events Wedding Party Shuttle | Blue Lakes By the Bay

See more photos at MyNorth.com/BayViewWeddings Friend getting married? Get them a copy at ShopMyNorth.com/Wedding19

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Wedding Notebook

Dan Stewart Photography

Bay View Weddings at Gallagher Farms

A Breathtaking Destination Meets Rustic Elegance Weddings at Bay View Weddings are breathtaking, elegant, rustic, stunning, and unforgettable. The four hundred acre fourth generation family cherry farm provides a stunning backdrop for ceremonies and wedding receptions. With gorgeous views of Grand Traverse Bay, Traverse City, and Leelanau County all in one at elevations close to 1000 feet, you and your guests will be blown away not only by the magnificent beauty of the views of west and east bay of Traverse City but also of the pristine cherry orchards that romantically roll along the beautiful rustic landscape. We believe that you deserve the wedding of your dreams and we are here to help make your wedding dream become a reality.

Dan Stewart Photography

Wedding Venue When we think of a wedding, we think of the most beautiful and unforgettable day of your life. That is what you will find at our Bay View Hill Top Venue. An infinitely gorgeous destination venue on our family cherry farm. Our tented venue provides the outdoor grandeur and elegance that every dream wedding or event may desire. After taking in this spectacular view of Grand Traverse Bay, we believe that dreams do come true.

Ceremonies

Vendors

Dan Stewart Photography

Dan Stewart Photography

We appreciate and value each client in selecting their own vendors. It is a significant advantage for couples and allows couples to be creative in their selections. If a client prefers guidance and assistance in selecting vendors to help create their wedding vision, we are happy to support clients and assist them with the selecting of vendors for their wedding so they can focus on enjoying their special day.

With limitless ceremony options including our Bay View Hill Top, Elopement Overlook, The Little Pond, or Orchard Ceremonies, we have the location for your wedding that will inspire and move you and your loved ones with incredible heartfelt moments captured in time for years to come.

We are committed to providing a memorable experience for you and your guests. With a staff dedicated to supporting with set up, maintenance, farmers focused on caring for the aesthetics of the property, and event managers, we have the expertise needed to help and assist you. We also provide a wedding coordinator for the day of the event to assist with coordinating the rehearsal and day-of-the-wedding details in a calm and pleasant demeanor all with a smile as we are here to serve you and help you to relax, enjoy, and celebrate each beautiful moment of your wedding day.

Beautiful Traverse City Traverse City is a four-season playground for anyone who loves to be outdoors. With 180 miles of beaches, an array of delicious and enticing restaurant options, wineries, breweries, distilleries, and excellent hotels and inns, motels, resorts, or rental homes, there will be accommodations and activities to support everyone. Wedding guests will also enjoy inviting shops in historic downtown Traverse City in addition to the many downtown activities, including the National Cherry Festival that Traverse City hosts each summer, along with stunning sunrises and sunsets to start and end each day. These are just some of the many unforgettable opportunities that can be enjoyed in beautiful Traverse City.

8629 E. Lincoln Road Cedar, MI 49621 Located on the west end of Traverse City, Michigan

Dan Stewart Photography

231.645.2732 bayviewweddings.com info@bayviewweddings.com Wedding & Event Coordinator Rose Gallagher

Reception Capacity Up to 350 Guests

As a fourth generation family farm, we are committed to maintaining the agricultural strength and aesthetic beauty of the farm. We strongly encourage you to come visit and explore our farm as it is an unforgettable experience that you have to see to believe. Please contact us today to set up a tour. We are happy to help and serve you.

Dan Stewart Photography

Services

Breathtaking Destination Bay View Weddings is a new gorgeous and elegant rustic farm wedding venue and destination with landscape and bay views so stunning it is worthy of the journey.

Booking for Summer 2019

Š Dan Stewart Photography

Words cannot describe the beauty of our farm. Schedule a tour to visit with Rose, our wedding and event coordinator, at 231.645.2732 (231) 645-2732 | Located in Traverse City, Michigan | bayviewweddings.com