Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, MyNorth Wedding 2019

wedding WEDDINGS WE LOVE

grand traverse resort & spa STORY BY CARA MCDONALD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY NORTHERN ART PHOTOGRAPHY, ANDREA BOGARD

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The couple knew an outdoor wedding could be a weather gamble, but felt confident knowing there were plenty of plan B event spaces at Grand Traverse Resort in case of rain. “We loved the site at the 55th hole because with so many trees, we didn’t really need much for flowers and decoration,” says bride Amy Vaal. Flowing dresses were a cool choice for a (very!) hot day, and the perfect weather meant guests could enjoy an outdoor cocktail hour before heading in for the reception.

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grand traverse resort & spa

Am & Jared AMY LOHSS & JARED VAAL | JULY 14, 2018

Her groom had only a few requirements for their impending wedding: No overwhelming amounts of pink. An open bar. And it had to be Up North.

For Amy Vaal, the last one was especially easy. She had grown up coming to Crystal Lake with her family, and her fiancé, Jared, had also fallen in love with the lazy days on the lake and the Northern Michigan lifestyle.

But planning a wedding from a distance isn’t always a snap. Especially when, as Amy admits, you might be a teensy bit type A. “I love weddings,” she says. “And I’m very detail oriented.”

The perfect solution? A destination wedding at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. The Indiana couple, who met at a New Year’s Eve party in college, had originally pondered a New Year’s Eve wedding, but scrapped the idea (too cold!) in favor of an outdoor summer fête.

The bride never wanted an outdoor wedding—she worried it’d be too hot, too cold, or rainy. But the setting at the 55th hole took her breath away. “Why travel Up North to have a wedding in a ballroom? You can do that anywhere. I liked that the site was surrounded by trees.”

As Liz Klondik, special events manager at Grand Traverse Resort explains it: “The 55th hole isn’t really on a course per se. Since we have 3 courses, we technically have 54 holes of golf. The 55th is just a cute play on words since it’s not such a thing in golf.”

Liz was Amy’s point person on the wedding, working her carefully through reassuring options and contingency plans. Amy talks about as if she has wings and a halo. “Liz did a phenomenal job,” says Amy. “It’s just provided as part of their services. It was so easy!”

The resort handled the site, event management and design, cake, bartender, caterer, timing.

Having those logistics in hand meant that Amy could focus on the fun stuff—the details.

Guests arrived to a casual welcome reception on Friday complete with comfort foods like barbecued ribs and cherry pie.

For the ceremony, Amy wanted things a little more elegant. “I love the trendy things on Pinterest, but I wanted something timeless, so everything we did was pretty neutral— champagne and white colors, classic flowers. I didn’t want to look back and think, ‘why did I choose that?’” They opted for a short ceremony set in the trees with traditional vows, and then a gorgeous white tent for the fun.

Guests were treated to gifts of tiny honey pots of whiskey barrel honey from Iron Fish Distillery. They sipped local wines from Chateau Chantal, Chateau Grand Traverse and Brys Estate Vineyard and Winery (the couple loves their Naked Chardonnay). During the party, friends danced or relaxed at an outdoor cigar bar. For dessert, they noshed on a choice of white cake with raspberry filling or chocolate with Nutella creme. (“Liz saved pieces of it for me to eat later, I loved it so much!” the bride gushes.)

“All in all, the resort had everything I was looking for,” Amy says. The couple loved that they didn’t have to leave the property and just used locations all across the resort, from their welcome reception at the Pavilion, to first-look photos at Aerie Restaurant and Lounge, to their farewell brunch (also at the Pavilion)—even a golf outing for the groom and friends.“Every small detail—down to the type of chilled water we served at the reception—Liz took to heart,” Amy says. Which meant that Amy and Jared could focus on joining theirs.

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The couple took time before the wedding for a first-look photo at the Aerie Restaurant & Bar before heading down to the ceremony site. A spacious deluxe tent felt elegant and bright, set off by a palette of champagne, white and gold. The classic flower arrangements, a summery mix of roses and peonies, “were probably one of my favorite things,� says Amy.

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resources

Venue | Grand Traverse Resort & Spa Photography | Northern Art Photography, Andrea Bogard Flowers | Field of Flowers North Favors | Iron Fish Distillery Music | Two Bays DJs & Harpist Sylvia Norris Hair & Makeup | Makeup by Kori, Kori Martz & K. Noelle Artistry, Kirstyn Taylor

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

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Wedding Notebook Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

Event Facilities

86,500 square feet of versatile indoor and outdoor function space gives you ultimate flexibility in selecting the venues for your special day. Our wedding staff is practiced at transforming the ballroom or outdoor venue of your choice into a truly unforgettable environment. You’ll appreciate the smooth, detail-oriented leadership of our event professionals, as they execute your vision to perfection.

Bridal parties delight in our spa and salon, while groomsmen typically prefer golf and our nearby Turtle Creek Casino. And with multiple wedding and reception venues, our planners create a brand of seamless perfection, regardless of scale. From intimate unions to grand affairs, your guests will feel every bit as loved, cherished and honored as the bride and groom.

Michigan’s Premier Resort Experience People often remark that the most appealing thing about the 900-acre Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is its sense of the genuine. So when couples choose to exchange their vows here, it feels especially romantic. Sincerity resonates among the trees, and love sparkles on the water. Simply put, it just feels right.

Our wedding staff is practiced at transforming the banquet room or ballroom of your choice into a truly unforgettable environment.

You’ll appreciate the smooth, detail-oriented leadership of our event professionals, as they execute your vision to perfection. Pre-event parties and rehearsal dinners are easily arranged.

From our convenient, centrally located Midwest location, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is easily accessible to all of your guests – just ten minutes by Resort shuttle from Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport (TVC).

Catering From 2 people to 2,000 people, our Catering department can make an unforgettable experience for your wedding. Our experienced staff can work with any budget and is committed to great guest service.

Weddings are a time for celebration, and our catering staff can work with you on any specialty menu to suit your attendees and their finer tastes! And special meals are no problem for guests with special food needs, and dietary considerations.

Accommodations

Recreation Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is renowned for many things, but the golf experience is among the best anywhere.

For each of our three signature courses, we sought out the finest designers the industry has to offer.

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The Bear by Jack Nicklaus.

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The Wolverine by Gary Player.

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Spruce Run by William Newcomb.

Our 100,000-square-foot Health Club offers something for everyone. Features include:

Whether you stay in the Hotel, the Tower or a Condominium, you’ll revel in the natural splendor of the outdoors, and the luxurious amenities and outstanding accommodations within.

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Fully equipped Cardio and Weight Room

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Fitness Classes

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15,000-square-foot Indoor Water Playground

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Recreation Pool

• The Hotel - Our six-story hotel offers 238 spacious guest rooms, many with gorgeous views and wireless high-speed Internet access. Conveniences include: color cable television, bathroom television speakers, hair dryers, and much more.

• The Tower - Our newly renovated 17-story glass structure offers 186 large, luxuriously appointed rooms and suites each with wireless high-speed Internet access. You’ll relax amid breathtaking views of sumptuous forests and the rolling hills and orchards of the surrounding golf courses.

Deluxe amenities include: wet bars, Jacuzzi whirlpool tubs, bathroom phones, cable TV, refrigerators, and more.

• Condominiums - Sample fairway or beachfront living when you get away to one of our 161 condominiums.

Studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom accommodations are available in a variety of locations.

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5 Indoor and 4 Outdoor Tennis Courts

Guest Services At Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, you’ll find nearly 600 rooms, suites, and condominiums plus a combination of services and amenities unmatched elsewhere. The expert hands of our spa professionals relax bride and attendants with luxurious treatments and massages, and can create perfectly styled hair and makeup for the bridal party. Groomsmen and guests will enjoy a pre-wedding round of golf on one of our three premier courses, a tension-releasing game of tennis, or a relaxing whirlpool. Pristine beaches and exciting water sports are additional options that will make your wedding a memorable mini-getaway for each and every guest. Winter weddings have a special allure with our crackling fireplaces, snow-covered views, and elegant lodge atmosphere. Your guests can also enjoy cross-country skiing, sleigh rides, and other winter activities.

100 Grand Traverse Village Blvd.

Acme, MI 49610-0404 231-534-6000 800-748-0303 weddings@gtresort.com GrandTraverseResort.com

Special Events Manager Liz Kondik

Reception Capacity 2,500

Spa Manager Dawn Olsen

Event Rooms 35

Spa/Golf Sales Managers Cara Goss Joann Hanafi

Guest Rooms 585

GOLF SPA SHOP DINE CASINO

GET UP AND GO Breathtaking scenery and unforgettable moments. The paradise of a Northern Michigan wedding is more than inspirational views, a flowerlined path, or sunset stroll on the beach. More than tee times with the guys or endless pampering for the girls. It’s having all of those things at your fingertips. You won’t believe it if you haven’t seen it. Get up and go at grandtraverseresort.com/weddings.

Owned and Operated by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians