Traverse Northern Michigan, January 2025

Wed Nor Mic

01.2025 SPECIAL INSERT

Northern Michigan Weddings

CHASING

SNOW

THE CHANGING FACE OF WINTER AND WHAT THE NORTH’S SKI RESORTS ARE DOING ABOUT IT Michigan from Above:

A Photographer’s Epic Adventure + Winter’s Hidden Delights— Secret brunch, a log cabin wedding and a downright magical off-season U.P. road trip

JANUARY 2O25

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MLS:1929207 $1,899,000

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features 01.25

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What a View

Dancing aurora and cascading waterfalls.

Mackinac Island sunrises and Sleeping Bear snowstorms. Photographer Tyler Leipprandt is known for capturing the extreme beauty of Michigan in all four seasons. Here, he shares some bucket-list moments.

PHOTOS BY T Y L E R L E I P P R A N D T,

photo by Tyler Leipprandt

M I C H I G A N S KY M E D I A

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Chasing Snow

The face of winter is changing in Northern Michigan. Here’s what our ski resorts are doing about it.

BY JAC O B W H E E L E R

/ 25 25// SPECIAL SECTION:

Weddings

From a woodsy deer camp ceremony to chic lakeside nuptials, we indulge in the romance of the North’s vibrant wedding scene.

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT UP NORTH PEOPLE, PLACES, FOOD AND EVENTS.

12/9/24 3:40 PM

Where Skiers Go

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Traverse

NORTHERN

MICHIGAN A MyNorth Media Publication

Vol. 44 | No. 8

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Cara McDonald

MANAGING EDITOR

Carly Simpson Allison Jarrell Acosta

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

PROOFREADER

Caroline Dahlquist

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS

Elizabeth Edwards Meagan Francis

ART DIRECTOR PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

59

Tim Hussey Theresa Burau-Baehr

ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR, SPECIAL SECTIONS

Rachel Watson

DIRECTOR OF SALES

Lisa Froning

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Mike Alfaro Cyndi Ludka Rachel North

departments

Erin Lutke

CIRCULATION MARKETING COORDINATOR

05 | Editor’s Note 07 | Up North

Ashlyn Korienek Kayla Kennedy

OFFICE MANAGER

Discover the wintertime magic of Kitch-iti-kipi; plus, cozy new businesses across the North, and what our editors are loving this month.

59 | Culinary North

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photos by Tim Hussey (top); Meagan Francis (bottom)

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A surprising brunch dish shines at tiny Frenchies Famous in Traverse City; plus, sustainable sips at Folklor Wine & Cider in Charlevoix.

63 | In the Kitchen It’s time to bring out your soup pot for a season of comfort cooking.

64 | Love of the Land Head to the Keweenaw Peninsula for a wild winter trek atop Mt. Baldy.

07 Follow Us On Social Media facebook.com/mynorthmedia instagram.com/mynorthmedia pinterest.com/mynorthmedia

ON THE COVER A Schuss Mountain skier takes flight at the intersection of Goosebumps and King’s Canyon runs.

Photo by Jess Whipple/Shanty Creek Resort

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Refined Waterfront Living - Simplified

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Editor’s Note

T

LITTLE WHITE LIES

his morning, the rain turned to snow for the first time. I couldn’t really see it, but I could feel it on my face and smell it in the air and it stopped me, like the deep breaths after a good cry. Ah, there you go.

Wet leaves and gray sky, pelting sleet on the window while I write, slowly growing quiet and erased by white. I love how the snow rubs out most of the landscape, leaving me shapes instead and the satisfaction of a simple line drawing that suggests a whole world with just a few strokes.

As a child, I used to bury myself in the covers at night when I couldn’t sleep, and say to myself: “It’s 10 degrees below zero below zero below zero …” a chant about exponential coldness and snow that made me feel both safe and warm, and very small. When a storm sweeps in, I still feel that way.

I’ve spent the last few weeks thinking about winter and the stories we tell ourselves about it here in Northern Michigan.

A delicious recognition, but also, dread. Winter is hard on us, leaving us in the dark and alone much of the time. The familiar dog-walking route paved in black ice. The beaches empty, icy waves clawing at the sand.

A few years back there was a documentary about an octopus. It captured a moment when the octopus was about to be eaten by a shark, and the only way for the octopus to escape was to climb on the shark’s back and ride it. That’s how winter is for us—best to leap on, thinking we can ride it out with good ice, packed trails and a sturdy base, a garage full of toys to entertain us.

To that end, we can use it. But snow is also a mantle laid on us like a gift: to reflect the light, outline every brave branch, set the cardinal in sharp relief. I don’t want to live in a place, or a world, without it.

We wait for summer, then we wait for fall, then we wait for snow. Snow doesn’t come, so we make it. We move heaven and earth, or at least millions of gallons of water, to make it so.

This month we both celebrate and worry over our winter landscapes. They’re not a given anymore. Whether you choose to argue it’s cyclical or it’s nothing or it’s everything, winter here is changing. It is most likely changing forever.

How we choose to accept that is the invitation to the dance.

Do we hole up and argue, do we shrug and get on a plane west with our skis, do we tell nostalgic stories about blizzards that closed schools for days? Or do we let the prospect of a world without snow stop us in our tracks and ask, is it worth it, the choices we make that change the world … do we understand that we have the power, all 8 billion of us, to stand on the Earth with our feet planted firmly on the ground and say, “I want this, all of it, more than anything”?

If we lose the snow, we lose the awe that comes with it.

The sense of smallness, and of surrender. Go get your bread and milk; buy an extra shovel. Stay home and leave the car in the garage. Let life spool slowly by in a swirl of white.

Give in. Give up. Let it snow.

Cara McDonald, Executive Editor cara@mynorth.com JA N UA RY 2 0 2 5

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LOCAL TICKE T S .

ONE PLACE .

1/1 - 1/31 Snow Days, The Delamar 1/11 Mozzarella Making Workshop, Black Star Farms 1/17 Joan Shelley, The Alluvion 1/25 Comedy Night with Andy Beningo, Otsego Club and Resort M y N o rth T i ck ets.co m 8 0 0 . 8 3 6 . 0 717 0125_TVM_upnorth.indd 6

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Up North

local buzz · nostalgic finds · travel inspo

“

My favorite season to visit The Big Spring is, by far, in the depths of winter …

photo by Meagan Francis

—CONTRIBUTOR MEAGAN FRANCIS

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EDITORS’ PICKS: WINTER DISCOVERIES P. 8

COZY NEW BUSINESSES P. 9

SNOWY WONDERS AT KITCH-ITI-KIPI P. 11

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Up North Curiosities

Flickering Snowshoe Hikes

There are few things I adore more than a forested trek, and this winter I’m hoping to cross another Northwoods activity off my bucket list: a glimmering nighttime snowshoe hike. Should snowy weather favor us, there are plenty of self-guided lantern-lit and candle-lit hikes to choose from and, perhaps best of all, most of them involve sipping hot cocoa ‘round a fire—my other favorite activity. I’m eyeing: a Jan. 18 candlelight hike at Sturgeon River Preserve in Gaylord, hosted by HeadWaters Land Conservancy. – A.J.A.

EDITORS’ PICKS

The secret discoveries we tell our friends about.

One thing about me, I love a lazy winter day. The secret sauce is simple: Something warm, something yummy. Bonus points if you cancel plans. If you really want to indulge, book a Snow Days Day Pass at the Delamar Traverse City. Float in the hotel’s outdoor pool heated to a toasty 93 degrees, roast s’mores, swap stories in the sauna, peruse the library of board games, and then hunker down by the indoor fireplace with a cup of cocoa. It’s the stuff that languid dreams are made of. Book your pass at MyNorthTickets.com. – C.S. Roadside Curiosities

If you love the American Museum of Natural History in New York, but not the crowds, take the road less traveled to Guntzviller’s Spirit of the Woods Museum. Just 2 miles south of Elk Rapids, this unassuming throwback to a Southwestern trinket shop contains more Michigan wildlife than a beer festival, with Native American artifacts to boot. This marvel of wonderment and portal to the past will not disappoint history buffs of any age. – T.H.

Winter Fests, Eh?

Our Canadian friends in the Soo don’t just endure snow—they revel in it, and this year’s inaugural Frozen Toe race on Feb. 8 is proof. Although “trail fest”style events have run in years past during the winter, this fat bike event will feature 10k, 25k and 50k courses for cyclists of all levels of cold-tolerance and determination. After the race, you’re in luck: the Bon Soo Winter Carnival is also this week—soak up the kitschy, multi-day, homegrown vibe with poutine, lager, maple syrup everything, live music, fireworks and coldweather hijinks (like polar plunging in the St. Marys River). No wonder locals are psyched about winter. – C.M.

clockwise: Meg Bowen, Dave Weidner, courtesy of Sault Ste. Marie, Tim Hussey

Snow Days, for Adults

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Up North Buzz

Hidden Acres Cabins

NEW IN TOWN: 6 COZY BUSINESS FINDS

by CARLY SIMPSON

In the depths of winter, we’re craving hygge experiences, endless treats and warm cups of coffee to share with a friend.

These recent openings across the North deliver the goods.

WOODSY RETREAT

TIME FOR A TREAT

SIPS & STEMS

Snuggle into one of two pet-friendly rustic-modern cabins just minutes from downtown Petoskey, each stocked with cushy essentials: outdoor hot tub, stack of firewood for a snowy bonfire, electric fireplace. hiddenacrescabins.com

A favorite Traverse City bakery is back, this time on Union Street. Come for chewy macarons, seasonal slices of cheesecake and the coveted cupcake of the week with flavors like vanilla chai and Champagne. sweettartlette.com

This aromatic floral shop in Ludington pairs freshly brewed coffee with lush bouquets and sweet bites like apple bread and blackberry scones— a perfect morning pick-me-up. facebook.com/JavaBloom24

photo courtesy of Hidden Acres Cabins

Hidden Acres Cabins

Sweet Tartlette

Java Bloom

CIDER TASTINGS

ALL THAT GLITTERS

THE HANGOUT HOUSE

There’s a reason Michiganders love their party stores: you want it, they got it. Branimal’s in Marion is leveling up with a new “Quon-Cider Hut” that they claim offers the largest selection of Michigan hard cider on tap “anywhere.” branimalsparty.com

Second-generation jeweler Julie Terwilliger is all sparkle. Her new Traverse City Warehouse MRKT studio offers welded permanent jewelry, locally made pieces and a range of fine and demi-fine bling for every budget. You can also find her in Cadillac. everjewl.com

A welcoming workshop space where retirees are invited to socialize and work on community-oriented projects (think bird houses for the children’s museum and raised garden beds). Obviously, coffee and doughnut breaks, too. facebook.com/gtmenshed

Branimal’s

Everjewl

Grand Traverse Men’s Shed

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MYNORTHTICKETS.COM • 800.836.0717

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12/6/24 11:38 AM

Up North Travel

INTO THE HUSH

by MEAGAN FRANCIS

photo by Meagan Francis

T

Discover the wintertime magic of Kitch-iti-kipi.

o tourists, it’s kitch-iti-kipi.

To locals, it’s simply The Big Spring. The 300-by-175-foot oval pool—and the surrounding hundreds of acres just a few miles outside of Manistique—became state land in 1926 and are now known collectively as Palms Book State Park.

After a short but lovely wooded walk from the parking lot, visitors encounter a floating wooden observation platform—called a “raft” though it can hold 45 to 50 people; which can be cranked out to the middle of the spring via a series of cables. From the middle, visitors can see all the way down to its sand and limestone floor, some 40 feet at its deepest, and watch the enormous fish that make their home here swimming through the cold, clear water.

Several legends suggest that the spring has mystical qualities. And while a few of those myths were apparently fabricated in the early 20th century by a local businessman hoping to drive tourism, there’s no doubt that this park is a

magical place. My husband and I even got married there— yes, right on the raft—after frequent visits helped us fall in love with the Manistique area.

But my favorite season to visit The Big Spring is, by far, in the depths of winter, when the emerald green waters of the spring contrast with bright white snow and moody, dark gray clouds. It takes a bit of effort to break the coating of ice and propel the raft out into the water, but after the initial flurry of cranking and resulting crunching sounds, you’re rewarded by an absolute hush: even the splashes and quacks of the ducks seem muffled. What’s around that bend in the water, obscured by snow-laden evergreens? It feels like it’s beckoning to us; an invitation to dream.

Meagan Francis is a writer whose work has appeared in Parenting, Good Housekeeping, Parents, Midwest Living, The Washington Post, NBCNews.com, NYTimes.com, and is the author of the forthcoming The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read.

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C H A S I NG

S NOW

IT’S BEEN A SOGGY COUPLE OF YEARS FOR SKIERS. SO, WHAT KEEPS US COMING BACK? FROM CROCKPOT WARMING STATIONS TO CUTTING-EDGE SNOW-MAKING TECHNOLOGY, NORTHERN MICHIGAN SKI RESORTS ARE PULLING OUT ALL THE STOPS TO KEEP SKIERS HAPPY— AND STAY ONE STEP AHEAD OF MOTHER NATURE.

BY JACOB WHEELER

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OW patches of snow melting on the hill. Idle chairlifts. An empty parking lot below. That’s how last winter looked at Mt. Holiday, the ski hill east of Traverse City, which opened for just two weeks last season.

A freakishly warm January and February wiped out snowpack from earlier in the season, and a 73-degree day on February 27 left snow-sports enthusiasts frustrated. In fact, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration called the 2023-24 season “the warmest winter on record for the contiguous United States.” As snow turned to slush, resorts were left struggling to adjust.

But adjust they did. Across town, Hickory Hills made and bankrolled snow when temperatures dipped to 28 degrees, stockpiling it on slopes the city-owned destination could maintain and squirreling it away in the forested paths where cross-country skate skiers sprinted loops. Even as rain and snow danced together in the skies, Hickory massaged the base long enough to give those soggy but happy rippers a ski season.

We all know the last couple winters have been warm, and we are on a decades-long warming trend.

As soon as a base of snow formed in late November 2023, erratic temperature swings threatened to destroy the runs and spoil the fun. But ski destinations understand that making snow is how to survive and win this game.

Ski pass and lift ticket sales lagged last year—both out West and in the Midwest—for the first time since the rebound from the pandemic. But here in Michigan, the industry predicts growth as ski resorts invest aggressively in snowmaking infrastructure and supplement adventures on the hill with other on-site amenities and four-season programming, from weddings and retreats to disc golf and pampering at the spa. Their innovative solutions range from mounting high-tech snow guns on towers to providing crockpot plugins for JA N UA RY 2 0 2 5

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photo courtesy of Go Ski Michigan

L O N E LY

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Whether or not we ever get another winter of 6-foot snowdrifts and Great Lakes that freeze over—stories we tell our children that seem increasingly like legends— snowmaking is the key for local resorts.

Resorts need about 72 hours of temperatures that stay below 28 degrees to lay a base and open terrain for skiing.

“The ski industry in Michigan happens because of snowmaking. There’s no other way to say it,” says Ben Doornbos, general manager at Nub’s Nob near Harbor Springs. “Our product is the snow.”

Nub’s added five more snow guns this year to bring its arsenal to 325, which creates a powder base for 53 runs that skiers and boarders access using eight chairlifts. The resort also replaced 100 of its slope lights with LED bulbs to create brighter and more energy-efficient lighting for night skiing, when temps drop and the base solidifies.

Everyone, including smaller destinations like Mt. Holiday, is getting on board. The Traverse City hill used disaster relief loans from the Small Business Administration to increase its fleet of snow guns from eight to 22 over the past year and installed 8,000 feet of piping in the ski area,

as well as 34 hydrants and a whole new electrical system.

Resorts are optimistic about skiing in the North, both because the sport is enjoying a resurgence and because forecasts suggest the weather will cooperate this year. Last winter, the ski industry battled a strong “El Niño” weather pattern, which meant warm water surfacing in the Pacific Ocean drove a heat wave over the Midwest. By contrast, a “La Niña” pattern this year could mean a more typical Northern Michigan winter.

Even with a good dump of natural snow forecasted, snowmaking is still a serious part of a successful strategy.

Karyn Thorr, CEO at Crystal Mountain near Thompsonville, offers this fun fact: One inch of high-density manmade snow is more durable and lasts longer than 10 inches of natural snowfall. A foot of powder that falls from the sky ultimately packs down to one inch of base. So, in a way, making snow is more efficient than waiting for Mother Nature.

Crystal Mountain, which has been making snow for nearly 60 years, uses 178 snowmaking guns. This year, Crystal focused on improving the base terrain around its Buck complex, which offers the steepest hills at the resort.

As of mid-November, ski pass and lift ticket sales at Crystal were pacing ahead of last year. That’s in part because the Benzie County destination has improved its

photo courtesy of Go Ski Michigan

families who want to bring dinner to the hill and avoid breaking their budgets—and they just might make for an even better skiing experience in the years to come.

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“THE SK I INDUSTRY IN MICHIGA N HA PPENS BECAUSE OF SNOWMA KING. THERE’S NO OTHER WAY TO SAY IT. OUR PRODUCT

photos (above and below) courtesy of Shanty Creek; (right) courtesy of Boyne Mountain

IS THE SNOW.” messaging that the resort’s snowmaking capacity can carry it through the winter—despite erratic weather.

“We had great conditions last year with 119 ski days,” Thorr says. “Opening day was December first, and we closed on April first with seventy percent of our slopes still skiable.”

But when natural snow failed to accumulate on people’s yards and driveways, it fed a negative feedback loop that resorts couldn’t accommodate skiers.

“We’re trying to get that message to folks, pointing them to our webcams and telling them that we have snow,” she says.

Resorts like Crystal are responding to skiers’ hesitancy to commit by getting creative with ticket options like flex passes, which are suited for people with flexible schedules who are waiting for ideal ski conditions. To remain nimble and to keep guests occupied, they also promote other activities early in the season, including disc golf and the spa.

The density of manmade snow and the temperature needed to make it are important—so is the location where it’s placed.

Treetops Resort near Gaylord has mounted 10 of its 30 snow guns on towers and installed them in spots that require a stronger base or terrain that presents challenges with shifting winds.

“We’ve also done more extensive training with our snow-making staff,” says Ski Operations Director Brad Jacobsen. “We’re coaching them on different weather patterns, what to look for in

– B E N DOOR N BOS G E N E R A L M A NAG E R AT N U B’ S NOB

the 10-day forecast and how to make adjustments with the snow guns.”

Treetops is optimistic about seeing more skiers this year, so much so that it added two new Black Diamond (most difficult) runs to its lineup of 27 trails. To attract and entertain entire families, the destination also offers tubing, sleigh rides, ice skating and cross-country skiing.

“Expectations are higher this year because of the winter we had last year,” Jacobsen says. “People are excited. They want to get back out on the slopes.”

Resorts will innovate in ways big or small to get them there.

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and winter biking. The Highlands offers winter horseback riding and an enchanted trail experience for those who need a break from skiing.

A smaller slope, Hickory Hills has offered an ideal training ground for young skiers since tow ropes began pulling patrons up the hill in 1952. Hickory still uses tow ropes, save for one conveyor lift which it added to the “bunny hill” in 2019, along with a new maintenance building and lodge. The lodge has become a cozy gathering and dining space for young families on ski days and also hosts events throughout the year, including weddings.

Located at the end of Randolph Street, Hickory’s most unique quality is its proximity to downtown Traverse City. “A lot of people don’t even know we’re here,” says General Manager Cindy Anderson. “[Even as] a small, community-based hill, we’re still getting people from downstate and Ohio, because we offer a cost-effective way of getting out on the hill.”

To shore up their skier experience, The Homestead in Glen Arbor offers a creative array of family-friendly activities, too. The resort only opened slopes for two weeks last year, as snow conditions are a bit more delicate because of The Homestead’s proximity to the warmth of Lake Michigan. But the location, views and overall skier

photo courtesy of Go Ski Michigan

Ski resorts know that attracting families with young children, as well as priming Gen Z kids for the slopes, represents not just sustainability but future growth for the industry. Effective marketing and social media campaigns that speak to tomorrow’s rippers will keep skiers returning to Northern Michigan hills year after year, despite the inconsistent weather conditions.

Young adults and children 17 and under account for a lower percentage of visits to U.S. ski areas than they did a decade ago. That means resorts must heed the call and promote their experience on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram with the hopes of capturing the youth audience—and ensuring they become lifelong customers.

Some in the game see post-Covid opportunity. “Since 2020, when most of the state was shut down for the pandemic, skiing experienced a strong rise in popularity, and that has continued,” says Ben Doornbos at Nub’s Nob. “People have returned to the sport or discovered it for the first time.”

The big dogs like Boyne Mountain and The Highlands at Harbor Springs—the largest ski area in Michigan’s lower peninsula—are diversifying their appeal, too. Boyne is home to the popular SkyBridge, with panoramic views in all four seasons (and a dazzling Lights in the Sky stroll this winter), as well as an indoor water park, ziplines, tubing

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“EX PECTATIONS A RE HIGHER THIS YEA R BECAUSE OF THE WINTER WE HAD LAST YEA R. PEOPLE A RE EXCITED. THEY WA NT TO GET BACK OUT ON THE SLOPES.” – B R A D JAC OB S E N S K I OP E R A T IO N S DI R E C T OR A T T R E ET OP S R E S ORT

photo courtesy of Crystal Mountain

experience are a part of the draw, and Homestead President Bob Kuras hinted that events this year could include live entertainment like magicians and jugglers, art shows and collaborations with the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail.

To improve its visitor experience, Caberfae Peaks in Cadillac has renovated one of its older lodges and dedicated the space to day trippers bringing brown-bag lunches or hot meals in crockpots.

“What makes Caberfae special is we’re extremely downhome and family-friendly,” says General Manager Pete Meyer. “We hear that from our customers.”

Crockpots are nice, but they’re no substitute for skiable runs, and this year Caberfae also muscled up on snowmaking, installing another pump and 10 more guns to its fleet, which now totals 160.

The resort also has new lines from Consumers Energy to power the operation and ensure fewer outages.

Meyer emphasized that resorts all offer live webcams and social media updates to keep skiers informed. “It’s become extremely transparent,” he says.

Despite last year’s difficult season, Caberfae operated for 98 days, opening on December 2 and staying open until March 17. The Cadillac destination was the southernmost ski resort to welcome skiers for a three-week span over the holidays last year.

Not all resorts have turned to snow guns to stabilize their season—but there are still tactics that allow them to make the most of every inch Mother Nature gives them.

Searchmont, the mammoth ski hill north of Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, just an hour’s drive from the international border, enjoys a skier’s dream of a microclimate, with lake-effect dumps from lakes Michigan, Huron and Superior. The resort is working to rebuild its Michigan customer base following the dregs of Covid-19, which all but shut down cross-border tourism for a year.

The resort, which offers 604 feet of vertical and resembles a mountain more than a Midwestern hill, once drew 60 percent of its customers from the mitten state. Now the majority are Canadian.

Searchmont wants to flip that trend, says General Manager Steven

Spiessman. In addition to new snow guns to allow for early season base-laying, the resort has invested heavily in new lifts, an upgraded restaurant, improved grooming capability and 12 new hotel condominium suites. “We expect this year to be the best Searchmont has had in years,” Spiessman says.

“We’re well on our way back.”

Mount Bohemia, located near the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula in the northern reaches of the Upper Peninsula, doesn’t make snow. But with 5-foot winters no longer a given, in recent seasons the staff there has cleaned out the downed trees on the mountain, so the resort requires half as much snow to open.

Last year, the ungroomed, glade-run destination, which channels the vibes of a small European ski resort from the 1960s, opened on January 17, closed for several days in March, and reopened until April.

“Two years earlier, we skied on May 1,” says Mount Bohemia President Lonie Glieberman. A series of spring storms had skiers rejoicing, reminding Michiganders that if there’s anything we can count on, it’s the inevitability of unpredictable weather.

Fortunately, meteorologists are predicting a La Niña winter in early 2025, which suggests colder air hovering over the Midwest. That should give our winter sports destinations a shot in the arm.

“Climate change doesn’t mean we’re not gonna have winters,” Glieberman says. “It just means they are more erratic.”

And wherever it may fall, whenever it’s cold enough for the guns to roar, Michigan snow will call us to chase it.

Jacob Wheeler is an indie-journalist who publishes the Glen Arbor Sun. JA N UA RY 2 0 2 5

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WHAT A VIEW Photographer Tyler Leipprandt is known for hanging out of helicopters to get jaw-dropping shots from above.

His new book, MIconic , shows off our state’s most iconic sights and landmarks throughout the seasons—dancing aurora, cascading waterfalls, Mackinac Island sunrises and Sleeping Bear snowstorms. Here, Leipprandt shares some of his bucket-list moments from a decade behind the lens.

Captions and Photos by Tyler Leipprandt

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LOCATION: Silver Lake, Traverse City THE STORY BEHIND THE SHOT: Silver Lake is a small lake just a few blocks from our house. If you look closely in the photo, you can see downtown Traverse City and Old Mission Peninsula.

This photo had been on my mind for so long, but there was a small problem: Typically, when there is a very bright rainbow, it’s also raining. Falling water and drones do not mix well. To my surprise, the propellers of the drone helped shield it from getting too wet, and I was able to go after the shot I had in mind. As I reached the middle of Silver Lake and positioned my drone a few hundred feet in the air, I could not believe what I was seeing: A full circle rainbow!

PRO TIP: Believe it or not, I later found out that all rainbows are a full circle, it’s just that we can only see the top half from our vantage point on the ground. People in an aircraft, or a drone, can sometimes see the entire circle.

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LOCATION: The Narrows, Lake Leelanau THE STORY BEHIND THE SHOT: The Narrows splits north and south Lake Leelanau with a bridge that crosses over protected wetlands. As I made my way toward Lake Michigan, I crossed the bridge and saw thick freezing fog blanketing the wetlands and covering the surrounding trees in a layer of ice.

PRO TIP: With cold temperatures, you never know what you’re going to find. The more you get out, the more you will be rewarded, and this morning sure left me with a great photo.

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above: LOCATION: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Empire THE STORY BEHIND THE SHOT: The 70,000-acre park has 65 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan with bluffs that rise 400-plus feet above the waves. The waters along the dunes have an intense color to them, even in winter. I wanted to capture an aerial image that displayed the contrast in blues, from the depths of Lake Michigan to the snow-kissed tips of the dunes.

PRO TIP: The national lakeshore is a no-drone zone, meaning it’s illegal to launch, land or operate here, which is why I take off from the public Empire Beach. below: LOCATION: Mission Point Lighthouse, Old Mission Peninsula THE STORY BEHIND THE SHOT: While out photographing the northern lights, I wanted to somehow capture the aurora with the lighthouse. This is possible if you take the photo from the back of the lighthouse looking north toward the water, but then you don’t get to see the best side of the lighthouse. After taking pictures for an hour on the backside, I decided to head down to the water and try. The aurora that night was amazing and danced throughout the sky. At one point, I turned away from the water to look at the lighthouse, and that’s when I saw the aurora raining down in the southern sky. In a fury, I positioned myself to capture the photo and marveled at the sights.

PRO TIP: The Michigan Aurora Chasers Facebook page is especially helpful with experts posting alerts and real-time photos along with educational resources and night sky photography tips. There are also several free forecast apps for your phone like Space Weather Live.

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LOCATION: High Rollaways, Buckley THE STORY BEHIND THE SHOT: The bend in the Manistee River combined with the high vantage point on the sandy hills makes this view so special.

This photo was taken three or four years ago, and it was my goal to capture peak fall colors at golden hour. Upon getting to the lookout platform, I was surprised by the mix of sun and fog, which made the image pop even more.

PRO TIP: The High Rollaways sit along the North Country Trail, offering riverside hiking opportunities with beautiful scenes around every bend.

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LOCATION: Black Star Farms, Old Mission Peninsula THE STORY BEHIND THE SHOT: Every May, I try to get out and photograph the budding cherry blossoms, and Old Mission Peninsula always draws me back.

Black Star Farms, a local winery, has an orchard near the shores of East Grand Traverse Bay, and I was able to catch the blossoms shimmering in the morning sun.

PRO TIP: Start your peninsula road trip at Bubbie’s Bagels (in May, don’t miss their homemade seasonal ramp cream cheese). Stop for fresh flowers at The Farm at Cherry Hill, and make sure to stop at the Center Road Scenic Overlook with sweeping views of vineyards and West Grand Traverse Bay.

LOCATION: Empire Bluff Trail, Empire THE STORY BEHIND THE SHOT: I have walked this trail at all hours of the day to try to capture its beauty. On one spring evening years ago, the sky lit up with an incredible afterglow as the sun went down. The shores of Lake Michigan were still strewn with large ice chunks as the seasons were just beginning to shift.

PRO TIP: This trail is family-friendly! Depending on the weather, my kids love to play at the nearby Empire Beach playground, too. It sits right by the water and is a huge hit.

Get the book: MIconic is available online and exclusively at M22 in downtown Traverse City. michiganskymedia.com

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“

There were just so many moments where we got to look at each other and feel like, ‘This is the best day ever!’

—BRIDE CASSIDY KUREK

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A chic soirée redefines Up North wedding fashion.

BY MELISSA CONRADIE PHOTOS BY AMY CARROLL PHOTOGRAPHY

n a beautiful summer day in northern michigan, Riley Billingsley Juárez and Adrián Juárez celebrated their love lakeside at the private residence of Riley’s aunt and uncle, Brenda and Ross. Since Riley was a little girl, she dreamed of one day saying “I do” among their lush gardens, surrounded by the beauty of their one-of-a-kind Traverse City property.

Like many couples, Riley and Adrián wanted their wedding to reflect their own bold style. Long gone are the days of the “traditional” wedding planning approach; couples are redefining what it means to plan their big day and are more excited than ever to think outside the box.

For Riley and Adrián, that personalized approach involved sharing their story, including their family and honoring their culture. ›

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When starting the planning process, they first focused on weaving their love story into their special day, and theirs began in a Los Angeles restaurant where they both worked.

Riley and Adrián found creative ways to pay homage to their meeting wherever they could—from the invitations Riley designed to look like old-school guest checks, to the restaurant-themed table numbers.

It was also important to them to include their families’ stories. For Riley, that meant taking part in a time-honored tradition of riding in her grandmother’s convertible Oldsmobile Cutlass—the pride and joy of their family.

Like many other couples in Riley’s family, Riley and Adrián cruised the streets of Traverse City post-ceremony in the beloved vintage sports car.

The couple also honored Adrián’s Mexican heritage and culture on their big day.

“Traverse City is my hometown and a place that means so much to both of us, but honoring my husband’s Mexican heritage to show the melding of our two families was really important to us,” Riley says. ›

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→ On Trend ← Bold Groom Fashion Grooms are stepping away from the classic black or navy suit, and also opting for accessories that are a little less formal, like Adrián’s white and maroon Nike high tops that he wore to the reception.

Stylish Accessories Accessorizing is the best way to tie your signature style together, much like Riley did with her embroidered blush-pink veil.

Dessert Stations Couples are skipping the traditional wedding cake and requesting smaller, less conventional wedding cakes and/or offering an assortment of sweets for their guests to enjoy. Riley and Adrián chose an ice cream sundae bar from Moomers Homemade Ice Cream.

Personalization In the modern-day wedding planning process, personalization is everything. The little touches are often most loved and appreciated by your nearest and dearest.

Guests want to feel like they just walked away from an event that was uniquely you.

“I knew I wanted to wear a bow veil à la Julia Roberts in ‘Runaway Bride,’” Riley says. “My mom found this pink tulle with cherries at EB2 in Traverse City and gave it to me thinking maybe I could use it for something wedding related. My friend Mason was able to make the fabric into a stunning veil with a pink bow on top. It seemed fitting to honor my TC roots!”

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“The inspiration for my suit was the iconic heroes of Mexico—the ‘charros’ that were movie stars, musical super stars, and the mariachi who would play at my family gatherings for celebrations,” Adrián says. “It’s about looking up to them and paying homage not only to my culture, but also to the spirit of celebration.” The fabric was purchased at B.Black & Sons, which has been open since 1922 in the heart of the Los Angeles Garment District, and custom made by El Charrito.

resources Event Planning & Design: Conradie Event Design Photography: Amy Carroll Photography // Floral Design: Bittersweet & Co Floral // Beauty: K. Noelle Artistry Dress: Mac Duggal, Anthropologie Weddings // Suit: B.Black & Sons, El Charrito // Catering: Boathouse Restaurant // Bar: Mammoth Distilling Dessert: Moomers Ice Cream // Entertainment: Chris Smith & DJ Marco // Rentals: Event Theory, GJ’s Rentals, Gigi & LaClede, BBJ La Tavola Linens Transportation: Blue Lakes By The Bay

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The groom’s mother, Angelica, sourced personalized papel picado banners from Mexico that are displayed in times of celebration, especially weddings. The banners adorned the ceiling of the reception tent, and colorful pom-poms lined the ceremony aisleway.

The couple’s love of vibrant colors and eclectic designs inspired their entire wedding vision. From jaw-dropping style (hello, babydoll pink tulle wedding dress and charro suit!) to the perfect finishing touches (Riley’s pink tulle veil embroidered with cherries), each choice the couple made reflected their creative, fun-loving style.

Melissa Conradie lives in Traverse City with her husband, Dawie, and English bulldog, Lola. Melissa’s event planning and design company, Conradie Event Design, has been creating unique memories in exceptional locations since 2011.

The eye-catching dress Riley wore was a Mac Duggal gown from Anthropologie Weddings.

“I knew I wanted a pink dress but never thought I would find one in a wedding dress shop,” Riley says. “I instantly loved it, but it had a lace underlay that I didn’t love, so my friend and talented clothing designer Mason Bunnell was able to change out the lace for some polka dot fabric that I think complemented the vintage look of the dress perfectly.”

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Wedding on Walloon With an unhurried vacation--on--the--lake--feel, a couple gathers friends and family from afar to celebrate their love in their new favorite place.

TEXT BY MEAGAN FRANCIS PHOTOS BY JENNA GREENAWALT PHOTOGRAPHY

B

efore 2019, columbus, ohio, natives cassidy and chris had never been to Northern Michigan. “Growing up, most people went south for vacations, to North Carolina or Florida,” explains Cassidy. But after moving to Detroit for Chris’s job in 2019, the couple finally visited the area on the recommendation of a client. “We were like, oh my gosh—how did we not know this existed?” says Cassidy. So when Chris came home from work one day and asked if Cassidy would consider moving to Petoskey, it didn’t take long for her to give a hearty “yes.”

The next “yes” was still a couple of years away, after they’d had a chance to establish some Northern Michigan memories of their own. For his proposal, Chris re-created a trip the two had taken when they were initially exploring the area: a winery tour, a kayak trip, a dune hike, with the engagement ring stashed under Chris’s baseball cap the whole day. >

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And soon after Cassidy said “yes,” Chris posed a third question: “Why don’t we just get married up here?” Cassidy resisted the idea at first, thinking the travel would be inconvenient for their guests, most of whom still lived in Ohio. But Chris persisted. “What’s more romantic and cool than bringing all the people we love to this place that we’ve completely fallen in love with?” he argued.

Cassidy was convinced, and their next decision—to hold the wedding at Hotel Walloon—was an easy one. The couple loved kayaking the lake, and Chris’s parents had stayed at Hotel Walloon a few times, “so we knew how amazing it was,” says Chris. Since they wanted a smaller wedding, Hotel Walloon’s intimate size, with just 32 guest rooms, suited the couple perfectly. “We imagined it would be like summer camp.”

As family and friends gathered in the week leading up to the wedding, Cassidy and Chris basked in the shared appreciation of their new home. “Our friends and family were amazed,” says Chris. Guests fished, boated, and just relaxed in the Northern Michigan atmosphere: “They really treated it like a vacation, and that was our dream come true,” says Chris.

On the wedding day itself, the festivities began with a lateafternoon ceremony on Hotel Walloon’s brick waterfront patio.

After they were pronounced Mr. and Mrs. Kurek, the couple walked down the hotel’s dock and climbed into a vintage Chris

Craft and took a private ride around the lake while their guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the hotel patio. “Our guests just watched us sailing away while we waved back at them,” Chris says with a smile. “That was a really epic moment.”

Throughout the wedding week, the couple’s 100 guests were able to stay mostly in one place, lending the festivities an unhurried, relaxed feeling and allowing Cassidy and Chris to achieve another dream: that of being together for the majority of the wedding day. Since no time had been lost in traveling from one venue to another, they’d had plenty of opportunity to connect with loved ones and were able to relax and enjoy one another’s company during the reception. “Chris and I really made a point to not leave each other’s side the whole day and evening,” Cassidy says. “There were just so many moments where we got to look at each other and feel like, ‘This is the best day ever!’”

LAKE VACATION VIBES

“We wanted the vibe to be really laid-back, like a family lake vacation, but elevated,” says Cassidy. The garden-party theme was supported by “cheerful, joyful touches,” like a colorful sailcloth tent. The hotel lobby was decorated with old family photos: loved ones who had passed away, but also childhood vacations of the couple and their families. “It almost felt like

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we were hosting everyone in our own home.” Keeping with the relaxed, beachside feel, Vernales catered four courses, including a fresh whitefish and shrimp ceviche that was waiting for guests when they were initially seated at the reception. “I can’t believe how much food we had. Nobody went hungry, that’s for sure,” laughs Cassidy. The seated dinner was followed by a raucous rave-like party right in the lobby, complete with strobe lights and lasers, “that completely transformed the space,” says Chris. In addition to a traditional wedding cake, the couple offered another beachside nod: treats from Jeni’s Ice Cream. “A highlight of the night was pushing the ice cream cart around the dance floor and serving our friends!” Cassidy says.

SMALL TOUCHES, BIG IMPACT

“Our planners loved working with the Hotel Walloon staff— they’re super responsive, really helpful, just truly willing to do whatever and go above and beyond any idea that we pitched to them,” says Cassidy, citing extra surprises, like the door key cards printed with Cassidy and Chris’s engagement photo and the wedding date, handwritten letters from hotel staff in the honeymoon suite, and even a special present from the gift shop that a staff member had overheard Cassidy admiring during a visit weeks earlier. “Nothing felt like it was asking too much, and from the moment we walked in the door, Chris and I felt like royalty.”

Meagan Francis is a writer whose work has appeared in Parenting, Good Housekeeping, Parents, Midwest Living, The Washington Post, NBCNews.com, NYTimes.com, and is the author of the forthcoming The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read.

resources Venue: Hotel Walloon // Planner: Lexxie and Natasha with Aisle & Co. // Photographer: Jenna Greenawalt // Content Creator: Wedding Days with Dania Florist: Sweetwater Floral // Hair: Sarah Whittaker // Makeup: Angie Warren Artistry // Dress: Alex Perry from Ultimate Bride Chicago // Bridesmaids Dresses: Jenny Yoo Paper Details and Invitation Suite: Designed by bride, printed by Avant Garde Impressions // Entertainment: DJ Casey Rusch with Rusch Entertainment Rentals: TC Tented Events // Catering: Vernales // Dessert: Jeni's Ice Cream // Ice Cream Cart and Sailboat Painting: Lovely Arrows Designs JA N UA RY 2 0 2 5

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Wedding Notebook Hotel Walloon Your Dream Wedding In Northern Michigan’s Hidden Oasis Nestled on the east shores of Walloon Lake, Hotel Walloon is an iconic setting for elegant lakeside weddings.

Choose from an array of sophisticated venues with a unique history, including stunning, customizable indoor and outdoor spaces overlooking Walloon’s crystal-clear waters. Our waterfront venues also provide an exquisite space for rehearsal dinners, welcome receptions, and fond farewell brunches.

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LAKESIDE VENUES: Hotel Walloon and the Village of Walloon Lake offer four different wedding venues to pair together for your wedding weekend. With over 11,000 square feet of venue space, we can host intimate to large celebrations, based on your vision for your perfect wedding.

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Hotel Walloon offers an unparalleled experience.

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WEDDING WEEKEND EXPERIENCE: Friday Rehearsal Dinner at Walloon Lake Inn. Welcome Party on Hotel Walloon’s Patio.

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LOCATION: Explore the beauty of Michigan from our central location. Travel from Walloon Lake village to Petoskey, Boyne City, Harbor Springs, Mackinac Island, and Traverse City.

HOTEL WALLOON AMENITIES Hotel Walloon offers various types of guest rooms. Each guest room has the below array of amenities included in the room rate: • A relaxing Hearth Room that offers (4) food presentations throughout the day including a continental breakfast, fruit, cookies, and snacks through the afternoon, a hors d’oeuvres display from Walloon Lake Inn in the evening, followed by a dessert presentation.

• Semi-private porch and/or balcony for each guest room • Complimentary valet and concierge services • Private beach and patio area with heaters and a fire pit • An outdoor heated whirlpool spa, with a heated patio for year-round use • Billiards room • 24-hour fitness center • An exclusive bar in the Hearth room for Hotel guests only. Charges may be routed to a guest room or paid separately.

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A Grand Affair With turnkey planning, endless amenities and a oneof-a-kind setting, weddings become the experience of a lifetime at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. TEXT BY LISA BLAKE PHOTOS BY KATE ENGLISH PHOTOGRAPHY

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egan and ben jonker couldn’t have dreamed up a more perfect wedding day. The gorgeous sunny September afternoon caressed in soft breezes, the sunset ceremony on the private Beach Club deck on sparkling East Grand Traverse Bay, the barefoot sugar-sand photoshoot, and the adorable personalized touches woven into the ceremony and reception made it feel as though they’d rubbed a magic lamp and a genie had answered their every wish.

Enter the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa weddings team. The property’s wishgranting experts crafted Megan and Ben’s day down to the intentional hole in their tiered wedding cake made to look like the couple’s dog had snuck in a nibble.

“At their day-after brunch, the wedding party and guests said, ‘We can’t believe it’s over,’” says Payton Taylor, wedding sales and service manager. “The bride and groom and their parents ended up extending their stay by an extra day because they didn’t want it to end.”

Taylor has worked directly with dozens of couples, using special diagramming software to configure table arrangements, seating charts and prime dance floor placement; painting the weekend in detailed color palettes; arranging spa days and golf outings; and coordinating flawless rehearsal dinners, receptions and send-off brunches.

“The beauty of Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is that it’s genuinely a one-stop shop for weddings,” Taylor says. “And once you’re here, you really don’t have to leave for anything.”

The 900-acre Northern Michigan resort features nine flexible indoor and outdoor wedding venues, spanning ballrooms to a scenic overlook tower to the wooded championship golf course 55th Hole hideaway. The resort accommodates wedding parties as large as 500 and can orchestrate intimate events for parties as small as five. >

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property photos credit: Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

Destination weddings begin with complimentary guest shuttles to and from the airport. Guests settle into comfortable hotel rooms and condos; savor luxe spa treatments and active pickleball, tennis and golf gatherings; and indulge in specialty cocktails, dancing and culinary delights. The inhouse catering and pastry team goes above and beyond, creating menus around a couple’s specific tastes and authentic family traditions, greeting guests at cocktail hour with flutes of Champagne, and designing show-stopping wedding cakes and dessert tables. Resort staff is practiced at bring couples’ visions to life, whether its themes like Midnight in Paris or Moroccan soirée.

“If the couple can dream it, we can do it,” Taylor says.

Vintage getaway car exits and romantic horseback ceremony entrances have been seamlessly executed along with week-long family gatherings filled with time on the resort’s three championship golf courses, beaches, water playground and pools, dinners among five restaurants and lounges, and playtime at the full-service arcade with VR games and an escape room.

Couples typically reach out eight months to a year in advance of their desired wedding date and begin the planning process with Taylor and her team. A site tour and complimentary food tasting are enjoyed and couples often stay on property beforehand to soak up the amenities and map out the upcoming celebration.

As the big day approaches, the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa staff ensures every detail is in place, every piece of flatware is polished, every vendor is ready to go. Turnkey destination weddings unfold with ease and grace while couples take that first step into their next chapter.

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6 Insider Tips for a Glorious Mackinac Island Wedding The island holds the secret to destination wedding bliss.

by LISA BLAKE

With easy-access mini-destination weddings on the rise, dreamy Mackinac Island is finding itself at the top of 2025 wedding wishlists. Here, the inside scoop on how to make your Mackinac Island wedding sing: Spring for the Flight

Stepping onto the plane at quaint Mackinac County Airport, enjoying a bird’s-eye-view of Lake Huron and the iconic Mackinac Bridge, landing on Mackinac Island and taking a carriage ride to town sets a magical tone for the entire celebration. If the air taxi just isn’t in the cards, there are plenty of fast and frequent ferries and private wedding charter options to choose from.

Let the Vendors Do Their Thing

A florist delivering peonies by bike, a cake artist bringing the tiered buttercream in a carriage—common sights at this romantic destination. Because they are familiar with the island’s transportation rhythms, local vendors seamlessly coordinate logistics, ensuring everything you need arrives on time. Onisland wedding planners know every view, logistical technicality, ferry schedule and horse around the 8.2-mile island. DJ’s, officiants and florists are all here, so there’s no need to import and coordinate travel for off-island vendors.

photo by Sara Lynn Macy

Personalize It—Island Style

Mackinac Island is known as the Fudge Capital of the World; home to 13 fudge shops and seven fudge companies. Customize party favor boxes from Joann’s Fudge, gifts for guests and the wedding party from Ryba’s Fudge shops, or call on Original Murdick’s Fudge for a sweets bar stocked with fudgy favorites.

Mackinac Island is also 80 percent state park property, making it a beautiful landscape for a group hike or a personalized scavenger hunt.

Relish in a traditional post-ceremony carriage ride down Main Street, stopping for kisses as friendly visitors cheer you on. Tip: Have your photographer follow behind on a bicycle and make your way to the shoreline for a private shoot.

Get Married on a Tuesday

Nothing says you have to get married on a Saturday at sunset.

The blooming gardens, crystal blue waters, historic statues and fountains are here every day. Midweek ceremonies bring a sense of exclusivity and tranquility. Twilight gatherings enjoy lanternlit streets with more vendor flexibility and fewer crowds. Even the horses seem to move at a slower, easier pace.

Go Big on the Venue Photos

It’s not unusual for a Mackinac Island couple to select their wedding venue based on its breathtaking vistas and unreal setting. Embrace the Inn at Stonecliffe’s Victorian aesthetic and $40 million renovation and tour the onsite orchard and garden where ingredients are picked for reception dinners. Host a cocktail party on the iconic Grand Hotel porch. Exchange vows among stained glass and murals at Sainte Anne’s. Or channel the days of high tea and croquet with a Great Lawn celebration at Mission Point Resort.

Give Guests a Dose of Adventure

Guests enjoy a mini-vacay with a sip-n-sail boat cruise or preday spa session, golf outing or carriage ride. Plan an island bike ride with your wedding party, visiting historic landmarks and sampling fudge as you go. Go phone- and technology-free for a bit and fully welcome the island’s charming slower pace.

Look to this treasured Northern Michigan destination for a wedding you’ll hold in your hearts for the rest of your lives.

Start planning at mackinacisland.org.

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Looking for a modern, sophisticated space for your next event? 2 Lads Winery offers event space in a bold yet intimate setting for gatherings of up to 50 guests. From a milestone celebration to weddings, events at the winery are designed to make every moment unforgettable.

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Extraordinary Mackinac Island Weddings Await at Mission Point Resort.

Mission Point is Mackinac Island’s premier lakefront wedding location.

From romantic and sophisticated to comfortable and contemporary, we are here to deliver memories of a lifetime.

Julie Suddon, Wedding Sales Manager 906.430.8137 | weddings@missionpoint.com | missionpoint.com One Lakeshore Drive, Mackinac Island, MI 49757

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Vo ted the #1 Sp a AN D #1 Pla ce for a We dd ing Ab ov e th e Br idg e 3 Ye ars in a Ro w in the Re d Ho t Be st Aw ard s!

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wedding in the woods Rustic cabins.

Retro thermoses.

Felt pennants.

This camp-themed wedding is a vibe.

TEXT BY Allison Jarrell Acosta PHOTOS BY Rachel Burns Photography

hen it came time to plan the wedding of their dreams, devon and John Hanner knew it would take place surrounded by the natural beauty of Northern Michigan. Pair that with Devon’s love of antiques and anything retro, and you have a match made in mood board heaven.

In fact, if you’ve seen the iconic summer camp–inspired Wes Anderson film “Moonrise Kingdom” then you know the exact aesthetic the couple was going for: muted tones, felt pennants, vintage thermoses and all things camping.

With that theme in mind, it didn’t take long for Devon and John to tour Camp Deer Trails, nestled on Long Lake in Harrison. The 140-acre property features lakeside campsites, charming cabins and forested trails; they knew it was the perfect fit. ›

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“We loved the dense woods and waterfront views,” Devon says. “It also fit our theme perfectly—it’s a retired Girl Scout Camp that’s been recently renovated and reopened as a public campground and event center.

“When we first toured the venue, I was drawn to this rustic cabin toward the back of the property,” Devon continues. “It wasn’t really used for anything at the time, but I begged the owner, Courtney, to let us get married in it. It was just a shell of an empty cabin but had a gorgeous stone fireplace. We put

long wooden benches in it and lit some candles above the mantle. It was beautiful.”

Beyond their dream ceremony location, Devon says they loved the convenience of on-site lodging and catering. Guests could camp in cabins, rustic tents or rustic RV sites, or head to nearby Wilson State Park for full hook-ups. And for those craving a more urban option, the historic Doherty Hotel is just 20 minutes away in downtown Clare, as well as chic Airbnb options. In true camp fashion, Devon DIY’ed much › JA N UA RY 2 0 2 5

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of their wedding—she did her own wedding planning and designed the stationery. Her aunt, Carol Morse, made her son’s and daughter’s outfits. A family friend, Gus Murphy, stepped in as their florist. And Devon thrifted all of the décor. “It took me a long time,” she says of the thrifting, “but it was definitely worth it!”

Her favorite pieces were thermoses used as vases for their flower arrangements, and the custom felt pennant she had made from Oxford Pennant (“The Hanner Family, Est. 2022”).

In addition to these lovingly crafted details, family and friends enjoyed snacking on charcuterie boards by Longer Table in Harrison; a beef brisket and smoked chicken dinner from Cole’s Catering Service; and a full bar, including the bride’s 56 T R A V E R S E N O R T H E R N M I C H I G A N

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drink of choice, a mojito, and the groom’s favorite, whiskey sour.

And to top it all off, the desserts from Leaman’s Green Applebarn in Freeland were what dreams are made of: caramel apples, plenty of pie, s’more and strawberry rhubarb donuts.

“Our favorite moment was eating dinner together privately outside the rustic cabin we got married in,” Devon says. “Oftentimes brides and grooms get rushed off to the reception or to pictures right after the ceremony, and we

didn’t want that to be the case. It was important to us to make sure we had a little bit of time to ourselves to reflect after our ceremony.”

The late September celebration came together just as the couple hoped—even with rain and an autumn chill in the air.

The weather, they said, made their wedding in the woods that much cozier.

“We had rain and mud, but it was beautiful!”

resources Venue: Camp Deer Trails // Photography: Rachel Burns Photography // Hair & Makeup: Salon Blu // Dress: Becker’s Bridal Charcuterie: Longer Table // Desserts: Leaman’s Green Applebarn // Entertainment: Epic Beats // Custom Felt Banner: Oxford Pennant

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TAKE ME AWAY We adore the convertible Oldsmobile Cutlass newlyweds Riley Billingsley Juárez and Adrián Juárez took for a post-wedding spin around Traverse City.

For those who don’t have access to that kind of vintage glory in their garage, Hagerty’s DriveShare program has you covered. Rent a classic car for your big day, engagement photoshoot, honeymoon, you name it. – A.J.A.

photo by Amy Carroll Photography

Something Borrowed

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The Cu l i nary North local restaurants · craft drinks · seasonal cuisine

“

Breakfast at Frenchies Famous is the anti-brunch: Slow food made from scratch, served slowly in a doll’s house–sized storefront.

—EXECUTIVE EDITOR CARA MCDONALD

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photo by Tim Hussey

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The Cu l i nary North Destination Eats

THE ANTI-BRUNCH A surprising breakfast dish and comforting menu shine at cozy Frenchies Famous.

photos by Tim Hussey

B

by CARA MCDONALD

runch out can sometimes be a gird-yourloins experience—long waits, loud tables, huge menus, the clink of drinks (adding to the loud factor) and plates piled high with enough food to feed a human for the whole day.

But breakfast at Frenchies Famous is the anti-brunch: Slow food made from scratch, served slowly in a doll’s house–sized storefront that can barely hold five tables, a few more if the weather’s fine and diners spill onto the back patio.

Chef/owner French Clements and wife, Alisa, have helmed this tiny storefront with a cult following for more than 15 years, nurturing its sleepy, unpretentious vibe. The lunch crowd has long revered the pastrami Reuben, but the couple also serves a scratch-made breakfast menu that’s deliciously streamlined.

Start with a coffee—the espresso drinks are especially good, with not-too-sweet mocha and caramel lattes (made with sauces, not syrups) as standout treats. A dirty chai is

another good pick, with some warming spice, but a plain “mug o’ mud” will also set you right.

A pastrami Monte Cristo, biscuits and jam, crêpes with Greek yogurt and a host of tempting omelettes like chorizo with caramelized onion are an option until 11 a.m., when the menu pivots to lunch offerings, but one staple remains on both: the Egyptian breakfast beans.

On a recent visit, my friend Emily and I meant to sample and share, but neither of us could pass up the breakfast beans and each ordered our own. This ancient breakfast is a light stew that makes for a delicious departure from eggsand pork-forward options. Fava and garbanzos swim in a delicate sauce bright with olive oil, garlic, lemon and cumin, topped with diced tomatoes and feta, hugged by a side of fresh-baked focaccia. Opt to add a fried egg and it’s just enough oomph for a brunch dish without leaving you stuffed—a plan well-played, because that leaves room for a housemade chocolate chip cookie with flaky sea salt, perfect for sharing just a few more buttery bites.

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The Cu l i nary North Sip

Izabela says, adding that they’re pursuing organic certification.

The duo is also maintaining blocks of unfarmed meadows to increase biological diversity, both plant and insect, and are creating pollinator habitats, incorporating native plants wherever possible.

The orchards, forgotten for 15 years, are slowly being pruned, opening the tree canopies to increase airflow and sunlight. “The first time we walked through the orchard, we had to crouch down to get under all the scrambled branches,” Izabela says.

In 2023, they opened a tasting room, and in 2024, Derrick and Izabela began producing all their wines and ciders on site, a major milestone for this small but inby CARLY SIMPSON credibly mighty team of two.

When they met a decade ago, At Folklor, a new tasting room in Charlevoix, Derrick Vogel and the couple was working in healthIzabela Babinska believe that good wine starts with good soil. care management—Derrick in laboratory science and Izabela in grant development. A work trip n a quiet dirt road 15 minutes south of to New Zealand included a stop in the Hawke’s Bay wine Charlevoix, a 52-acre farm is coming back region. Though they didn’t know it at the time, it was a to life. life-changing moment.

Owned now by Derrick Vogel and IzaBack home, Izabela and Derrick started researching and bela Babinska, it was once a U-Pick cherry tasting every wine they could find. They volunteered in local orchard. After the trees were ripped out, it was leased to a vineyards and worked in tasting rooms in the Petoskey Wine neighboring farmer to grow corn; a 10-acre plot of apples Region. Derrick ultimately traded his 10-year healthcare caand pears left to grow wild. reer for a winemaking apprenticeship and then a full-time Derrick and Izabela purchased the property in 2021. vineyard management job.

Then they got to work.

The rest isn’t history—it’s long hours, hard work, pasOver the last four years, they’ve planted 12 acres of grapes sion—but as Derrick and Izabela pour their first bottles and about 20 different species of cover crops beneath the of estate wines, it is high time to raise a glass to taking young vines to increase microbiological and insect diversity. the leap.

Disease-resistant hybrid grape varieties like Muscaris and What to sip: The 2023 Thistle & Bloom, an off-dry, L’Acadie Blanc were selected to reduce the need for chemidelicate rosé, is a blend of organically grown L’Acadie cal fertilizers.

Blanc and Marechal Foch grapes. The flagship While “We rely on organic materials like compost and think Away cider is a crisp, easy-drinking blend of Wolf River, about cover cropping as part of our nutrition program,” Cortland, McIntosh and golden delicious apples.

FROM THE GROUND UP

photo courtesy of Folklor

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The Cu l i nary North In the Kitchen

LET IT SIMMER

by CARLY SIMPSON

It’s time to bring out your soup pot for a season of comfort cooking.

S

lowly falling snowflakes swirl around hibernating grapevines at Brys Estate as Patrick Brys uncorks a bottle of estate-grown pinot noir. Driven by the wisdom that his family’s wines are best experienced at the dinner table, Patrick has developed a cadre of seasonal recipes, including this rich cold-weather stalwart: cream of mushroom soup. The earthy mushrooms pair well with a glass of pinot noir; Brys’ 2021 Reserve has notes of black cherry, white pepper and a pleasant kick of spice on the nose. Raise a glass to winter comfort.

^ Cream of Mushroom & Herb Soup Serves 6 ½ stick of butter 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 2 cups) 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 eight-ounce containers sliced baby bella mushrooms ¼ cup flour photo by Todd Zawistowski

1 cup pinot noir 6 cups chicken stock 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, minced 1 cup heavy cream 2–2 ½ teaspoons kosher salt

1) Melt butter over medium heat in a large soup pot. Add onion and garlic and sauté till tender.

2) Add mushrooms and continue to sauté until the mushrooms are tender and most of the liquid has evaporated.

3) Add the flour, continue to stir and cook for 1 minute. Add the pinot noir and deglaze the pan, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.

5) Using an immersion blender, puree the soup. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can use a traditional blender to puree the soup in batches.

6) Finally, add cream, salt (the amount of salt will vary depending on the chicken stock you use) and pepper and stir to combine.

4) Next add the chicken stock and herbs.

Bring the soup to a boil, then simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.

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Love of the Land

get there

photo by Hans Isaacson

MT. BALDY Rising 1,300 feet high—700-plus feet above sea level—this peak in the Keweenaw Peninsula hides an otherworldly landscape crafted by the severity of Lake Superior. Beaten down by wind, precipitation and heavy snowfall, Mt. Baldy quite literally looks bald, and it’s that sparseness that creates breathtaking panoramic views as you hike along its rocky spine. Expect a challenging, wild trek; protected by The Nature Conservancy, this land is largely undisturbed and home to an array of rare plant species thriving among the wind-contorted white cedar and juniper. Your journey may also include observing a variety of migrating bird species and other wildlife (we’ve heard it’s quite possible to spot a wolf!).

Access: This hike, roughly 6 to 7 miles roundtrip, begins at the Nicole Bloom Memorial Trailhead, just a stone’s throw from the lakeside village of Eagle Harbor. Or for views of Mt. Baldy: take Brockway Mountain Drive between Eagle Harbor and Copper Harbor, or drive along M-26 between Eagle Harbor and Copper Harbor. –A.J.A.

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