A+ Digital DJs

Planning your dream wedding can be stressful, but A+ Digital DJs event professionals have the knowledge and expertise to take your event from a dream to a reality. A+ Digital DJs services include disc jockeys, live musicians (including violin, guitar, stand-up bass and saxophone), pre-recorded ceremony music, wedding reception entertainment, comprehensive planning forms, on-site event coordination, dance floor lighting, and planning assistance – all this, paired with no set-up, travel or down-time fees. And with the simplicity of online planning forms and event coordination services, bridal couples can rest assured that all the details will be taken care of!

Harborview Entertainment

A fabulous wedding awaits you with Harborview Entertainment. DJ George’s goal is to give the bride and groom the wedding they’ve always dreamed of. Harborview Entertainment focuses on reflecting the bridal couple’s unique personality and style. Especially when planning a destination wedding, Harborview Entertainment assists in helping make your engagement a special time to enjoy, not a time to stress over details. George’s clients know that the event will be professional, well planned, and fun!

Mike Davis Trio

The Mike Davis Trio, renowned for their classical and jazz performances, is one of the most popular musical trios in Northern Michigan. The classical trio includes a flute/vocal, cello/bass, and piano, while the jazz trio adds a mix of sax, bass and piano. Being able to perform as two trios with different styles makes the Mike Davis Trio an option for those interested in ceremony musicians and also those who desire live music throughout a wedding. The classical trio performs a wide variety of wedding ceremony classics, while the jazz trio provides the perfect musical choice for cocktail hours and dinner receptions. With demos available on their website, Mike Davis Trio makes entertainment planning a breeze!

Razor Entertainment

Razor Entertainment is a full service music booking company specializing in weddings, private events, corporate and incentive parties, and concert venues. With over 120 musicians across the state, the company can provide a wide variety of music for any occasion. Razor Entertainment booking services include ceremony musicians, cocktail and dinner hour ensembles, full dance bands and DJs, providing everything your event may need.

Rusch Entertainment

Rusch Entertainment features award winning DJs, bands, Dueling Pianos (lots of fun!), plus uplighting, photo booths and live musicians for your ceremony. Rusch Entertainment works with bridal couples to help guarantee they reserve the best entertainment for their once-in-a-lifetime event.

Ryan Rousseau Enterprises, LLC

DJ Ryan Rousseau has been a mobile DJ entertainer for over a decade and loves what he does! An excellent emcee, Ryan specializes in wedding receptions, corporate events, bar/bat mitzvahs and schools. As a well-seasoned party host, his attention to detail, attentiveness and years of experience help bridal parties feel at ease. He creates the ultimate party atmosphere by mixing a tremendous variety of music, going so far as to take to the dance floor himself to help lead any popular line dance. DJ Ryan Rousseau is passionate about providing each bridal couple with exceptional service. Paired with integrity, accommodation and class, his goal is to ensure your event meets and exceeds your every expectation.

Sound Productions

Sound Productions wedding specialists take pride in handling all the details so bridal couples can truly experience the moment. With experienced staff, Sound Productions DJs can custom create a unique wedding package by adding elegant up-lighting, crowd pleasing Photo booths, or timeless hidden videos. Whether planning a formal catered ballroom affair with hundreds of guests or a casual outdoor event, couples can feel confident that Sound Productions will provide unparalleled service and attention to detail.

Sylvia Norris – Harpist

Sylvia Norris, a Michigan native, has a classical background playing with symphony orchestras. A well known teacher at the renowned Interlochen Arts Camp, Sylvia enjoys bringing together musicians from the classical/jazz and pop/rock and Christian musical worlds in a combination of spectacular wedding music. She takes pride in working with each couple to ensure their wedding music is a unique reflection of them. Having performed in over twelve hundred weddings, she understands exactly how to dovetail the tricky transitions between ceremony elements to create a seamless flow; avoiding awkward pauses that hamper the magic of the moment. Sylvia loves people and loves to make a bride feel like she is “queen for a day”. She is very comfortable working with the Castle staff. Her son Phillip and his wife Crystal were actually married in the Queen’s Courtyard seven years ago!

Jonathan David Mays – Charlevoix Wedding Pastor

Formal or casual, sacred or civil, traditional or original, religious or spiritual, Reverend Jonathan David Mays will take care of everything you need to make your ceremony unforgettable. An ordained minister, Rev. Mays has vast experience in working with couples through all stages of their journey. He assists couples in customizing their wedding service to fit who they are, blending professionalism and a sense of humor into each ceremony in which he presides. Rev. Mays also offers couples the complimentary option of receiving couple-tested, marriage-strengthening resources. His list of services include a personalized wedding ceremony, preparation and enrichment relationship inventories, a couples workbook, face-to-face and/or virtual marriage consultation, wedding rehearsal preparation, local travel, plus professional referrals. For a wedding ceremony that is guaranteed to be as beautiful, unique and sacred as your relationship, contact Rev. Jonathan David Mays.

Reverends Ken and Judy Grimes

Ken, an ordained Lutheran minister, has extensive experience with bridal couples, having served as officiate at more than 4,000 ceremonies. His wife Judy, an ordained minister of the Unity Church, has officiated at more than 1,700. Together the Revs. Grimes offer bridal couples the benefits of their vast experience, reliability and practical knowledge gained through their years of experience with wedding celebrations. Having averaged thirty to thirty-five Castle Farms ceremonies over the past few years, Ken and Judy know the Castle and its staff very well, ensuring the planning is effortless and the ceremonies flow smoothly.

Reverends Edwin and Glad Remaly

Reverends Ed and Glad would be the first to protest that they are not “wedding vendors”. Rather, they consider themselves supremely blessed and it to be their great pleasure to serve in their “golden years” by joining countless happy couples together in matrimony. Both Ed and Glad perform numerous weddings at Castle Farms each year. With Ed and Glad in charge, bridal couples find planning to be a breeze, with little stress involved and worries virtually eliminated. Ed and Glad are readily available to meet with couples during the planning process, ensuring that each couple’s ceremony will be totally unique and memorable, and the perfect start to an unforgettable wedding celebration with family and friends.

A Matter of Taste

“One cannot think well, love well, and sleep well, if one has not dined well.” A Matter of Taste embodies that quote with the presentation, taste, and quality – using local ingredients and innovative courses to create an upscale dining experience to match any budget. Their professional, energetic catering team specializes in weddings, rehearsal dinners and other celebrations. Chefs Ginny and Gregg McCallum, both culinary graduates of Macomb Community College and Kendall College, have created their own style of catering through their education, world travel, and experience. Their passion for food and detail takes a reception from good to fabulous.

Photos provided by A Matter of Taste.

BJ’s Restaurant, Rentals and Catering 

Nestled in beautiful northern Michigan is BJ’s Restaurant, Rentals and Catering. BJ’s offers an unlimited selection of delectable delights to make your palate come alive. Along with their mouth-watering catering, BJ’s also offers unprecedented rentals for your event, helping to make your special day a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With their extensive line of services, BJ’s Restaurant, Rentals and Catering is sure to be an amazing fit for your event.

 
Photos provided by BJ’s Restaurant, Rentals and Catering.

Catering by Kelly’s

Catering by Kelly’s is a family owned and operated business, serving northern Michigan since 1986. Using a combination of only the finest ingredients and artistic presentation to create a service that exceeds expectations, Catering by Kelly’s can prepare almost anything a bride and groom desire, and design special menus to fit any occasion.

Photos provided by Catering by Kelly’s.

Grey Gables Inn Restaurant and Catering

One of Charlevoix’s premiere restaurants for nearly 75 years, Grey Gables Inn Restaurant and Catering has developed a strong name in dining and catering. Chefs Kelly and Darren Romano, both graduates of the Culinary Institute of America, combine fresh ingredients with a creative flair guaranteed to leave guests with a lasting impression, be it at a laid back picnic or a black-tie event. Their products, services and professional presentation and standards make Grey Gables Inn a preferred caterer sure to fulfill your every wedding catering need.

Photos courtesy of Facebook: Grey Gables Inn Restaurant and Catering.

Pigs Eatin’ Ribs

Pigs Eatin’ Ribs specializes in REAL smokehouse style barbeque, using the freshest meats, finest spices, and as much local produce as possible. Everything is homemade, from sauces and dressings to breads. A fully mobile caterer, Pigs Eatin’ Ribs can cook on-site using a wood-fired barbeque pit, and can customize a menu to fit any budget or taste. They offer catering services for receptions, rehearsal dinners, late night snacks, luncheons, anniversary parties, etc. Awarded the 2012 New Business of the Year award by the Charlevoix Chamber of Commerce, Pigs Eatin’ Ribs is sure to give your guests a unique meal experience they won’t forget.

Photos provided by Pigs Eatin’ Ribs.

Bella e Dolce

Bella e Dolce has been creating wedding cakes and pastries since 1997. Pastry Chef Kim is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School in Paris, France. She travels around the world, searching for the highest quality ingredients, seeking out inspiration for innovative new designs, which come together in the unique and delicious combinations Bella e Dolce has to offer. Each of Kim’s cakes is made from scratch, and the decorations/garnishes are all handmade. While many clients enjoy simple finishes such as buttercream or chocolate glaze, Kim can also create cakes with fondant, texture, color and carved shapes. The possibilities are endless. At tastings, which are available by appointment, bridal couples can sample all cake and filling flavors, then create their favorite combinations. Once those are chosen, design details can be discussed with Bella e Dolce staff and chefs.

Bella e Dolce will be expanding in 2014 to include a Southeastern Michigan location. “Bella e Dolce-South”, based in Walled Lake, will be owned and operated by Pastry Chef Erin, a graduate of Schoolcraft College Culinary Arts, as well as a long time employee and friend of Kim’s. The Bella e Dolce-South location will also offer available tastings sessions for clients being married in Northern Michigan.

Kingsley Cakes

Kingsley Cakes prides itself on offering brides and grooms the chance to design a cake that’s not only beautiful, but tastes amazing. Once the concept and flavors are chosen, designer Linda will assist in picking just the right sized cake to accommodate your guest list, as well as offer tips on how to guarantee the top ‘anniversary’ tier of your wedding cake stays fresh. Kingsley Cakes offers free tastings and military discounts.

TasT Creations

TasT Creations specializes in wedding cakes, grooms’ cakes, cupcakes and pastries. Serving Michigan from Mackinaw Island to Grand Rapids since 1998, TasT Creations designer Glory is best known for her variety of flavors, fillings and frostings, and for winning competitions like The Mackinaw Bridge 50^th Anniversary Cake Contest! TasT Creations can be found through their website, as well as on Twitter and Facebook.

First up: our beautiful “Accommodation” options in Charlevoix and the surrounding area. Read on for a snapshot of each business. And meanwhile, keep watching for our next Preferred Service Provider post!

AmericInn of Charlevoix

Expect the very best service, quality and good night’s sleep at the AmericInn Lodge & Suites Charlevoix. Located two miles north of downtown Charlevoix and fifteen minutes from Petoskey, the AmericInn is a convenient accommodation for all. The hotel features comfortable quiet rooms and suites, with amenities such as whirlpools, fireplaces, refrigerators and microwaves. An indoor pool, hot tub and sauna make your stay that much more relaxing. Each morning features a free, hot, home-style American Perk breakfast. Other amenities include hotel-wide high-speed internet, guest laundry facilities, and a meeting room. Kids under 16 stay for free. Wedding groups, special rates and room blocking are available.

Photos courtesy of CharlevoixAmericInn.com

Edgewater Inn of Charlevoix

The Edgewater Inn is Charlevoix’s only waterfront all-suite hotel offering nightly rentals. Each unit is a privately owned condominium featuring separate bedrooms, bathrooms and living rooms. Every unit contains a kitchenette, allowing you the option to make meals if desired. The Edgewater Inn offers an indoor/outdoor swimming pool, sauna, hot tub and fitness room. An on-site restaurant features elegant cuisine. For wedding groups, The Edgewater Inn offers a 10% discount on all rooms for groups utilizing at least 20 room nights (excluding the months of July and August). The hotel also features a Conference Room that can be used for rehearsal dinners.

Photos courtesy of Edgewater Inn

House on the Hill Bed and Breakfast

Located just seventeen minutes from Castle Farms, The House on the Hill Bed & Breakfast is Northern Michigan’s premier Bed & Breakfast. Recognized two years in a row as the “Best B&B in Northwest Michigan” by the Graphic newspaper, The House on the Hill features eight rooms, each with its own private bathroom. Three course gourmet breakfasts served each morning. With private access to kayaks, canoes and snowshoes, guests can hike 53 acres of trails or enjoy sunsets at the lake! The House on the Hill Bed & Breakfast provides the utmost in hospitality, with wedding guests well taken care of. For larger wedding groups, The House on the Hill offers two side-by-side cottages located on Six Mile Lake, only two miles from the main Bed & Breakfast. Weekly (Saturday to Saturday) rentals are available July and August; during other months, a two-night minimum stay is required.

Photos courtesy of House on the Hill

Weathervane Terrace Inn and Suites

The Weathervane Terrace is Charlevoix’s only AAA diamond rated hotel. Designed by renowned architect Earl Young, the Weathervane Terrace reflects the same design, spirit and service as Castle Farms. Located merely 300 feet from the beach, the hotel features standard rooms, deluxe patio rooms, suites, and Jacuzzi rooms with balcony views of Lake Michigan. Complimentary continental breakfast and Wi-Fi are available. A heated, outdoor pool invites guests to relax, while a hot tub spa offers guests a warm respite from the day’s activities. Conference room available. Wedding groups are booked and housed in rooms within close proximity to one another.

Photo courtesy of Weathervane Terrace

All of our decorations were DIY. We took advantage of after-Christmas sales, and spent time making pieces in the months before the wedding. The day before, a large crew helped us decorate; everything turned out amazing! Our winter wedding centerpieces and favors were unique, playing on our theme of “Up North”. We incorporated some fun details, like offering slipper socks to anyone who wanted to take their shoes off. We even made a sign that said “We don’t want you to get cold feet, either!” My favorite part? The dozens of little snowflake ornaments we hung from chandeliers. It looked like it was snowing indoors!

It took an army of friends and family to make everything come together, and we’re incredibly fortunate that our friends are not only talented, but extremely generous. Our photographers (great friends, Jordan Buzzy and Mitch Borden of ThoughtWell Media), shot our engagement and wedding photos as a wedding gift. Our friend Stephanie Hahn made 500+ cake balls that were absolutely delicious. Darin’s mom helped make dessert, and my brother, Ian, served as the DJ, keeping the dance floor full the entire night! Samantha Randolph, a freelance graphic designer based in New Orleans, custom designed all our stationary, and Breanne Kanak painted our guest “book”, a giant painting of a pine tree which everyone signed. My mom’s best friend, Stacy Piller, became ordained just for us, and officiated at our ceremony.

Darin and I could not be happier with our wedding day. It was beautiful, and everyone had a blast! Plus, it meant so much that so many people were willing to help us have the perfect day. If it weren’t for our amazing family and friends, it never would have happened. Working with the staff at Castle Farms was also great. They made planning from a distance much less stressful, and everything the day-of went off without a hitch!

Photos by Jordan Buzzy Photography.

My fiancé and I got engaged over the summer. Shortly after that, we decided to have a “Winter Wedding,” just six months later. Mostly this was due to wanting to enjoy the snowy weather in closer proximity to his home-state (and much closer to his family), plus we wanted our guests to experience something a little more original and different than the average wedding. What better way to make our wedding stand out in everyone’s minds than by an amazing snowy winter wedding followed by skiing?

We began the planning by picking the venue and date. We quickly agreed that Castle Farms would be the perfect place for our most special day. The Castle proved very flexible, and very reasonably priced. Once the date was set, we started on the details: our wedding theme and colors, plus the size of the guest list.

Early January proved to be perfect. It’s still part of the Holiday Season, with everyone still glowing in the holiday mode, and possibly still on vacation after New Years. The little town of Charlevoix (where Castle Farms is located) was still decorated with Christmas trees and lights, adding to our Winter Wonderland Theme. Since I wanted to avoid any “red-and-green-and-Santa-Christmas-influence”, we opted for winter hues of icy cobalt blue and silver. To accent the Winter Wonderland Theme, plus add a splash of sparkle and elegance, we decided to add crystals to the decorations (and even on my dress!). After that, the ideas started flowing. We decided the “snowflake” would be a big part of our theme, adding even more of a winter mood to the overall experience. We were able to find quite a few snowflake-themed ideas for decorations, such as frosted glass vases and crystal trees, plus wedding favors such as small metal snowflake ornaments, which made it easier for our guests to take home. The snowflake was also an easy logo to print on our customized napkins, banners, programs, invitations, etc.

It was a very small family-only wedding, and ultimately, that proved the key to helping make our wedding so rich in details and decorations. With a guest list of less than 35, we were able to focus on every detail, making our Winter Wonderland Wedding a very intimate and exquisite experience for all who attended. And while the formal family wedding photos were taken inside Castle Farms, my Groom and I toughed it out in the snow for the Bride & Groom photo session. Those outside shots of the two of us together in our Winter Wedding Wonderland added a special magical touch that will forever remain in our hearts.

Photos by Darrell Christie Photography

First up are Amber and Norm with their December ‘Berry’ Winter Wedding, which took place in our West Garden Room. The couple decorated their reception hall using bright red berries, tree-trunk pedestals, snow-painted twigs, burlap and even hot chocolate! These unique ideas came together to create a warm winter feeling perfect for the snowy winter day. See the photos, along with Amber and Norm’s story, below!

Having our reception at Castle Farms was an amazing place to celebrate with our guests following our wedding ceremony. After touring the castle, Norm and I knew that the West Garden Room would go perfectly with our idea of ‘country elegance’. We loved the white chandeliers and the beautiful French doors. Norm and I would have never thought we would have a winter wedding, but once we decided on December, we ran with it! I like to be crafty, and decided I would attempt to do as much myself as I could; but I still couldn’t have done it without lots of help from friends and family.

I gathered many of my ideas and inspiration from Pinterest. I love burlap, and I decided to incorporate it for table runners. To keep going with a more rustic theme, Norm and his dad spent a whole day cutting up a tree from our property, which was the base of the center piece. Mason jars made the perfect vases for my salt, cranberry and candle centerpieces. We personalized the tables with pictures from our dating days. We had a lot of fun putting together our hot chocolate favors and the bells, which guests rang whenever they wanted us to kiss! We also had a dessert and coffee/hot chocolate bar to help guests stay warm during the cool winter evening. My favorite part of the whole décor was our guest book. Guests signed a large wooden piece from a maple tree off of our property. Someday it will hang in our home, reminding us of all the friends and family that helped us celebrate our wedding day.

We could not have pulled it off without the help of the amazing coordinator at Castle Farms. Sarah was so great about answering questions and also offering to help out whenever it was needed. Our guests had nothing but wonderful things to say about our reception at The Castle. They all had such an enjoyable time, and we are so glad we chose them to be part of our special day! We also thank our caterers, Acclaimed Catering, LLC, for the amazing food, and for traveling so far in the winter weather; our florist, A Touch of Spring, for their amazing bouquets and boutonnieres for our wedding party; and our delicious wedding cake, made by some wonderful women from my hometown church. Our bartenders, from With a Twist, were very professional, and our guests thought they were great. Also, a huge thank you to our awesome photographer, Lizzie Photo, who gave us amazing pictures to remember this wonderful day.

We could not have done it without all of you. THANKS!

Photos by Lizzie Photo 

The Brides Project, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is a wonderful cause. This non-profit organization, run solely by volunteers, accepts donations of gently-used wedding gowns, as well as samples from bridal salons. The gowns are then sold at a fraction of their original price. Profits from the sale of gowns goes to the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor.

The Brides Project mission is simple: “To provide brides with a socially conscious, budget – and eco-friendly option for purchasing a bridal gown, and to use these proceeds at the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor for people touched by cancer.”

If you would like more information, wish to donate, or want to make an appointment to try on available wedding gowns, please visit www.thebridesproject.org.

“Justin and I picked to get married at the Castle in September because it was the perfect venue to show off beautiful Northern Michigan in the early fall.  Our friends who traveled absolutely loved the sights, and thought the Castle was the most original wedding venues they’d ever seen.  We wanted to do something different.  We didn’t want a run of the mill wedding.  How better to showcase that, than getting married at a castle! Justin and I are from the country, we wanted our wedding to show our personalities, which is why we went with a shabby, chic, burlap and lace type theme.  The image of the Castle matched our theme perfectly.  The stone work in the King’s Great Hall complimented our decoration choices.  Smitten Events helped us drive home the idea we had pictured in our heads.  Janelle and Ellen were amazing to work with…  I can’t explain the relief of literally having nothing to worry about on our wedding day.  The entire team at the Castle was amazing from start to finish.  Though the location hosts countless weddings a year, they have an incredible way of making your day feel as though it’s the most important day, not only to you, but to them as well.  Our wedding went off without a hitch, thanks to the Sarah’s incredible coordination.  It was remarkable.  We also loved how many different options the wedding offers.  We chose the King’s Great Hall and the Queen’s Courtyard, because they were what best accommodated our large number of guests, and complimented our decoration choices… But any of the locations at the Castle are amazingly picture perfect.”