We loved the new dcor, fireplaces, smores and the suggestion of pizza at the end was a great idea. So after we get there and had to wait for Barb, who is late for EVERYTHING we get to eat the food we selected. There was no stress, I repeat NO STRESS. Could not be happier with the venue. Originally, we had our wedding scheduled for June 2020 but due to the pandemic we decided to postpone. Sonshine Barn is less than 2 miles from Treetop Resort & Spa and Otsego Resort. FOOD PRICES: Price increases on food from 2015 to 2016 resulted in over a $1000 increase in cost that we were not expecting. Currently, there are only two event planners for all of the weddings at the Homestead, making it nearly impossible to get the customer service that most brides expect leading up to your wedding. We definitely had a budget and were able to come in right below that number. Can accommodate up to 160 guests. Everything from an omelet station and mimosas to lunch service. First, I have a long family history in this area and knew I wanted to celebrate ou We were married at The Homestead August 7th, 2010. Wedding Barn near Charlevoix-Petoskey, Michigan | Shanahan's Barn Audrey was our day of coordinator-her demeanor was so easy going it helped calm me immensely. We were right. we confirmed final details 10 days before the event and received our estimate 5 days before the event (get a good photographer to help you coordinate with a detailed timeline). From the great wooded beams and fireplace, to the beautiful waterfall backdrop and patio, we couldnt have dreamt anything better. Read on for everything you need to know about planning a Northern Michigan wedding. We love Lake Michigan, Sleeping Bear Dunes and Glen Arbor. This just blew us away! My husband and I agreed that every penny we invested in our wedding and with the Homestead we felt was worth cent and would do it again! Everything went smoothly, from the tasting to the welcome BBQ to the main event! Shanahans Barn is the largest wedding barn in Northern Michigan! If you are in the process of looking for wedding venues in Northern Michigan, this helpful guide can make it easier to plan every aspect of your upcoming fte. perfectly. We are continually seeking to improve our services and have adjusted our personnel to avoid this from happening again. I love how secluded it felt, it was like we had the whole property to ourselves. Everyone was really impressed with how the food was served - a great effort was made to serve all food at each table at the same time. Leading up to my wedding, I did experience a bit of stress with the planning of my wedding though. One of the ladies held mine and my husbands plate while walking through the buffet. We had a beach ceremony. OVERCHARGED OVER $5000: Our bill arrived two weeks before our wedding and I was shocked to see the total. The only reason I gave a 4 star rating on the service was because a couple of our guests reported poor service at the pool area/bar over a couple of days. Special thanks to Barb, Mackenzie, Sandy, Sallie, Wellington, and Erika! 4. The staff did a wonderful job setting up our ceremony indoors. In the 1980s, my grandparents actually ran this amazingly beautiful inn on the river. The Cathedral Barn in Traverse City, Michigan. Here are a few observations from a parent's prespective:
You will be the one and only couple on the entire property, so you dont have to worry about being interrupted. If you are looking to get married in Northern Michigan, no need to look any further than The Homestead! Our sales associate Lynzie Gotschall was amazing from the day we booked. Second, with all of our guests flying in from out of town, we wanted a place where all of the guests could not only stay on the same property but enjoy our wedding weekend as a vacation. The wedding planning process is not very intimate, at times we felt rushed and unimportant. We had rented a mini van to haul all of our wedding stuff up and we ended up having a slow leak in one of the tires. . irst scheduled time to come visit the resort with my fiance and parents. would be honored. We never had to worry about a thing. If you want a scenic location with private trails and majestic sunsets, try Dhaseleer Events Barn. Owned and operated by husband and wife duo Tim and Julie Felt, this unique venue has been a thriving part of the Michigan wedding industry since Sandhill Crane Vineyards charming winery, tasting room, and banquet room is tucked in among their vineyards in easternRead more Jackson county. Food was good, especially the chicken! My husband and I were both from out of state and we stumbled across them through The Knot. A building that is entirely on one level and barrier free, Vineland Center was designed with flexibility and ease in mind. They fixed it. The 10 Best Waterfront Wedding Venues in Michigan - WeddingWire This remodeled factory is located in the heart of Michigan's Harbor Country and is a short drive from Aurora Cellars Estate is a romantic vineyard and wedding event venue located in Lake Leelanau, Michigan. Will you pick the enchanting wooded area or 500-feet above the world at the top of the mountain? The 10 Best Barn & Farm Wedding Venues in Michigan - WeddingWire Our second, Think of it as your very own, perfectly charming winery and Old World inn stocked with fine wine and staffed with. My husband and I are planning to return to the resort for our anniversary to enjoy and relive it all over again! +best place ever to get married, so beautiful. Boyne Highlands Resort offers a romantic setting where you will feel comfortable. day of, it was a bit chilly and they called the bride at about noon to persuade us off of bay mountain due to the wind and cold, but we were prepared for that. Black-owned Asian-owned Hispanic or Latinx-owned LGBTQ+-owned Have been visiting for years, but we will NEVER spend a dime at this place. The venue is beautiful from the ceremony site at the top of the mountain, to the reception area. Lakebluff Preserve in Frankfort, Michigan, Lakebluff Preserve: (check out this wedding story). Also, Cavanaugh's has shockingly good grab and go breakfast sandwiches. What a wonderful choice we made. I cannot express enough how professional and organized the sales staff is at this venue. WILL NOT RETURN ITEMS FROM RECEPTION: The Homestead lost our cake knife and has not returned our cake plate nor our cake server and they will not return our messages. A building that is entirely on one level and barrier free, Vineland Center was designed with flexibility and ease in mind. No hassle weekend free of worry! The chair lift was another fantastic feature. For functions not requiring seated meals, ask us about capacities and space use. The West Garden Room can fit up to 230 people. A sound system, white tablecloths and napkins, tables, chairs, plates, and glassware are all included for your convenience. The 10 Best Wedding Venues in Michigan - WeddingWire Black Star Farms by Gia Yetikyel Updated Aug 20, 2021 For those in search of waterfront scenery and beachy breezes for your wedding, Lake Michigan wedding venues offer the views you've been searching for. Address: 5052 M-66 N Charlevoix, MI 49720. The food is memorable. When my husband and I first drove on to the Homestead property, we were amazed by the sight. The staff will work diligently to ensure that your marital vision is brought to life at, The Showroom Event Space by Ellison is a restaurant wedding venue in the REO Town district of Lansing, Michigan. It felt as if we were on vacation, but we knew everyone there! Buttercream wedding cake
The Best barn Venues in northern Michigan, the best Winery venues in your Northern Michigan, the best intimate wedding venues in Northern Michigan, the best venues with indoor and outdoor options in Northern Michigan. Wedding Venues in Grayling, MI - The Knot They did a wonderful job at making us feel special on our wedding day. The winter offers an enchanting wedding scene, and summer is ideal for those who love spending time under the sunny blue skies. Vineland, An award-winning wedding venue in New Era, Michigan, Rooster Ridge Vineyards serves as the ideal destination for, picture-perfect ceremonies and receptions. The Homestead's world-class service is sure to live up to every expectation on your big day. The Wexford Room is another indoor area with enough space for up to 104 guests. Day-of was quite cold and it rained most of the morning, but we insisted on having it outside and, while I know she wanted it inside, Veronika helped inform all guests we were still having it outside! With 25+ years of experience, and hundreds of 5-star reviews, we are experts in designing your perfect day. Super thankful to everyone at the Homestead who really made it a fun, stress-free, and beautiful wedding weekend for us. We also spent a ton of money on welcome bags with specific directions to hand out one per person. sts were delighted to ride a chairlift to the top- and our reception was at Mountain Flowers Lodge. ts your day and yall can do what you want how you want. We cant wait to celebrate with them for years to come! at this point, I just wanted to get dressed and passed these duties off to the groom so the ladies could finish their photo session and be timely for the 4p ceremony. The Homestead worked with me through all the changes and I couldnt have asked for a better day. I really cannot say enough about how easy the entire staff was to work with. They have been serving up fantastic dishes since 2006, making use of the 150-year-old building Iron Fish Distillery is a rustic wedding venue located in Thompsonville, Michigan. It was the most perfect spot to get married! Theres something for EVERYONE (beach, trails, bars, restaurants), all of your guests are able to stay right on site, and The Homestead provides many thing My husband and I got married at Camp Firefly, it was the perfect pure Michigan wedding! He told us the menu was new and he just hadn't had a chance to get a handle on the new items, and also that he didn't get there early enough to properly prep the food. Plus, you can celebrate your new marriage by jumping into their heated pool. Address: 15794 Paddock Rd Charlevoix, MI 49720. We looked forward to having our wedding on the beautiful property, but we were left with a bad taste in our mouth, and honestly wouldnt even go back there to vacation. We are very grateful! Michigan Michigan Winery & Brewery Wedding Venues in Looking for a venue with outdoor space? From the staff at the salon to the waitstaff. I had to remind myself that they were in it to make money and not be my friend. I continue to tell people - it is a GEM of a place. The chair lift experience
Willowbrook Mill Your destination wedding & event venue There's so much more to this rustically elegant wedding venue at the top of the Leelanau Peninsula. With two bathrooms, an enclosed bottom deck, and glass viewing wells for gazing into the clear water, this will be one festivity you wont forget. I had sent pictures and written descriptions of our wedding layout and dcor. Our coordinator Brooke was available to us during our entire stay not just to my husband and I, but our parents and the wedding party as well. The staff that assisted us at Camp Firefly even plated food for my Grandparents and served them before we could ask them to. With our winter wedding venues you'll get the incredible glowing fires, matched with sparkling snow, the blue waters that surround us, candlelight, holiday decor, and the coziness of the winter atmosphere. All of our guests loved this place and I can tell you this.we will be back for every anniversary and I know our guests will visit again. However, they will always get back to you in time and this was not enough of an issue for us to warrant anything less than 5 stars. The Kings Great Hall has 14-foot-high cathedral windows, candelabra chandeliers, and original stone walls, like much of the rest of the property. Can you accommodate it? Venues Vendors Weddings Northern Michigan United States International Alabama Birmingham Montgomery A week later I received an email that our consultant had left and that she would expedite getting a contract to me. If you are looking for a Northern Michigan wedding this is it! I look forward to celebrating anniversaries there! Their staff was rude to our guests during our wedding, wouldnt turn the heat down even though it felt miserable in there and my grandmother had to leave because she was feeling ill from the heat. It was really nice to bump into our guests around the resort in the days leading up to the wedding. They worked with us to help us achieve the wedding of our dream. Loved working with Barb and Sandy. This small hidden island is tucked away on the Thunder Bay River, near the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. After planning my wedding for two years (thanks to the pandemic), it turned out perfectly! And more than the special care taken by our staff to help you make this the best day ever. AC DID NOT WORK IN ROOMS: The night before the wedding, the AC stopped working at Stony Brook. This newly renovated property offers elegant, rustic ambiance with modern amenities. It was really nice to bump into our guests around the resort in the days leading up to the wedding. On the weekend of, we met with Veronika upon checking in and handed off everything we brought with us and from that moment on she took care of everything! Invite your guests to stay the night at Hemlock Hills, with sleeping accommodations for 60 people. GORGEOUS view, balcony, fireplace. In fact, the beef tenderloin was so good, that we actually began to run out, but Neil and Barb had anticipated this, and had more tenderloin preped an ready to go before we ever ran out of the first round! This establishment is a family-owned-and-operatedRead more business that produces American-style food, brews, and specialty wood-fired pizzas. Defined by its rustic, charm, this Midwest getaway is perfect for couples who wish to marry in a versatile setting. Instead of moving this guest, she was asked to call housekeeping anytime she wanted to enter her room, including past midnight following our wedding reception. When we finally received our wedding contract, it was littered with spelling mistakes and had absurd fee and cancellation language like a $4,000 charge for not exiting the venue on time?!?! Our reception was held at the Mountain Flowers Lodge which turned out absolutely beautiful as well. All the joy that fills this beautiful old building outshines each and every meticulously crafted detail. Call the Alpena City Clerks Office at 989-354-1720 for park information. . Then quickly goes, "oops, I wasn't supposed to tell you that." This historic dairy barn has been thoughtfully converted into a beautiful space that can accommodate up to 150 guests. The apps they served us were still cold, meatball was frozen in the middle, pork was dry and the fish was grey and slimy. Lynzie was there for an entire year, helping us with everything and always answering questions. Lynzie Gotshall was our wedding coordinator and went above and beyond for us every step of the process! There were important instructions regarding our welcome party in the bags and they were not handed out at all. The Kensington Hotel has you covered with its elegant indoor and outdoor spaces. Lots of activities
Address: 9600 Clubhouse Dr Charlevoix, MI 49720. I had heard great things about their experienced coordinator, Barb, who was assigned to our wedding day. When meeting with the Homestead in the beginning stages of our wedding planning, we shared with them that the most important thing for us was that we got married outside, that the food was amazing, and that our guest who were all coming from great distances, were well taken care of. We have beautiful rooms available toRead more hold your wedding ceremony and reception. Planning Tools . Sandy, the on-site coordinator, is an absolute dream! 1. We politely expressed our concern and talked to the chef, who did not instill any more confidence. Full of love and gratitude, From the time we met them in July to book our w What a romantic get away. gan at the very beginning of our wedding planning. Our dedicated coordinators will be honored to help you plan your big day. Most of our guest made a weekend out of our wedding so it was nice walking around the resort running into guests of our wedding. Many of our guests said it was the most beautiful wedding venue they had attended. Weve compiled the ultimate list of wedding venues in Northern Michigan; from rustic barns to the best views of the lake, and oh so many wineries! If youre dreaming of a night fit for a princess, then Birchwood can offer a truly memorable experience. The Welcome Reception at Camp Firefly was absolutely perfect- they set up a bonfire for us, some tables and chairs inside and out and the staff was always available. Homemade cider, and close to downtown Suttons Bay, their deck has a dreamy, tree filled backdrop and view of the water. Simply amazing. Your outdoor ceremony package includes the private changing room, set-up and tear-down, an outdoor speaker system, tables, and 250 chairs. After exchanging vows on the landscaped patio, continue your fairy tale vision by dancing under the twinkling stars in the lovely stone courtyard. I can't say enough good things about the Homestead. We had a destination wedding and many of our family and friends stayed the entire weekend at the resort. Hold your intimate ceremony on the Island and reception at one of the nearby facilities just across the river. Use the sparkling lake as your backdrop and Churchill Pointe Inn as your stage. The new switch became operational last week, and calls are now being returned within one business day of receipt. HOMESTEAD STAFF STOLE FROM US: Multiple Homestead staff stole wedding cards with cash and checks in them during our reception. This boutique wedding venue provides couples with a truly unique and memorable setting for their special day. Their wedding coordinator, Barb, is the best at making things happen. When we brought up concerns that others have experienced on the Knot, we were told that the contract may be negotiable and changes would need to be reviewed by the president. Your celebration A place created for you No matter what style of celebration youre planning, Northern Michigan has a venue option that will help you bring your dream wedding to life. OVERCHARGED $1000 AGAIN: The new bill was still $1000 too much. =). The turn over in event planners sounds like it may be a reoccurring issue which leads to issues with maintaining resort planning knowledge --meaning many questions were unable to be answered throughout the planning process. The Homestead was EXTREMELY accommodating and worked with us to postpone our big day and find a date that worked. The barn is also insulated, so you can have your wedding here any time of the year. The whole weekend was magic and we know the setting and all the venues,amenities, staff, and lodging options made it entirely unforgettable. Every single person we talked to at resort was helpful and friendly. Closer to Elk Rapids, this is such a cute, rustic resort, and you get a mix of woods, lodges, and of course, water! The room looked beautiful and the food was great, even though I was more concerned w/ walking around and enjoying the day :)
But overall, they nickel and dime you for EVERYTHING because of the destination and because they can. It was a really awesome experience. The homestead will claim that you are paying for the location and the view. She took notes and it looked beautiful on our wedding day! Hold a small outdoor ceremony on the bluff overlooking the stunning sanctuary, and then host a larger reception celebration at one of the other nearby locations listed. If you desire a fairytale wedding, the Homestead and its staff will make that dream come true. 5. All of our friends and family had a great time. A Homestead employee complained about our guests who were upset about not having AC and that she had to ask the maintenance guy come in on a Saturday. The staff was very helpful and accommodating to us from when we first went up to check out the venue till our event ended. We are very sorry that you had an unpleasant wedding planning experience with The Homestead. The Homestead was everything we could have ever asked for in a Northern Michigan Resort for our wedding! They seemed to not like it that we didn't have a lot of guests staying there (we're from Leelanau County, so naturally, our guests wanted to stay at their homes!) We had complete confidence in the team and felt that all of the minor issues that inevitably arise during a big event were handled expertly and gracefully by the staff. Our block of rooms was located at Stoney Brook Lodge, which is the most convenient for that location and those specific rooms are very, very nice. We booked a golf outing and our guests paid individually (which was organized ahead of time) and the Homestead is attempting to double charge us for the group. You will not be disappointed! The icing on the cake was the magnificent setting on Lake Michigan and the beautifully manicured grounds of the Homestead - the perfect venue for any wedding event. an hour before the ceremony they called the bride again (disregard your day of contact) to say that it was intermittently sprinkling (meanwhile its clear skies and beautiful sunshine) and we shouldnt have the ceremony on the mountain and if we do still want to do it on the mountain they will not be able to provide transportation off of the mountain for us or guests due to safety issues with the golf carts, but never really gave us a plan b option for the ceremony other than we cant get you guys off. Food at the Cafe Manitou brunch
I am truly disgusted, at the time and money we spent to look at this venue. Established as a vineyard in 1995, Ciccone Vineyard and Winery has over 20 years of experience with weddings and events. The lodging is extremely convenient and every room we saw exceeded our expectations! If you would rather be under shelter, arrange a cocktail party style reception right inside of the maritime museum, or place a tent behind the center along the river. I my husband and i got married this past summer at the homestead resort and it was the most wonderful, perfect day ever! We loved our experience and would definitely recommend The Homestead! Many of our guests commented on this. We finally were "allowed" to come up to The Homestead for our tasting. Annnd, as a Traverse City wedding photographer, Ive shot at so many of these venues, so I can tell you what makes each one so special, and what local gems are nearby. Would highly recommend this venue to any bride looking for a lodge-y feeling wedding!! Traverse City & Northern Michigan Weddings - Ceremony & Reception Traverse City Wedding Venues - BlueBridge Event Centre - The LOCATION: Beautiful, clean, and truly gives guests the feeling of being away and at a resort. Thanks again for choosing us. The banquet/ bar staff were very friendly, professional and efficient. Use all of the special features in the loft area to your advantage, including an antique piano, wooden barrels, milk cans, wagon wheel lights, vintage furniture, antique tables, and more, for gorgeous photos. The staff was attentive and professional and our day was wonderful. The Homestead never returned our escort card holders, our cake topper, or our guest book (my parents had to return to the site and get the cake themselves, and the guestbook was later mailed to us after leaving a voicemail with the staff whom never returned our calls, the escort card holders were never returned and presumably thrown away) View from New Presque Isle Lighthouse | Photo Courtesy of Pure Michigan Welcome Party Beppis venue was perfect! Gorgeous location
We reviewed other venue contracts and it was not industry standard. In talking with family and relatives the following was said repeatedly:
When selecting your Northern Michigan wedding locations, the season of the year in which you plan to wed will make a big difference in your decisions. Ceremonies and celebrations are held among vines, where grapes for Verterra Winery's award winning wines are cultivated. Weekend Reception Packages up to 130 guests. Visited the venue the first time the week prior. Our beautiful venue includes immaculate landscaping, a large beach with volleyball under the lights, a Great Hall and Sandbar Lounge on the water for a night of celebrating. 2. A stately handcrafted wooden water tower and covered bridge mark the entry to the island. The venue suited us as a couple and they made our wedding so special.