The Revel Rose

It's no surprise, but winter weddings in Northern Michigan are not super popular. Be it the chance we might get 20 inches of snow in a single afternoon, or that many wedding venues in our region are outdoors and limited to the summer season. Or the reality that so many vendors decide to be snowbirds in the winter and head to warmer climates until April. Either way, we just don't often plan on receiving requests for winter weddings and haven't developed a very robust market around them.

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I was surprised however, that when Christine reached out to me in the fall to see if I was available for coordination for her December wedding in the week between Christmas and New Years, that I would fall in love with winter weddings.

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There is something about the naturally festive time of year that added just a little something extra to this weekend. And something about the desire during the holidays to see as many friends and family possible - as many of us often pack our schedules with visits and reunions and parties and get togethers - hoping to be able to see and celebrate with our favorite people.

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When Christine told me her and Danton had settled on Castle Farms for a wedding venue, located in proximity to her family's up north lake house, I could not wait to get back to my own wedding venue in a different season, and work again with the wonderful staff at the Castle.

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The newly finished Garden Room was the setting for Christine and Danton's reception, following a traditional Catholic ceremony in Downtown Petoskey - just a short and beautiful drive up US 31 from Charlevoix and Castle Farms.

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Charlevoix and Petoskey are two of the most charming up north towns and were like something out of a Norman Rockwell postcard during the holiday season - full of lights and decorated trees and shop windows full of festive treats. Christine and Danton love winter - and had become engaged the year before during their annual Christmas tree farm visit. Her one wish for her wedding was for there to be snow. She asked me to scout some outdoor photo locations ahead of time if possible, and I was more than happy to and excited to have an adventurous bride who would brave the cold to get some beautiful pictures with her husband and their friends on their wedding day.

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I was so glad I put a little extra effort into discovering photo locations throughout Petoskey, because Christine and Danton had hired Chelsea, of Chelsea Seekell Photography from Grand Rapids as their wedding photographer. I fell in love with Chelsea's work long before I even got married and always hoped to have a chance to work with her. 

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And the result, some of the most beautiful portraiture from any of my weddings ensued on their cold and blustery winter wedding day. Following the ceremony, we headed to a waterfront park with beautiful snow covered pines, a huge rock outcropping, and finally a gorgeous bride underpass downtown before heading over to Castle Farms for their reception. P.S., Christine looked stunning, thanks to the work of her longtime stylist Carleana, owner of Hairpins and Happiness based in East Lansing. Carleana is such a warm and lovely person, and a pleasure to work with. She has become a go-to  industry recommendation for me, and a good friend in the industry!

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Christine had designed a classically blue and gold reception with gorgeous white focused floral from Simplicity Floral, also out of Grand Rapids. This couple and their family LOVED to dance and so the night was devoted to enjoying great music, flowing drinks, and capped off a super fun sparkler send off. 

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Thank you Christine and Danton for introducing me to the magic of winter weddings!