The phrase “destination wedding” was coined, it seems, with Northern Michigan in mind. Childhood memories of time spent up North are treasured experiences that many brides and grooms want to share with family and friends and their spouse-to-be.
Venues around the region cater to parties large and small who are looking for a reception location that will carry on those happy northern memories.
“With people doing these destination weddings, this area is certainly one of those regions,” said David Beier, chef at the historic Walloon Lake Inn, which is set on one of the north’s most favored lakes.
The inn, built in 1881, creates a cozy atmosphere where rehearsal dinners and wedding parties receive intimate attention. Beier said the trend with weddings up North is for the bride and groom to host a larger rehearsal dinner for numerous out-of-town guests, where in the past the dinner before the wedding day typically was reserved for immediate family.
“Now rehearsal dinners are between 30 and 60 people easily,” Beier said.
Smaller weddings and rehearsal dinners, and second weddings, are the inn’s specialty, where space for 50 to 60 people makes a comfortable setting.
“We’re a little more intimate, a little bit more cuisine-oriented,” Beier said. “These are two areas that we really do well in.”
Specialties at the inn include the duet, a petite tenderloin steak and portion of freshwater fish. Tenderloin and herb-crusted walleye are popular with guests as well. Desserts including a lemon tart are big hits, and the inn staff works with local caterers when it comes to wedding cakes.
The main room at the inn sets the scene and ambiance, overlooking Walloon Lake. A covered outside deck where a bar can be set up accommodates the party, making for scenic photos.
Depending on what the bride and groom are looking for, the inn can accommodate. This fall, for instance, a wedding reception will include heavy appetizers with the feel of a formal cocktail party rather than lavish wedding. More brides and grooms, Beier noted, are following their own hearts in planning their day rather than mom and dad’s ideas.
“The trend is to get more creative and more personal,” he added.
The inn also has five lodging rooms, which makes the experience all-in-one. Beier, who has been at the inn for 26 years, suggests reserving it as a reception or rehearsal dinner “the earlier the better,” even a year in advance for weddings.
The inn is open year ’round and Beier said the staff prides itself on treating parties large or small with the same personal service.
“We don’t look at these large parties as banquets or functions,” he said. “We give them the same attention to detail food-wise and service-wise that you’d get with a party of four on a Saturday night.”
Contact the Walloon Lake Inn at 535-2999.
 Historic inn restored
An historic landmark in East Jordan has been converted into a charming bed-and-breakfast that the owners are finding is a popular destination for weddings and receptions.
The Jordan Inn, on Main Street overlooking the south arm of Lake Charlevoix, was restored by Mary Jane Krumholz and her son, Joseph, who operate the B&B each day of the year.
Joseph said his mom “always wanted a bed and breakfast, and when this became available it was too good of an opportunity to turn down.”
Inside, the mammoth old house has 11 rooms with 13 beds, accommodating up to 26 people, with an apartment available on the third floor with space for larger groups or families with children.
The inn also has a dining room and full-service bar open seven days a week. Joseph is the inn’s chef and he said he will provide meals and food service catering to a couple’s wishes and budget. He also caters off-site events.
After a recent last-minute plea from a couple getting married at Castle Farms in Charlevoix, Joseph said he was able to create a Renaissance meal to match the wedding theme, including turkey legs and sausage links and a variety of large cooked vegetables. It was served without plates and silverware, “just Wet Naps and butter pats” and it was such a success he’s been moved to the Castle’s preferred caterer’s list.
Another time he worked with a couple’s small budget and created a Coney dog and mac-and-cheese bar. “We can do different things to keep costs down,” he said.
That goes for on-site weddings and dinners at the Jordan Inn.
There, the Krumholzes have served parties ranging from 70 to 100, though Joseph said they can accommodate up to 300 out in the yard with a tent. Inside, the max is around 80 guests. A dance floor is on-site as well. Gar Park is located across the street, which makes a nice setting for photos with the gazebo, he added.
The Krumholzes also enjoy pampering bridal parties with mimosas on the morning of the event in a second-floor parlor area while manicures and hairstyles are done. Joseph suggests reserving the inn as far in advance as possible, but added: “I’m very flexible and if I can do it, I’ll do it.”
Reach the Jordan Inn at 536-9906, or go online to www.jordaninn.com.

 

Big receptions: 200-plus guests
• Boyne USA Resorts, (800) GO-BOYNE (862-6963), www.boyneweddings.com
(Includes: Boyne Falls and Boyne Highlands resorts)
• Odawa Casino Resort and Hotel (formerly Victories Hotel), (877) 442-6464
• Emmet County’s community building, 347-6536
• Castle Farms, Charlevoix, 237-0884
• Nub’s Nob, Harbor Springs, 526-2131

Medium-sized parties: 100-200
• Inn at Bay Harbor-A Renaissance Golf Resort, Bay Harbor Golf Club, (800) 862-6963
• Stafford’s Hospitality: Perry Hotel, Bay View Inn,
The Pier in Harbor Springs, Weathervane in Charlevoix, 347-4000

Small groups: Under 100
• The Terrace Inn, Bay View, 347-2410
• Emmet County’s Parks and Recreation Department,
several sites including Camp Pet-O-Sega on Pickerel Lake, 347-6536

Birchwood Farms Golf and Country Club, 526-2166
Hidden River Golf & Casting Club, on the Maple River, (800) 325-4653
Knights of Columbus Hall, Petoskey, 347-7750
La Senorita, Petoskey, 347-7750
Mahogany’s, Charlevoix, 547-9796
Latitude, Bay Harbor, 439-2750
Trout Creek Condominiums, (800) 748-0245