Our Blog

September 14th, 2013

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Liz Mahlich

 

Northern Michigan holds a special place in many of our hearts, especially to those of Sarah Miller and Joe Martin. The couple vacationed in the Benzie area for many years, so it was the perfect destination to start their lives together.

Sarah and Joe wanted their guests to experience the beauty of Benzie County, starting with the small beach town of Frankfort. Guest rooms were reserved at Harbor Lights Resort, located on the shore of Lake Michigan.  The Rehearsal dinner was conveniently located in downtown Frankfort, at the Asian inspired restaurant, Fusion. Close family and friends shared a lovely meal, while preparing for the big day.

The morning of September 14th, 2013, began with a beautiful sunrise and the promise of gorgeous weather.  The ceremony was to be held on the resort’s beach and the wedding party and guests had the convenience of getting ready right in their rooms. Massaggio Salon from Traverse City graciously sent their stylist to the resort to style the bridal parties’ hair. Preparations for the day went on without a hitch!

Sarah and Joe shared their vows, officiated by Weddings Your Way, on Harbor Lights Resort’s beautiful beach, overlooking Lake Michigan and the Frankfort Light House. The weather was picture perfect and the views were breathtaking. A magical ceremony, which was then proceeded by a lovely reception.

 

Another special place in Benzie County is the Village of Beulah, which held Sarah and Joe’s reception venue.  The beautiful Crystal Lake Golf Club, was the perfect setting for the couple’s Northern Michigan themed reception. The classic white wedding tent with the natural backdrop of Crystal Lake with breathtaking sunset views, was a fabulous way to finish the couples magical day.  Crystal Lake Weddings staff ensured that every table was in place and all guests felt welcomed at the reception. Having an event coordinator and staff available at the reception venue assured that the bride and groom could enjoy their beautiful ceremony, while knowing their reception would be coordinated seamlessly. “…I didn’t have to worry about a thing knowing that you (Liz) were there! You made my day happen and I couldn’t thank you enough for it. Everything was perfect and I wouldn’t change a thing!” -Sarah Martin, Bride

As guest entered the reception tent, they were greeted with flawless decorations, carefully thought out by the bride. Elegant purple flower arrangements, designed by Victoria’s Floral Design, which encased white lanterns with turquoise candles, were the perfect amount of color to set off each table. Highlighting their love for Northern Michigan, the favors were maple candies and honey bears, from a local farmers market. Purple and turquoise lanterns floated through the air as guest mingled, while enjoying Black Star Farms wine.

Once the wedding party arrived, the reception was in full swing, and the catering staff from Chef’s Pride laid out a beautiful buffet dinner. Following dinner, a multi flavored cake, designed by Kingsley Cakes, was shared among guest. Northern Michigan DJs  provided fabulous music and entertainment to keep the guest happy and on the dance floor all night long.

Two Rings Photography was kind enough to share their beautiful photos of the evening with us. Even though they reside downstate, they love to come work and vacation in Northern Michigan whenever they have a chance.

We feel so blessed to have shared the Martin’s special day with them. It truly was a memorable Northern Michigan Wedding.

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Jamie Keillor

Crystal Lake Golf Club has been an integral part of the Keillor family since the late 1980’s.  The front nine of the golf course was originally built around 1970.  It was designed by Bruce Matthews and was carved through an old orchard. Bryce Gibbs, the owner, had envisioned Crystal Lake Golf Club as a members only, 9-hole club with a swimming pool. Eventually, the course was opened to the public and has remained that way.  The golf course was later sold to Bob Reischel, and it was then that the plans for the back nine were drafted and roughed in.  Jerry Matthews designed the back nine, but it wasn’t completed until after the Reischel family sold it.

 

 

Arthur Keillor discovered the course around 1988 and decided to purchase it shortly thereafter. His son Bruce Keillor became the Head Pro and took over operations.  They opened the back 9 and operated Crystal Lake Golf Club as a public 18-hole course.  In 1997 Bruce and son Justin developed plans to eliminate holes 10 and 11 to create room for a driving range, something the course desperately needed.  Justin was integral in designing two new holes back into the space behind the driving range.  Bruce continued running the course until the early 2005 when he decided to take a Head Professional position in the Upper Peninsula.

 

Justin and I took over operations in 2007 when we moved back to Northern Michigan after spending six years in Naples, Florida.  Justin was an assistant pro at various private clubs in Southern Florida and was ready to return home to carry on the family business.

 

In 2010, Justin took on major renovations at the club, including adding new bunkers, putting new sand in all bunkers, renovating six new greens and redesigning the 4th hole.  It was a major overhaul, but definitely something that was needed to bring the course up to date.  It was at that time that Justin came up with the idea of a developing a wedding site.  Justin and I worked closely with builders on drafting plans for a tented wedding site and bathroom facility that would become a pivotal part of operations at Crystal Lake Golf Club.

4th hole renovations

 

The tent site, including full men’s and women’s bathrooms, changing rooms, and storage areas, was built on the area between the clubhouse and driving range.  It overlooks the ninth fairway, with incredible views of Crystal Lake and sunsets that will take your breath away.

 

 

The first wedding took place on June 26, 2010.  It was a scramble to complete the site in time, but permits were completed on the Friday of the wedding and landscaping went in on the same day.   It was a mad rush, but everything came together.  We were very grateful to family, friends, staff and even some of members who dug in and got dirty.

 

Jason and Jessica Teteak were married that Saturday and their day was completely magical.  They gathered with 100 close family and friends to celebrate and their day went off without a hitch.  The sunset views that night were incredible, and many times throughout the evening guests stopped to just revel in awe at the beauty that Justin and I had envisioned so many months before.

 

    

Each and every wedding I set-up and help coordinate, I am completely amazed at the view, the serenity and the beauty of Crystal Lake Golf Club.  Many times throughout each event, I catch myself stopping in admiration and feeling grateful for the history and the family that has brought me to this spot.