Archive for the ‘Real Weddings’ Category

Unique Ideas for Assigned Seating

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

Looking for another way to make your reception a little more fun, personal, and unique? How about getting a little creative with your assigned seating! Many people overlook the way they designate seats for guests, as it is often so much work just to assign the seats in the first place, but with just a little more you can make it so fun and cute that your guests will always remember your reception because however you decide to design your assigned seating, it will always feel personal and creative!

 

In their West Garden Room reception this past weekend, Amber and Kyle put a single, different flower on every table and then gave each guest their name cards attached to a vase with a flower in it. The guests then matched the flower in their vase with the flowers on the tables. This not only doubled as a wedding favor for guests, but it also decorated the room and gave each table a unique arrangement!

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Ditching the traditional seating cards and table, this couple made their own fountain in our West Courtyard and filled the bottom with polished rocks, each with the name and table assignment of each guest.

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This couple chose to name each table in their Queen’s Tavern reception by a common northern Michigan tree, including a picture and a description of each tree on the tables, and assigned guests’ seating cards by the different trees.

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Another great, personal idea for assigned seating is to mark tables with your own pictures, either from trips, parties, or just a variety of pictures of you and your groom, then assigning seating cards by the different pictures. We’ve seen this many times at the Castle, but it is still always unique and fun!

For their winter wedding in the Knight’s Castle, this couple took pictures of them holding giant numbers and used those as table numbers.

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In their Queen’s Tent reception, this couple named each table by a location they had been to together, then had fake plane tickets printed for each guest with the destination being their table’s location.

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Cheers!

Monday, August 16th, 2010

A unique way to say thank you to your wedding party is to treat them with something special that they can use the night of and many years to come. Being part of a wedding party means a strict timeline, lots of smiling for continuous pictures, and meeting lots of old relatives. Suprising them with wedding party gifts is a great way to say thank you for being there on this special day and reminding them that you care.

Dan & Amanda were married at the Castle this weekend in the Queens Courtyard with a reception to follow in the Queens Royal Tent

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As all the Brides Maids were announced and made it up to the head table they were greeted with personalized wine glasses!

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Each glass was a little different and unique for each of them

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At Kendra and Joey’s wedding in the Knights Courtyard and reception in the Knights Castle they had beer mugs and wine glasses engraved with each persons name in the wedding party. This became helpful when people lost track of their drinks they always knew whos was whos!

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Even the Bride and Groom had them!

 

And the specialty glasses dont stop there! Extend the personalized treats to ALL your guests as a party favor to take home!

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One of our own! the new Castle Couple Alissa and Mike

Sunday, August 15th, 2010

A Castle gal was Married!

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Meet our new Castle Couple Mike and Alissa, married on August 29th. While working at Castle Farms as an Inquiry Coordinator Alissa fell in love with the West Garden Room, so when these Charlevoix natives decided to tie the knot Castle Farms was the perfect location! They planned on having thier ceremony outdoors in the West Courtyard with a reception to follow in the West Garden Room but the weather wasn’t working in their favor. Although there was rain, that did not stop this amazing couple from an intimate wedding ceremony in the Queens Tavern with a beautiful reception to follow in the West Garden Room. Alissa was accompanied down the aisle by her 3 uncles each walking her down 1/3 of the way until they reached their officiate Robert Ford. The bouquets for the ceremony and flowers in the reception were done by another castle gal Janelle Langmaack.  At the reception to follow guests enjoyed multiple food stations and a unigue cake by Sayre’s Catering, photos by Lauren Pethers, entertainment by Ed’s DJ Service and bartending by Kelly’s Wait staff. Even though there was rain, Mike and Alissa had an amazing evening celebrating this special day with the people they love.dsc_0387-21 

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Above photos provided by: Lauren Pethers

Check Mate!

Monday, August 9th, 2010

Here at the Castle we have chess sets everywhere. Scattered all over the Castle there are regular sized chess sets, Life size chess sets, display cabnets filled with our favorite themed chess sets, and a few checkers boards for beginners.

It was very convenient that one of our grooms from this weekend LOVES chess and they cover the grounds of the castle! Michael and Amanda had a small wedding in the Queens Courtyard with a reception to follow in the Queens Tavern and chess pieces were EVERYWHERE!

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We had chess pieces lining the aisle and scattered around the courtyard

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Once at the reception the chess theme didnt end! The pieces were a perfect accent to the gorgeous room. In Michael and Amanda’s chess game of love they both won by finding eachother.

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The Knight chess piece was almost as big as the flower girl!

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Sonja and Ben didnt incorporate the chess into their entire wedding, but they made sure to get a photo as the King and Queen of the chess board

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These ladies couldnt wait to take photos with the life size chess pieces, all playing the roll of the Queens pawns :)

Scrapbooks GALORE

Friday, July 30th, 2010

 Scrapbooks have become a staple memory to every childhood. Not only will you always have the memories of constructing this work of art with family and friends or buying the newest accessories, but you will have something for the rest of your life to look at.

Scrapbooks act as a creative reference to any big moment in your life, so why not have one at your wedding; I think that qualifies as a BIG mement!

Tara & Mark will have quite the memory from their wedding at Castle Farms

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The asked people to please share a short message that they can take with them as they embarke on this new journey of marriage, and will always have this book to hold close to their hearts.

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The table had all different premade sheets to choose from, stickers, and colored markers. Along with signing they got their picture taken to put in as well!

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Here’s one of the sheets decorated with wedding cake and ready for a photo of the guests.

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This page complete with sweet words of wisdom and signature from guests waiting for a photo

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Lynn & Scott didnt make a scrapbook at their wedding, but they included their childhood book and other photos to make their wedding more personal.

Cuttin the rug at the Castle

Monday, July 26th, 2010

We applaud all the Newlyweds who have the courage to get out on that dance floor in front of a ton of people and share one of their first moments as man and wife.

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photo by: Elizabeth Conley

Your wedding dance is a meaningful moment for 2 newlyweds so take the time to think about your song choice and go for one that really means something to the two of you. Some couples even go as far as to take dance lessons or have an instructor help you choreograph a totally unique first dance.

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Lisa & Jordan shared a romantic dance in theQueens Royal Tent

 Photo by: Tom Kachadurian 

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Holly & James couldnt keep their eyes off eachother during their first dance

Photo by: Karen Walker

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Bart made sure Cheryl knew his dance moves were top notch at their wedding in the Queens Royal Tent

Photo by: Tom Kachadurian

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Kerri & Eric shared and intimate dance that took everyones breath away in the Knight Castle

Photo by: Ben Harrison

Even if your not great dancers on your own, together you’ll dance beautifully

 

 

Sand VS Candle

Friday, July 16th, 2010

Sand Ceremony VS Unity Candle

Marriage is the idea of 2 becoming 1. To express this bonding partnership there are many ceremonies that help make your commitiment to each other special.

The Unity Candle has typically held the the spotlight for an expression of commitment and bonding, but The Sand Ceremony has become very popular as well. Two great additions to your special day how to decide on just one? Heres a little information to help make your decision!

Candle Ceremony

At the beginning of the ceremony both the bride and the grooms family light the tapered candles on each side to symbolize the love and allegiance to family. Then the Bride and Groom use the side candles to light the larger candle representing all the love and unity of one.

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Photo by E. C. Campbell Photography

Sand Ceremony

Each individual has a separate container of colored sand that represents who they are as a person taht they combine in one large vase. Once poured together you can still see the separate colors representing the individuals in the relationship, but they can never be separated, they are forever intertwined.

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Pros of Unity Candle

The unity Candle and use of light hold more of the religious ties adding a spirtual richness to the union. The flame representing the light within and without has been used for hundreds of years symbolizing the strength and brightness love can bring to two people.

Pros of Sand Ceremony

Every unity vase is different just like every couple is different while still capturing the meaning of two lives becoming one. Once the wedding day is over and the candle has burnt out you will have nothing to show, where as the unity vase will be forever a part of your lives, and especially for outdoor weddings you dont have to worry about your flame blowing out!

 

If you hold tight to tradition and you want your marriage to display the same hundreds of years of wisdom then the Unity Candle is perfect for you!

 

If you want to combine the old tradition with the new fresh idea the Sand Ceremony is the way to go!

Great ideas that we have seen at the Castle to help personalize your wedding!

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

The Brides at Castle Farms find all different ways to personalize their wedding. Including your names initials, and wedding date on items for your ceremony and reception are a great way to create a custom one of a kind wedding day that is filled with meaningful touches for the bride, groom, and guests!

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Jennifer and Mikes wedding in the East Garden Room was filled with creative touches. When guests first entered they were greeted with a beautiful antique sign with their name and date of their specail day.

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Along with the personalized welcome sign Jennifer and Mike thanked guests as they were leaving with another antique sign and jazzed it up with a floral arrangement

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My personal favorite part was on their seating card table they had beaufiful flowers, glowing candles, AND PERSONALIZED M&MS. Not only were they labeled and dated, but they were in initial dishes!

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At Sonja and Benjamin wedding in the Kings Great Hall they wanted to make sure they everyone knew that they were now Mr & Mrs with this simiple but elegant sign and floral arrangement.

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Last month in the Queens Tavern Eric and Courtney created a personalized dance floor for their guests to dance the night away on!

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The West Courtyard was glowing for Ammie and Paul’s wedding in the West Garden Room. They displayed their initials in a creative way by using candles to show the outline of the letters

 

With a little brainstorming and help from our blog photos you can come up with creative ideas that wow your guests!

 

Royalty at the Castle

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

We have everything a Castle is suppose to have, an enchanted forest, a crenellation, beautiful gardens and fountains surrounding the area and even a Dragon named Sid to protect the grounds. The only thing missing is our King and Queen!

When you have your wedding at Castle Farms we like to make sure you feel like royalty! Check out some of our King and Queens on their throne.

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Noah and Lauren had their ceremony in the Queens Courtyard then moved their party to the Queens Tent, but they made sure to get a shot as King and Queen. Photo by Sarah Brown

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Nichole and Brian took a seat in the royal chairs but couldnt keep their eyes off eachother. Photo by Paul Rutherford

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OR THEIR HANDS! Photo by Paul Rutherford  

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Sonja and Ben’s great humor make for some funny pictures as King and Queen and for the reception following in the Kings Geat Hall. Photo by E.C. Campbell photography

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Jessica and Matthew like the feel of the thrones so much they sat in them ALL night at their reception in the East Garden Room!

Give the Kids a Special Spot During Your Special Day!

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

We all know kids can get bored pretty easily, especially during dinners at wedding receptions. What’s one way to help avoid this problem? Making a special kids table! With special candy, decorations, and activities, you can keep the kids feeling recognized, important, and entertained throughout the night! Also, by putting all the kids at the same table, they have each other to play with, which gives their parents a break to catch-up with relatives and friends. Here are some kid’s tables we’ve had at the Castle, each decorated in unique ways to entertain the kids and still match the reception!

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Jessica and Clay made this special lolli-pop centerpiece to top their kids table in the Knight’s Castle, bringing the kids together for endless candy!

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Making the kids feel extra-special, Jami and Blake made this mini-table right next to their head table in the East Garden Room.

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In their King’s Great Hall reception, Andrea and Derek made this lolli-pop tower for their kids table and put crowns around to make their kids feel like royalty!

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Pamela and Aaron gave kids at their King’s Great Hall reception a variety of activities at their table with crowns, coloring books, and glow sticks!

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Complete with coloring books, crowns, candy and individual gift bags, this couple gave their kids a very special table in their West Garden Room reception

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In their East Garden Room reception, this couple made a special kids table with card games, colored pencils, candy, and stickers!

 Just like the rest of your wedding reception, kid’s tables can be decorated as simple or extravagant as you want and can have any activity you can think of, and will always keep kids happy and entertained!

 

 

Michigan Wedding Blog