It is hard to believe how quickly the past six months have flown by. At long last, your special day is just around the corner. Tomorrow will certainly be a celebration to remember and we can’t wait to see you two become husband and wife. Though it has been a relatively short time, we feel like old friends. You and your families were nothing but pure joy to serve and work alongside of. We look forward to many years of continued friendship and watching your family grow! Our wish for you both is to remember the small moments, the spaces between in your day to day routines. It’s these sweet moments of life that we hope you look back with fond memories of the day you became Mr. and Mrs. Blessings to you both and thank you for the greatest gift of all- your time and hearts.
From “I Do’s” to Dancing, event days are filled with excitement! It is essential to find a pair of shoes to wear during the celebration that are both chic and comfortable. (With our first wedding of the summer this weekend, our team has been on the hunt for our “event day” shoes!). Unless you are a pro at walking in 5 inch stilettos for the duration of the evening, we usually recommend shorter heel styles or a stacked heel/wedge. Comfort is key! If you don’t like heels at all, we always love a pair of Tieks! These are 9 of our favorite pairs of heels that will have you dressed for the occasion but also able to navigate the party until guests have finished dancing the night away!
Libby here again—today’s topic is an exciting one, and something we love to share! The team at A Day In May is very proud of where we live. I mean, what’s not to love about Northern Michigan? From beautiful snowy winters to long summer days on the water, we really are living in one of the coolest places on Earth. So many visitors come to Northern Michigan right about this time of year (and we can’t blame them!), so we thought it would be a perfect time to tell you a bit about our hometowns.
How did you end up where you are now and what prompted you to stay?
Alicia: Well a boy (my dad) met a girl (my mom) and the rest is history! Just kidding 😉 Oh, you want to how did I come to TC?! Gotcha. I am actually a native, born and raised in Traverse City. After high school graduation I headed south to the University of Michigan (Go BLUE!). I loved living in Ann Arbor and my college experience but I knew that home for me was “up north.” I met my hubby in college (he went to Michigan State… I know, I know… hard to believe we are still married!) and he’s also from Northern Michigan so it was an easy move for us to settle where our roots were planted. After college, and in my former life, I was a golf professional and PGA apprentice- with so many great courses and mentors around it was ideal. I knew I always wanted to own my own company but in the glory days of playing 18 holes after work and epic farmer tans, I had no idea that my move back home would have landed me A Day in May Events. We live in a four season’s playground and I love the outdoors. What prompted me to stay? My family is here. My husband’s family is here. We hope to raise a family here. And in my mind, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.
Tana: Growing up, my grandma live in Williamsburg- which is located about fifteen minutes east of Traverse City- on Lake Skegemog which is part of the “Chain of Lakes” (Elk Lake, Lake Skegemog, Torch Lake, Clam Lake, Lake Bellaire, Intermediate Lake and other smaller lakes all of which drain into East Grand Traverse Bay in the town of Elk Rapids). We visited her many times throughout the year but some of my best memories are those with my cousins playing in the lake until the sunset, using our imaginations and just being kids! It was the ultimate playground! Needless to say, my love of Northern Michigan was ingrained at a very young age and as I got older in high school and college, I knew I had to get back and hopefully someday live in the area.
In college, I took an internship at an interior design firm in Charlevoix and further fell in love with the area, but it wasn’t until a couple years out of college that I was able to finally make the move. I officially moved to Northern Michigan in May of 2010 to take a position with A Day in May. In the same year, I met my future husband (a Leelanau County boy!), three years later we got married and then shortly after that we had our son. Just recently, we relocated from Traverse City to Williamsburg (minutes away from where my grandma used lived). I feel like I’ve come full circle from experiencing the area as a child and now an adult. I hope our son grows up to love the area as much as we both do- it truly is such a magical place an unlike anywhere I’ve ever visited! The one downside- winter! This Indiana girl just can’t grasp the fact that winter indeed can last almost half of the year!
Emily: I was born in Traverse City and I never got that ‘itch’ to leave. What’s not to love?? You’re surrounded by water, wilderness of all kinds, local breweries, wineries, restaurants, etc., and the most amazing community of people. Don’t get me wrong, I love to travel! However I always find myself excited to get home.
Kerry: Northern Michigan is such a special place and I feel so fortunate to have grown up here in Traverse City. After graduating from Michigan State, I was eager to try something new and leave Michigan to experience life in the big city. My husband and I moved to San Francisco and while we loved the West Coast, the Midwest and Northern Michigan in particular kept pulling at our heartstrings. So here we are…back in the small town we love so dearly! We love the beauty of every season, the supportive and creative community and being near our friends and family!
We’ve all had those perfect summer northern Michigan days that you never wanted to end. If you could plan your favorite summer day, jam packed from sun up to sun down and all over town, what would it entail?
Alicia (Emmet County): First things first, I would be waking up in Harbor Springs. My dear friend Erin Brede, owner of Anchor Events, has me hooked on this delightful coastal town. We’d be staying at their lovely home and stroll to Johan’s for donuts. After some breakfast fuel, we’d head up the Tunnel of Trees and grab some beach time at Sturgeon Bay- this place is amazing. Remember to pack a lunch since it’s a little hike to the bay- the Cross Village General Store is the perfect place for that. After we’ve got our fair share of sun we’d make our way to Walloon Lake for a Happy Hour cocktail cruise with our friends and ride by boat to dinner at Barrel Back in south end of the lake. The sunset from their dining room is amazing!
Tana (Leelanau County): Ok, we’re road tripping to Leelanau so the night before, we must pack a car friendly breakfast (DIY breakfast burritos anyone?) for the ride. We’ll get up early, pack the coolers and get on the road.
We’ll make our way up the Leelanau Peninsula following along the west shore of West Grand Traverse Bay. Our first stop will be Suttons Bay which is home to a variety of great restaurants and shops. A couple of my favorite places include: the Bayside Gallery (home to one of the largest, most colorful assortment of lawn decorations I’ve ever seen) and Haystacks (cute women’s clothing boutique with other locations in Traverse City, Glen Arbor, Leland, Elk Rapids and beyond). If you have the extra time and are up for an adventure and a little workout, be sure to check out Grand Traverse Bike Tours for a Leelanau Wine Trail self guided bike tour.
Following the stop in Suttons Bay, we’ll continue heading up the shore the the quaint, yet booming town of Northport. Out of all the Northern Michigan towns, I’d say that Northport has experienced the most growth and development throughout the past couple of years. They’ve added a multitude of restaurants and shops to their downtown and now even have a bowling alley- Tucker’s of Northport. If you have the time, a quick stop at Barb’s Bakery (112 N Mill Street) for their cinnamon twist donuts is a necessity. Depending on the time of year you’re visiting, Kilcherman’s Christmas Cove (11573 N Kilcherman Road) is a must stop in the fall. They specialize in antique apple varieties, fresh pressed cider and a killer display of vintage glass bottles! Before heading south again, you may want to make a stop at Leelanau State Park or Peterson Park. Both stops offer amazing, uninterrupted views of Lake Michigan!
Ok, so your tummy is rumbling so that must mean it’s time to head south to Leland and Historic Fishtown. Head back where you came from and catch the southern stretch of M-22 just outside of Northport. You’ll travel south until arriving to Leland just in time for lunch. First thing’s first- looking for a killer sandwich on house made pretzel bread? Visit the Village Cheese Shanty to grab the sandwich of your choice. Don’t be alarmed by the long line- we promise it’s worth the wait- and be warned they accept cash only. After grabbing your sandwich, grab a picnic table right in Fishtown or depending on your appetite, save your sammy for the next stretch of the road. Leland and Historic Fishtown are home to some great shops and restaurants, as wall as, amazing beaches and lake views. It’s here where you can catch the ferry to the Manitou Islands for an exploratory day trip or extended stay camping adventure. If you’re looking for a fine dining experience, visit the historic Riverside Inn nestled along the shore of the Leland River. Their amazing food and wonderful hospitality is not to be missed!
Time to hop in the car again and head further south to Glen Arbor. Along the route, you’ll experience panoramic pastoral views and peek-a-boo glimpses of the big lake along with several inland lakes. You’ll enter into the beautiful Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore before coming to a stop in Glen Arbor. If happy hour has arrived, you may want to make a quick stop at Art’s Tavern-another cash only establishment- for a libation and a snack. Be sure to check out the local merchants with visits to Cherry Republic, Cottonseed, and Becky Thatcher Designs. Enough with the shopping already, it’s time to lace up your hiking boots and explore the park. While you could certainly take up a whole day or days visiting the park alone, if you’re in a rush, some of my must see’s include: Pyramid Point Trail, the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive and paddling the Crystal River.
Heading further south from Glen Arbor, you’ll arrive in the village of Empire. The Philip A. Hart Visitors Center calls this cozy village home. At Village Park (Lake Michigan Drive) you can enjoy a long walk on the breach, as well as a breathtaking sunset. If you’re in need of a quick bite before heading back, be sure to stop in at the local’s favorite Joe’s Friendly Tavern (11015 W Front Street). As you head back to wherever you are staying, you’ll be sure to reminisce on the day, the amazing scenery, the wonderful cuisine and the friendly locals who are lucky enough to call this beautiful slice of land home! After all, the don’t call Leelanau the “land of delight” for nothin.
Emily (Traverse City): My perfect summer day would be waking up early to grab a coffee from Morsels and head to the Farmer’s Market to get myself a Pleasanton Apricot Croissant (yum!) and meander the rows of vendors, picking up various items to pack for a day on the water. Then I’d prepare a cooler and meet some friends at Clinch Park for a day full of sun and swimming. Once I’ve had my full day in the sun, and to wrap up the evening, I would head to North Peak to grab some dinner. What a perfect summer day!
Kerry (Benzie County): The perfect day in the Frankfort area would begin with coffee and a pastry at Crescent Bakery. From there I would hop on my bike for a ride down the Betsie Valley Trail. This 22 mile paved trail stretches from the Lake Michigan shore in Frankfort to Crystal Lake. It is beautiful in any season! Upon arriving at Crystal Lake, I would stop at the beach to soak up some sunshine and enjoy the fresh blue waters. Don’t forget a beach blanket and a picnic to share with your friends and family for lunch! Crystal lake is perfect for swimming, boating and paddle boarding (my favorite!). A visit to the Point Betsie Lighthouse is another great stop to add to the day’s itinerary. If you have time for a 20 minute drive to Thompsonville, I would also recommend an afternoon at the Crystal Mountain Spa -divine! In the evening, we love visiting Stormcloud Brewing Company for locally brewed beers and some good eats. End the day by taking in the sunset over the lake!
One thing I always hear the locals talk about is “fudgies” (tourists visiting “up north” for the summer, usually very fond of the local fudge shops). What is one fudgie thing you can’t help but join in on?
Alicia: Pulling to the side of the road and taking photos. We truly live in one of the most beautiful places on earth and everywhere around you Mother Nature shows off in her subtle ways. Oh yah, and I stop at all the festival food trucks! How can you not love a funnel cake or fresh french fries?!
Tana: The people love the fudge and there is a reason for it! Gosh, is it ever good! While I would never buy it myself- that’s a quick trip to the store for a new pair of pants- when I do get the chance to enjoy a small slice of fudge (ok, did I say small slice, I meant a giant hunk!) it’s certainly a savored experience. While Mackinac Island is the Northern Michigan fudge mecca in my opinion, the TC locations of Kilwin’s and Doug Murdick’s certainly suffice. Whether you’re into the crazy flavor combinations or are a sucker for the more traditional varieties, you can’t go wrong in visiting one (or both) of these establishments. Since childhood, I’ve always enjoyed watching the workers stir and make the fudge right before your eyes- the aroma is heavenly. Kilwin’s also has some killer caramel apples if you’re in need of something a bit more “healthy” (what, an apple is fruit, right?).
Emily: Cherry Festival and Film Festival… I can’t help it! I just love the hustle and bustle of Downtown Traverse during these incredible festivals. I love seeing so many families (fudgies and locals alike) that come together for these events every year to enjoy our community.
Kerry: Wine Tasting on Old Mission Peninsula. I love trying the locally produced wines in the region! Sitting on an outdoor patio (Bonobo and Brys Estate have two of my favorites) overlooking the bay is one of my favorite ways to spend a warm, sunny afternoon. I think all the fudgies agree 🙂
Should I be ashamed that I love participating in all of the aforementioned fudgie activities? I think we just have to embrace it; a little fudginess is an essential part to a good ol’ Northern Michigan summer.
If anyone has anything bad to say about the weather in Tennessee in the spring, they clearly are unhappy people because the weather for our entire trip was perfect! On our 3rd and final day we explored the 100 acres surrounding the lodge and a part of Maryville College, spending time connecting and chatting with others. Thanks Clark Brewer for the great conversation.
We started at the main gate and meandered through the trees, over babbly brooks and scouting so many picture perfect hideaways for intimate celebrations. Our walk brought us full circle for an outdoor picnic where our friend Sacha Hardy of Hamammas and Colby West spoiled us with gifts and goodies.
Images by Natalie Watson
To shake things up a bit, and fuel our “competitive” natures, the RT Lodge crew and Colby’s team orchestrated a floral foraging and composition contest! Using floral from the charming escort card display, surrounding forest, and anything we could get our hands on nearby, we were turned loose to create our masterpieces. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, designing floral is TOUGH and there’s no part of my being that would ever want to take on that task; which is why we work with incredible professionals who bring their art and talents to our events. But, in this instance (and for those that know me know I may have a slight competitive bone!) I dove in as our tables Floral Leader and what do you know our arrangement WON! Table 2 dominated thanks to Ali Phillips from Engaging Events, Chelsea Petaja, Tarin from Teak & Twine, Caroline from My kind of lovely- a womens’ boutique clothing shop in Maryville and thanks to the gals from My Kind of Lovely, we all got to go shopping in their pop-up boutique!
Left Image by Sarah Ingram; Right Image by Natalie Watson
Image by Sarah Ingram
As our magical time at RT Lodge was coming to an end I spent the afternoon rocking in a chair and talking life with Janette of District Weddings and Valerie of Sapphire Events and it couldn’t have been better. Over the three days I was at RT Lodge, I had the opportunity to learn from so many talented professionals in our industry who are making waves and changing the way that special events are viewed. Through casual conversations, like sitting on the porch with Kristy Rice talking big dreams while trying to get her to come to Northern Michigan and paint Sleeping Bear Dunes, or stealing time with Gary Doyle the GM of RT Lodge learning about his experience in hospitality, I was so thankful to be included among the select group of invitees on this trip.
The final, and main event, our Farewell Dinner was something straight out of a dream. Held on the front lawn of the main lodge, the yard sprinkled with beautifully dressed tables and sun beams streaking through the tree limbs was so perfect that you wanted to close your eyes and hold this moment forever. (Only thing missing in my book was my better half and fur baby!) The gents were invited to select a tie or bowtie of their choice while ladies ears were adorned with beautiful jewels from Lisi Lerch. In true industry fashion, we donned our like clothing, chanted as the RT Lodge teams took their bows and jigged the night away to a most epic playlist. (DJ in training Lauren Goshinski from Grit & Grance grabbed the turn tables so you know it was going to be one hellova time!)
Images by Natalie Watson
Images by Sarah Ingram
Image by Natalie Watson
Left Image by Natalie Watson; Right Image by Sarah Ingram
Images by Natalie Watson Photography
As we say around the office, all good things must come to an end but the best is yet to come and the “bests” are the incredible contacts at a most spectacular destination location, new friendships and life long memories.
Thank you again to RT Lodge and the team who worked around the clock taking great care of all of us and to the incredible supporters who’s hard work and efforts were noticed, even in the smallest of details. It was unforgettable and I cannot wait to return!
