Some towns nestle up against our hearts. They end up becoming the type of place you know you’ll yearn for and think about when drowning in the everyday monotony. The place where you say, “can we fit it in this year?” in addition to the vacation you’ve been saving your PTO days for. Or at least… That’s what rolls through my mind. So let’s take that love of a place that feels like home and add something even more special to the mix: celebrating the love you share with your significant other.

This is where I have to admit my bias – I love Copper Harbor. This place truly is the town that nestled against my heart. I went to Northern Michigan University just to be a little closer to one of my own favorite places in the world. I’ve always looked forward to walking the lava flows, hearing the water splash against the coast, and breathing in that earthy smell so unique to the grounds here. In my mind, there’s almost no reason not to consider getting married here… but here’s my schtick: if you’re an adventurous, earthbound person who loves the little things, join me in adding Copper Harbor to your intimate wedding list. 

The very nature of an intimate wedding is just this: the freedom of spending intentional, quality time with those you love. It’s being able to close your eyes, envision a room full of all your favorite people… but then opening your eyes, and it being a reality. It’s booking cabins together so your best friends can play being your neighbor and your family being just across the way. It’s opening your door, taking a step outside and seeing your people on their own porches looking back at you. It’s having coffee together while watching the sun illuminate the trees, casually enjoying breakfast while looking across the golf course and picturing your first few steps down the aisle. Listening to the birds sing their morning songs and knowing that there really is no better way to start your wedding day. 

An intimate wedding is the convenience of staying all in one place, no additional travel required. It’s being able to sit alone under the oak trees to catch your breath rather than hopping in the car to drive forty minutes to the next venue. It’s feeling the wind in your hair and the sun on your cheeks and knowing everything is just as it should be. It’s watching the sunset fall behind Brockway Mountain, listening to the laughs of your friends, and having drinks together in front of the fireplace. Intimate weddings are the gift of making memories like we want on Christmas… but instead, we’re living off the joy from your wedding day as Copper Harbor has nestles into your heart too. 

I’m the kind of gal who loves love, and as a photographer I can’t help but look out for those beautiful locations. Now that I work here, it feels like every time I peak out the window my breath gets taken away. The beautiful, tall trees and the darling ways their branches grow from living a life in the Harbor… Well, what can I say – this can be your reality, too. 

So you’ve secured a venue, and are starting to reach out to vendors. Flowers, music, cake, and the big one, catering. Maybe your venue takes care of your catering, or maybe you need to find an outside vendor. But in either case, a tasting option will probably be in your future. 

What does that mean exactly? Tastings are offered in two common ways…group tastings or private tastings. In either option, one thing remains the same: your wedding menu tasting is for you to learn about the chef’s style and quality of cooking. It is NOT a free-for-all tasting of anything and everything you want from the menu. For private tastings, there will most likely be a set tasting menu, or you may have limited choices from different categories. Group tastings look a little different, with a buffet style set-up of dishes the chef wants to highlight.

The group tastings will be the choice the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge offers moving forward. Twice a year we will be offering group tastings free for couples who have booked weddings with us, and a cover fee for those still shopping around. This gives everyone a chance to try several different food options. 2021 tastings will be:

• May 1, 2021
• October 23, 2021

Remember to take notes on what you taste, and take pictures so you can distinguish between dishes. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and give feedback, for your best experience possible. And have fun!

The fire is warm, the snow is falling gently outside the window, and you are standing with your other half about to dedicate your lives to each other in front of the fireplace. Or, maybe you are standing outside under the gently falling snow wrapped in a fuzzy, warm shawl while reciting those vows.

Sound appealing? We think so, too. The Keweenaw Mountain Lodge is exploring a new idea…winter weddings! If you think that the Brockway Mountain backdrop is beautiful in the summer, the snow-capped ridge in the winter is another level of wilderness beauty.

A winter wedding in the Keweenaw stands out. You may attend two or three weddings throughout the summer and fall, but that winter wedding…that is the wedding you will remember. 

Let’s consider some other appealing points:

• Vendor availability could be wide open. In fact, you might be the center of their attention!  78% of weddings in the United States take place between the months of May and October. Instead of you wrestling for space on the calendar, the vendors may be fighting over you! Maybe the health situation in the world this year meant you had to reschedule your date and now you can’t find vendors with any availability later in the year. Think winter!
• Speaking of wrestling, imagine tentatively picking a summer date, and then immediately starting to worry about that weather forecast? Instead of wrestling the elements and dreading that soaking downpour, a snowfall in the winter will only leave you with wonderful photo opportunities. Not worries about being drenched in rain . Or, stay inside and get married. That cozy fireplace scene could be your backdrop.
• Those photo opportunities though! The colors of your flowers and bridesmaid dresses will pop against the white snowy backdrop. And let’s face it, you know you want to throw a snowball at your new spouse. Now you can blame it on the photo op!

Bottom line, should a winter wedding at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge be in the cards? We are working to figure out if we shouldn’t rule out that November through April wedding. It could be the unique, fun, joyous, and adventurous start to a great marriage!

Here we are, at the start of the summer season in the Keweenaw. The beginning of May is a time of change, as businesses begin opening up, snow is melting, and the temperatures are warming up for guests to enjoy a superior Keweenaw summer and fall season. A change that creates warmth and vibrancy in the Keweenaw.

However, this year has taken an interesting twist. Executive orders are restricting many businesses in Michigan. To stay safe, citizens in Michigan and around the country are being advised to stay home. Normal Keweenaw vibrancy has been dampened and postponed.

This is contrary to what normally occurs during the month of May at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge. We are normally ramping up for a summer season. And this wasn’t any different this year, as we had many weekends full of events and weddings. 

We had events and weddings scheduled for every weekend from May until the end of October. In order to allay health concerns and stop the spread of a disease, events in May have been cancelled. We have had several cancellations in June, and we continue to monitor the status for July – October weddings at the Lodge.

Instead of greeting happy and joyful brides, grooms, and their supporting wedding parties, we are now advising and counseling wedding parties about their options for weddings and what we are seeing happening during these times of uncertainty caused by a pandemic and governmental executive orders. Our focus at the Lodge is on celebrating a couple’s most special moments together. Seeing those moments disappearing is disheartening. 

However, not all is lost! The current health crisis might have dampened the spirit and enthusiasm surrounding weddings; however, there might be an end in sight and the future awaits — whether it is in your own backyard, or here in the Keweenaw.

 The sun continues to rise daily in the East, and brightens each and every day. You can do the same! We still have a plan to have a great season, and are executing on that plan. We positively look forward to each and every day, and we want everyone to do the same as they continue to look forward to their special event. We want to find ways for you to have a fun, joyous, adventuresome, and also safe and healthy, experience! To keep wedding planning on track, we will make necessary changes, and we will continue staying positive.

That said, how do the current changes in our environment affect the wedding couple? To put your mind at ease, the result is a positive change.

 It is a  difficult decision you are facing, and we want to be here to ease that decision making process. We can help you make decisions on scaling down your wedding, whether virtual options would fit your situation, or help you find and book a new date that will work for you and your other vendors. Try thinking about what aspects of your wedding are non-negotiable as it relates to the current restrictions in your area. That can help paint a clear picture of whether a new date or cancellation is necessary, or if you can mold your existing wedding to fit the proper criteria. We know you are watching the news, staying up late reading articles from wedding industry experts, and just generally existing in panic mode. Committing to a decision is the best thing to calm your mind and move forward. 

Of course, what we all want is for you to be able to keep your original wedding date as planned. We will do whatever we can to make that happen. Our refund policies are flexible during this uncertain time. We know that we are not the only vendor on your list of contacts, and that you are trying to keep up with and coordinate several different vendor policies. We will be able to offer you a plated dinner versus a buffet, at no extra charge. Or, provide servers for your buffet to minimize guest contact as much as possible. We will be able to offer sanitizing supplies, masks, and gloves. Instead of pre-set tables we will offer rolled silverware. We will try to accommodate any special requests you have to help you and your guests feel comfortable and able to have a great time. 

However you choose to proceed with your planning, the most important thing is that you are starting a life together. Take the time with your fiancé to do something special that reminds you of why you fell in love and why you are getting married. Whatever that union looks like now, in the end, you will have a beautiful future to look forward to together. 

Wedding Talk with Mariah is a blog series about KML weddings, with expert insights and advice from Events Manager Mariah Summers.

August was BUSY, we missed a blog post! And by we, I now mean me, as Grace has accepted an exciting new position at Michigan Tech. We miss her, and wish her the best!

A destination wedding to the U.P.’s Keweenaw Peninsula is guaranteed to be a unique, memorable experience. But…where do you start?

Hire a planner

Hiring a planner would be a great first step. A planner that is local to the area would have valuable insights to the logistics of wedding planning in our beloved, but small and remote area. They can help you find the best vendors, therefore taking the guesswork out of planning the details. Depending on their services, they could even help you and your guests with travel and lodging! Contact Honey and Heart , they are wonderful to work with!

Picking the right date

Most likely to be your biggest issue in the Keweenaw (besides the bugs!)…what will the weather be like? We have very few, coveted months when we know we can enjoy nice weather. Late May into early June will start bringing warmer days, melting the snow and drying up the spring run off. However, they can also be unpredictable with rain and cold weather days still making an appearance. July and August can be counted on for some beautiful, warm sun! Late September into October are good for two things…colder, rainy weather and gorgeous colors. But, although color season is popular with locals and tourists for its vibrant beauty, I wouldn’t count on staying dry or warm if you plan an outdoor ceremony!

Showcase the area

The Keweenaw Peninsula is home to sandy beaches, clear waters, scenic views, breweries, and trails galore! So give your guests an opportunity to make the most of their trip by putting together easy to follow itineraries, area trail maps, brochures, and travel guides into a welcome basket. Schedule spa services from Spirit of the North, adventures with the Keweenaw Adventure Company, local brews at Brickside Brewery, or just hop in the car and take a cruise down M-26 along the lake shore! By making sure your guests have options and a little guidance, their trip is sure to be memorable.

 Plan a visit beforehand

If you can, plan to make a trip a few months before the big day. In addition to helping you get familiar with the area, you can also tie in a tour of the venue if you haven’t already had one, a menu tasting, and scope out potential ceremony locations.

The Keweenaw Mountain Lodge is in the center of it all. We would love to help you and your guests experience the area to its fullest! Be it small and intimate, or a larger crowd, we will do what we do best and make your special day the rustic, adventurous wedding of your dreams!