Mackinac Island Wedding Guide 2018 | Page 9

Mission Point Sound Stage Your Wedding Reception P lanning and executing a wed- ding reception requires many challenging decisions that begin with simply deciding where, what and when. When choosing where, keep in mind that a small group offers more choices of wedding venues. Groups of 100 or more guests are limited to just a few larger, quite capable facilities on the Island. If your guest list is long and you’ve selected a Saturday for your wedding, you should make ceremony and reception reservations at least nine to twelve months in advance. Having a smaller event, planning is much easier. If you and your fiancé plan to elope to the Island to be married, almost all of the bed & breakfasts, inns, and hotels on Mackinac can offer you last minute helpful service and advice. Larger hotels have on-site wedding coordinators you may consult who can take care of details at the hotel, or you can hire a professional coordinator to completely handle all of the details from beginning to end. Start by making some calls or emails to get initial infor- mation and availability, then things will quickly begin to fall in place. Each hotel You should make reception arrangements at least 9 to 12 months in advance offers its own unique features and loca- tion, but all provide high quality, first class service. T HE I NN AT S TONECLIFFE offers an elegant yet relaxed setting for weddings up to 120 guests. Built in 1904, the Stonecliffe Mansion has a rich history brim- ming with unique charm and beauty. Imagine a sunset ceremony on the Terraced Lawn, with breathtaking views of the Straits of Mackinac and Mackinac Bridge, or exchanging vows amidst the lush fe rns and pines of the Woodland Grotto. Follow up your ceremony with a first-class wedding reception and dinner in the Bridgeview Tent with views of Lake Huron and the Mackinac Bridge. The mansion, originally known as Cudahy Manor, is turn of the century Tudor architecture and offers 16 cap- tivating guest rooms featuring views of the Inn’s expansive grounds. The Summer House contains 31 richly appointed studio and two-bedroom suites decorated in a classic summer cottage style. Bike rentals, a heated swimming pool, Woods Golf Course and nature trails offer guests plenty to see and do. The tranquil grounds, scenic setting, and captivating views provide the ideal backdrop for beautiful photographs and a wedding you will always remember. Experience the historic charm and unparalleled beauty of this one-of-a- kind Mackinac Island summer estate hotel. For ceremony and reception Mackinac Island Wedding Guide 9