Wedding Day

Ceremony

Crystal Lake Golf Club

Reception

Our Wedding

Our StoryIf there's one thing we've learned over the years, it's that life rarely goes according to plan...and honestly, we wouldn't have it any other way. It all started with drinks on Frankfort Beach at sunset. Matt showed up prepared for what apparently looked like a weeklong expedition, carrying the cooler, chairs, towels, and everything else himself up and down the bluff stairs. I probably should've known then what I was getting myself into. Since then, we've experienced just about everything—career changes, buying our first home, totaled cars, home improvement projects, and plenty of moments that started with, “Well...that wasn't in the plan.” Through it all, we've laughed a lot, leaned on each other, and built a life we truly love. If you've met Matt, you know exactly the kind of person he is. He's the guy who stops for every car on the side of the road—even when we're already running late—because he genuinely wants to make sure everyone is okay. As a high school principal, his favorite students somehow always seem to be the ones who spend the most time in his office. While others see a troublemaker, Matt sees someone worth believing in. He works harder than anyone I know, and I honestly don't think there's a single person he can't find the good in.Watching him as a father to Issy, Q, and Ainsley has made me love him even more. The patience, kindness, and encouragement he gives them every day remind me just how lucky I am. The truth is, I knew I wanted to marry Matt about nine years ago...so you could say I've been a little patient. 😄 But after all the adventures, challenges, laughter, and years we've shared, I'd happily wait all over again. When Matt asked me to marry him at Silver Lake, saying yes was the easiest answer I've ever given. Thank you for being part of our story. We can't wait to celebrate this next chapter with the people we love most. See you on the dance floor! Love,Jen &amp; Matt

Our Story

Photos

Jill Gum

Alisa Elliott

Erika Elliott

Kady Fitzhugh 

Ainsley Stapleton

Cait Johnson

Q Stapleton

Dave Stapleton

Tom Stapleton 

AJ Elliott

Berk 

Brian Ross

Wedding Party

Our official dress code is: "Please wear clothes."Beyond that, feel free to dress for a golf course, a wedding, or somewhere in between. Just remember you'll be walking on grass, so choose your footwear wisely.

Dress Code

Q + A

Amenities Make use of convenient amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access, a television in a common area, and a picnic area. Dining A complimentary continental breakfast is served daily from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Business Amenities Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk, microwave in a common area, and refrigerator in a common area. Free self parking is available onsite. Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 10 air-conditioned rooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms with shower/tub combinations are provided. Conveniences include phones with free local calls, and housekeeping is provided once per stay. Attractions Distances are displayed to the nearest 0.1 mile and kilometer. Crystal Lake - 0.1 km / 0.1 mi Betsie Valley Trail - 1 km / 0.6 mi Crystal Lake Golf Club - 1.9 km / 1.2 mi Benzie Area Historical Museum - 2.3 km / 1.4 mi Pinecroft Golf Course - 2.6 km / 1.6 mi Platte Lake - 6.5 km / 4 mi Rush Lake - 8.6 km / 5.3 mi Long Lake - 9.8 km / 6.1 mi Champion Hill Golf Course - 9.9 km / 6.1 mi Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 11 km / 6.8 mi Loon Lake - 11 km / 6.8 mi Betsie Lake - 11.9 km / 7.4 mi Old Indian Trail - 12.8 km / 7.9 mi Frankfort Beach - 14.2 km / 8.8 mi Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital - 14.4 km / 8.9 mi The nearest airports are: Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker) - 45.4 km / 28.2 mi Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) - 50.7 km / 31.5 mi Location Located in Beulah, Coastal Suites Resort is within a 15-minute drive of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Crystal Mountain. This motel is 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Crystal Lake and 0.7 mi (1.1 km) from Betsie Valley Trail. Headline Near Betsie Valley Trail

Coastal Suites Resort

Just 2 mi from Crystal Lake, this Beulah, Michigan hotel features an on-site spa and salon. Each guest room is equipped with a flat-screen TV with cable channels. Free WiFi and coffee/tea making facilities are also provided in all rooms. Free continental breakfast is served daily, featuring eggs, cereal, fruit, juice, and coffee. An indoor pool and fitness center are available on site. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is 14 mi away from this hotel. Crystal Lake Golf Club can be reached in 3 minutes’ drive.

Baymont by Wyndham Beulah

Honor Motel features rooms with a cable TV and is located in Honor, Michigan. Free WiFi access is available. Crystal Mountain Ski Resort is 17 mi away from the motel. A microwave and refrigerator are included in every guestroom at the Motel Honor. Extras include free toiletries, a fan, and coffee machine. There is a vending machine for refreshments at the Honor Motel. The property offers free parking. The motel is 11 mi away from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore, 25 mi away from Traverse City, and 22 mi away from Cherry Capital Airport.

Honor Motel

When you a stay at Harbor Lights Resort in Frankfort, you'll be on the beach, just steps from Lake Michigan and Frankfort Beach.  This beach hotel is 8.8 mi (14.1 km) from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Betsie Lake.
Take advantage of recreation opportunities including an indoor pool and a spa tub. This hotel also features complimentary wireless Internet access, a fireplace in the lobby, and a picnic area.
Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk, laundry facilities, and coffee/tea in a common area. Free self parking is available onsite.
Make yourself at home in one of the 50 air-conditioned rooms featuring microwaves and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Conveniences include coffee/tea makers, and housekeeping is provided daily.

Harbor Lights Resort

Amenities Take in the views from a garden and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access. Business Amenities Free self parking is available onsite. Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 12 guestrooms. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms have showers and hair dryers. Attractions Distances are displayed to the nearest 0.1 mile and kilometer. Arcadia Area Historical Museum - 0.3 km / 0.2 mi Arcadia Lake - 0.6 km / 0.4 mi Grebe Park - 0.9 km / 0.5 mi Lake Michigan - 1.4 km / 0.9 mi Inspiration Point - 3.1 km / 1.9 mi Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course - 4.6 km / 2.9 mi Chestnut Hills Golf Course - 7.6 km / 4.7 mi Pierport Beach - 7.6 km / 4.7 mi Upper Herring Lake - 9.1 km / 5.7 mi Lower Herring Lake - 10.5 km / 6.6 mi Bear Lake - 11.1 km / 6.9 mi Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve - 12.8 km / 8 mi Glovers Lake - 13.5 km / 8.4 mi Wolf River Golf Park - 15.5 km / 9.6 mi Portage Lake - 15.6 km / 9.7 mi The nearest major airport is Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker) - 29.5 km / 18.3 mi Location With a stay at Pleasant Valley Resort in Arcadia, you'll be a 3-minute drive from Lake Michigan and 5 minutes from Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course. This motel is 12.7 mi (20.4 km) from Crystal Mountain and 0.2 mi (0.3 km) from Arcadia Area Historical Museum. Headline Near Arcadia Area Historical Museum

Pleasant Valley Resort

The Cottonwood Inn B&amp;B offers accommodations in Empire, 25 miles from Dennos Museum Center At Northwestern Michigan College and 28 miles from Lucy Craft Laney Museum Of Black History. The property is around 28 miles from Kresge Auditorium, 23 miles from Clinch Park, and 24 miles from City Opera House Historical Marker. The bed and breakfast offers rooms with air conditioning, free private parking, and free Wifi. At the bed and breakfast, the units include a outdoor furniture, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen, and towels. The rooms are equipped with heating facilities. Buffet and à la carte breakfast options with warm dishes, local specialities, and fresh pastries are available. Guests at the bed and breakfast will be able to enjoy activities in and around Empire, like canoeing and hiking. Guests can relax in the garden at the property. Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City is 25 miles from The Cottonwood Inn B&amp;B. Cherry Capital Airport is 26 miles from the property.

The Cottonwood Inn B&B

Located in Bear Lake and with Kresge Auditorium reachable within 29 miles, Motel Bear Lake provides express check-in and check-out, non-smoking rooms, a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, free WiFi and a garden. Guests can enjoy pool views. Complete with a private bathroom equipped with a shower and free toiletries, guest rooms at the motel have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and some rooms are equipped with a terrace. All rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Guests at Motel Bear Lake will be able to enjoy activities in and around Bear Lake, like hiking, skiing and fishing. Manistee County-Blacker Airport is 14 miles away.

Registry

Registry

We've been fortunate to build a home we love. If you wish to give a gift, contributions toward our honeymoon and future adventures would be deeply appreciated.