Erica and Cory had the wedding of their dreams at Pine Peaks’ Retreat and Event Center on June 28, 2014!  Check out their amazing love story which is featured on our website as Erica and Cory’s True Love Story.

They were the lucky winners of Pine Peaks’ $40,000 wedding giveaway!  With the generous help of numerous local vendors and the meticulous planning of the bride, the wedding weekend on was a SUCCESS!

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Cory is originally from Corcoran, MN and Erica is from Fargo, ND. They were able to plan a true destination wedding while being stationed in the military many states away from Pine Peaks.  The vendors were all available and eager to help the couple throw the romantic elegant affair they had always dreamed of.

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Pine Peaks Retreat and Event Center was pleased to host the wedding of this wonderful couple. Family and friends arrived early with the couple to create a fabulous romantic décor unique to Pine Peaks.  Erica’s dad, Gary, made a custom wooden beam which was hung above the head table, and Kate, from Bloom Designs, hung a variety of candles and flowers which framed the head table with elegance and bling. Kate also decorated the tables with grand fresh flower arrangements and candles with a romantic mix of textures and colors combining elegance and class. The Bride’s bouquet was filled with vintage jewels which added bling to the fragrant floral mix.

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J.F Kruse Jewelers of St Cloud provided custom made jewelry for the bridesmaids and custom made flasks for the groomsmen. They also made stunning jewelry for the bride, Erica.  How fun to go jewelry shopping! We can never get enough bling! J.F Kruse Jewelers has new location in St Cloud is that is amazing!

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The bride’s dad also made a grand wooden arbor to surround the couple during their I DOs. The arbor was as finely finished as custom cabinetry. (They were generous enough to leave it for other brides and grooms to use!) Kate also provided fresh flower arrangements to enhance the arbor. A romantic flair was added with white draping to complete the romantic, elegant feel surrounded by Pine Peaks’ garden. The setting was perfect.

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The Groom’s Dinner and rehearsal was held on Friday night. Kate of Maucieri’s Catering threw a fabulous celebration in the Pavilion. Chef Brian grilled steaks perfectly from Grand Champion Meats of Crosslake, MN. They were fabulous next to the corn on the cob, roasted garlic baby reds and prosciutto wrapped shrimp with baby asparagus.

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Saturday began with the team from Captivating-Beauty giving the royal treatment to the bride and all of her bridesmaids. They did hair and makeup right in the salon of the Retreat House. The women looked like they were ready for Hollywood! The groom and groomsmen were not left out as they were provided tuxes from Arlene’s Bridal and Tuxedo Shop. Each of the groomsmen chose their own shoes to make sure they were comfortable. Likewise, Erica had each bridesmaid choose their own dress and shoes to allow them to wear something they liked and to allow them to actually wear them again. This made for an interesting mix of designs and textures tied together with Kate’s amazing bouquets.

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Kelli of Kelli Engstrom Photography was there to capture the day. She has done numerous weddings at Pine Peaks and knows the property is a “photographers’ dream”. Kelli captured the essence of the day with candids as well as group photos around the whole property. See her amazing work at www.kelliengstrom.com.    Michael Girling, videographer of VidStar Productions also captured the whole day. Thanks to Kelli and Michael, Erica and Cory’s wedding memories will be recorded forever.

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If a sprinkle is an indication of good fortune, the couple will be RICH with a very blessed life! The ceremony was brief as it was shortened by a short but heavy rain shower.  Jim Olsen, an instrumental guitarist, started the ceremony with music for the processional. The Officiant, Lisa Cassman was able to ask the important question and get a quick answer. The ceremony was cut short, but contained the I DOs needed to seal the deal!

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The reception was a GRAND affair and the guests were treated like royalty. A champagne toast was given in honor of the nuptials.  Good wishes and blessings were given to Erica and Cory by all of the guests. Kate of Maucieri’s Catering, along with her talented group, served butler passed appetizers.  To satisfy the guests’ sweet tooth, Party World provided a punch fountain as well as a chocolate fountain. Ole and Lena’s Sweet Revenge provided truffles which the guests could customize.

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Clyde, owner of Safe Ride Shuttle Service, escorted the bridal party around town to help celebrate after the ceremony. Clyde also shuttled family and guests to and from Pine Peaks Lodge and Suites of Crosslake who provided rooms to the lucky couple to share with some of their guests. Many of the wedding guests enjoyed the up north décor of the beautiful Pine Peaks Lodge and Suites in downtown Crosslake for the weekend and also enjoyed their pool and even a complimentary breakfast!

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Maucieri’s Catering plated a feast for the guests. Chef Brian out-did himself with fresh bread, a house salad, chicken parmesan topped with provolone cheese and gravy served over fettuccine, cheese tortellini with pesto cream sauce and Sicilian green beans. Amazing! As a Pine Peaks’ tradition, Kate later in the evening also baked fresh made pizzas in the wood fired oven.

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Doug Taylor of Action Entertainment and his team of gallant Percherons took the Bride and Groom on a sunset horse-drawn carriage ride around the 80 acre estate. Some of the lucky kids at the event were also given a ride around the farm. The couple appeared to be right out of a movie as they pulled up to the Event Center greeted by cheering guests.

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JP and Deandre of DJ Entertainment played all of the couples’ favorite tunes and the guests danced the night away. A very playful bride and groom enjoyed every minute of their dream wedding weekend! So many lifetime memories were made.

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We at Pine Peaks, along with all of the vendors, would like to thank Erica and Cory for their military service. It is people like you who help to ensure that we have the freedom to enjoy our lives as we know it.  We wish safe travels on your honeymoon provided by Bursch Travel and we also wish Erica and Cory the best of love and good fortune in their lives as husband and wife! Congrats!

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–  Dave and Julie Peterson

 

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