Ellen & Geoff
Ellen & Geoff
Are getting married!
Grand Haven, MI
Grand Haven, MI
Ceremony and Reception
Sunday, June 28, 2015
4 PM
Camp Blodgett
10451 Lakeshore Dr
West Olive, MI 49460
The ceremony will begin at 4 pm, followed by a cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing.
Please wear semiformal attire.
We chose to get married in Grand Haven because Ellen grew up in the Tri-Cities area and we both love spending time near Lake Michigan. If you have time, you might want to extend your stay before or after the wedding to enjoy the beaches, small-town charm, and friendly people of the area. Below are some of our favorite restaurants, beaches, and activities.
Transportation Information
We have reserved a shuttle bus to pick up and drop off wedding guests.
Pick up schedule:
2:25 PM Spring Lake Holiday Inn
2:35 PM Keenan Marina south parking lot (South of "Shabby Alley" store)
2:45 PM Grand Haven Days Inn
3:00 PM Harbor House Inn
3:30 PM Bus arrives Camp Blodgett
Drop off schedule:
Shuttle will leave Camp Blodgett sometime around 10:30-11 PM
(We'll make an announcement)
Beaches
Beaches
The Grand Haven State Park
This is the most convenient and popular of Grand Haven’s beaches. It has a beautiful pier with a lighthouse. If you are driving, day passes can be purchased for your car. Otherwise you can ride the trolly from Spring Lake or Grand Haven locations.
North Beach Park
This beach is much less crowded than the Grand Haven State Park but you will need to drive and buy a Day Pass.
Hoffmaster State Park
You will need to drive to this beach and purchase a day pass. In addition to the beach, Hoffmaster State Park also has wooden walkways through the woods, hiking trails, and a nature center with small educational exhibits about the local wildlife. Take some bug spray for the walk through the woods to the beach.
Food
Food
Fricano’s Pizza Tavern
This local pizza joint hasn’t changed much since it opened in 1949, but it still serves delicious and simple thin-crust pizza. http://www.fricanospizzatavern.com/
Fortinos
This Grand Haven landmark serves old-fashioned candy, hand-made choclates, and more modern favorites like jelly-bellies.
The Morning Star Cafe
You might have to stand in line for breakfast here, but it is worth it. You can always put your name in with the hostess and spend some time waiting in The Bookman next door. Lone Star specializes in Southwestern style dishes. Their homemade cinnamon buns are delicious and huge, best split among friends.
Temptations Ice Cream
Homemade waffle cones and ice cream, owned by the same folks who gave Ellen her first job.
Pronto Pup
A true bit of Americana, this tiny shack near the boardwalk only serves one thing: the pronto pup. It’s similar to a corn dog, but the batter is thinner and crisper.
Jumpin’ Java
A decent little coffee shop with space to lounge.
Did’s Deli
A local deli with giant sandwiches, good for post-beach lunches.
Snug Harbor
A good spot for dinner, overlooking the channel and conveniently located near downtown Grand Haven and the boardwalk.
Vander Mill Ciders
This Spring Lake spot sells locally made hard cider and has some delicious sandwiches.
K2 Pizzeria
Good pizza and a fun bar with pool tables, though it can get busy on the weekends.
Where to Stay
Where to Stay
Where to Stay
We have rooms reserved at these hotels
Harbor House Inn B&B
Reservations can be made for June 26, 27, and 28. You must reserve by June 19.
Call (616) 846-0610 and use the code 201500104.
Holiday Inn Grand Haven / Spring Lake
This hotel is in a good location but it is only available the night of June 28 due to a soccer tournament. You must make a reservation by May 28.
Call (616) 846-1000 and use the code Grafton/Stearns Wedding.
Days Inn, Grand Haven
Reservations can be made for June 26, 27, and 28. You must make a reservation by June 19.
Call (616) 842-1999 and use the code Grafton/Stearns Wedding.
Fairfield Inn (Marriot)
Reservations can be made for June 26, June 27, and June 28. You must make a reservation by May 26. Call (231) 799-0100 Use the code Grafton/Stearns Wedding. Please note: this hotel is farther away (+15 minutes or so) than the other hotels from the wedding location and from downtown Grand Haven.
Other options include a number of houses for rent on vrbo.com or airbnb.com, as well as a number of smaller bed and breakast houses around Grand Haven.
Gifts
Gifts
We're just happy to celebrate with you
We are asking many of you to travel long distances to attend our wedding, and we feel that the gift of your presence is enough. We are so lucky to have friends and family like you. If you want to give an additional gift in celebration of our marriage, we ask that you consider contributing to the organizations below. They support causes that are dear to our hearts. We’ve written a little bit about why we chose each organization.
NPR
Years ago Ellen interned for NPR, but even before that time she was an avid listener. She still listens to NPR on her walk to work every day, and we both enjoy listening to NPR programs when we cook together. Support for your local NPR station will support the production of quality news and programming.
Engineers without borders
EWB builds practical and sustainable engineering solutions like bringing clean drinking water and sanitation to poor countries. Their projects are community-driven and they focus on long-term sustainability and local project ownership, which means their projects will last.
350.org
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges the world faces today, and we both care deeply about issues of environmental sustainability. 350.org was started in 2008 by a professor at Middlebury College (Ellen’s alma mater). Since then, 350.org has become a unifying organization for campaigns to prevent further climate change.