Drumroll...The Winner of The Chapel Vow Renewal is...
A quaint little setting with gleaming natural light,
And a stained glass centerpiece, oh, so bright.
Wooded, rustic, and unique,
A warm and inviting ambiance from the floor to the peak.
Come ye, come all,
The Chapel doors are opening,
for you, before this fall.
We are honored to have been awarded top honors in the “Best Minnesota Destination Venue” category for the second year in a row in the 16th annual Minnesota Bride magazine Best of Awards. Our team attended the ceremony on Wednesday, July 11 at the Hutton House.
We are excited to add to the collection of Minnesota Bride Best of Awards that we have won throughout the years, including “Minnesota’s Best Outdoor Reception Venue” and “Minnesota’s Best Honeymoon Location” five times in the past seven years. We were extremely pleased to have been nominated for the “Top of the Tiara: All-around Best Wedding Vendor” this year.
The majority of categories in the Best of Awards are readers’ choice, with 37 winners being chosen by the publication’s 18,000 readers. All winners are listed in the magazine’s current Fall/Winter 2018 issue, on newsstands now.
“This award means so much to us because it’s chosen by the readers,” said Frank Soukup, director of marketing of Cote Family Destinations and Grand View Lodge. “We’re always so excited to be recognized by our guests. Our dedicated team works so hard year-round to plan and execute truly unforgettable events that go above and beyond our guest’s wildest dreams and expectations. It’s an honor to be the chosen destination for so many couples on their special day. We look forward to hosting even more weddings with our new chapel, which opens this month.”
The intimate, rustic chapel is part of our expansion. Perfectly positioned with serene views, the building features high peaks, large windows and a refurbished, colorful stained-glass window in the central peak of the chapel, providing a warm ambiance inside and out. Guests enter via a brick walkway lined with fresh flowers and lush landscaping. Surrounding green areas make for a beautiful space for pre- and post-ceremony gatherings and unique photo opportunities.
The chapel is designed for ceremonies of up to 80 people and is an essential addition for destination weddings and more intimate, cherished events such as vow renewals, and quick elopements. With the chapel open year-round, guests have more options when planning their special events, especially those seeking an outdoor wedding or planning an event that requires a backup plan in the case of unexpected weather. The busy wedding season is now extended - with this chapel being the first interior venue dedicated solely for ceremonies.
“The Chapel is an exclusive venue that provides a very unique setting,” says Wedding Sales Manager Becky Bohnenstingl. “The space is very intimate and just perfect for small ceremonies and couples who don’t need or want a big area for their modest service. We are excited to provide clients with something they maybe didn’t think was possible – a small wedding with a larger picturesque setting.”
The Chapel is located close to Grand View’s main entrance and sits on the north side of the property near the Gull Lake Center.
To get the excitement started about the chapel finally being finished, we started a contest – Still Do? Wine a Free Vow Renewal in our new Chapel! We pushed our promotion for several days on facebook. To enter to win followers were to submit up to 600-word entry. In the entry you were to answer the following questions:
Who are you and your spouse?
Why would you love the opportunity to renew your vows in The Chapel?
The contest ended August 31, 2018. We received multiple contestants interested – all of which had very significant and heartfelt stories on why they thought they deserved to win. We are excited to announce our winner…
Drumroll please…
There were a total of 53 entries for the contest. After reading so many warm and inspiring stories from husbands, wives, neighbors, and children, the committee decided not only to choose one winner but THREE!
Joe and Kari Ross
This couple worked at Grand View Lodge in the early 90’s - that is where they met. The property was so special to them that Joe even brought Kari back to the beach in the winter and proposed to her. And since they were not able to get married at Grand View at the time, they wanted the opportunity to host their vow renewal.
Sue and Pat Killeen
This couple celebrates 42 years this September and had a very, very small wedding for their beginning. The committee decided they would cherish the idea of them carrying on their beautiful relationship with a vow renewal at Grand View Lodge and giving them the opportunity to host more people than their first “I do.” Plus the line from their submission “I doubt that Hawaii could ever hold a bigger place in our hearts than the Grand View Lodge does” really struck a chord with the selection committee.
Autumn and Chris Toussaint
This story touched the committee because their wedding was just days after September 11, 2001. From their submission, they said many guests couldn’t make it due to the travel bans. They also had to cancel their honeymoon because of it. The committee wanted this couple to share the opportunity for their family to celebrate their renewal in our new chapel for a couple that gives so much back!
