Both natives of the area, bride and groom Chelsea and Daniel knew immediately that they wanted to get married at the ParkShore Resort in Traverse City. Their love story was originally published in MyNorth Wedding 2015: A Magazine for Couples Who Love Northern Michigan.


Chelsea Pflugrad grew up in Traverse City and Daniel Nessel was from nearby. The couple thought they knew all the city’s hidden secrets—but when, on their search for their dream wedding venue, they walked to the waterside of the ParkShore Resort, set between busy US31 and East Grand Traverse Bay, the sight took their breath away. There, surrounded by lush landscaping, a sandy beach and the aqua water, sat a small, tented white gazebo.

It would make a picture-perfect beginning for their life together. And a fitting end to their long and occasionally tough courtship: Danny is three years older than Chelsea, and when he went to college out of state, they figured it was best to break up. But ever since the moment she’d first set eyes on Danny, Chelsea just knew they’d end up together. Proof? She’d dried and saved all the flowers he’d ever given her.

Find Chelsea & Daniel’s ParkShore Resort Wedding Here

ParkShore’s beach sparkled under full sun. Chelsea walked down the grassy aisle—strewn in those dried flower petals—on her brother’s arm. Her father, Traverse City physician Dr. Chester Pflugrad, officiated. After the ceremony, while the 60 or so guests looked on from the resort’s tented terrace, the newlyweds danced to “Never Stop,” by Safety Suit—performed by Chelsea’s brother Jeremy. “It was my favorite moment,” Chelsea remembers. “We couldn’t see the guests because they were up on the deck. Time stood still.”

All images: Melissa Lande, Lux Light Photography.

The wedding meal, served on the terrace, was light, classy and fun—just as the Nessels wanted. And then it was off—with photographer Melissa Lande of Lux Light Photography in tow—to enjoy their hometown with their bridal party and close family and friends. “We wanted to concentrate more on the ceremony and the photographs than the reception,” Chelsea says. And take pictures they did, from the sandy shores of Grand Traverse Bay to the historic grounds of the Grand Traverse Commons. The last stop before returning to the beach in time for the sunset was Moomers Homemade Ice Cream, Traverse City’s much-loved dairy farm/ice cream shop. The couple had frequented Moomers on dates—but they’d never before been able to order the Wholly Cow: Ten scoops of ice cream and a bottle of whipped cream. Oh what fun they had!

Photography: Melissa Lande, Lux Light Photography. luxlightphotography.com
Venue: ParkShore Resort, Traverse City, 231.947.3800, parkshoreresort.com


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Photo(s) by Melissa Lande, Lux Light Photography