This couple planned their Big Day from Boston, 931 miles away! Let’s just say the Castle Farms wedding staff treated them like royalty.

An Enchanting Castle Farms Wedding …

Corinne Boyd & Preston Sanford // July 13, 2019

Corinne and Preston have known each other since middle school, both attending Traverse City East. They were close friends throughout high school but didn’t become a couple until their freshman year of college, dating long-distance while Corinne studied at Central Michigan University and Preston was at Michigan Technological University. (Corinne confides she knew Preston was the one in high school … but she was patient.)

Featured in MyNorth Wedding, a magazine for couples who love Up North

In July 2018 the couple had moved to Boston so that Corinne could do her general surgery rotation. Preston suggested getting drinks with friends on a Friday night, meeting up first on a popular pier overlooking downtown. When they got there, Preston grabbed Corinne’s hand and got down on one knee. (Their friends were waiting nearby to capture photos!) The yes came easily and Preston surprised Corinne with a flight to Traverse City the next morning to celebrate with their families. Preston told both of their dads and siblings ahead of time, but their moms were greeted with the happy news during dinner at The Franklin!

Finding a venue was easy; they toured only one. The Knight’s Castle at Castle Farms had always been a dream of Corinne’s, with its cathedral ceiling and chandelier centerpiece. A large sliding door opens to beautiful gardens and a dramatic stone arch in the Knight’s Courtyard, big enough for the couple’s wish for an outdoor ceremony.

“Since Preston and I currently live in the Boston area, we asked our mothers if they would tour the venue together,” Corinne says. “During the tour, one of the venue coordinators was kind enough to FaceTime us and provide a virtual tour. Afterward, we asked our mothers if there was anything they didn’t like about the venue. They didn’t even pause for a moment and both replied, ‘Nothing, it’s perfect.’ We put down our deposit within the hour.”

Also perfect for the out-of-state couple: an on-site venue coordinator. Alexandria Witulski made planning a 150-guest wedding from 931 miles away worry-free, Corinne says. “Alexandria went above and beyond for us and helped with every detail, big or small, the day of and beforehand. Having the Castle Farms’ team by our side was hands down the biggest benefit.”

The wedding day arrived with overcast skies, but Corinne just knew the sun was going to come out as she headed to Salon Beautiful You in Charlevoix with her bridesmaids for their hair appointments. In the meantime, the groomsmen and close family and friends met at the Charlevoix Country Club for a morning round of golf.

The wedding party met at Castle Farms at 1 p.m. so Corinne and Preston could have a first look before the outdoor ceremony. “I was facing out into one of the gardens waiting for Corinne. I told our photographer I had never been so nervous to see her in my life. When I turned around, I was in complete amazement,” Preston says.

Preston’s Uncle Scott and Aunt Terri performed Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” during the ceremony, one of the couple’s favorite songs. Afterward, guests enjoyed cocktails outside in the courtyard, a cool breeze blowing on the warm summer evening. The plated dinner provided by Catering by Kelly’s featured garlic and herb crusted grilled beef tenderloin served with demi-glace, chicken Forestiere with fire-roasted leeks, smoked gouda redskin mashed potatoes and fresh asparagus. The couple offered Michigan-made wines from 1918 Cellars, Castle Farms’ tasting room.

“During dinner, the bride’s mother leaned over to me and said, ‘This is just perfect.’ The sun was shining through a large window and our friends and family were chatting and having a wonderful meal. I looked over at my wife, who gave me this slight grin she sometimes makes. I replied, ‘It truly is.’”

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