Grand Hotel

Welcome Reception Cocktails - Grand Hotel West Front Porch - Formal Attire

Island House Hotel

Wedding Day

Wedding

Private Residence

Reception

Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry - Island Dock #1

Post-Reception Booze Cruise (21+ only)

Our Wedding

Jack and Caroline met briefly&nbsp;in college when Jack came to visit his friend&nbsp;Olaf at Vassar College. Jack and Olaf grew up together in Edina, MN and had been close friends since 5th grade. Caroline attended Vassar with Olaf and they became very close friends and roommates.&nbsp;

After college, Caroline and Olaf drove across the country together and stopped in San Francisco, where they stayed with Olaf's friend Jack. Caroline and Jack immediately hit it off again and started dating shortly thereafter.After over 4 years of dating, Jack proposed to Caroline while hiking in the Marin Headlands.

How We Met

Our Story

Important Information

Mackinac is a bustling destination in the summer months, and the hotel rooms&nbsp;fill up FAST. We strongly encourage you to book your hotel more than 3 months before the wedding. We have wedding blocks held under "Jaquiss Kearney Wedding"&nbsp;until May 1, 2018 &nbsp;at the Chippewa Hotel,&nbsp;Lilac Tree Hotel, Main Street Inn and Suites, and the&nbsp;Market Street Inn. There is also NO&nbsp;camping allowed on Mackinac.

Mackinac has a ban on motor vehicles, so you get around on foot,&nbsp;bicycle, or via horse-drawn carriage. We strongly&nbsp;recommend you rent a bike while on Mackinac so you can enjoy the gorgeous inner island&nbsp;trails. However, it is still very easy to get around on foot, as pretty much everything is located downtown.





Note that the last ferry from Mackinaw City&nbsp;to&nbsp;Mackinac Island leaves at 9:30pm (there is also a 10:30pm boat on Friday and Saturday). The last ferry from St. Ignace is 8:30pm. If you miss the last ferry, there is no way of getting to Mackinac that day so keep that in mind as you book your flights.

About Mackinac Island

Brief History of Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island was home to an Odawa settlement before European exploration began in the 17th century. It served a strategic position as a center on the commerce of the Great Lakes fur trade. This led to the establishment of Fort Mackinac on the island by the British during the American Revolutionary War. It was the site of two battles during the War of 1812.

In the late 19th century, Mackinac Island became a popular tourist attraction. Much of the island has undergone extensive historical preservation and restoration; as a result, the entire island is listed as a National Historic Landmark. It is well known for its numerous cultural events; its wide variety of architectural styles, including the Victorian Grand Hotel and its ban on almost all motor vehicles. More than 80 percent of the island is preserved as Mackinac Island State Park.

Today, Mackinac continues to be a bustling tourist destination in the summer months, with about&nbsp;500 year around residents.&nbsp;

Significance of Mackinac to the Couple

Caroline's grandparents,&nbsp;Frank and Joan Nephew, moved to Mackinac in the&nbsp;1960s and opened up their first business, The&nbsp;Pickle Barrel. Over time, they grew the family business and split their time between the Island and Gaylord, MI. Caroline's parents &nbsp;met on Mackinac on a summer break from college&nbsp;and were married there at the Trinity Church&nbsp;in 1983.Mackinac is the location of some of Caroline's most precious memories growing up, and is the place where the whole family would congregate in the summers. Caroline took Jack there for the first time in October of 2013, which was their first vacation together. Over time, Jack has also grown to love and cherish this special place.We're so excited to share this beautiful island with our family and friends.

Details

Photos

Wedding Party

Registry

Q + A

Getting to Mackinac is relatively arduous, so be sure to plan in advance. You must catch a ferry to the Island in either Mackinaw City or St. Ignace. We recommend Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferries.

Note that the last Shepler's&nbsp;ferry from Mackinaw City&nbsp;to&nbsp;Mackinac Island is at 9:30pm (there is also a 10:30pm boat on Friday and Saturday). The last ferry from St. Ignace is 8:30pm. If you miss the last ferry, there is no way of getting to Mackinac that day. 





The 3 closest airports are:







- Detroit Metropolitan Airport (5 hours to Mackinaw&nbsp;City Ferry dock)







- Traverse City Airport (2.5 hours to Mackinaw&nbsp;City Ferry dock)







- Pellston Airport (30 minute drive to Mackinaw&nbsp;City Ferry dock - you can rent a taxi from here)







Likely the best option will be to rent a car from the Detroit Airport. The Pellston airport is very tiny and you will likely connect in Detroit. If you would prefer this, we strongly recommend booking soon because there are only a couple of planes a day, and the plane has just a few seats.

Getting to Mackinac Island

We have blocked rooms for our wedding guests. Please mention that you are part of the Jaquiss-Kearney Wedding when booking. Note that there is a two night minimum.

Chippewa Hotel Waterfront

Roundtrip tickets at the dock are $26 for adults and $14 for children. You can buy these online ahead of time and receive a discount by using the code "husband" in the promo code section, which will bring down to $19 for adults and $10 for children. Note kids under 5 are free.&nbsp;

There is parking at the ferry dock --&nbsp;overnight parking is $25 a night or they will give you directions to a more remote lot that is $5 a night (from which you can take a shuttle to the dock).&nbsp;

Boats leave Mackinaw City&nbsp;about every 30 minutes from 7:30am - 9:30pm. There is a 10:30pm boat on Friday and Saturday. The last boat on Thursday is 9:30pm.&nbsp;

Please note!&nbsp;If you miss the Shepler's boat, there is a later ferry that leaves at 10:00pm on Thursday and 11:30pm on Friday/Saturday&nbsp;via the Starline Ferry Service.&nbsp;There are plenty of boats the leave the Island back to the mainland in the morning and afternoon on Sunday.&nbsp;

Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry - Mackinaw City

Lilac Tree Suites & Spa

Roundtrip tickets at the dock are $26 for adults and $14 for children. You can buy these online ahead of time and receive a discount by using the code "husband" in the promo code section, which will bring down to $19 for adults and $10 for children. Note kids under 5 are free.&nbsp;

There is parking at the ferry dock --&nbsp;overnight parking on the lot&nbsp;is&nbsp;$5 a night.



Boats leave St. Ignace about every 30 minutes from 7:30am - 8:30pm. There is a 9:30pm boat on Friday and Saturday. The last boat on Thursday is 8:30pm.&nbsp;



Please note!&nbsp;If you miss the Shepler's boat, there is a later ferry that leaves at 10:00pm on Thursday and 11:30pm on Friday/Saturday&nbsp;via the Starline Ferry Service in Mackinaw City.&nbsp;

There are plenty of boats the leave the Island back to the mainland in the morning and afternoon on Sunday.&nbsp;

Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry - St. Ignace

Main Street Inn and Suites

We have blocked rooms for our wedding guests. Please mention that you are part of the Jaquiss-Kearney Wedding when booking.&nbsp;

Market St Inn on Mackinac

If you do not want to take Shepler's using the discount code, you may also take the Starline ferry service to the Island. Note this may be the best option if you miss the last boat on Shepler's. Please check their website for scheduling and ticketing.&nbsp;

Starline - Mackinaw City

We have a small discount here but it will still likely be more expensive than the hotels downtown. If you are interested, fill out the below form and email it to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:groupforms@grandhotel.com" target="_blank">groupforms@grandhotel.com</a>&nbsp;- note these rooms will fill up very fast and they are not being held.<a href="https://d1v2mbqr7wrwjz.cloudfront.net/2017/10/Jaquiss-Kearney-2018-Grand-Hotel-Room-Reservation-Form.pdf" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://d1v2mbqr7wrwjz.cloudfront.net/2017/10/Jaquiss-Kearney-2018-Grand-Hotel-Room-Reservation-Form.pdf&source=gmail&ust=1514934883085000&usg=AFQjCNFuxnHVQq9-ik1uSYviD2NBpT8wAA">https://d1v2mbqr7wrwjz.cloudfront.net/2017/10/Jaquiss-Kearney-2018-Grand-Hotel-Room-Reservation-Form.pdf</a>This hotel has been around&nbsp;since 1887 and is also the location of the rehearsal dinner and welcome reception.

We do not have a wedding block here, but this is a very nice resort. Note that it is a little out of downtown (about 20 minutes).

Mission Point Resort

Travel

Mackinac has no cars,&nbsp;so bikes are your best way to get around. We recommend renting bikes for the day and taking a trip around the island&nbsp;(about an 8-mile trip). One of Caroline's favorite activities as a kid was swimming off the docks at British Landing, a dock about halfway around the island. We also recommend taking your bike up the hill to the middle of the island --&nbsp;there are tons of trails and parks to explore.&nbsp;

Check out:&nbsp;

-Turtle Park (a favorite park of Caroline's as a kid with soccer fields and a skate park)

-Arch Rock (a great look out point with a big "arched" rock through which you can see the lake)

-Sugarloaf (a giant rock in the middle of the island Caroline used to climb (illegally))

-St. Anne's Cemetery (with many historic graves)

-Ft. Holmes (an old military fort)

-TONS of trails going through the forest

-Views from both the East Bluff and West Bluff

Rent Bikes & Explore the Island

There are tons of things to do with kids on the Island besides renting bikes and eating fudge. We recommend checking out:&nbsp;

-Fort Mackinac:&nbsp;an historic fort with many interactive activities for kids. You can even watch them fire off an 18th century canon at the top of the fort!





-The Butterfly House:&nbsp;a beautiful stop for kids right behind St. Anne's Church&nbsp;





-Mini-golf at Mission Point:&nbsp;a fun stop that includes night mini-golfing at Mission Point resort

Fun Stuff For Kids

The downtown area of Mackinac is small,&nbsp;but brimming with cute shops and delicious fudge. We wholeheartedly recommend checking out Joann's Fudge first and foremost -- Caroline's grandfather opened Joann's Fudge in 1969 and the family has operated the shop ever since. We might be biased, but it's surely the best fudge on the island.

Explore Downtown - & Eat Joann's Fudge!

The Grand Hotel Pool is HUGE - and an absolute blast for kids. Unfortunately, the Grand charges a fee for entering their property and using the pool, but it may be worth it for interested guests. The swimming pool is open to non-guests for $15 for ages 10 and up&nbsp;and $7.50 for kids 5-9, with children under 5 free admission.&nbsp;

Swim at the Grand Hotel Pool

There are two places on the Island to golf:&nbsp;Wawashkamo in the middle of the Island, our family's favorite, and the Grand Hotel's Golf Course. Check their websites for pricing, club&nbsp;rentals, and availability.&nbsp;

Golf on the Island

Check out the Cupola Bar in the Grand Hotel or Stonecliffe Inn Bar for two of the most spectacular views and cocktails. Both places require nice attire -- and watch out! The Grand will try to charge you a $10 fee for entering their property (we recommend telling them you are attending our wedding welcoming ceremony&nbsp;&nbsp;to try to get out of it :) ). From both these spots you have a great view of the Mackinac Bridge.

Catch a Drink at the Most Beautiful Spots on the Island

Right next to downtown is the best park on the Island -- Marquette Park. We recommend grabbing some food from Mighty Mac hamburgers or Doud's Market and laying on the lawn for an afternoon picnic. There is also a staircase at the back of the park (behind the kid's playground) that takes you to the top of the Island, from which you can take in some spectacular views and explore some trails by the Fort.&nbsp;

Have a Picnic in Marquette Park

If you don't want to explore the whole&nbsp;Island on Bike, a horse carriage tour can be a fun way to see a wider swath of what the Island has to offer. The carriage tour is $29 for adults and $11 for kids. You can buy tickets right downtown, next to the Murray Hotel.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Caroline & Jack

Caroline & Jack

Photos