A country club wedding was a natural choice for Kristin and Dan Mikulec. Not only did the couple meet on a golf course, but it was also the site of Dan’s marriage proposal. “I hit my first shot, and Dan said, ‘Hey, why not hit another one for fun?’ He got a new ball for me, put it on the tee and when I looked down, the ball was sparkling,” says Kristin. “He had taped the ring to the ball. Then he got down on one knee and proposed to me on the tee box.”
On Sept. 18, 2010, the Mequon couple celebrated their nuptials at a golf-themed reception at the Wisconsin Club in Milwaukee. Tables were identified with pictures and names of famous golf courses, placecards were found in slotted golf tees inserted into an artificial grass mat and white-chocolate golf balls and personalized tees served as favors.
And forget clinking glasses—if guests wanted the couple to kiss, they had to sink a ball at the putting mat, located near the head table.
But not all couples choose country club wedding celebrations just for the golf of it. Stunning, natural surroundings, top-notch catering and elegant indoor spaces all make the club scene a wedding-worthy choice.
Milwaukee's Tripoli Country Club was the perfect setting for Carolyn and Ankur Desai's chuc wedding reception. They especially appreciated the chef's willingness to learn special Indian recipes. Photos by Artist Group Photography.
Natural selection
The inherent beauty of country clubs and their surrounding landscape is a major factor in the growing popularity of the sophisticated sites as wedding and reception venues. According to Becky Farber, wedding and event coordinator at Hawk’s View Golf Club, the picturesque setting of the Lake Geneva club draws brides- and grooms-to-be from near and far.
“Our club offers a rustic, up-north lodge atmosphere, which has become increasingly popular over the last few years,” she says. “We’ve used natural high points of the land, creeks, waterfalls and rolling hills to offer our clients more natural settings.”
It was this natural versatility that led Nina and Eric Spacek of Eagle to choose Hawk’s View as the site of their October 2010 nuptials. “There are beautiful gardens and shrubs everywhere. And even being fall and not many flowers left, it was gorgeous—especially with the view of the golf course and trees everywhere with their changing colors,” Nina says. “We couldn’t have asked for anything more.”
Chic cuisine
With many of the state’s best chefs calling country club kitchens home, it’s no surprise guests often gush about the catering. Most clubs also offer the flexibility of sit-down dinners, food stations, buffets and more.
For newlyweds Carolyn and Ankur Desai, a specific request needed to be accommodated on the menu—and the Tripoli Country Club in Milwaukee happily agreed. “Because Ankur is Indian, it was very important for us to have Indian food at our wedding,” says Carolyn. Tripoli’s famed chef David Magnasco was up for the challenge, learning all of the Indian recipes the couple sent him. “We went to a tasting for the Indian station in his kitchen, and it was all fantastic.”
Other couples, such as Michael and Lauren Oien, opt for a sit-down dinner. The pair, who held their reception at Stevens Point Country Club, decided on three selections for guests: beef tenderloin, cashew-crusted salmon filet and chicken marsala. Bruschetta, bacon-wrapped water chestnuts and barbecue meatballs served as hors d’oeuvres.
“The country club provided us with a great menu, and prior to choosing we were allowed a taste-test of all the choices,” says Lauren.
Room to grow
While country clubs are known for their spectacular outdoor settings, with Wisconsin’s unpredictable weather it’s nearly a necessity to have a back-up plan. Luckily, most venues offer covered outdoor areas or regal indoor spaces perfect for wedding celebrations of any size.
The Spaceks said their “I dos” at Hawk’s View Golf Club’s Overlook Terrace, an outdoor covered pavilion at the club. “It’s the beauty of the outdoors without the worry of the elements,” says Farber.
The Mikulecs, on the other hand, chose an indoor location—the Grand Ballroom at The Wisconsin Club—for their reception. “It was beautiful, warm and inviting,” Kristin says. “The club provided table linens in the colors I needed, as well as other things such as tea lights and mirrors. I did have centerpieces on the dining room tables, but the rest of the club did not need any additional floral arrangements or decorations.”
After Dan Mikulec proposed to Kristin mid-golf-game, Milwaukee's lush Wisconsin Club was a natural choice for their reception—with a golf theme, of course!
Photos by JBe Photography.
The Fine Print
Not all country clubs are created equal—some have stringent rules to follow, while others operate more organically. Make sure to ask the on-site coordinator these questions before signing any contracts:
- Do I need to be a member? While some clubs require membership of either the couple or a family member, others allow non-members to host weddings.
- Is there a curfew? Since many country clubs are in residential areas, they often close earlier than most hotels or resorts. Be sure to find out when your celebration would be coming to an end.
- Can I bring in an outside wedding planner? Most clubs have their own on-site event coordinator so if you’re interested in using an outside source, make sure to alert the club to avoid any conflict.
- Do any other regulations apply? Be sure to inquire about rules like a dress code or mandatory valet parking.
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