Can't decide between the two...They're similar in pricing...one is like 3 hours away and the other is where our family and friends are from. FI has been hinting at #1 since we stayed there two years ago...but he really wanted #2 until we started looking into pricing, etc.
#1 I think it would be a lot of fun to make it a whole weekend type thing since FI and I live in a different state now than our family and friends. We'd all be able to catch up. This place (and surrounding areas) have a lot to do in the summer. Again, 2.5-3ish hours away. We're not sure what location we want everything to be if we do choose this option.
http://www.grandtraverseresort.com/weddings/index.cfm#2 I love the look of this place. This is convenient because the location is about 20 minutes away from the majority of our guests. The only thing we have to find a separate ceremony site or pay another $700+(depending on lighting) to have the ceremony on the theatre's stage...I'm realizing writing this post is that this seems moer formal than #1...however, we could make #1 just as formal.
http://www.templetheatre.com/weddings.html