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Old Kinderhook Resort in Camdenton offers a stunning setting for a destination wedding.
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Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. -- After a marriage proposal, two questions about the wedding immediately arise - When? and Where? Brides and grooms can easily find the answers to those questions in the year-round beauty and diversity of the Lake of the Ozarks, a wedding destination unlike any other.
Whether the happy couple is looking for a traditional venue or something a little unusual - indoors or outdoors - they can find it here. "There are a lot of destination weddings at the Lake of the Ozarks. We are centrally located, making us a 'halfway' point for brides and grooms whose families are scattered around Missouri and the United States," said Lagina Fitzpatrick, director of sales for the Lake's Tri-County Lodging Association. "In addition, guests can come to the Lake for a wedding and stay for a vacation after the ceremony. And, of course, there is our wide variety of interesting venues."
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Over 2,500 couples from around the world have said "I do" in the underground chapel of Bridal Cave.
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When Glamour Magazine listed its Top 10 Unique Wedding Venues, the Lake of the Ozarks' Bridal Cave made the list. More than 2,500 couples have said "I do" amid the stalactites in the cave's Bridal Chapel and many more couples have renewed their vows in this beautiful underground chamber. For more information, visit www.bridalcave.com.
If a wedding on the water is appealing, couples can book one of the Lake's two 150-passenger yachts for the ceremony, as well as the reception or rehearsal dinner. The Tropic Island and Celebration yachts can seat as many as 100 guests comfortably and offer dining options on board. Beautiful scenery and a relaxing cruise make this a memorable wedding option. To learn more, visit the Tropic Island's website at www.tropicislandcruises.com or the Celebration at www.cruiselakeoftheozarks.com.
At Ha Ha Tonka State Park in Camdenton, the castle ruins and the park's stunning views of the Niangua Arm of the Lake of the Ozarks make a beautiful backdrop for a wedding ceremony. Lake of the Ozarks State Park also offers areas that make for enchanting outdoor weddings. Wedding ceremonies in state parks can be arranged by contacting the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, a minimum of three weeks prior to the ceremony. The request must be submitted to the park in writing and contain details about the ceremony. Contact information for all of the parks can be found at www.mostateparks.com.
Many of the area's wedding venues feature Lake views, but few can match the breathtaking beauty of the first seven miles of the Lake as seen from historic Willmore Lodge. The 6,500-square-foot, Adirondack-style lodge was built of white pine logs during the construction of Bagnell Dam in the 1930s and offers inside space that will accommodate approximately 80 guests. Brides will easily be able to imagine a stunning processional along a flower-lined path with the groom waiting in a gazebo at the water's edge. For more information, visit www.willmorelodge.com.
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Mallard Point Resort hosts weddings on their beautifully landscaped peninsula.
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With a multitude of quiet coves tucked away in over 1,000 miles of shoreline, the Lake of the Ozarks offers unique wedding venues on peninsulas that offer lake views on all sides. Mallard Point Resort features a flat and beautifully landscaped lawn dotted with shade trees, that reaches out to the end of their peninsula. During the ceremony guests face the Lake and form an aisle leading to a lakeside arch that frames the happy couple and officiant as vows are exchanged. A reception under white tents completes the day. Visit their website at: www.mallardpoint.com. For a completely different option, couples can choose The Point at Lazy Gator's for their ceremony and experience a Caribbean vibe in the Midwest. Thatched cabanas, a white sand beach and a stunning lake view offer a backdrop for a destination wedding that feels like the islands, but is much closer to home and at a greater value. Learn more at: www.privatepartieslakeoftheozarks.com. The availability of on-site lodging is an advantage to having a wedding at one of the Lake's locally owned resorts. Brides and grooms can contact the resort of their choice for information and assistance to plan their special event.
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Celebrate the big day by staying at the "Roll in the Hay" guest cottage at The Inn at Harbour Ridge Bed and Breakfast.
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Area bed and breakfast inns offer the perfect location for intimate elopements or small ceremonies, as well as rehearsal dinners, vow renewals and honeymoons. Outside ceremonies on landscaped lawns or under wedding gazebos are perfect for warmer months. Romantic fireside ceremonies in elegant parlors offer an option for cool-weather ceremonies. The Hilty Inn Bed and Breakfast in Versailles and Castleview Bed and Breakfast in Camdenton both offer special packages for a special day. Small ceremonies can also be performed at Bass and Baskets Bed and Breakfast by innkeeper Deb Franko. They receive great pleasure when they can accommodate the wishes of brides and grooms, including hosting ceremonies on the fishing dock for avid fishermen and fisherwomen. At The Inn at Harbour Ridge, they will take care of the officiant, the beautiful setting, chairs and even a bottle of bubbly to toast the husband and wife. Top off the occasion with a romantic stay in the inn's "Happily Ever After" guestroom or "Roll in the Hay" guest cottage. Check out all of the wedding options at these inns by visiting: www.castleviewbedandbreakfast.com, www.hiltyinnbedandbreakfast.com, www.bassandbaskets.com and
www.harbourridgeinn.com/weddings for more information.
Pick one of the Lake of the Ozarks area's wineries or vineyards for a rehearsal dinner, reception or wedding - or all three. Casual or elegant, indoors or outdoors, the wineries can help brides and grooms plan the perfect celebration for an intimate few or an ultimate party for hundreds. Each offers something different, but all offer help to make the day easy and special for the bridal party. Information about Golden Rock Winery, Sugarloaf Vineyard, Seven Springs Winery, and Shawnee Bluff Vineyard and Winery can be found at www.lakeoftheozarkswinetrail.com.
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The Lodge at Four Seasons makes for a perfect wedding destination with several venues to choose from.
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Convenience and beauty combine to make a perfect celebration of love at one of the Lake area's full-service resorts. The Lodge of Four Seasons and Tan-Tar-A Resort have everything needed by brides and grooms. Both offer a variety of venues for the ceremony, indoors and out. Brides' "to-do" lists are checked off easily as on-site wedding coordinators handle details like accommodations, catering and audiovisual assistance. The result is a wedding that is customized for the happy couple, with little for them to do before the ceremony but relax. And the resorts can help with that, too, as they offer spas for the ladies and golf for the gentlemen to ease any pre-wedding jitters. For more information about weddings at The Lodge of Four Seasons, visit
www.4seasonsresort.com/weddings/. Details about weddings at Tan-Tar-A Resort can be found at www.tan-tar-a.com/weddings/.
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Osage National Golf Resort is one of the many golf courses that host weddings at the Lake.
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are three venues that make wedding planning as smooth as a perfect golf backswing. Year-round venues offer plenty of options for brides in any season. Wedding assistants at the clubs coordinate deliveries and details for effortless "I dos." While these three clubs specialize in wedding event planning, a number of other clubs on the Lake of the Ozarks Golf Trail offer banquet and other facilities for events such as rehearsal dinners, weddings and receptions. And of course, they also specialize in golf outings for the wedding party. Visit www.golfingmissouri.com or the courses' individual websites to learn more.
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Photo courtesy of Jordan Weaver Photography.
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The number and types of wedding venues at the Lake of the Ozarks are as limitless as the imaginations of the brides and grooms. Planning is made easy by the Tri-County Lodging Association and the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau. A visit to www.FunLake.com or a call to Lagina Fitzpatrick at 1-800-FUN-LAKE allows bridal parties to outline their wedding plans and needs on a single form. That form is then submitted to Lake venues that match the criteria. The venues will respond to the brides and grooms with proposals to host their big event.
The Lake of the Ozarks Wedding Association is another invaluable source for those planning a Lake destination wedding, honeymoon, vow renewal or anniversary celebration. The association offers a directory of the area's wedding professionals, from lodging properties to bakeries to printers. Details can be found on the web at www.lakeozarkweddingassociation.com.
There are plenty of activities for bridal parties, groomsmen and guests at Missouri's Fun Lake. Find out more about the events, activities, accommodations, dining and other wedding venues at the award-winning website, www.FunLake.com or by calling 1-800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253).
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