Thinking of having your wedding at Castle in the Country, but want to see how others have done it in the past? We are very excited to have launched wedding photo galleries on our website to provide you with a sampling of all the possibilities for your wedding at Castle in the Country. Each of our listed wedding packages contains a link in the description to direct you to these galleries.

Choose to come away with your entire wedding party for a Destination Weekend Wedding and have the entire inn to yourself with our Exclusive package size of 80- up to 200 person guest list.  ! Or maybe you’d like to bring along Just Your Closest Few for an elegant Midweek ceremony (Monday – Thursday evenings)  and a fully catered dinner reception?  Planning to run off, just the two of you? We’ve got an Enchanting Elopement package for you as well.

Call us 1-888-673-8054 or email info@castleinthecountry.com today to begin planning your Amazing Wedding!  We’ll be happy to schedule a Sunday afternoon appointment to plan a tour of the entire 65 acre Kingdom.

Two magnificent buildings wrapped in 65 secluded acres at our Michigan Inn and Spa and Retreat, Romantic Allegan Bed and Breakfast featuring 10 rooms or suites with Whirlpool tubs and fireplaces, king or queen sized beds, and private baths with all the amenities a discriminating guest appreciates. You can read the original blog post here Dreams of a Fairytale Michigan Weddings Come True at Castle in the Country B&B Inn.

Wake up to the taste of springtime at the Castle Kingdom!  These light and fluffy buttermilk and cornmeal pancakes will start your day in the best possible way.  With just a dollop of butter and covered in Michigan-made Maple Syrup, you’ll savor every bite.

We enhance the Blueberry flavor with a little crushed Juniper berry, which adds some piquant, resinous notes.

Ingredients (these quantities will serve 4):

Dry:

1 C all-purpose flour

½ C yellow cornmeal

¼ C white granulated sugar

1 ¼ t baking powder

1 t coarse salt

½ t baking soda

Wet:

1 ½ C buttermilk

¼ C milk

3 T unsalted butter, melted

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 juniper berries, well crushed

1 C blueberries, fresh (not frozen)

Pure Maple syrup & butter for serving

Procedure:

1. Combine dry ingredients and mix well. Combine wet ingredients in a separate bowl and whisk. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix until just combined, adding blueberries. Let stand untouched for 30 minutes.
2. Coat a preheated griddle with cooking spray, oil, or butter. Spoon batter onto griddle in 1 ½  oz. portions. Wait until edges have set and flip and cook until golden brown.
3. Serve with butter and maple syrup.

Be sure to stop at the our Allegan Michigan B&B Castle Gift Shop for your very own jug of homemade, Michigan Maple Syrup.  Our handyman, George does all the harvesting during the month of March right from the local area so we’re sure you’ll want to recreate this food memory back at your own home.

If you’d like to try more of Herb’s Recipes, visit our “Within the Kingdom” Blog and click on  Food-Recipe category.  Or, if you just want to spend sometime anticipating your upcoming visit to Castle in the Country, visit our homepage and click on “Daily Castle Report” for a daily menu of what’s cooking (and baking) at the Castle Keep Kitchen.

Two magnificent buildings wrapped in 65 secluded acres at our Michigan Inn and Spa and Retreat, Romantic Allegan Bed and Breakfast featuring 10 rooms or suites with Whirlpool tubs and fireplaces, king or queen sized beds, and private baths with all the amenities a discriminating guest appreciates. You can read the original blog post here Favorite Recipes :: Blueberry-Juniper Cornmeal Pancakes.

Couples need a romantic getaway no matter what the time of year, so plan your escape from the winter blahs and book yourselves into a luxurious whirlpool/fireplace suite today!  With our amazing “Melt Away” bed and breakfast special,  take advantage of the quieter Sunday through Thursday nights and Save $100 off any two or three night stays now through April 30, 2013.  Visit our website to Check Availability for the dates you can escape and choose one of our 8 Whirlpool/fireplace Suites. Enter the Promo Code: Melt  and the $100 off special is Yours!

Wake to a full gourmet breakfast served at your own table for two.  Every breakfast is served at your choice of time and using only the freshest ingredients starting with fresh from the oven, homemade baked goods, fresh fruit and ending with a made-from-scratch creative and delicious entree’.

For every day trip adventure, we’ll give you recommendations for the best of the best restaurants, breweries and wineries but at the end of the day, you’ll congratulate yourselves for finding the perfect romantic  getaway in Michigan, away from the hustle and bustle, soaking stress away in your own Whirlpool/fireplace suite and watching Spring return to Castle in the Country- an Allegan, Michigan Bed and Breakfast.

Two magnificent buildings wrapped in 65 secluded acres at our Michigan Inn and Spa and Retreat, Romantic Allegan Bed and Breakfast featuring 10 rooms or suites with Whirlpool tubs and fireplaces, king or queen sized beds, and private baths with all the amenities a discriminating guest appreciates. You can read the original blog post here Melt Away the Stress with a Midweek Romantic Getaway in Michigan.

Tomato-Leek “Souffled” Frittata

A frittata is typically made by sauteing vegetables, adding egg and cheese to the pan, and finishing in the broiler. Here we separate the eggs first and whip the whites into a stiff peak. If done properly, the egg white foam adds a very light and fluffy dimension to the frittata. This recipe has a somewhat Italian theme, but any combination of sauteed ingredients with any type of cheese could be used to make your own unique creation.

This recipe yields four servings.

Ingredients:

• 1-2 Leeks, white part only, washed and sliced
• 1C grape tomatoes, halved
• 1T plus 1t butter
• 6 egg whites
• 4 egg yolks
• 4 oz Grated Asiago Cheese
• 1t dried Italian herb mix
• Salt & Pepper to taste

Procedure:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Melt butter in a 10-inch ovenproof nonstick skillet. Add leeks and 1/4C water and season with salt and pepper. Cook uncovered over medium-low heat until all the water has boiled away (Do not brown.) Remove from heat and add tomotoes, egg yolks, cheese, and herbs.

2. Add a dash of salt to the egg whites and whisk to stiff peaks.  Gently fold in the leek/tomato/cheese mixture from the skillet so that the vegetables are evenly distributed.

3. Melt 1t butter in the empty skillet and add the folded ingredients. Cook over medium heat for 5-10 minutes until bottom begins to set. Transfer to the oven and bake 20-30 minutes until center is set and a golden brown crust has developed. Cut into quarters and enjoy.

Two magnificent buildings wrapped in 65 secluded acres at our Michigan Inn and Spa and Retreat, Romantic Allegan Bed and Breakfast featuring 10 rooms or suites with Whirlpool tubs and fireplaces, king or queen sized beds, and private baths with all the amenities a discriminating guest appreciates. You can read the original blog post here Favorite Bed and Breakfast Recipes: Tomato-Leek “Souffled” Frittata.

As many of our guests know, after several hours of preparing your breakfast in the Castle Keep kitchen, Herb is usually found heading out to the surrounding countryside for a bicycle ride.

If you’re interested in taking your own bicycling equipment along for your visit, we can help with suggested routes and tips about equipment that would work best for this experience. Or just leave a comment with any detailed question.

Here’s Herb’s basic suggestions:

• I bicycle on plowed gravel roads, so if there has been a recent heavy snowfall it is best to wait a day or two for the county plows to clear the drifts. These roads are very lightly traveled and most motorized vehicles are not moving very fast.
• Most any type of bike will work (cyclocross, mountain, 29er, fat bike-I use a big, heavy, steel Surley CrossCheck with fenders) but be sure to use studded tires, available at any good bike shop. Get them as wide as will fit your bike. Gravel roads tend to be highly variable so expect ice, hard-packed snow, loose snow, mud, and puddled water (hence the fenders.) I favor stability over speed.
• Staying warm is not a big problem for temperatures above 20F by dressing in layers. I have found it too much of a challenge to dress for temps below that.

Enjoy the winter, spring will be here soon.

-Herb

Two magnificent buildings wrapped in 65 secluded acres at our Michigan Inn and Spa and Retreat, Romantic Allegan Bed and Breakfast featuring 10 rooms or suites with Whirlpool tubs and fireplaces, king or queen sized beds, and private baths with all the amenities a discriminating guest appreciates. You can read the original blog post here Winter Michigan Bicycling – A Castle in the Country Pastime.

When you’re ready to venture out during your romantic getaway, here are some of our favorite Michigan winter activities surrounding our Southwest Michigan Inn:

Downhill Skiing at Bittersweet Ski Resort is less than a ten mile drive from our property. With a 300 foot vertical drop and great “snow-making” equipment, you’ll be able to ski or snowboard in scenic surroundings.  They’ll have you covered with any equipment rental you might need and they even have Night time skiing and are open daily from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm.   If you haven’t given this outdoor sport a try, they have a beginner hill and we recommend to first-timers to sign up for One on One instruction time with great instructors.  When you make your reservations with us for your whirlpool/fireplace suite,or cozy fireplace room (click on Check Availability) add your discounted ski passes for either weekday  $26 per person or weekend/holiday rates $34.

When the snow starts to fall on West Michigan, there’s a feeling of renewal as everything turns a brilliant white. The perfect place to witness the sight is right out in the middle of it  during a One horse open sleigh ride (Price per couple $75 for a 1 hour ride) at Wild West Ranch.  Located just 16 miles from our Bed and Breakfast, between Allegan and Holland,  call the ranch when you arrive at our Inn to schedule the best time for your outdoor adventure.  As we’ve all experienced, the winter weather can be fickle, so if there isn’t enough snow for a sleigh ride, try a carriage ride instead for the same rate.

Winter brings the perfect weather for ice skating. While there are many indoor rinks that are open year round, it’s hard to beat outdoor rinks. From December through March, the Millennium Park in Portage will host an outdoor ice skating rink. They offer a concession stand, warming house, and bicycle trail. They are open Wednesday – Thursday from 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Friday from 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Saturday from 11:00 am -10:00 pm, and Sunday from noon until 9:00pm. It’s only $3 to skate and $2 for skate rentals.  After spending an hour or two ice skating, you’ll be ready to warm up at one of our Best of the Best restaurants, Food Dance, is located just fifteen minutes from the rink.

Come out and spend some time relaxing, playing, and reconnecting at Castle in the Country. There are plenty of ways to embrace the winter weather and afterwards, to curl up with a good book, great company, luxurious amenities and treat yourself to a royal pampering.

Two magnificent buildings wrapped in 65 secluded acres at our Michigan Inn and Spa and Retreat, Romantic Allegan Bed and Breakfast featuring 10 rooms or suites with Whirlpool tubs and fireplaces, king or queen sized beds, and private baths with all the amenities a discriminating guest appreciates. You can read the original blog post here Michigan Winter Activities Surrounding Castle in the Country B&B Inn.

Allegan Bed and Breakfast

A favorite activity for guests when the snow starts to fall is to venture out into our Enchanted Forest and explore the three miles worth of trails. Don’t hesitate at the idea of walking through the freshly fallen snow since we’ll provide snowshoes to make your walk even more of an adventure! Even if you’ve never tried snowshoeing before, we’re positive you’ll get the hang of it in no time. We have a variety of sizes, making it easy for you to find the right fit to strap on over your own boots and once you do, the trails await! Now that the trees and bushes have shed their leaves for the winter, you’ll have no trouble spotting the deer, squirrels, and other wildlife that call our property home.

After exploring the trails, share a bottle of wine or a steaming mug of hot cocoa in front of our outdoor fireplace under the Iron Gazebo. Tucked up beside the Castle Keep to protect you from the wind, the outdoor fireplace will provide the perfect balance of warmth and ambiance to let you de-stress, unwind, and reconnect with each other.

When the snow starts to blanket our 65 acres let go of the “responsible working adult” that you arrived as and revisit the childhood activities you haven’t enjoyed in years. The best thing about “lake-effect” snow is that it makes great packing snow! Have a snowball fight with your special someone, or grab one of the sleds we’ll provide and take an exhilarating ride down the hill. For those with a creative bent, why not build your own snowman and snowwoman? This happy couple appeared one morning last winter and greeted our guests as they walked between the Castle and the Castle Keep.

Once you’ve worn yourselves out…or need to thaw out, head back up to your luxurious Whirlpool and Fireplace Suite at our Bed and Breakfast in Michigan and relax in front of your Flat Screen TV with a great DVD and a bag of popcorn, or treat yourselves to a dessert brought back from one of the Best of the Best local restaurants.

On your romantic Winter getaway the snow may be intimidating at first, but here at Castle in the Country, we know that it can provide some of the best ways to relax, have fun, stir-up romance, and escape the winter ordinary for an extraordinary, memory-filled getaway.

Two magnificent buildings wrapped in 65 secluded acres at our Michigan Inn and Spa and Retreat, Romantic Allegan Bed and Breakfast featuring 10 rooms or suites with Whirlpool tubs and fireplaces, king or queen sized beds, and private baths with all the amenities a discriminating guest appreciates. You can read the original blog post here Winter Things to Do in Michigan on a Romantic Weekend Getaway!.

When the weather outside is dreary and cold, why not just stay in? Snuggling in our classic private bath rooms or one of our eight whirlpool/fireplace suites, you can stay in with style. We know most of our guests are here to relax, so draw a nice bath in your own two-person whirlpool tub and enjoy the dancing flames of the fireplace or flickering light of the flame less candles.

When the cold air outside makes you want to hibernate, why not treat yourself to some pampering? Enjoy your very own Michigan Spa Weekend at our Onsite Spa as we offer Side by Side Couple’s massages, manicures, pedicures, and facials! By booking one of our bundled packages to make your Weekend Getaways in Michigan ideal as you can pair the spa pampering with some great food as well! When you add our Royal Treatment Package it includes the relaxing hour long side by side Couple’s Massage, welcome gift bag, in-room breakfast tray brought to your room one of the two mornings of your visit, a Dinner Voucher to one of three amazing local restaurants, and a picnic basket because here at Castle in the Country, we believe a picnic in your room next to a romantic fire is even better than an outdoor picnic. Come, try it and see for yourself!

Just in case you don’t want to leave the warmth of your suite or cozy room, we’ve made it easy for you to think ahead, and order (at least 48 hours advance notice before your arrival date) our Michigan Restaurant: Dinner at the Inn package. With two salads, a delicious dessert, fresh made bread, your choice of beverage, and two handcrafted Beef, Chicken or Vegetarian Pub Pies all packed nicely into a picnic basket, you’ll be able to enjoy your own private dining experience and not have to worry about going back out into the cold.

When you’re bundled up and ready for an adventure, our 3 miles of trails within 65-wooded acres will be a great way to spend your time. The wild life that lives on our property is much easier to spot now; like the squirrels, birds, and white-tail deer. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the illusive and rare Black white-tail deer a select few of our guests have spotted recently in our very own Enchanted Forest. And when the snow finally falls and covers our property, try out the complimentary snow shoes we’ll have ready for you to enjoy.

So, come out to the country for a peaceful, romantic and fun-filled adventure and enjoy our SPECIAL OFFER: SAVE $100 off any two or more night stays for Sunday-Thursday nights between November 1st and December 20th, and help us celebrate our 23rd Anniversary.

Two magnificent buildings wrapped in 65 secluded acres at our Michigan Inn and Spa and Retreat, Romantic Allegan Bed and Breakfast featuring 10 rooms or suites with Whirlpool tubs and fireplaces, king or queen sized beds, and private baths with all the amenities a discriminating guest appreciates. You can read the original blog post here SPECIAL OFFER: $100 OFF Your 2+ PM Stay to Honor our 23rd Anniversary!.

Our Bed and Breakfast in Michigan has been named “Top Ten Most Romantic Inns” by the largest bed and breakfast directory in the world for good reason, and when you choose one of our three unique and inclusive wedding packages, you can leave the “heavy lifting” to us. We’ll take care of every detail, but follow your wishes to add just the right finishing touches to make it uniquely yours.

“Castle in the Country was the perfect location for our truly intimate wedding. Ruth, Herb, and their team ensured we had the wedding of our dreams. The wonderful Camelot Suite, my beautiful bouquet, groom boutineer, and the cake were all beyond expectation. Our wedding could not have been more perfect!”

- Joel and Dawn Blakesley -”Enchanting Elopement” Wedding Package

The most intimate of our wedding packages is our Enchanting Elopement. Designed for just the bride and groom, this package will make you feel like a princess and her Prince Charming. We’ll take care of your flowers, cake, witnesses, officiate, and photography, and you’ll experience the most romantic ceremony and still be able to show off all the beautiful photos of your private nuptials. Then, after the wedding ceremony, you’ll choose one of our top three favorite restaurants for your first meal as husband as wife. Choose between Salt of the Earth in Fennville, Butch’s in Holland, or Food Dance in Kalamazoo.

For those looking for just a small, intimate gathering we have created our “Just our Closest Few” wedding and reception package. This magical weekday event (Monday- Thursday) for up to 25 people includes all the ceremony details that we offer, and it also provides a Plated Dinner reception following in our Midnight Sky Dining Room. Herb really pulls out all the stops when he creates a reception dinner fit for a Royal family, using local and fresh ingredients and making everything from scratch. Just like our other wedding packages, Ruth will shoot the photography session that is included in the package and send you home with the the raw proofs on a CD or Flash Drive. This lets you decide what photos you like best for your Facebook profile, photo album or digital picture frame! You have full creative control since you own the photos to commemorate your special day.

“We had our wedding & reception here at Castle in the Country and it was beautiful.  Our family & friends really enjoyed themselves as well. Our stay after the wedding was wonderful and relaxing… This was the most romantic place that we have stayed in, and we can’t wait to come back. Thank you so much for an unforgettable time.”

- Michelle and John Chapman, “Just our closest few” Weekday Wedding Package

Finally,  our “Destination Weekend” Wedding package is our most elaborate. By booking all 10 guest rooms for the weekend of your event, every staff member at our Southwest Michigan Bed and Breakfast is devoted to your event. From the rooms for lodging all of your bridal party or family members, to the rehearsal, to the ceremony and reception, your fairytale wedding is our only priority. Just like our other packages, we’ll be your trusted wedding coordinator helping to bring every detail necessary to create the most Magical event of your life. This package includes everything you need from the flowers, to the caterer, to photos, to the magnificent Canopy Reception Tent, to the delicious cake. It’s a Destination Wedding Dream come true.

“Ruth, I cannot thank you and your staff enough for the fairy tale wedding and reception! The Inn, food, tent, music and carriage ride were just magical. Although it took months to plan, and only hours to experience, it provided so many cherished moments that will last a lifetime.”

- Ashley and Beau Braman, “Destination Weekend Wedding” Package

Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, and we want to make sure you remember it as a fairytale come true. So leave the planning to us and enjoy a stress free escape to our countryside inn for your dream Michigan Weddings Experience.

Two magnificent buildings wrapped in 65 secluded acres at our Michigan Inn and Spa and Retreat, Romantic Allegan Bed and Breakfast featuring 10 rooms or suites with Whirlpool tubs and fireplaces, king or queen sized beds, and private baths with all the amenities a discriminating guest appreciates. You can read the original blog post here Michigan Fairytale Wedding Destination: Castle in the Country B&B.

Allegan County is home to three Best Ice Cream manufacturers, so we think it’s safe to say, we love our Ice Cream in this part of Southwest Michigan. With seasonal flavors like Pumpkin or Hot Apple Pie, we encourage our guests to take a taste testing experience at each of our local creameries before summer ends.

1. Hudsonville Ice Cream is one of the most well known brands, sold throughout four states. The creamery started in Hudsonville, MI in 1926 with 6 flavors, but is now located in Holland, MI with over fifty different varieties and flavors. Whether you’re looking for a classic vanilla or chocolate, or looking for something more adventurous like Blueberry Cobbler, Caramel Turtle Cheesecake, or Grand Traverse Bay Cherry Fudge, they surely have something for everyone! They also feature 12 seasonal flavors, like fall’s Pumpkin or  Country Apple Pie. Hudsonville Ice Cream is sold at most local grocery stores and many of the ice cream parlors in Holland, Saugatuck, and South Haven feature it as well. Be sure to bring a carton back with you to enjoy in your Whirlpool/Fireplace Suite or under the Iron Gazebo with Miss Abby.

2. Plainwell Ice Cream is located just 20 miles from our 65-wooded acre property in Plainwell, MI. Voted to have the best ice cream in the Kalamazoo area in an Mlive.com poll. Plainwell Ice Cream will definitely hit the spot in these remaining summer days. They currently have great seasonal featured treats, such as Pumpkin Ice Cream and Hot Apple Sundaes. They also offer other great flavors like Key Lime Pie, Toasted Coconut, and a few non-dairy items as well. At their main location on M-89 just east of the downtown Plainwell area, they are open until 9:00 pm each night now through October 31st, and will reopen on March 1st, 2013. You will also be able to enjoy Plainwell Ice Cream at The Boardwalk Ice cream parlor in downtown Allegan and at Around the Corner ice cream parlor in downtown Saugatuck.

3. Sherman’s Ice Cream is located just 30 minutes away from our Michigan bed and breakfast in South Haven, MI. Made the old fashioned way, without the use of high tech machines, Sherman’s Ice Cream is rich and creamy and full of great flavor and natural ingredients. With flavors like Butter Pecan, Chocomania, and Cappuccino, so how could you go wrong with Sherman’s? Their Dairy Bar is open through October from noon until 9:00pm on weekdays, and noon until 10:00pm on the weekend.

Here’s our best suggestions for Summer’s best dessert at an ice cream parlor near us, so come and check our availability at our Castle in the Country Inn before the summer’s end, and we’ll point you in the right direction for making your own taste test of the Best of Allegan County Creameries.

Two magnificent buildings wrapped in 65 secluded acres at our Michigan Inn and Spa and Retreat, Romantic Allegan Bed and Breakfast featuring 10 rooms or suites with Whirlpool tubs and fireplaces, king or queen sized beds, and private baths with all the amenities a discriminating guest appreciates. You can read the original blog post here The 3 Best Creameries in Southwest Michigan for the Perfect Ice Cream!.