Mount Hope Hilltop Venue

Wedding Day

Nuptials

Cocktail Hour

Reception

Our Wedding

Our Story

Photos

Autumn Brannan 

Brendan Fuller

Nick Vang 

David Bogar

Sydney White-Arendt

Kaden Bauernfeind

Sadie Chrisman

Kolton Speer

Wedding Party

Q + A

SEMI-FORMALWe invite our guests to dress in semi-formal attire for our celebration. Think polished and elegant, while still comfortable and relaxed enough to enjoy the evening.For women, cocktail dresses, midi or maxi dresses, dressy jumpsuits, and elevated separates are all wonderful choices. Light fabrics, soft colors, florals, and seasonal prints are perfect for a June wedding.For men, suits, dress pants with a button-down shirt, polos, or a blazer paired with dress pants are all appropriate. Ties are welcome but not required.To help keep the occasion feeling polished and celebratory, we kindly ask that guests leave the denim and jeans at home and opt for dressier attire instead.Since portions of our celebration will take place outdoors, we recommend comfortable footwear suitable for grass and natural terrain. Please dress with the early-summer weather in mind, and feel free to bring a light layer for the evening.Above all, wear something that makes you feel wonderful and ready to celebrate with us!

Dress Code

Traveling&nbsp;from&nbsp;St.&nbsp;Peters&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;St.&nbsp;Charles,&nbsp;MissouriGuests&nbsp;traveling&nbsp;from&nbsp;St.&nbsp;Peters,&nbsp;St.&nbsp;Charles,&nbsp;or&nbsp;the&nbsp;surrounding&nbsp;St.&nbsp;Louis&nbsp;area&nbsp;may&nbsp;enjoy&nbsp;a&nbsp;scenic&nbsp;drive&nbsp;to&nbsp;Mount&nbsp;Hope&nbsp;Hilltop&nbsp;Venue&nbsp;by&nbsp;taking&nbsp;the&nbsp;Golden&nbsp;Eagle&nbsp;Ferry&nbsp;across&nbsp;the&nbsp;Mississippi&nbsp;River.&nbsp;The&nbsp;ferry&nbsp;provides&nbsp;one&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;quickest&nbsp;and&nbsp;most&nbsp;beautiful&nbsp;routes&nbsp;into&nbsp;Calhoun&nbsp;County&nbsp;and&nbsp;is&nbsp;just&nbsp;a&nbsp;short&nbsp;drive&nbsp;from&nbsp;Highway&nbsp;94&nbsp;in&nbsp;St.&nbsp;Charles&nbsp;County.💡&nbsp;Local&nbsp;Tip:&nbsp;If&nbsp;your&nbsp;GPS&nbsp;doesn&#39;t&nbsp;automatically&nbsp;route&nbsp;you&nbsp;over&nbsp;the&nbsp;Golden&nbsp;Eagle&nbsp;Ferry,&nbsp;simply&nbsp;enter&nbsp;&quot;Golden&nbsp;Eagle&nbsp;Ferry,&nbsp;Golden&nbsp;Eagle,&nbsp;IL&quot;&nbsp;as&nbsp;a&nbsp;stop&nbsp;before&nbsp;your&nbsp;final&nbsp;destination.&nbsp;This&nbsp;will&nbsp;guide&nbsp;you&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;ferry&nbsp;crossing&nbsp;and&nbsp;then&nbsp;on&nbsp;to&nbsp;Mount&nbsp;Hope&nbsp;Hilltop&nbsp;Venue.&nbsp;Please&nbsp;Note:&nbsp;The&nbsp;Golden&nbsp;Eagle&nbsp;Ferry&nbsp;is&nbsp;a&nbsp;toll&nbsp;ferry&nbsp;and&nbsp;cash&nbsp;is&nbsp;the&nbsp;only&nbsp;form&nbsp;of&nbsp;payment&nbsp;accepted.If&nbsp;you&nbsp;plan&nbsp;to&nbsp;return&nbsp;home&nbsp;using&nbsp;the&nbsp;ferry,&nbsp;you&nbsp;can&nbsp;purchase&nbsp;a&nbsp;round-trip&nbsp;pass&nbsp;when&nbsp;you&nbsp;cross&nbsp;the&nbsp;first&nbsp;time.&nbsp;A&nbsp;round-trip&nbsp;fare&nbsp;is&nbsp;less&nbsp;than&nbsp;$20.00.When&nbsp;you&nbsp;purchase&nbsp;a&nbsp;round-trip&nbsp;pass,&nbsp;the&nbsp;ferry&nbsp;attendant&nbsp;will&nbsp;give&nbsp;you&nbsp;a&nbsp;return&nbsp;pass&nbsp;card.&nbsp;Please&nbsp;keep&nbsp;this&nbsp;card&nbsp;in&nbsp;a&nbsp;safe&nbsp;place,&nbsp;as&nbsp;you&#39;ll&nbsp;need&nbsp;to&nbsp;hand&nbsp;it&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;attendant&nbsp;for&nbsp;your&nbsp;return&nbsp;crossing&nbsp;instead&nbsp;of&nbsp;paying&nbsp;a&nbsp;second&nbsp;time.Please&nbsp;remember:&nbsp;Lost&nbsp;return&nbsp;pass&nbsp;cards&nbsp;cannot&nbsp;be&nbsp;replaced,&nbsp;and&nbsp;the&nbsp;ferry&nbsp;does&nbsp;not&nbsp;issue&nbsp;refunds,&nbsp;so&nbsp;be&nbsp;sure&nbsp;to&nbsp;store&nbsp;your&nbsp;pass&nbsp;somewhere&nbsp;secure&nbsp;until&nbsp;your&nbsp;trip&nbsp;home.Golden&nbsp;Eagle&nbsp;Ferry&nbsp;HoursMonday&nbsp;-&nbsp;Thursday:&nbsp;5&nbsp;a.m.&nbsp;-&nbsp;9&nbsp;p.m.Friday&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;Saturday:&nbsp;5a.m.&nbsp;-&nbsp;2&nbsp;a.m.Sunday:&nbsp;8&nbsp;a.m.&nbsp;-&nbsp;9&nbsp;p.m.The&nbsp;Golden&nbsp;Eagle&nbsp;Ferry&nbsp;is&nbsp;open&nbsp;on&nbsp;holidays:Thanksgiving&nbsp;Day:&nbsp;8&nbsp;a.m.&nbsp;-&nbsp;9&nbsp;p.m.Christmas&nbsp;Eve:&nbsp;5&nbsp;a.m.&nbsp;-&nbsp;9&nbsp;p.m.Christmas&nbsp;Day:&nbsp;8&nbsp;a.m.&nbsp;-&nbsp;9&nbsp;p.m.New&nbsp;Year&#39;s&nbsp;Day:&nbsp;8&nbsp;a.m.&nbsp;-&nbsp;9&nbsp;p.m.

Golden Eagle Ferry MO

An architectural masterpiece, this historic Lodge features 50 foot vaulted ceilings supported by a network of massive wood beams along with a life-size chess set and an immense, 700 ton stone fireplace. A wall of windows overlooks the Illinois River and an outdoor shaded terrace offers a quiet spot to take in the beauty of the view.  Follow the peg and groove hardwood floors to the Pere Marquette Lodge Restaurant which is popular with fried chicken enthusiasts and anyone looking for classic American fare.  The on-site Winery offers guests award-winning local wines while the indoor atrium pool features floor to ceiling windows and a stunning view of the river valley below. 72 well-appointed rooms and cabins include modern amenities with a decidedly rustic-air. Enjoy a cozy cabin room with limestone and wood walls, a historic wing room overlooking the lush river valley or a double queen room with a park view.

Step out of the Pere Marquette Lodge %amp; Conference Center, BW Premier Collection® and into Pere Marquette State Park which is the largest State Park in Illinois with over 8,000 acres available for visitors to explore. Many choose to hike the infamous trails to breathtaking views of the river valleys and beyond, others tour the park by motoring along the winding scenic drive with areas to pull off and enjoy amazing views. Horseback riding, rock climbing, fishing, hunting, biking and boating are also popular park activities. Stop by the on-site Pere Marquette Park Visitors Center to plan exciting excursions and learn about the Bald Eagles that frequent the area January through March.  

In Grafton, guests can enjoy a variety of wineries, restaurants and pubs, many with live music. Shopping is a popular pastime along with ziplining, river boat tours, picking produce at Eckert's® Farm and touring around historic downtown on foot. Other nearby excursions include Cahokia Mounds, the St. Louis Arch, the Science Center, the Lewis and Clark Confluence Tower, the St.

Pere Marquette Lodge & Conference Ctr.

Travel & Lodging

Opened in 1997, the Pere Marquette Visitor Center is situated just north of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers confluence in Grafton and should be the first stop when visiting the park. When you walk into the Visitor Center you are greeted with a three-dimensional map of the park and a wealth of other displays and exhibits focusing on the Illinois River, wildlife habitat, local history and geology.Trail maps are available inside the center and will soon be available at trail heads. Park staff will be on hand to explain the trail system and give trail advice during normal office hours. Several informational park videos are highly recommended and available for viewing in the Audio/Visual room of the Visitor Center. Pere Marquette: The Park by the River, A story of Hope: The Civilian Conservation Corps in Illinois, Where Eagles Soar, Dinky (historic rail car footage), and Resource Conservation.Free guided hikes to the different scenic areas on the park are available to be scheduled for any group size. If interested in organizing one, call the visitor center to schedule.Schools and Scout groups may arrange reservations for a guided hike on the park's history and geology to McAdams Peak and Twin Mounds Peak. Please contact the park office Monday through Saturday at <a href="tel:16187863323" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">1-618-786-3323</a>Binoculars are available for rent (FREE!) with a state issued I.D. at the front desk of the Visitor Center.Visitor Center Hours&nbsp;Monday - Saturday, 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM&nbsp;

Pere Marquette State Park

Conrad Wittmond and his wife opened a trading post in Brussels, Illinois in 1847. Brussels is located in Calhoun County on a tiny peninsula between the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. In 1863 the couple added a two-story structure to accommodate river travelers and renovated again in 1885. Today the business no longer accommodates overnight guests, but the Wittmond Family, now in the sixth generation, continues to run the restaurant. The Wittmond Hotel is the oldest continuously operating business in Brussels. Wittmond Hotel Meal:The Wittmond Hotel serves a family-style meal. There is no way you can leave there still hungry. The first course is the relish tray. You can always tell restaurants that have been in businesses for generations when they bring out a relish tray. I’ve been served many relish trays in the past but none as extensive as the one you will have at the Wittmond Hotel. Here is what it included:Pork sausageColeslawApplesauceCinnamon apple ringsPickled beetsCorn relishCarrotsCeleryChicken noodle soupDinner rollsPeach preserves

Wittmond's Restaurant

Hours: Closer MondaysTuesday - Sunday open from 11am-8pm Some of the best American food in town with a stunning view of one of the last lift span bridges in the world! The great Joe Page Bridge!

Hardin Drive In

The Grafton SkyTour is a local attraction like no other! Our scenic aerial lift not only provides a unique way to reach Aerie's Hill, but also showcases the breathtaking views of the unique Grafton bluffs, and the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. The SkyTour is a perfect activity for all ages, so if you're looking for things to do, come see our view!

Grafton SkyTour at Aerie's Resort

The first alpine coaster in Illinois is at Aerie's Resort in Grafton, Illinois! Our exciting gravity coaster is perfect for family and friends of all ages. With nearly 4,000 feet of track, 7 hair-pin turns, and 8 waves/twisters you'll feel the thrill of a ride like never before! Our coaster is located on our hill and is reached via the Grafton SkyTour

Aerie's Alpine Coaster

With miles of slides and thousands of gallons of water, so many ways for your family to have fun!!

Raging Rivers WaterPark

Once the area’s best kept secret, The Loading Dock has become known as a top St. Louis destination.&nbsp;Featuring stunning river views, outdoor dining, live music, monthly flea markets, and seasonal ice skating, The Loading Dock guarantees a fun time for all.

The Loading Dock

Pere Marquette Stables is open to the public Wednesday through Monday and open May through October. We are located about 2 miles north of Grafton on the Great River Road and approximately 22 miles north of Alton.Walks ins are welcome but we do recommend making a reservation. Call today 618-786-2156 to schedule your personal horseback ride today.Over the last 20 years we have developed an impressive collection of horses for your riding enjoyment. We constantly monitor the quality of the tours we sponsor. Your safety is always a priority with us. Experience clean air, natural sights and local wildlife such as deer, wild turkeys and red tailed hawks on a 45-50 minute ride through 2 1/2 miles of scenic trails through the parkOur knowledgeable ride consultants are a wonderful resource which is entirely at your disposal. They have many years of collective experience with horseback riding and can answer any questions about horseback riding that you might have.Whether you live in the St Louis area or on vacation you will find that our expert staff and amazing scenery will make the time you spend with us a great experience. Contact us today with any questions you might have.

Pere Marquette Riding Stables

Grafton Oyster Bar is Illinois only floating restaurant located on the river in the heart of beautiful, Grafton, Illinois. We specialize in Seafood and Cajun Creole Cuisine. Stop in and try our Award-Winning Dishes, service, music, and atmosphere.

Grafton Oyster Bar

Ornamental Iron, Paintings, Pottery, Flower Arrangements and Vintage Pieces

Aaron & Summer

Aaron & Summer

Wedding Party