Mackinac Island Wedding Weekend Guide

Mackinac Island is one of Michigan’s top travel destinations and was rated the Best Island in the Continental U.S. by Travel + Leisure. The island is beloved by Michiganders because of its small-town charm and historic and nostalgic setting. Cars are not allowed on the island and instead, visitors can enjoy and explore the island via horse-drawn carriages or bicycles. 

The island is a perfect spot for a destination wedding and is capable of hosting weddings with up to 400 guests. The island offers vendors for any wedding service you might need, from venues, catering, and lodging to favors, music, flowers, and more. Here is our perfect Mackinac Island wedding weekend guide for your Up North wedding!

When to Go & How to Get There

Because of Mackinac Island’s remote location in Lake Huron between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan, the wedding season is limited to May through October. We highly recommend a wedding during peak lilac season. Mackinac Island is known for its large and beautiful lilac trees, and the main streets of the island are permeated with their aroma during their annual Lilac Festival in early June each year.  

Traveling to the island requires some coordination, especially if you’re inviting a large group of guests. For guests who are coming from out-of-state, we recommend flying into one of the nearby airports and then driving to Mackinaw City or St. Ignace. Local airports include Pellston Regional Airport, Chippewa Country International Airport, and Cherry Capital Airport, although they will all vary in terms of price and available flights.

There is a small airport on the island that can accommodate private and charter aircraft if you or your guests would prefer. However, most island visitors catch a ferry at either Mackinaw City or St. Ignace. There are no bridges to the island, but the two ferry lines, Shepler’s or Star Line (now known as Mackinac Island Ferry Company), go back and forth many times a day during peak season.

Where to Stay

The number of guests you’re inviting will determine your best option for lodging. There are multiple resorts, hotels, bed and breakfasts, and cottages across the island. The two largest and most well-known locations are the Grand Hotel and Mission Point Resort — two resorts located on opposite ends of the island’s main populated area. Both offer a large quantity of rooms available for you and your guests. 

Other options vary in size, price, and location. Hotels that are located right on Main Street include Island House Hotel, Bicycle Street Inn & Waterfront Collection, Chippewa Hotel Waterfront, Hotel Iroquois, Lake View Hotel, Lilac Tree Suites, and more.

For something a little off the beaten path, check out the Inn at Stonecliffe or some of the available cottages for rent through Mackinac Vacation Rentals. 

Ceremony & Reception Sites

The best part about getting married on Mackinac Island is there is no shortage of beautiful places to host your ceremony! 

If you want to keep things simple, book your lodging at one of the hotels or resorts that also offer wedding ceremony services, such as the Grand Hotel, Inn at Stonecliffe, Island House Hotel, and Mission Point Resort. These locations offer amazing wedding packages, including multiple ceremony and reception site options, rehearsal dinners, spa services, a farewell brunch, and more. Wedding capacity can flex up to 300 or 400 guests, depending on your chosen location. 

Of course, you don’t have to have your ceremony at a resort or hotel! There are breathtaking and historic sites across the island perfect for a small wedding ceremony. Options include (but are not limited to) historic churches like the Little Stone Church, the Wings of Mackinac Butterfly House, The Somewhere in Time Gazebo, and the Fort Mackinac Cannon Platform. 

Lean Into the Charm

Mackinac Island is a special place, and your wedding weekend should reflect that! Lean into the charm of the island and incorporate a few special details. In addition to the many different vendors available on the island (from flowers and photography to catering and cakes), the island also offers a romantic carriage ride for the newly married from Gough Carriages. The carriage ride will take you and your beloved on a tour around the island so you can celebrate and enjoy the gorgeous lake views. 

Consider island-themed wedding favors to give your guests the full Mackinac Island experience. We recommend contacting one of the local fudge shops and asking about custom fudge, candy, taffy, or peanut brittle favor boxes. You can’t go wrong with any of the local options, but we like Joann’s Fudge, Murdick’s Fudge, or Ryba’s Fudge Shops (we love their pink boxes!).

Things to Do

Mackinac Island is full of activities for your guests to enjoy throughout the weekend. The island’s downtown has dozens of cute shops, restaurants, and bars to explore both day and night, and Fort Mackinac is a must-visit for those interested in history. Guests can rent bikes or carriages to explore the island, but they can also ride horses, hike or walk along the bluffs or in the island’s interior, which is more than 80 percent State Park property. We recommend checking out Arch Rock! 

No matter which options you choose, a wedding on Mackinac Island is guaranteed to be beautiful and memorable for you and your guests.