12 of the Best Wedding Venues on Lake Michigan

The shores of Lake Michigan are a beautiful spot for weddings, with views of sand dunes and pristine blue waters. Whether you’re getting married in Michigan, Illinois, or Wisconsin, finding the right venue is important — from the perfect lakefront location to all the added amenities. The below venues are some of the best wedding venues on Lake Michigan.

Gypsy Distillery and Event Center 

Located in Petoskey, Mich., the Gypsy Distillery and Event Center is just off the shores of Lake Michigan’s Little Traverse Bay and offers breathtaking views of the lake as the backdrop of your day. The distillery offers 10,000 square feet of ballroom space, an outdoor ceremony space with room for up to 225 guests, and locally crafted spirits to add to your celebration.  

The Inn at Bay Harbor 

A full-service event venue in Petoskey, The Inn at Bay Harbor offers multiple venues and packages. The Inn’s outdoor venues with lake views include the Lake Lawn and the Cart Pad, both with capacity for 150 guests. The Inn also offers multiple indoor spaces with capacities ranging from 32 to 160 guests. Packages for receptions, brunches, welcomes, and rehearsals are also offered. 

Mission Table

Located north of Traverse City on the Old Mission Peninsula, the Mission Table venue is situated just across the street from West Bay. Available for weddings with up to 60 guests, Mission Table offers its front lawn for ceremonies, with beautiful views of the West Bay. They also include dinner receptions with their packages, which include North Peak and Jolly Pumpkin beers that are brewed at their own onsite brewery and distillery. 

The Homestead

The Homestead is near Glen Arbor, in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes on Lake Michigan’s eastern shore. The facility offers lodgings, catering, planning, and many other resources. The Homestead has a capacity of 170 guests, features an outdoor reception area, and offers a complimentary overnight stay for newlyweds.

Lake Bluff Preserve

Lake Bluff Preserve is a beautiful and intimate venue perfect for couples looking for a location that offers lodging for a weekend-long celebration. The 70-acre private preserve is in Frankfort, Mich., and features multiple vacation homes on the bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan. For smaller weddings, they have single houses available for rent, but for weddings with more than 30 guests they do offer a package that includes lodging in all of their upper bluff houses. 

The Lake House 

Located in Ludington, Mich., The Lake House is perfectly situated with views of Lake Michigan waterfront, the Harbor View Marina, the lighthouse, and the SS Badger. The Lake House has a waterfront ceremony site and capacity for up to 200 guests. Their wedding packages include a 12 hour rental complete with bridal suite, groom’s suite, access to the patio, mezzanine, and upper terrace, indoor and outdoor mobile bars, and more. 

Camp Blodgett 

Camp Blodgett is a summer camp in West Olive, Mich., that offers their Loeks Retreat Center for weddings and other events with up to 150 guests. They offer multiple packages ranging in size, including their wedding weekend special which includes eight private lodging rooms in addition to the dining room, conference room, kitchen, and deck for wedding ceremonies and receptions. The center is located directly on Lake Michigan, with many opportunities for lake views in photos and throughout the ceremony. 

Aria at the Whitcomb

The Aria at the Whitcomb in St. Joseph, Mich., offers multiple locations with views of Lake Michigan, including the rooftop, veranda, and garden. The different locations can host varied numbers of guests, from 120 to 250, or you can rent out all three for maximum flexibility! The space also offers multiple extras, like bridal and groom’s suites, and a 360-degree experience from St. Joe’s highest point, the cupola.  

Weko Beach House

Perfect for smaller weddings, the Weko Beach House is operated by the Bridgman, Mich., Parks and Recreation Department. It accommodates 100 people and offers a simple, charming atmosphere. The venue is located directly on Lake Michigan and offers beachfront ceremonies and an indoor reception space. They offer a variety of affordable rates and allow for flexibility on catering and other vendors. 

Adler Planetarium

The Adler Planetarium is located along the lakefront in Chicago, Ill., and offers a unique space for wedding ceremonies and receptions with multiple indoor spaces and an outdoor terrace, plaza, and solarium with views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. Across the different locations, Adler Planetarium can host weddings ranging from 80 to 500. Adler Planetarium also offers a few extras for your event, including sky and space theater shows. 

Miller Room

The western shores of Lake Michigan also offer beautiful wedding venues, including the Miller Room in Milwaukee, Wis. This downtown location has capacity for up to 250 guests, and includes a lakefront garden, a private outdoor patio, a beautiful interior reception space, built-in bar, lounge with plush furniture, and an event planning team ready to help with your special day. 

Terrace Bay Hotel

The Terrace Bay Hotel in Gladstone, Mich., is a beautiful hotel on the northern shores of Lake Michigan. Their hilltop gazebo is the perfect location for a lakefront ceremony, but they also offer an indoor ballroom reception space with a capacity for up to 325 guests, complete with stages, bars, and a built-in dance floor. 

If you’re looking for a beautiful, waterfront venue for your wedding, then investigating these 12 wedding venues on Lake Michigan is the perfect place to start!