Best Up North Wedding Venues in Michigan

There’s no place in the world like northern Michigan. With miles of beautiful, fresh water beaches and intimate, secluded natural areas, it’s an obvious choice for the location of your wedding. Although with countless options, it can be hard to narrow down which venue to choose. We’re here to help you sift through all the best options with some of our favorite Up North wedding venues in Michigan.

1. The Homestead

At the heart of Sleeping Bear Dunes, where the Crystal River meets Lake Michigan, lies The Homestead, a gorgeous beachside resort that offers three stylish sites for weddings and receptions and countless other amenities. Not interested in the beach? They have a pool! Feeling sporty? They have a tennis court! With a wide range of lodging choices, stunning view and event space for up to 170 guests, The Homestead is well-suited for your special day. 

2. Stoneridge Barn

Dreaming of a rustic barn wedding? Look no further! Stoneridge Barn, located 30 miles south of Traverse City, offers a 6,598-square-foot venue and an outdoor patio. The interior offers plenty of space for dining and dancing while the outdoor patio offers a more cozy vibe with string lights and its own outdoor bar. The property itself is 5 acres, allowing you the space and privacy to celebrate your big day with all your favorite people.

3. Castle Farms

If you’ve ever driven up north on M66, you’ve likely been distracted by a massive and picturesque stone castle. Believe it or not, it’s a wedding venue! More than 100 years old, Castle Farms is an iconic northern Michigan wedding venue. They offer a few different venue options, all royally named: the Knight’s Castle and Knight’s Courtyard, the King’s Great Hall and Queen’s Courtyard, the East Garden Room, the West Garden Room, the King’s Great Hall and King’s Indoor Chapel, and the King’s Gallery. If being betrothed like royalty in a castle suits you, book your wedding during the “winter” months (November 1 to April 31). If you’d like a castle as your wedding’s backdrop, book your wedding during the summer months (May 1 to October 31). If rain is threatening your outdoor wedding, they also offer inclement weather spaces. Fun fact — between the 1970s and 1990s, this property was a concert venue. They even hosted Aerosmith! So, if you “Don’t Want To Miss A Thing,” you’ll choose Castle Farms for your wedding day. 

4. Chamberlin’s Ole Forest Inn

Not impressed by us calling anywhere in the Lower Peninsula “Up North?” Located in the Upper Peninsula on pristine Manistique Lake, Chamberlin’s Ole Forest Inn is what Yooper dreams are made of. The main inn was built in the late 1800s and has been refurbished and redecorated, but much of the original woodwork remains throughout the inn. For the wedding itself, you have options. There’s an intimate gazebo overlooking the lake where you could say your vows, or the Inn could provide a beautiful decorated arch for the big moment. Guests at your wedding can have access to kayaks and a bonfire pit, and they can stay in one of the 11 guest rooms, all decorated in the iconic Victorian style.

5. Drummond Island Resort & Conference Center

If you hear Up North and think “as close to Canada as possible,” Drummond Island Resort & Conference Center could be the wedding venue for you! Whether you’re looking to accommodate 50 guests or more than 200, Drummond Island Resort & Conference Center has something for you. The Annex is the most intimate space while The Martini Deck is the grandest. If you’re looking for something in between, The Bayside Waterfront or the Brooder House would be for you. If everything that comes along with wedding planning is just too much, Drummond Island Resort & Conference Center offers an elopement special. They also offer a special for winter weddings! The resort overlooks the expansive and scenic Potagannissing Bay, and its island location offers a unique level of seclusion and intimacy for your once-in-a-lifetime event. 

6. The Inn at Stonecliffe

Built in 1904 on beautiful Mackinac Island, The Inn at Stonecliffe is steeped in history. While its history runs deep, it’s not stuck in the past. With a recent $30 million renovation, this venue has it all. Whether you’re looking for an indoor or outdoor ceremony, there are multiple venues to choose from. These include the Tudor Mansion, lakeside lawn, sunset pavilion, and the garden grotto. Still not convinced? The Inn at Stonecliffe was listed as one of Time magazine’s “World’s Greatest Places” in 2024.