Up North Wedding Venue Guide

Nothing beats the scenery that Northern Michigan offers. So, if you’re looking for a wedding up north with a setting like none other, each of the 15 stunning venues below beautifully showcases the breathtaking scenery Northern Michigan is known for.

Lake Bluff Preserve

Situated on a breathtaking 70-acre family-owned property in Frankfort, Lake Bluff Preserve is a picture-prefect destination for couples looking to celebrate their day outdoors (it sits atop a 350’ bluff with sweeping, unparalleled views of Lake Michigan). With three vacation homes available to rent at the upper bluff and a dune house available on the lower bluff, there are myriad options for couples planning anything from a micro wedding to a grand reception for more than 100 guest.

Belsoda Farm

An upper peninsula gem, Belsoda Farm lies just 2 miles south of Lake Superior amongst 60 acres of apple orchards, berry patches, rolling hay fields, and woods. We love the old dairy barn — decorated with fairy lights, ethereal white curtains, wine barrels and drapery backdrops — for a romantic yet rustic reception. The barn also features a dance floor, bar and space for up to 150 (an additional 50 guests can be seated under tents outdoors for those with larger parties), a quaint bridal cabin, a fire pit, prep kitchen, and an intimate site within the orchards featuring a wooden arbor and benches for an idyllic ceremony.

The Foxglove Farm

Recently restored, The Foxglove Farm, located just north of Sutton’s Bay on the scenic Leelanau Peninsula, is a must see for its pastoral setting and updated design elements. From the cherry orchard vistas and the romantic wildflower fields to the peaceful forest alcove, breathtaking lakeview outlook and, the updated 130-year-old barn that seamlessly marries contemporary furnishings and sleek lines with rustic charm, The Foxglove Farm offers endless possibilities. “We believe that no two events should look the same at The Foxglove Farm,” says Kelsey Barnes, venue manager. “Whether you’re looking for a dark, moody farm-to-table gathering in the woods or an intimate ceremony enveloped by cherry blossoms, the 140 acres are yours to set the scene.”

Bowers Harbor Inn

As the home of both Mission Table and The Peninsula Room, two stunning event venues, Bowers Harbor Inn was originally built in the late 1880s as the summer retreat for Chicago lumber baron J.W. Stickney and his wife, Genevieve. Today, the estate has become known as a culinary destination advocating the use of local ingredients from local farmers (three farmers on the peninsula are actually dedicated to growing food for the venues). Couples looking for a more intimate ceremony will love Mission Table, housed in the original home of the Stickney estate. Complete with stunning views of Grand Traverse Bay, Mission Table can host receptions of up to 65 in its harbor room and up to 30 in its library. At the newly constructed Peninsula Room, couples can host up to 150 guests with use of a large side lawn, stone patio and fire pit included in the rental.

The Homestead

What better place to say “I Do” than near the iconic Sleeping Bear Dunes? At The Homestead in Glen Arbor, couples can expect not only an ideal location but a variety of venue and ceremony options. For those looking for an elegant yet rustic feel, the Mountain Flowers Lodge — replete with hand-hewn beams, locally sourced wrought iron, fireplace (both indoors and out), sweeping views, and a stunning forest setting — is just the place. There’s also Camp Firefly, a charming 19th century retreat, and the lakefront Café Manitou for more intimate ceremonies and receptions.

Gypsy Distillery

Located in Petoskey with views of Lake Michigan, Gypsy Distillery, once an iconic equestrian center, is now an enchanting destination for couples to tie the knot. With a picturesque outdoor ceremony space along the scenic rolling hills, it also offers its 10,000 square feet of ballroom space, crafted cocktails, expert mixologists, and dedicated staff, all sure to wow couples and guests alike.

The Rockwell Lake Lodge

From the tranquil northern Michigan forests that surround it to the views of the lake, The Rockwell Lake Lodge, located on the grounds of Hillsdale College’s G.H. Gordon Biological Station, is sure to be an exceptional experience for both the couple and their guests. Available year round, packages include use of the furnished lodge and its gorgeous vaulted-ceiling great room, its surrounding grounds, various ceremony sites, overnight accommodations in 10 suites, the use of kayaks, canoes, and boats with trolling motors, and so much more.

Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center

At the Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center in Augusta, expect an unforgettable experience with stunning outdoor settings and a variety of memorable options for receptions and ceremonies. An outdoor chapel features a wisteria-covered arbor, views of Sherman Lake, a beautiful brick pathway and seating for 240. Outdoor enthusiasts will love The Grand Oak Campfire, a secluded space in the woods that features bonfire pits, seating for 200, a stage, and even electricity. For indoor receptions, couples can choose from a gorgeous wood barn, the Kellogg Hall-Great Hall with its large exposed beams, and the Wattles Leadership Lodge that accommodates up to 75 guests, has a fireplace and a hilltop deck that looks out to Sherman Lake.

The Inn at Stonecliffe

Currently undergoing a $30-million-dollar property transformation and set to reopen in in the summer of 2024, The Inn at Stonecliffe is a beloved Mackinac Island destination with its stunning views of the straits. The classic Tudor-style mansion was originally built in 1904, and after its renovations will offer the newest accommodations on the iconic island. Updates will include a new 3,300-square-foot venue, three private cottages, two pools, fire pits, lawn games, as well as a fine-dining restaurant, an upscale pub, and a casual BBQ pavilion with a wood-fired pizza oven.

Bay View Weddings at Gallagher Farms

Situated on an over four-hundred-acre, fourth generation family cherry farm with expansive, postcard-perfect views of Grand Traverse Bay, Bay View Weddings at Gallagher Farms is a breathtaking choice for any nuptial. Offering a grand and elegant tented venue for your reception, the couples and their guests are sure to be swept away by the sweeping sights of the bay as well as the property’s rolling hills and grape vines. But the farm’s ultimate wow factor lies in its ceremony site. Appropriately titled The Overlook, the staff at Bay View will shuttle your guests to an elevated destination on the property where the couple will say “I Do” with an unparalleled panorama of Grand Traverse Bay, Downtown Traverse City, Power Island, and Leelanau County.

Starry Night Barn & Studios

A Sutton Bay’s treasure, Starry Night Barn & Studios is a wedding and event venue featuring a restored barn, renovated farmhouse and two historic cottages. For those looking for a wedding weekend experience, Starry Night is just the place, as the stunning venue and accommodations are available to each couple for the entire weekend with options of extending your stay, too. “We can host one large event per weekend, and our clients usually check-in on a Friday and check-out Sunday, although they can add nights in the cottages and farmhouse,” says Meagan Batdorff, owner and manager at Starry Night. “We’ll do rehearsal dinners and midweek parties and events in the lower barn, which features two bars, a gallery (coming soon!), seating for up to 150 guests, bathrooms and a catering staffing area.” There is also an old farmworker’s building, called “The Studio,” that houses Batdorff’s pottery studio, as well as the floral design studio and rental hub of Nikki Marek of Dragonfly Event Designs.

The Riverside Inn

“The Riverside Inn is a charming restaurant and five-room hotel nestled along the river in downtown Leland, Michigan, with stunning views and a quintessential Northern Michigan setting,” says Grace Hill, project manager at Fernhaus, the hospitably group running the Inn. “We have an attentive team to help nail down all the finest details and curate a locally-sourced, vibrant meal. We can accommodate private dining events for up to 30 people or offer a full buyout option with a seated capacity of 75 persons and space to host both the ceremony and reception.”

Aurora Cellars

A bucolic setting amongst the grapes, Lake Leelanau’s Aurora Cellars is a beloved winery and vineyard perfect for hosting weddings and events. From a heated high peak outdoor tent (complete with gorgeous wooden farmhouse tables) to their charmingly restored Victorian farmhouse, the tasting room for more intimate receptions, and the otherworldly willow tree to be married under, Aurora Cellars has so much to offer couples looking for a romantic and rustic day.

Walloon Lake Village

A waterfront beauty, Walloon Lake Village offers four incredible venues to couples and their guests. The Talcott, a 3,410 square-foot renovated boat building school, offers the ability to host up to 240 guests. At the Hotel Walloon, up to 150 guests can enjoy the 2015-built beachfront property (perfect for those planning a wedding weekend experience, too). There’s also the historic Walloon Lake Inn (with sweeping lake views, a recently renovated interior, and idyllic outdoor spaces) and the Village Green Park for those looking for a classic and elegant tented reception right off the water.

Lavender Hill Farm

Growing more than 30 varieties of lavender, Lavender Hill Farm in Boyne City, the largest in Michigan, is a sight to see — especially when the fields are in bloom. With a brand-new farmhouse and an over 100-year-old restored barn, this inspiring destination can now host weddings, lunches, musical performances and private events year-round.