Northern Michigan is an incredible destination, with a tourist industry that is growing by the year. The region has been listed by several prominent news sources, including Conde Nast Traveler, Vogue, and CNN as one of the best places in the country (and the world!) to vacation.
But for those of us who live in or have a history of visiting the region, we don’t need to find Leelanau County or Traverse City on a list of must-visit travel locations to know that it is special. From the quiet, winding country roads, to the sandy dunes, to the abundance of freshwater, northern Michigan speaks for itself.
Because of its beauty and the world-class food and beverage scene that continues to evolve in the region, northern Michigan–specifically Leelanau County–continues to grow as a destination wedding location. Most of the couples whose weddings I photograph in this region live elsewhere, and are getting married in northern Michigan because of the beauty it offers. Couples want to give their guests an opportunity to unwind, to relax, to have a vacation, and for many couples, the northern portion of Michigan’s lower peninsula is the perfect backdrop.
I have had the honor of photographing weddings in northern Michigan since 2010 (the first wedding I photographed here was at the iconic D.H. Day Barn!), and since moving to a quiet village next to the Sleeping Bear Dunes in 2017, I now work almost primarily in this region I call home.
The whole reason I live here is because I love Lake Michigan (I wrote a whole book about it), and I feel extremely connected to the idea of place and all that it represents for us. A location–whether it be our home, our yearly vacation destination, or just somewhere we can’t stop thinking about–plays a lot into our experiences. The ground beneath our feet deeply impacts our lives.
So it’s natural when you are planning your wedding that you want to choose a location that feels incredible. That shows off what you love, where you feel most at home and like yourself.
If that place is northern Michigan, then read on for some recommendations of my favorite wedding venues in Leelanau County, Traverse City, and beyond. From Sleeping Bear Dunes to Mackinac Island, these are some of my favorite venues to photograph, and they do an incredible job of setting the stage for a weekend of celebration. If you’re wondering “where to get married in northern Michigan,” read on!
1. Bay View Weddings | Traverse City, Michigan
Bay View Weddings by Gallagher Farms is a newer venue in northern Michigan, yet arguably one of the most popular. Located just outside of Traverse City, Bay View Weddings boasts gorgeous views of Grand Traverse Bay, with ceremony and reception location options spread throughout the property.
2. The Inn at Bay Harbor | Petoskey, Michigan
Located in Bay Harbor just south of Petsokey, The Inn at Bay Harbor is a beautiful location for those looking to get married right on the water. The lawn offers a picturesque ceremony location with views of Little Traverse Bay, with cocktail hour and dinner available with bayside views. The tented deck offers the perfect location for guests to dance the night away while catching the sunset.
3. Aurora Cellars Farmhouse | Lake Leelanau, Michigan
The Aurora Cellars Farmhouse is the ideal location for a vineyard wedding in northern Michigan. Stay onsite in the Farmhouse (with an outdoor sauna for the perfect, most restful start to your wedding day), and get married in front of the famous willow tree on the property. A sprawling lawn offers plenty of room for guests to wander, with a tent for hosting dinner.
4. Brengman Brothers | Traverse City, Michigan
Another great vineyard location is Brengman Brothers Winery. Located just outside of Traverse City, this vineyard offers incredible hilltop views and multiple ceremony locations. Their tented receptions allow guests to enjoy the beauty of summer and fall nights in northern Michigan, and the vineyards offer a stunning backdrop for portraits.
5. Mission Point Resort | Mackinac Island, Michigan
What could be more romantic than Mackinac Island? The entire place is frozen in time, and the nature of the island requires that you and your guests slow down from your typical fast-pace. A wedding at Mission Point Resort gives you and your guests the perfect home-base for an island adventure. Stay in the well-appointed resort–with on-site spa, mini-golf, pool, restaurants, bar, and more–and experience the best that Mackinac Island has to offer. Get married on the expansive lawn with views of Lake Huron, then dine and dance the night away in one of the venue’s ballrooms.
6. Lake Bluff Preserve | Frankfort, Michigan
Situated on the edge of the bluff just north of Frankfort, Michigan, this unique venue is perfect for intimate wedding celebrations. With three large homes available for rent, you can plan the ultimate getaway with your guests. Get married on the bluff overlooking the lake, then dance the night away in the tent on the deck. Guests can hike along the dune path and stargaze after the sun dips below the horizon. This is the perfect location for up north adventure lovers who want to share a bit of what they love with the people they love.
7. The Perry Hotel | Petoskey, Michigan
Stafford’s Perry Hotel is one of the most elegant locations for a wedding in northern Michigan. The Perry Hotel, which opened in 1899, has been beautifully renovated to offer guests incredible accommodations on-site in downtown Petoskey. Hold your ceremony in the Rose Garden, take portraits overlooking Little Traverse Bay, and watch the sun set from the dinner tent. This venue is full of northern Michigan charm, offering proximity to water and small town energy, all while feeling like it was plucked out of The Great Gatsby. If you are looking for a venue that will stun your guests while giving them easy access to plenty of shopping, dining, and leisure activities, The Perry Hotel is the perfect fit.
New (one to me and one to the region!) venues I am looking forward to photographing this year:
Cherry Basket Farm in Omena, Michigan
This venue is for the couple who is deeply committed to throwing a sustainable event, while honoring the land they get married on. According to the venue’s website, by “holding your event at the Basket you support investments in the property that enhance its beauty, make it more climate-resilient, and provide habitat for wildlife.” Under new ownership since 2020, the farm has undertaken a number of land restoration practices to care for the land for years to come. I will be photographing a wedding here in July and cannot wait.
The Foxglove Farm in Suttons Bay, Michigan
This recently restored centennial farm is located just off M-22 north of Suttons Bay, and it offers a wide variety of gorgeous backdrops. From a field with bay views for the ceremony to a bar in the woods for cocktail hour, to a beautifully-restored barn for dancing, you and your guests will be enchanted by this farm that shows off the best of northern Michigan. Thinking about having a spring wedding? The established cherry orchard on site blooms in mid-to-late May, and will be so dreamy for portraits.
Looking for locations to get married directly on the beach?
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