Leelanau County Wedding Venues for Stunning Photos
As I get ready for my 16th season of photographing weddings, I am getting so excited for all the venues I get to visit. Leelanau County, my home for nearly a decade, has its own magic to it. With its windswept dunes, mix of hardwood and evergreen forests, and crystal-clear waters, the landscape is more than a backdrop—it’s a part of the story. It’s a place where time feels suspended, where neighbors and visitors linger long after the sun has set. For so many couples I’ve had the privilege of photographing, northern Michigan is beloved for the memories it holds. For some, its the memories of childhood summers at the cottage, while other couples have discovered the region’s beauty together.
I’m a wedding photographer focused on connection, and that extends beyond your relationships with the people around you to the place you reside, vacation in, or choose to host your wedding. If you’re looking for someone to document the way your day feels, helping to create space for you to feel present and connected on your wedding day, let’s chat. I value your experience over all else.
When couples choose Northern Michigan for their wedding, they’re choosing more than just a venue—they’re choosing to immerse themselves and their loved ones in the profound sense of peace and wonder this place inspires. Whether it’s the rustic charm of a renovated barn, the sweeping vistas of a vineyard, or the intimate coziness of a lakeside retreat, every venue here holds a unique magic, ready to host love in its most genuine form.
As a photographer who prioritizes presence, my role is to capture not just how these celebrations look, but how they feel—the soft glow of sunlight filtering through the trees, the laughter of friends carried on the wind, the quiet moments when a couple takes it all in, surrounded by the people they love.
Northern Michigan offers a setting like no other for effortless moments to unfold.
This year, I’m thrilled to return to some of my favorite Northern Michigan wedding venues and to explore a few new ones. There are so many gems here, each with its own unique way to celebrate love against a stunning backdrop. Today I am sharing my top 7 Leelanau and Benzie County wedding venues. To get more ideas from the broader region of northern Michigan, check out my blog post on Northern Michigan Wedding Venues here.
Wild, diverse, and immersive
Foxglove Farm has quickly become one of the most popular wedding venues in Leelanau County. 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.
2. Lake Bluff Preserve | Frankfort, Michigan
Sunset views, adventurous, intimate
If you’re looking for a venue that brings the “wow-factor,” look no further. 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, creating unforgettable experiences for them to enjoy. Lake Bluff Preserve is the perfect location for up north adventure-lovers who want to share a bit of what they love with the people they love. Ideal for more intimate weddings, the on-site housing can host around 50 guests a night.
3. Cherry Basket Farm | Omena, Michigan
Sustainable, quaint, natural
Located in the historic village Omena between Northport and Suttons Bay, Cherry Basket Farm is a celebration of all things Leelanau. 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.
This venue is great for larger guest lists, and offers flexibility with their locations, from a tented dinner to a meal al fresco in front of the restored barn. The property’s cherry orchards, wildflower field, and rolling grass meadows offer plenty of opportunities for your guests to wander and enjoy the scenery.
4. Crystal Lake Yacht Club | Frankfort, Michigan
Coastal, nostalgic, up north vibes
Located on the shores of Crystal Lake, the Crystal Lake Yacht Club is perfect for the couple looking to lean into coastal chic vibes. Guests can enjoy cocktail hour on the patio next to the lake, with dinner served lakeside in a tent or the clubhouse. The Yacht Club is only available to members for private events, however, so don’t get too connected to the aesthetic unless you’re already a member of the Club.
A few other venues that I look forward to photographing this year:
5. Aurora Cellars | Lake Leelanau, Michigan
The Aurora Cellars Farmhouse is a great option 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. I have two weddings here this year, and look forward to returning!
6. Bayview at Gallagher Farms | Traverse City, Michigan
Bay View Weddings by Gallagher Farms is one of the most popular venues in Leelanau County. 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. View more photos from a Bay View Wedding here. I can’t wait to be back here this August!
7. The Ridge at Verterra Vineyards | Northport, Michigan
Another beautiful vineyard location in Leelanau, Verterra offers stunning Lake Michigan views and room for up to 300 guests. I am photographing a wedding here in September with some of my favorite planners, Fox & Fern, and cannot wait to see it all come together.
Looking for locations to get married directly on the beach?
Send me an email and tell me what you’re looking for! As a local to Leelanau County for nearly a decade, I am always happy to help connect couples to their dream locations. I know that Lake Michigan is a connection point for many people getting married in northern Michigan, so let’s chat about ways to incorporate the Great Lake into your wedding celebration!
