5 Unique Michigan Wedding Venues
Setting the atmosphere for your wedding starts with your venue. If you want a wedding that feels truly one-of-a-kind, you’ll want a venue that stands out from the rest. From historic settings to the shores of the Great Lakes, Michigan has no shortage of options. Let’s review some of the most unique Michigan wedding venues.
Five of the most unique wedding venues in Michigan
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The Grand Hotel
Mackinac Island
For this first location, let go of every expectation you have for a hotel wedding. The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island is an experience all its own. At this National Historic Landmark, you’ll step back into the Gilded Age the moment you step up to your horse-drawn carriage (no motor vehicles allowed on this island!). Ceremonies can take place in two distinct outdoor locations — the iconic geranium-lined Front Porch (the longest in the world) or the manicured-to-perfection Tea Garden — each with a breathtaking view. Inside, five grand dining rooms offer a formal setting for your reception complete with in-house catering and bar services. My personal favorite? The hotel’s decor is second to none, designed by America’s first and most acclaimed design firm. Each room is uniquely decorated, blending vintage aesthetics with a modern flair.
Fountain Point Resort
Lake Leelanau
Fountain Point Resort is the kind of venue that feels like a childhood summer memory — where time slows down with your people, the lake shines in the evening sunset, and the surrounding nature gives an escape from the hustle of everyday life. Built in 1889, this Victorian-era retreat is a National Historic Site, offering 54 acres of land and a half mile of pristine shoreline. You’ll feel at home here in the 19 refurbished cottages and their antique furnishings. Weddings here feel intimate and immersive, with waterfront ceremonies framed by golden-hour reflections from the lake, and tented receptions that bring everyone together in the nostalgia of a summer getaway. Your weekend will be spent kayaking, hiking, or simply soaking up the peaceful surroundings.
Planterra Conservatory
West Bloomfield Township
Named one of the best garden venues in the world by Harper’s Bazaar and one of the top venues in America by BRIDES, the Planterra Conservatory is truly in a league of its own. Just outside of Detroit, this botanical greenhouse is a paradise of florals, palm trees, exotic plant varieties, and serene koi ponds. Natural light is abundant and idyllic here, too, filtering through the greenery from the encompassing glass to cast a soft and constant glow. Family owned and operated, the materials for the building were all imported from Belgium, its glass-and-iron structure carrying the elegant tradition of Baron Haussmann’s Parisian Arcades. With a temperature-controlled environment, you can have a garden-inspired wedding regardless of the season while the venue’s full-service approach ensures a seamless and immersive experience at every step.
Addison Oaks Buhl Estate
Leonard
Tucked away on 750 acres of towering oaks and peaceful lakes, the Addison Oaks Buhl Estate is a wedding venue that feels like a hidden retreat from a storybook. Built in the 1930s, this English Tudor revivalist-style manor exudes old-world charm with original wood finishes and vintage suites. As a photographer, I love the venue’s versatility and high-end in-house services. From lakeside vows to an alfresco cocktail hour in the flower gardens or the grand ballroom for your reception — each moment of your wedding will flow seamlessly into the next.
Bay View Weddings at Gallagher Farms
Cedar
At Gallagher Farms, the rustic charm of a working cherry farm meets the sweeping elegance of a waterfront celebration. Situated on a hilltop overlooking Grand Traverse Bay, this 400+ acre farm has been owned and operated by the same family for four generations. The ivy-clad barn adds a lived-in charm, while the ceremony site offers panoramic views of the surrounding hills and water beyond. My advice? Take full advantage of the surrounding scenery with an open-air ceremony then lean into a thoughtfully designed reception beneath a classic sailcloth tent. Spring is when this venue becomes even more remarkable with seemingly endless rows of soft cherry blossoms that are unforgettably immersive. Summer, though, is no less beautiful with the rich reds and sweet scent of fresh cherries filling the air.
A note on unique Michigan wedding venues
Each of these venues offers something truly special, whether it’s a historic castle, an iconic hotel, or a hidden gem on a waterfront resort (find more of those here). The distinct atmosphere of your wedding is something you’ll want to look back on in the years to come with vivid clarity — what it felt like to be there in the historic architecture or among the blossoming cherry trees. As a wedding photographer in Michigan, that’s what I do. All you have to do is be in the moment (and get in touch with this form)
