Waterfront Wedding Venues in Michigan to Consider

The shore is a place where it’s easy to fall in love with the views, but also with the feelings and memories that come with it. The water’s edge is a rippling reminder of summers, vacations, and simple afternoons with loved ones and the warm sun on your shoulders.

As you consider the best waterfront wedding venues in Michigan, take my advice — find somewhere sentimental. Whether it’s your first time there or your 10th trip back, make it count. Your wedding, especially with the calming presence of the water, will be unforgettable.

From yacht clubs to historic inns, see the top recommended Michigan wedding venues on the water from a photographer who prioritizes the setting just as much as the interactions that result.

Recommended Waterfront Wedding Venues in Michigan

Mission Point Resort

Situated on Mackinac Island, Mission Point Resort brings the iconic lakeside look with a sprawling lawn, alfresco gazebos, and intimate gardens. They’re award-winning, but what I appreciate most is the nostalgic, rush-free feel of the place. With 18 acres just for the resort, they have a wide variety of settings for indoor and outdoor celebrations. Their great lawn is the most classic option and indoor space is available for cooler temperatures or rain. On site, you’ll also find the convenience of a spa, guest accommodations, and the hospitality of a family-owned resort.

Inn at Bay Harbor

The Inn at Bay Harbor is a 4-star hotel and spa close to Petoskey with views of Little Traverse Bay. It’s a full-service wedding venue with multiple ceremony and reception locations like their lake lawn (great for up to 150 guests) and the Sagamore Room (for 120-150 guests). My advice would be to exchange vows on the lawn, and head inside for a seated dinner. Beautifully and conveniently so, the Sagamore Room has an outdoor terrace for guests to soak up fresh air as desired. The Golf Club is also worth exploring with indoor spaces that feature cathedral ceilings and bay views.

Grand Hotel

Also on Mackinac Island, the Grand Hotel has one-of-a-kind features and an irresistible charm. Arrive by horse-drawn carriage and get settled just a half mile from Main Street. They’re also known worldwide for the longest porch (660 feet long). You and your guests will become part of its centuries-old history, joining the list of visitors that includes Thomas Edison and Mark Twain. Their rooms are cozy, bright, and welcoming too — adding a sweet touch to the guest experience for any wedding weekend. As for your ceremony, the options are great and honestly hard to choose from (the porch, their tea garden, and more).

Bay Harbor Yacht Club

A private yacht club in Petoskey, this waterfront wedding venue looks out onto a dock of beautiful sailboats, but the venue itself competes for allure with a stone exterior and walls of windows with white frames. Picture arrival (or exit) by boat and enjoy a full suite of services from catering to bar packages and flatware rentals. Multiple venue spaces are available with favorites being the Promenade Deck (outside overlooking the water) and the Lange Center Terrace (great sunset views, but sheltered from the cool breeze off the water).

Fountain Point Resort

A resort hotel nestled on the shore of Lake Leelanau, celebrate and stay in their gorgeous cottages and traditional hotel rooms. And Fountain Point Resort is just 30 minutes from Traverse City. If you want a nostalgic, luxurious wedding, one that brings in the sentimental, freeing spirit of summer camp — that’s what this venue feels like. Established in 1889, there are 54 acres of beautiful lawns and a half mile of shoreline. To put simply, it’s a picture-book lakefront wedding venue. Here, guest activities might include kayaking, canoeing, frisbee golf, volleyball, and more. Beach bonfires and sandy beach days are easily included in the weekend’s agenda. For an immersive touch, bring in a white tent and rent the entire property out.

Grosse Pointe War Memorial

A nonprofit that describes itself as “your gathering place, your town square, your cultural center, your art museum,” and more, Grosse Point’s War Memorial is a 1910 estate that can be rented out for weddings. Their ballroom lets you take in the lakefront views with floor-to-ceiling windows and the staircases throughout add a true sense of grandeur. The Alger House, though, calls for attention with sleek fireplaces that bring a cozy charm. The architecture, noticeably so, is decadent, but not loud — an easy complement to any design. I, for one, appreciate how the statement setting produces a humbling and awe-inspiring effect. It’s so beautiful that it’s easy to just relax and stay present with your people.

Other Michigan Wedding Venues on the Water

The Inn at Stonecliffe (Mackinac Island)
Castle Farms (not quite waterfront, but with its own pond and fountains)
Hotel Walloon on Walloon Lake
The Homestead Resort

About Michigan’s Lakefront Wedding Venues

Remember that each venue will have a different spin and unique set of services — some have on-site accommodations for you and your guests to stay all weekend long; others might not have that benefit, but may offer the best views and culinary experiences. Waterfront wedding venues, in particular, can offer a peaceful, scenic backdrop that adds a sense of calm and beauty to the day. Focus on the overall look and feel, but especially the feel; you’ll want to feel right at home.