Northern Michigan, and specifically Leelanau County and Traverse City, has been growing in popularity for many years thanks to it’s beautiful beaches, food and wine culture, and the many outdoor activities it has to offer. It is a highly sought after place to get married, so I compiled a list of my favorite Northern Michigan wedding venues for couples in the beginning of their planning journey.

For those of us who did not grow up in the region, Northern Michigan is an idyllic vacation destination that represents rest and play and a whole lot of nostalgia. Summers spent climbing the sand dunes, swimming in Lake Michigan, pulling over at a farm stand for fresh peaches, exploring quiet small towns, long days and late sunsets. For many of my clients, life has moved them all over the country and Northern Michigan feels like perfect place to gather friends and family together for a weekend to experience the magic of a place that means so much to them. If you’re planning to have a destination wedding in Northern Michigan, you are likely looking for more than just a place to get married, you want a wedding venue that can bring the “up north” feeling to life. The following eight venues are not only perfect for showcasing Northern Michigan, but are able to offer you and your guests an unparalleled wedding day experience.

Bride and groom on a dock at their Watervale Inn Wedding

After 14 years of photographing weddings in the region, these venues stand out as some of the best places to get married up north. Whether you’re looking for proximity to Lake Michigan, beautiful vineyards, historic landmarks, thoughtful design, or Northern Michigan lake life charm, you can find it at these selected venues.

1. The Mill Glen Arbor in Glen Arbor, MI
2. Fountain Point Resort in Lake Leelanau, MI
3. The Leelanau School in Glen Arbor, MI
4. Watervale Inn in Arcadia, MI
5. Aurora Cellars in Lake Leelanau, MI
6. Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island
7. The Perry Hotel in Petoskey, MI
8. Bay View Weddings at Gallagher Farms in Traverse City, MI

The Mill Glen Arbor

The Mill Glen Arbor is a recently renovated and reimagined historic grist mill and Northern Michigan wedding venue located on the Crystal River in Glen Arbor, MI. Comprised of a cafe, restaurant, and guest house, The Mill is rooted in hospitality and deeply committed to offering seasonal and regionally sourced food and drinks. Located just down the road from the Sleeping Bear Dunes, steps from Sleeping Bear Bay, and a short drive from exploring Leland, Traverse City, and many local wineries, it makes for a great destination for couples wanting to share the magic of Leelanau County with their guests. The Mill is best suited to cozy intimate weddings for couples prioritizing a unique experience and incredible food.

The Mill hosts a limited number of celebrations through the year. It’s location on the Crystal River makes for a gorgeous and peaceful setting, and as a photographer I absolutely love it for photos. The maximum guest count is 70 - so it’s ideal for smaller scale celebrations. The weekend rental of the property includes the on-site guest house, which is beautifully designed and well appointed with three separate rooms that can sleep a total of 8 over the wedding weekend. Note: an annual membership in The Mill’s private members only club is required for rental.

Fountain Point Resort

Fountain Point is a historic Northern Michigan summer resort and wedding venue located on the shores of Lake Leelanau that has been beloved by visitors since 1889. If you’re looking for a place to get married that can provide lodging for your guests so everyone can stay on site, then Fountain Point is definitely a contender. Treat your guests to a stay in quaint, rustic cottages of various sizes and access to all of the lake activities that make up a classic Michigan summer. Perfect for the couple envisioning a tented lakeside wedding (large or small), with multiple ceremony location options, all centrally located in Leelanau County.

An outdoor tented reception at a northern michigan wedding venue

The Leelanau School

The Leelanau School is the ideal wedding venue for the couple who values proximity to Lake Michigan and wants to showcase the beauty of Northern Michigan on their wedding day. This venue has an elevated summer camp vibe and is one of the only places in Leelanau County where you can get married right on the beach. Located in Glen Arbor and just a short drive from the Sleeping Bear dunes and many local restaurants, The Leelanau School offers a picturesque setting for a memorable celebration.

Watervale Inn

Watervale Inn in Arcadia is a family vacation spot and wedding venue that has been hosting summer family vacations in quaint cottages on Lower Herring Lake for over a hundred years. It is unique in that it is on both an inland lake, and steps from Lake Michigan giving you the best of both worlds when it comes to both the view and th activities. Couples can host a welcome party with a bonfire on Lake Michigan, have a picturesque ceremony with Lower Herring lake as the backdrop, and a beautiful tented reception that can accomodate large and small guest counts. Plus, guests can stay on site!

Aurora Cellars

Aurora Cellars winery and vineyard is located in Lake Leelanau, MI. The perfect destination for a couple looking to get married in the heart of Leelanau County’s wine country surrounded by rolling hills of grape vines. You can stay in the renovated farmhouse on site, and say your vows under a giant willow tree just steps away from your tented reception.

Mission Point Resort

Mackinac Island is an instantly nostalgic destination for a wedding. Whether your guests have been before or will be seeing it for the first time, it’s such a unique experience to arrive on an island and immediately be transported to a different time. Getting around by horse and bike, gorgeous views of the water, and visiting all of the little the fudge shops makes for such a memorable weekend. Mission Point Resort is the perfect destination for the couple that wants the amenities of a hotel wedding while still having an outdoor ceremony and stunning lake views. (Fun fact - Mission Point Resort is where I photographed my very first wedding all the way back in 2010, so it holds a very special place in my heart!)

The Perry Hotel

Stafford’s Perry Hotel has been welcoming guests to Petoskey, MI for 122 years. Petoskey is a charming, walkable destination on the Little Traverse Bay situated between Bay Harbor and Harbor Springs. The Perry Hotel sits on a hill with views of the bay and has options for an indoor, restaurant style reception or a tented outdoor reception with a view of the bay. The waterfront is a short walk, or even shorter drive away.

Bay View at Gallagher Farms

Northern Michigan Wedding Venue overlooking the Grand Traverse Bay

Bay View Weddings at Gallagher Farms is a stunning wedding venue located just outside Traverse City, MI. Situated on a hilltop with views of the Grand Traverse Bay for both the ceremony and tented reception, this venue is perfect for a couple looking for a wine country feel while leaning into the aspect of Northern Michigan that makes it such an incredible destination; always having a view of the water.