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7 perfect locations for an intimate Traverse City wedding
Traverse city is easily one of my favorite spots of all time, both for photography and for everyday life – and literally any time I step into that town it’s painfully obvious why! You can’t go 10 feet without being surrounded by some of the most beautiful sights in the state. The peninsulas both offer gorgeous lakeside drives, the bays and Lake Michigan have some of the bluest waters in the world! The town life there is quaint and charming as well. There are so many things that make it one of the most perfect spots to consider for your intimate wedding or elopement, and I am so excited to shine some light on some of my favorite spots in the area! Scroll to see what I think are 7 perfect locations for an intimate Traverse City wedding!
This one is on my personal bucket list, but it is BEAUTIFUL! Individual private homes nestled on the bluffs of Lake Michigan, the views that this place provides are unbeatable. The also have access to various activities like hiking, canoeing, fishing, golfing, etc! And the best part, THEY HAVE PET FRIENDLY OPTIONS! Boom. Sold. Check them out here!
Obviously couldn’t leave this one out! Probably one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state, Sleeping Bear Lakeshore spans 35 miles of lakeshore – and includes some GORGEOUS views. Sleeping Bear is one of my favorite areas for weddings because of the versatility it provides. You can get married at a beautiful overlook, or in the woods, or if you’re feeling extra adventurous even wander over to North or South Manitou islands (both of which were going to get their own tab but they’re very adventurous to get to!)
Willowbrook Mill is a charming, rustic wedding venue at the top of the Leelanau Peninsula. There’s beautiful fireplaces, an outdoor deck, bridge, and more. It’s a beautiful old mill filled with tiny personal details that would make having an intimate wedding here a dream!
This beautiful, quiet cabin retreat is located directly on Arbutus Lake not far from downtown Traverse City! It’s the perfect spot for a wedding weekend, where you can rent out luxury cabins with your loved ones and enjoy a weekend away on the property along with a beautiful wedding setting!
Jolly Pumpkin is a spot that truly has my heart up there, and Mission Table is one of the most beautiful places to host your wedding. It has a ceremony setup on a lawn overlooking the water that is drool-worthy, not to mention some of the BEST food in the area for your reception – it’s perfect.
This beautiful winery in the heart of Leelanau Wine country is the perfect spot for small gatherings! Envision yourself getting married among the rows of grapevines, and tasting different yummy wines with your closest loved ones. It sounds like a dream!!
One of Michigan’s most unique venues in my opinion, the Homestead is a ski-resort/wedding venue less than an hour from downtown that is perfect for both intimate Traverse City weddings and large weddings! One of my best friends got married here and it was so beautiful – the ceremony site was on top of a mountain and we took a ski lift to get to it! And the reception space has a beautiful, woodsy vibe that makes you feel like you’re truly tucked away in the mountains somewhere.
After you’ve got an idea of where you’d like to elope (or even if you don’t yet and need some guidance!), one of the most important things you can do for your elopement is finding the right photographer. Making sure you have the right photographer is everything! Having someone you connect with, can trust to do an incredible job, and someone to help you have an amazing experience from day 1 are all incredibly important. I work with you to create an experience focusing on authenticity and intention, where we get photos that capture the heart of your story. So if that sounds like you, I’m your gal! I’d be so excited to help guide you to creating a 100% unique experience. Whatever your vision may look like, or if you need help figuring it out, I’m here to help!
ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER AVALIABLE FOR TRAVEL
An adventure-loving elopement photographer, capturing meaningful moments and creating unforgettable wedding experiences through documentary-style storytelling.