10 Unique Small Wedding Venues for your Small Intimate Wedding in Michigan
One thing I notice a lot while doing research for helpful topics is that it can be challenging to find venues that cater to intimate weddings. Michigan has so many beautiful venues, but a large majority of them cater mainly to larger gatherings! I know when looking for a venue for a smaller wedding that you probably want to maintain that intimate, intentional feeling. There’s a couple of different routes you can go, but sometimes finding a unique small wedding venue in Michigan is the easiest option that makes the most sense!
Finding rental homes can be a great alternative to a venue! Especially if your party is only you and maybe a couple of your closest friends! Finding rental homes if you were hoping for 20+ people can be an entirely different situation. As someone who personally had to do this for her own intimate wedding planning, sometimes finding homes to accommodate groups is a challenge! Without a venue you are also in charge of gathering all your vendors and doing all of the coordinating. Unless you hire a planner, or have a photographer who can help – like me!
Being a photographer who specializes in more intimate gatherings, I truly believe that just because your day is going to be more intimate than a traditional wedding doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve just as much attention and won’t be just as special! I know you want your day to be intentional, sentimental, and beautiful. And you deserve a venue that can help you bring your vision to life! I focused on small wedding venues in Michigan that beautifully catered to weddings with an intimate setting and a strong focus on nature. And while some also cater to some larger parties, I think these spots all seem to do an incredible job with smaller events and having that intimate setting that helps make wedding days extra special. Hopefully you find the perfect one for you to celebrate at with your loved ones!
REPUBLIC, MICHIGAN
PINECREST NORTHWOODS
Pinecrest Northwoods is a wilderness retreat that provides an incredible setting for your wedding day. It has over 100 acres of trails, an authentic Finnish sauna, a lake, and more! It’s home to a series of cabins where you and your loved ones can stay, and you can have that amazing summer-camp feel to your wedding experience!
EMPIRE, MICHIGAN
LAKE BLUFF PRESERVE
Lake Bluff Preserve is an absolutely incredible 70-acre private preserve in Frankfort, MI! It’s seriously one of my FAVORITES in the area, it’s so beautiful and the possibilities are endless! It can accommodate up to 30 guests, and offers the amazing opportunity to stay right in the upper bluffs homes with your loved ones! It also provides multiple options for where you can have your ceremony, including overlooking the bluffs and in the woods. Weddings here are always absolutely AMAZING, and it’s one of my favorite spots to recommend to eloping couples who want an intimate wedding-weekend vibe!
SOUTH HAVEN, MICHIGAN
FIELDS OF MICHIGAN
The Fields of Michigan is an outdoor glamping venue, set on a working blueberry farm just a few miles from the shores of Lake Michigan! The tents at this location are BEAUTIFUL, and they also have many activities listed on their website including a Treehouse dining space & a spa.
OLD MISSION, MICHIGAN
CHATEAU CHANTAL
This is one of the ultimate destination wedding weekend spots! Chateau Chantal is one of the peninsula’s most well-known wineries. If you’re after a more luxury elopement experience this is an amazing place to check out! It has a beautiful view of the bay, seemingly endless vineyards, and the best part is that the entire place is yours! The Chateau s home to a 12-room bed & breakfast, which is the perfect way to accommodate all of your loved ones!
MACKINAC ISLAND, MICHIGAN
HARBOUR VIEW INN
The Harbour View Inn is an incredibly charming and romantic wedding venue on Mackinac Island! It caters to gatherings of up to 40 guest. It’s close enough to the town center to be nearby activities, but far away enough for some quiet and privacy! And the views of Lake Huron are absolutely spectacular. As far as small wedding venues in Michigan go, this is a gorgeous one!
zeeland, miCHIGAN
GLASSHOUSE COMMUNITY
Glass House Community is a small greenhouse gathering space, located in Zeeland – west Michigan halfway between Grand Rapids and Lake Michigan! The space is known for catering small events only, and offers seating in rows for up to 50 guests. They offer different packages to include the glass house, the grounds, farmhouse, cottage, and barn. The grounds also has tons of beautiful photo locations, room for outdoor gatherings, yard games, and lingering with loved ones.
BEAVER ISLAND, MICHIGAN
BEAVER ISLAND LODGE
Located on a small island in Lake Michigan, Beaver Island Lodge is a charming inn known for its beautiful sunsets and delicious food! It was built in 1950 as a hunting and fishing lodge. Now, it has been transformed into one of the best dining and lodging experiences available on Beaver Island. I found a really cool post from a local planner from an elopement there that you can check out for inspiration here! Planning an intimate wedding here to celebrate with your loved ones in a unique area would be amazing!
tRAVERSE CITY, miCHIGAN
LAKEMORE RETREAT
Lakemore Retreat is a lakefront vacation rental property with three BEAUTIFUL homes, and amazingly designed grounds and spaces!! It’s the perfect backdrop for intimate weddings with guests of 50 or less. This is an incredible option for a small wedding venue in Michigan if you’ve been dreaming of a wedding week experience where you can be surrounded by friends and family the entire week!
OSCODA, MICHIGAN
HURON HOUSE
The Huron House is right on the shores of Lake Huron between Oscoda and Tawas! It’s a beautiful 14-room luxury Bed & Breakfast destination. It’s perfect for any kind of getaway, but is known for intimate & romantic wedding weekends! The home has amenities such as private decks, fireplaces, outdoor fire pits, personal hot tubs, and of course the amazing experience of waking up to the sounds of Lake Huron’s waves hitting the shore. They also have a wedding concierge that will help you create your dream day!
ELLSWORTH, MICHIGAN
A MATTER OF TASTE AT TAPAWINGO
One of my FAVORITE locations in the Petoskey area! A Matter of Taste is such a perfect small wedding venue in Michigan. Although they can accommodate larger groups, the restaurant-turned-venue is perfect for an intimate gathering. It’s located right on Saint Clair Lake, right between Traverse City and Petoskey. With the pergola covered deck and a swooping lawn leading you to the lakefront – it’s one of the most beautiful spots in northern Michigan! AND has amaaaazing food. Win win!
Michigan Small Wedding Venues Photographer
After you’ve got an idea of which small wedding venues in Michigan you love (or even if you don’t yet and need some guidance!), one of the most important things you can do for your intimate gathering 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!
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