Best Beaches to Get Married at in Michigan

If there’s one thing Michigan has no shortage of, it’s beautiful beaches. Since we are bordered by 4 of the 5 Great Lakes, we definitely have gorgeous waterfront areas all over! This makes getting married at the lakefront such a beautiful and fun idea. With having so many gorgeous beaches, it can be hard to narrow down on what the best beaches to get married at in Michigan are!

There is so much to consider when it comes to figuring out what beach is going to be the perfect setting for your wedding. You might be wondering about what logistics need to be considered? Or once you have that perfect spot, you may be thinking about some ideas for how to make your beach celebration feel more “you”! Let’s dive into some of the best beaches and lakefront locations here in Michigan for your unique wedding celebration!

FAQ About Getting Married on a Beach

Choosing to get married at a beach can be a beautiful, simple alternative to finding a venue or other public spaces. Most beaches have plenty of space, and a variety of locations to choose from! You can also find them just about anywhere, which makes it really easy to plan other parts of your day around this location.

Because there are so many beaches in Michigan, there are also different kinds of beaches to consider! You can find plenty of beaches with lovely soft sand, and also rocky ones that look straight out of the Twilight movies in the BEST way. So when you are thinking about a beach wedding, know you can find both a classic sandy spot, one with rocks, trees, or a combination of everything!

With all of these options, there can still be a lot to consider when it comes to choosing what beach will be best for your wedding. Let’s talk about some commonly asked questions when it comes to finding the best beaches to get married at in Michigan!

When is the best time to get married on a beach?

The best part about a beach wedding is that there isn’t really a BAD time to have one! With the exception of fly season haha! Exactly when the flies and bugs are at the worst really depends on your specific beach. It is usually when the weather starts to warm up as spring turns to summer (looking at you, early June)!

Beaches provide an amazing setting no matter the time of year. Here are some of my favorite photos of beach weddings from every season!

What does “accessibility” entail and when does it matter?

Accessibility is important for multiple reasons. The biggest reason to keep it in mind is to make sure you are choosing a beach that fits the accessibility needs of yourselves and your guests! That is, making sure your group can comfortably reach your location. Some beaches require miles of hiking, others you can just park your car and walk up. So whatever beach you are interested in, of course make sure it’s one you can safely access!

The other reason accessibility would matter is if you are considering any sort of rentals – such as chairs, arbors, tables, etc. More remote locations will likely not have rental companies that can access those beaches. So if you are hoping for rentals, definitely opt for a beach that doesn’t require much walking!

What are some key qualities of a beach that is a good choice for a wedding?

My #1 recommendation for a key beach quality is how busy it gets. Locations like some super popular, easy access state park beaches are often extremely busy, crowded, and loud – and can make for a less than ideal wedding setting. You can mitigate this sometimes with choosing a sunrise or sunset ceremony, but you still run a much larger risk of crowds!

The second biggest quality to look for in a beach is variety. Is this beach just open sand and a parking lot? Or are there dunes, trees, trails, rocks, or forest around where we could also explore? Variety in the area is extremely helpful and important for a great wedding setting!

Do I need a permit to get married at the beach?

There is a good chance that yes, you will likely need a permit! However, each park is different, so it depends on the park. Beaches within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore both require permits, as do many state parks!

Beach Wedding Ideas

One of the best parts about getting married is that you get to celebrate exactly how you want to. And if you’re getting married at a beach, you’re already doing that which is great!!

There are so many ways to make your wedding day unique to you. Even aside from a beach ceremony, there are so many other activities to do at the beach that you can incorporate into your wedding celebration! I’ve seen so many great ideas over the years, and knowing that you can be as creative as you want to means the world is your oyster. Here are some ideas to get you started!

Cocktail Hour on the Beach

Who says you have to retreat to a venue or restaurant right after your ceremony?! You can bring your cocktail hour right to the beach with you! Just pack some champagne, charcuterie items, your favorite snacks, or maybe some dessert and a cute table and you will be set. This is an amazing way to enjoy the beautiful area you’ve chosen to get married at with each other and your loved ones a little longer! Of course, don’t forget to make sure your choice of beverage is allowed at your chosen beach. 🙂

Have a Bonfire

Not all beaches allow bonfires, but for the ones that do – this is such a cute idea. You can roast some s’mores (or savory s’mores if that’s more your thing), cozy up with some blankets, and toast to your day.

Get in the Water

This likely mostly applies if you are getting married in the warmer months. But who says you can’t swim on your wedding day! Fun moments like jumping off rocks, diving in the lake, paddleboarding, etc are all super feasible on a beach.

Best Beaches to get Married at in Michigan

Now that we’ve covered some of the planning aspects of having a beach wedding, let’s dive into some of the best beaches to get married at in Michigan. There are truly an immeasurable amount of beaches to choose from here in Michigan. I narrowed down to some of the best based within each region of the state!

For what makes these the best beaches, I had a few key factors I was keeping in mind. First being location, where you will find at least one beach from all over the state! The second aspect I kept in mind was how popular a location was, and how crowded it would get. While some of these beaches DO get crowded, there are absolutely times where you’ll be able to find some privacy and seclusion!

Best Lower Peninsula Beaches

Esch Beach – Traverse City, MI

One of my favorite beaches in the Traverse City area, this place has everything! The beach is a gorgeous sandy shoreline with views of Empire Bluffs in the background. The beach is lined with rolling sand dunes, and a beautiful forest. There’s even a gorgeous pine forest and a nature trail nearby as well!

Saugatuck Dunes State Park Beach – Saugatuck

This beautiful park is home to miles and miles of trails that weave through the forest. The forest is beautiful and home to gorgeous, towering pines! The lakeshore itself is covered in beautiful dunes with dune grasses. And it’s so big, it’s easy to find a beautiful private spot for your wedding!

Hamlin Lake Sand Dunes – Ludington

These gorgeous dunes are bordered by both Hamlin Lake as well as Lake Michigan, which makes it such a cool spot! There is a huge expanse of rolling dunes through the area, as well as other woods and different beach areas.

North Bar Lake – Traverse City

One of my favorite hidden gems along Lake Michigan! This location has multiple “beach” areas, some along North Bar Lake and then the Lake Michigan Lakeshore. This location requires a little bit of walking, but is such a beautiful and unique area!

Arch Rock Viewpoint Beach – Mackinac Island

While not a beach that is actually formally named, I call it this because of the location! The lakeshore itself is covered in rocks, as all of Mackinac Island’s beaches are. There are huge limestone boulders cascading into the sky blue water. But behind the beach, like pictured above, is an amazing view of Arch Rock!!

Best Upper Peninsula Beaches

Hidden Beach – Marquette

One of the little secret areas along Lake Superior, this tucked away beach has some unexpected scenery. There are massive orange sandstone cliffs towering over the sand, and it’s so magic! It takes some hiking to access, which makes it a perfect little adventurous wedding destination.

Miner’s Beach – Munising

Miner’s Beach is a popular wedding spot, especially as it is 1 of the 2 locations where weddings are allowed in Pictured Rocks (not including elopements)! Part of what makes it so great is the size of the beach, with a waterfall at one end and cliffs at the other. There’s also beautiful woods with winding trails on the walk to the beach.

Mosquito Beach – Munising

If you’re looking for something adventurous, this is a great one for you! It’s only accessible with 6+ miles of hiking, but that journey pays off. This beach has gorgeous sandstone rocks you can climb on, crystal blue waters, and the hike is incredible!

North Light Beach – Grand Island

If you’re looking for something even MORE adventurous than just a hike, here we go. Grand Island is only accessed via private watercraft or a ferry! But once you are on the island, you have to either hike, bike, or take a guided bus tour. Hiking this island takes you to some absolutely incredible places, including this beach!

Horseshoe Harbor Beach – Copper Harbor

The farthest north you can get in the Upper Peninsula is Copper Harbor, and that area has some gorgeous, unique shorelines. The rocky shorelines are home to some majectic, rocky shorelines. Horseshoe Harbor Beach is one of those beaches! The beach is surrounded by beautiful large formations leading out into Lake Superior, and it’s so beautiful.

Michigan Beach Wedding Photographer

If you’re starting to plan your dream beach wedding, you’re in the right place! As an elopement and micro wedding photographer, I have years of experience helping couples plan their day from the ground up. I would be so excited to work with you on creating your dream wedding experience! We can find the perfect beach for you, dream up unique ways to make your celebration just right, and of course have everything photographed beautifully.

Contact me here to check my availability and to start talking about your perfect wedding experience!