Small Wedding Venues On Mackinac Island

Small Wedding Venues On Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island is one of Michigan’s biggest attractions, and for good reason! It’s an island where quaint, old-fashioned small town life meets coastal midwestern island. You’ll find carriages and bikes instead of cars, victorian-style hotels and shops, and some of the most beautiful scenery!

Its charm makes it a super popular place to get married. But while most people know the island for its large wedding venues, it also has some extremely charming venues that cater to micro weddings! And these small wedding venues on Mackinac Island make the most BEAUTIFUL setting for your micro wedding.

Picture yourself getting married on the notorious Grand Hotel porch, or with views overlooking the Mighty Mac, or maybe surrounded by butterflies! Mackinac Island has so much to offer for your small wedding. Let’s get into it!

FAQ About Getting Married on Mackinac Island

When is the best time to get married on mackinac?

While there is no bad time to get married on the island, the most beautiful times of the year are late spring, summer, and fall! Spring is an incredible time to get married on Mackinac because the flowers are blooming, and it isn’t peak tourist season yet so it’s easy to find a little privacy. Fall is also a great time to visit to see beautiful colors and avoid some of the crowds. Summer is obviously beautiful, where you can go swimming and enjoy the water, but consider getting married on a weekday rather than a weekend to avoid some of the crowds as the island gets VERY BUSY!

How long should we stay on the island?

Staying on the island is such an amazing experience! The boats leave for the night, everything is quiet and gorgeous, and the island nightlife is buzzing. If you’re getting married on the island, I highly recommend staying for at least 2 nights – the night before and night after! That way you don’t have to worry about rushing over on the ferry to get everything ready.

Can we bring our dog?

Depending on your plan, yes! There are dog friendly places to stay on the island, so you can definitely bring your pup along with you. Different venues may have different rules for if they allow dogs or not, so just double check with yours!

Will we need a permit?

If you are getting married at a venue, no! If you are planning to have a ceremony at one of the scenic spots, the answer is likely yes. 80% of the island is state park land, which is great because there are plenty of beautiful areas for you to get married! Getting married on that state land does require a permit, which you can find information on here!

Mackinac Island Wedding Ideas

One of the best parts about your wedding is that you get to do whatever you’d like! And I’ve learned that the best experiences are made with activities and moments that are uniquely yours. Each couple is different, so it’s important to celebrate your love in your own way!

Mackinac has so many unique activities to offer to help you make your celebration exactly what you want. And, there are so many different ways to include these experiences into your day! So don’t be afraid to think outside of the box and have some fun! You can also see a guide I made about some of these unique Mackinac Island elopement experiences here!

• Rent a private horse and carriage

• Get on your bikes

• Take a swim

• Go for a boat ride

• Share a celebratory drink at a local spot

• Have a pizza picnic

• Get some ice cream (or fudge!)

Small Wedding Venues on Mackinac Island

Inn at Stonecliffe

The Inn at Stonecliffe is a gorgeous venue, nested in the woods towards the middle of the island. The newly renovated inn has beautiful accommodations, and the Sunset Pavilion can accommodate groups up to 50!

Mission Point

Mission Point Resort is a beautiful hotel on the island, that offers a couple of different options for small wedding venues on Mackinac Island! One of these is Tranquility Point, which can accommodate up to 15 people and has a view overlooking Lake Huron. Another is their Courtside Patio, which also offers a view of the water right on their iconic lawn!

Grand Hotel

Arguably one of the most iconic locations on the island, this venue also makes for an iconic wedding location! For smaller weddings, the Grand Hotel has a few different locations to choose from! The options include the West Porch, East Porch, and Tea Garden for groups up to 20 people.

Harbour View Inn

This newly renovated Inn is so gorgeous, with an incredible location right on Main Street! It has a beautiful porch, veranda, bike rentals, and more. The grounds include several wedding ceremony locations for up to 40 guests.

Butterfly House

This little venue is the perfect sanctuary for your intimate wedding. It’s a little oasis, filled with butterflies and can accommodate up to 20 guests. You’ll be getting married surrounded by beautiful plants, flowers, a waterfall, and of course – butterflies!

Sip N Sail Cruises

If you’re looking for a super unique way to celebrate, this is your sign! You can rent out a boat ride and get married right out on the water. There are options for including DJs, catering, and everything else you need for a great celebration!

Island House Hotel Veranda

This historic, covered porch overlooks the Straights of Mackinac, with some of the most beautiful views on the Island! It’s a gorgeous spot for ceremonies or cocktail receptions, and can host up to 50 guests. You’ll have beautiful views of the waterfront as other island visitors pass by!

Bay View B&B

This historic, family owned and operated Bed and Breakfast is so charming. Perched right along the water’s edge, they hold ceremonies on the sundeck outside with a view of the straights. They can host up to 30 people, and provide a one-of-a-kind view!

Mackinac Island State Park Land

More than 80% of the island is a state park, and that means you can get married out in nature just about anywhere on the island! You could visit an iconic area like the Somewhere in Time Gazebo, or find a beautiful spot tucked into the woods. There are so many different kinds of areas you can explore for your Mackinac Island small wedding!

Mackinac Island Small Wedding Photographer

Mackinac Island is such an incredible place to get married, and has some beautiful small wedding venues for you choose from! Or, if you are considering doing more of an elopement-styled wedding, check out my full Mackinac Island Elopement Planning Guide here!

If you’re starting to plan your dream Mackinac Island 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. And as someone who knows Mackinac Island so well, together we can dream up unique ways to make your celebration just right (and of course have everything photographed beautifully)!!