The Best (Unique) Wedding Venues in Michigan

Hey midwest brides! Looking for a wedding venue? You might want to give these gorgeous Michigan wedding venues a look! Michigan is such a beautiful state, and it was hard to narrow this down to just a few, but here is a look at 5 of my favorite midwest venues that I have had the pleasure of photographing over the past few years.

1. Cedar Lake Campground | Chelsea, Michigan

If you are looking for something a little different with gorgeous scenery, a laid back atmosphere, and at a budget-friendly price, you will definitely want to check out Cedar Lake in Chelsea. It is within driving distance of the Discovery Center, which is packed with trails through the woods (not to mention the trails through Cedar Lake). Your guests can stay on site for a whole weekend of celebrating! There is even an indoor spot great for dancing. I had the honor of photographing this gorgeous wedding at Cedar Lake and could not get enough of this place.

Guests enjoyed s'mores and lawn games throughout the day and were encouraged to mingle and have fun! The bride and groom provided cute little maps of the grounds and welcome packets for guests who planned to stay the weekend with reservation information and directions.

For dinner, the couple had a tent and gourmet pizza that was made on site!

2. Southern Exposure Herb Farm | Battle Creek, Michigan

If you are looking for a garden venue with lots of little details and winding paths through beautifully landscapes ground full of flowers, antiques, greenhouses, vintage cars, and classic charm, this is your venue! There is ample opportunity for photos, and I honestly could have spent hours photographing this bride and groom at this amazing Michigan wedding venue.

There are even multiple buildings for you and your wedding party to use before the wedding!

3. Matthaei Botanical Gardens | Ann Arbor, Michigan

The Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor will always be a favorite spot of mine - for weddings, engagement sessions, or just a first look location! There are both indoor and outdoor spaces, both of which offer a wide variety of backdrops for your photos!

While the outside of the gardens offers a variety of nature backdrops, tall pines, flowers, trees, meadows, and bridges, the inside offers an entirely different set of options including botanicals and cacti in the greenhouse (where they can accommodate small, intimate wedding ceremonies)! Spring, summer, fall, or winter - the Matthaei Botanical Gardens is a fantastic place for any photo session!

4. Weller's Weddings | Saline, Michigan

Weller's in Saline offers two different wedding venues on site, and both are equal in beauty and variety of scenery and backdrops for your photos.

This venue is full of class and offers indoor options for your reception!

Weller's is truly beautiful both inside and out!

5. Get Married in Your Backyard!

No, this is not a joke! Some of my all time favorite weddings have been in backyards! Whether it is your parents' house, a friend's house, or family cottage, nothing quite beats the intimacy of getting ready and getting married at home. Use the money that you would have spent on a venue to instead fix up your backyard, and then party all night long. ;)

Here are a couple of backyard weddings that I have photographed over the past few years!

What is great about a backyard wedding is the freedom to do whatever you want! Why not dance the night away in your garage?

Make it personal! Make it yours!

6. Marquette, Michigan

If you are looking for breathtaking scenery and gorgeous terrain, look no further than the UP, and be sure to allow for plenty of time for photos! Marquette is full of gorgeous views, unique backdrops and anything from farm venues to cliffs to forests. My personal favorite is Black Rock on the coast of beautiful Lake Superior. Marquette is perfect for intimate destination elopements for the adventurer OR the traditional wedding.

7. Shinola Hotel, Detroit

This hotel is Detroit is mid century modern heaven. Every little detail of this hotel has been curated and planned to perfection - not to mention the fact that all of Detroit is just outside and waiting to be photographed.

8. The Gem Theater, Detroit

This beautiful theater can barely be done justice by photos. Once again, all of Detroit is at your doorstep - but you may not even need to step foot outside with views like this INSIDE.

9. Black Star Farms, Suttons Bay

This winery/vineyard venue will not disappoint. The views are spectacular, and there is plenty of space to roam for a variety of photo backdrops. The fall is a particularly beautiful time to get married at this fabulous northern Michigan venue.

10. Orchard Beach State Park, Manistee, Michigan

As discussed previously, northern Michigan is full of amazing scenery. Manistee is no exception! Orchard Beach State Park is a great option for a wedding as your guests can stay with you for the weekend at the campground. The Park overlooks Lake Michigan from atop a sandy cliff. Unfortunately, the beach is no longer accessible from the park due to hazardous conditions, BUT it makes a great place for ceremony and reception and is close to gorgeous beaches, piers, forests, and dunes. Just allow enough time for photos, and BOOM you have a huge variety of beautiful scenery in your photos.