Top Six Outdoor Wedding Venues on the Lakeshore in Michigan

The Lakeshore of Michigan is a beautiful place to have a wedding. Surrounded by beautiful lakes including Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan, you couldn't ask for a more picturesque place to get married. Following is a list of "top six" venues for an outdoor wedding on the lakeshore. These places were selected based upon esthetics, accomodations/services available and proximity to lodging, restaurants and activities for out of town guests.

Michillinda Lodge in Whitehall
This lodge makes for a great destination wedding, or a great place for locals to get married. Imagine Lake Michigan as the backdrop for your wedding photos. The lodge provides you with a wedding coordinator to help you in planning all of the details of your day. Wedding packages include a white tent and chairs, along with white table linens, dinner ware, professional servers and chefs. You can also have your rehearsal dinner and reception at the same site. Special hotel rates are available to wedding guests. Whitehall, Michigan is about 10 miles north of Muskegon.

Port City Princess Cruise on Lake Michigan
You don't have to go for broke to have a wedding cruise. Cruise along Lake Michigan for your wedding nuptials. For both a wedding and reception (with a dinner), the cost is only about $50 per person. You can also do something as simple as a sunset wedding with cake and cocktails for only $15-$20 per person. Whatever you decide, the Port City Princess is flexible and their packages can be customized to fit your needs. The Port City Princess departs from a dock in downtown Muskegon. Your guests can stay at the Holiday Inn Downtown, Shoreline Inn & Suites or Hackley/Holt Bed & Breakfast.

Double JJ Resort in Rothbury
The Double JJ Ranch & Golf Resort is located about 20 miles north of Muskegon. The Double JJ can accomodate very large wedding parties, or a small intimate wedding. One beautiful spot is overlooking the golf course and a ravine (just outside of the Sundance Steakhouse), but there are several outdoor spots to choose from for your special day. The Double JJ is especially popular when it comes to weddings with a western theme, but they can also accomodate a more formal/traditional wedding as well. This locale offers many acitivities for your wedding guests as well as lodging options. Your guests can golf, go horseback riding, attend a rodeo, or visit the waterpark. Lodging is also very versatile. The bridesmaids can stay together in one of the cabins, while guests might want to rent a condo or stay in the hotel.

Point of Grace Wedding Chapel in Coopersville
Coopersville is a small/quaint town just outside of Grand Haven and about 20 miles north of Grand Rapids. Point of Grace made the list because of it's beautiful garden area which is great for weddings. Point of Grace also takes care of all of the details. They offer a minister, catering/bar services, horse drawn carriage and more. It is also very reasonable with a base cost of around $1,000 for both wedding and reception.

Golf Courses
Michigan has some of the most beautiful golf courses, but these courses are not just for golfing. They make for great wedding spots. The golf course offers more then esthetics, they also employ some of the best chefs and offer some of the best catering services. On the lakeshore, there are several places to have a wonderful wedding - The Fruitport Golf Course & Banquet Center in Muskegon, Old Channel Trail in Montague (a somewhat woodsy and natural environment), and Oak Ridge Golf Club in Muskegon.

Khardomah Lodge in Grand Haven
This is a great destination for a small/intimate wedding. You can get married outside on the beautiful grounds and for about $1500/night, rent the entire lodge for exclusive use/access by you and your guests.