A Complete Guide to the Best Wedding Venues in Michigan

One of the first, and arguably most important, decisions you will make after you get engaged is when and where you want to get married. It can be equal parts overwhelming and wonderful. There are so many incredible Detroit wedding venues, but you need to factor in your guest count, budget, and vision before you can save the date. On top of that, you usually want to save the date soon because ideal wedding dates fill up quickly! Don’t worry – I’ve made the process *a little bit* easier by rounding up a list of the best wedding venues in Michigan for you. Here, there is no wrong choice!

outdoor wedding photos at Royal Park Hotel

Before I dive into the pretty – a quick introduction in case you are new to my corner of the internet. I’m Brittany, the one that’s going to stalk you on your wedding day (and get the best photos!). You can learn more about working together here, or fill your Pinterest board with Detroit wedding inspiration from my Portfolio. Once you have a date, you can start thinking about engagement photos and sending out save the dates to your guests!

Planterra Conservatory

This Michigan greenhouse wedding venue is absolutely swimming in accolades, with Harper’s Bazaar calling it “one of the top 33 garden wedding venues in the world” and Brides.com calling it “One of America’s best wedding venues”. As a wedding photographer, I can just tell you this – it’s breathtaking. Planterra Conservatory is largely considered an “all inclusive wedding venue” which means that if you are looking for a team to take care of everything (from florals to catering to rentals & more), you can’t find a better option in Detroit. Easily one of the best wedding venues in Michigan!

Royal Park Hotel

I’ve photographed two weddings at the Royal Park hotel recently and I have to say, it lives up to its AAA-Four Diamond status. On the banks of Paint Creek River, you have three beautiful wedding locations to choose from: the Royal Grand Ballroom adorned with glass chandeliers and Italian marble, the Park Pavilion with an open-air canopy embracing the outdoors, or the Belgium Glass Conservatory with a limestone Italian fountain and private gardens outside the floor to rooftop windows. There is no wrong choice.

spring wedding at one of the best wedding venues in Michigan

Royal Park Hotel wedding reception

Royal Park Hotel Wedding Reception 2022

Detroit Athletic Club

If you ask for my opinion, we don’t have nearly enough rooftop wedding venues in Michigan. Detroit Athletic Club has a stunning rooftop wedding location, with views overlooking the whole city. Rated the #1 athletic club in all of America, this is one Michigan wedding venue you can trust will not disappoint. I’m always a fan of outdoor space (and natural lighting!) and this rooftop wedding venue checks off all of the boxes.

The Inn at St Johns

Whether you are planning a Catholic wedding in Detroit or not, The Inn at St John’s is one of the best wedding venues in Michigan. If you are looking to have a Catholic wedding ceremony, they have an absolutely gorgeous historic Catholic Chapel on the property. For your wedding reception, you can choose between one of the three ballrooms or their gorgeous Atrium space that hosts up to 230 guests.
Catholic wedding ceremony in Michigan
Modern Wedding Venue in Detroit
Best wedding venues in Michigan: the Inn at St Johns wedding reception

The Henry Ford Museum

I have a special place in my heart for a historical wedding venue, and the Henry Ford Museum has to be one of my favorites. Say your vows in the Pennsylvania courtyard, sip cocktails at the Prechter Promenade grand entrace, and then choose between the museum plaza (surrounded by a few of their most popular exhibits!) or Anderson theatre for your wedding reception.

An added bonus? The Henry Ford Museum is a not-for-profit, so any “profit” from your wedding goes toward research, education, and exhibition development after your wedding day has come and gone. That alone makes it worth being included on this list of best wedding venues in Michigan!

The War Memorial

You may not have considered The War Memorial to be a luxury wedding venue, but once you tour the property, you’ll see you were wrong. Both of their wedding locations, the Algar Estate and contemporary ballroom, feature panoramic views of the gorgeous lakefront. If you are having your wedding reception on site, you can choose between a library ceremony (perfect for the romantics at heart) or an outdoor ceremony on the back lawn.

Belle Isle Conservatory

The Belle Isle Conservatory is a stunning wedding venue for an outdoor ceremony, and I love taking couples over to the island for beautiful and unique wedding photos. For your wedding reception, couples can take advantage of the gorgeous open-air terrace at the Belle Isle Casino. This wedding venue is beautiful from every angle.
Belle Isle Conservatory Wedding Ceremony
Stunning bride and groom photos at one of the Best Wedding Venues in Michigan
outdoor wedding reception at Belle Isle Casino

Shepherd’s Hollow Golf Course

Shepherd’s Hollow Golf Course has a new wedding venue on-site, and it has been worth the wait. Not only are they able to host a large guest list, up to 325 people, but the venue features a glass house location among the pine trees overlooking the lake and golf course. It’s the most incredible natural setting, without actually having to worry about any “nature” – if that’s your thing!

Detroit Foundation Hotel

The Detroit Foundation Hotel is not only stunning, but it’s also an incredibly practical wedding venue – with a central location and comfortable rooms for out-of-town guests to stay. There are a wide variety of event spaces, but my personal favorite has to be the “Fifth Floor Event Space” which features stunning skyline views of the entire city and seats up to 80 guests for a wedding that feels both glamorous, and intimate. If you are looking for one of the best wedding venues in Michigan for a smaller guest list, this has to be one of my favorites.

Pine Knob Mansion

The Pine Knob Mansion is made up of 850 acres, so there is an abundance of backdrops for your wedding ceremony… and your wedding photos! As a Detroit wedding photographer, I love that we can set up your first look by the fountains, exchange vows in front of your family and friends at their wooden gazebo with sweeping views of the countryside, and then take the rest of your wedding photos among the rolling hills and stunning gardens. I love to get creative with my couples (to get the best wedding photos!) and what better way is there than to have an array of stunning backdrops to choose from. Whether you choose to get married in the Mansion or at the Carriage House, you are in good hands here. This is definitely one of the best wedding venues in Michigan!
Pine Knob Mansion Carriage House wedding ceremony
fall wedding photos at Pine Knob Mansion
Carriage House Michigan Wedding

Shinola Hotel

If you are looking for a wedding in downtown Detroit, Shinola Hotel is one of the best wedding venues in Michigan. There are a few different wedding locations on-site depending on the size of your guest list, and an abundance of guest rooms if most of your guests are coming from out of town. If you are looking for a recommendation, the Birdy room has to be my favorite – it’s completely covered in glass windows from floor to roof, and backs onto a gorgeous outdoor terrace space.

Meadow Brook Hall

Meadow Brook Hall boasts a “legacy of luxury” and can host anything from intimate micro weddings to large outdoor garden wedding receptions. No matter what you have on your vision board, there is a range of locations right on the property. If you are looking for a fairytale wedding experience, this is one of the best wedding venues in Michigan to start with.

The Whiskey Factory

The Whiskey Factory seats up to 200 guests, and is less than one mile from downtown Detroit. Unlike some of the other wedding venues on this list, The Whiskey Factory has more of a rustic/industrial vibe if that’s what you are looking for! For the foodies and lovers of handcrafted cocktails, this is likely one of the best wedding venues in Michigan for you.

wedding ceremony at the Whiskey Factory

rustic wedding reception at the Whiskey Factory

industrial chic wedding at the whiskey factory

industrial wedding venue in Michigan

The Colony Club Detroit

To finish off my list of the best wedding venues in Michigan, I had to include The Colony Club Detroit. If you were looking for a wedding venue that is just as glamorous as it is sophisticated, The Colony Club Detroit ballroom makes for an incredible wedding venue location. With tall ceilings, dramatic chandeliers, and giant arch windows flooding the room with natural light, you can throw away any preconceived notions you may have about a ballroom wedding venue – this one is stunning.

Have you Saved a Date Yet?

I can’t even tell you how much I’ve enjoyed putting together this list of the best wedding venues in Michigan. I got to relive some incredible wedding days (and get excited for new wedding venues to come!). Whether I have shot in your wedding venue or not, I’m always happy to do my research before and offer my honest opinion when it comes to getting you the best wedding venues. Once you have saved a date, make sure to let me know so I can get you on my calendar. I can’t wait to see your wedding day come to life!

PS: Have a wedding venue you think I missed? DM me on Instagram and let me know! I always like to stay up to date with the Detroit wedding scene and I will never say no to discovering a new hidden gem. Now – let’s get you married at one of the best wedding venues in Michigan.

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