Reception Roundup

Jan. 25, 2015

If you’ve spent years envisioning the perfect venue to hold your wedding celebration, this is the right place to find it. From beaches to pavilions, restaurants to hotels, northern Michigan has a remarkable variety of locations that fit the bill. There’s also a long list of places that specialize in weddings and receptions, whether you’re looking for something very grand, themed or anywhere in between. Here’s a ("please don’t blame us it’s not complete") list of some fabulous northern Mitten venues.

MACKINAC

The Grand Hotel

Showcasing the famed Grand Hotel porch, the tea garden, five private dining rooms (three with dance floors) and a full-service Aveda salon, the Grand can make your every reception wish possible.

Maximum capacity: 450

Special Features: horse-drawn carriages, extensive gardens 286 Grand Avenue, Mackinac Island www.grandhotel.com/celebrations/weddings Contact: 1-800-33-GRAND or Wedding Coordinator Marty Davis at 517-349-4600

Mission Point Resort

Mission Point boasts seven different reception locations, including one made famous in the movie "Somewhere in Time" and another with gorgeous views of Lake Huron. This is a picturesque locale with great photo opportunities.

Maximum capacity: 325

Special Features: signature wedding gazebo, outdoor promenade terrace 6633 Main Street, Mackinac Island www.missionpoint.com Contact: Wedding Sales Team at 906-847-3000

Lake View Hotel

Pastel striped walls and a hushed, old-school vibe give the Lake View Hotel the air of nuptial celebrations from the 1950s when white gloves, whitefish dip and house champagne were de rigueur – an elegantly retro choice.

Maximum capacity: 125

Special Features: covered veranda, classic pinstriped vibe 7452 Main Street, Mackinac Island Contact: 888-645-4522

The Island House

Hosting weddings for over 150 years, The Island House knows how to take your reception vision and expand it to include Straits of Mackinac views with a staff to attend to your every need.

Maximum capacity: 170

Special Features: grill room with floor-toceiling windows, garden terrace 6966 Main Street, Mackinac Island www.theislandhouse.com Contact: Carol Halberg at 800-399-0403

Mackinaw Reception & Conference Center

900 square feet in the main hall means lots of room to kick up your feet and the clean, spare setup also means plenty of opportunity to decorate exactly as you’d like. It’s a blank slate ready for your vision to be realized.

Maximum capacity: 299

Special Features: gas fireplace, hardwood dance floor, full kitchen 600 West Central Avenue, Mackinaw City www.mackinawcityreceptioncenter.com Contact: 231-436-5247

HARBOR SPRINGS/ PETOSKEY

Little Traverse Bay Golf Club

The 19th Knoll serves as the open-air reception setting tucked under a steel-structured, full-service tent. Weather panels await in the event of rain, but the beautiful views from atop the hill are worth the risk.

Maximum capacity: please inquire

Special Features: formal outdoor dinner service, vast views of the bay 995 Hideaway Valley Road, Harbor Springs www.ltbaygolf.com Contact: Ken Willoughby at 231-526-7800

Boyne Highlands

Offering striking vistas and a balanced combination of casual surroundings and luxury amenities, Boyne Highlands offers stunning receptions in any season. Choose from the Country Club, Champions Room or Lakeside Pond. Maximum capacity: 350 Special Features: extensive grounds, spa options, water wheel and fountain 600 Highland Drive, Harbor Springs www.boyne.com Contact: Brie Kear at 231-439-4078

Stafford’s Perry Hotel / Bay View Inn / Crooked River Lodge

With three Stafford’s properties to choose from, you can find the perfect ambiance for you, whether it’s vintage, resort or upscale rustic. Each venue’s staff is trained to pay attention to the smallest of details. Maximum capacity: 220 / 250 / 200 Special Features: bay or river views, full service catering, gardens Petoskey, Bay View, Alanson www.staffords.com Contact: Stafford’s Sales Department at 231- 348-6017

The Terrace Inn Scents of generations past waft through the old-fashioned hallways and dining room of the Terrace Inn. Its famous terraces overlook the exclusive vintage vacation community of Bay View.

Maximum capacity: 150

Special Features: quaint Victorian character, a step back in time 1549 Glendale Avenue, Petoskey www.theterraceinn.com Contact: 231-347-2410

CHARLEVOIX/ BOYNE

Castle Farms

If the bride wants to feel like a true queen on her big day, Castle Farms is the place. Built in 1918, it offers cobblestone courtyards, fountains and striking reception rooms including the Queen’s Tavern and the King’s Hall.

Maximum capacity: 350

Special Features: lighted greenery, classic chandeliers, draped tulle 5052 M-66 North, Charlevoix www.castlefarms.com Contact: 231-237-0884

Boyne Mountain

Whether your event falls in the height of summer or the frosted glow of ski season, you have numerous, exceptionally large locations from which to choose – from the massive Civic Center to the chic Vienna Ball Room, from the Beach House Lawn to the Clock Tower Patio.

Maximum capacity: 500

Special Features: top-notch event planners, Alpine ambiance 1 Boyne Mountain Road, Boyne Falls www.boyne.com Contact: Brie Kear at 231-439-4078

Sommerset Pointe Yacht Club

Overlooking the marina and harbor on Lake Charlevoix, Sommerset Pointe is the perfect place for a nautical-themed or beach wedding with club-provided beverages and exquisite cuisine.

Maximum capacity: 150

Special Features: beachside setting, spacious nautical feel 00970 Marina Drive, Boyne City www.sommersetpointeyachtclub.com Contact: Jenna Koeller at 231-582-9900

The Inn at Bay Harbor

New design construction and views over Lake Michigan make this affluent setting even more striking. If you time your reception just right, your guests can catch one of the region’s famed million dollar sunsets.

Maximum capacity: 175

Special Features: trolley rides, spa treat ments, signature white chairs 3600 Village Harbor Drive, Bay Harbor www.innatbayharbor.com Contact: Brie Kear at 800-862-6963

GAYLORD AREA

Treetops Resort Modern, yet classic, Treetops Resort is big on weddings and even bigger on helping them run smoothly, which their staff has ensured for the past 25 years. Their "Up North" ballrooms can be decorated in any style you choose.

Maximum capacity: 400

Special Features: elaborate cuisine choices, golf course and ski hill views 3962 Wilkinson Road, Gaylord www.treetops.com Contact: Mitzie Hoeh at 989-731-8444

Garland Lodge and Resort

Three reception venue choices – the Great Room with its impressive fireplace, the Garland Center with its cathedral ceiling and the massive high-peak tent – invite guests to enjoy the rustic polish of this unique resort.

Maximum capacity: 300

Special Features: flagstone paths, pond and fountain, classic log lodge 4700 North Red Oak Road, Lewiston www.garlandusa.com Contact: 877-442-7526

Otsego Club and Resort

Set in the hills of the Sturgeon River Valley, Otsego Resort offers three reception venues: the Center, with its rustic wooden beams overhead; the Sitzmark, with its fireplace; or the eclectic River Cabin with deck and fire pit.

Maximum capacity: 200

Special Features: on-site pastry chef, upscale cabin ambiance 696 M-32 East, Gaylord www.otsegoclub.com Contact: Group Sales at 800-752-5510 ext. 7

GRAND TRAVERSE AREA

Grand Traverse Resort Glimmering on the horizon like a celebratory beacon, the Resort has an anything goes policy, providing casual beachside affairs, massive themed reception parties under their pavilion tent and quiet celebrations for as few as five people.

Maximum capacity: 500

Special Features: Nine venue spaces to choose from, in-house event design 100 Grand Traverse Village Boulevard, Acme www.grandtraverseresort.com Contact: Liz Brooks at 231-534-6000

Park Place Hotel

Choose from 11 different reception locations within the hotel, from the impressive domed ballroom to the intimate Top of the Park with its legendary views of both downtown Traverse City and Grand Traverse Bay.

Maximum capacity: 700

Special Features: unique downtown city location, historical surroundings 300 East State Street, Traverse City www.park-place-hotel.com Contact: Sales and Catering Department at 231-946-5196.

City Opera House

Built in 1891, the City Opera House is perfect for those who like to make a memorable and dramatic impression, with red velvet seating and state of the art audiovisual amenities.

Maximum capacity: 650

Special Features: turn of the century historical charm, artistic surroundings 106 E. Front Street, Traverse City www.cityoperahouse.org Contact: Debbie Douglas 231-941-8082 ext. 208

Traverse Tall Ship Co.

How about holding your reception on a ship? Taking your romance onto the water is a unique nod to the nautical fabric that connects northern Michigan, and the capacity limit will help keep your party manageable.

Maximum capacity: 59

Special Features: 19th century schooner replica, amazing photo ops 13258 SW Bay Shore Drive, Traverse City www.tallshipsailing.com Contact: 231-941-2000 or 800-678-0383

Parkshore Resort

The Parkshore’s white beachfront gazebo provides a romantic, classic backdrop for weddings, along with their outdoor deck overlooking East Grand Traverse Bay.

Maximum capacity: please inquire

Special Features: waterfront location, scenic backdrops 1401 US 31 North, Traverse City parkshoreresort.com Contact: 231-947-3800

The Peninsula Room

Countryside charm married with modern amenities makes the Peninsula Room both a unique and convenient place to hold your reception. Views of Grand Traverse Bay, gardens, front lawn ceremony site and vineyards make for a stunning setting.

Maximum capacity: 150

Special Features: fieldstone fireplace and outdoor fire pits, winding staircase 13512 Peninsula Drive, Traverse City www.bowersharborinnestate.com Contact: 231-944-6984

West Bay Beach, A Holiday Inn Resort

With in-house catering, dance floors of various sizes, and over 5,000 square feet of space in several different rooms, request just about anything and West Bay Beach will make it happen -- on Grand Traverse Bay.

Maximum capacity: please inquire

Special features: sandy beachfront location, classic surroundings 615 East Front Street, Traverse City www.tcwestbay.com Contact: 231-947-3700

Cobblestone Farms Ten acres and a 100-yearold farmhouse offer ample opportunities for a unique reception, especially in the Western-themed wedding barn, which includes an old-time photo booth, Sheriff’s Office and lawn games.

Maximum capacity: 250

Special Features: upscale Wild West theme, bride and groom retreats 3791 W M-113, Kingsley www.cobblestonefarmstc.com Contact: Bill or Toni Sweet at 231-392-5486

Crystal Mountain

While primarily known for skiing, the Mountain is also a premier destination for receptions, from the candlelit James Bay Hall to the Pavilion Tent, the Hudson Bay Room to the Northwest Territories with its slopeside terrace.

Maximum capacity: 400

Special Features: fireplaces, special spotlight and lighting systems 12500 Crystal Mountain Drive, Thompsonville www.crystalmountain.com Contact: Amanda Milarch at 888-968-7686 ext. 6506

Greystone Mansion

All-inclusive reception packages help make planning at Greystone easy, while the ballroom and garden settings feature photoworthy sights like waterfalls, chandeliers and the property’s trademark white bridge.

Maximum capacity: please inquire

Special Features: in-house amenities, classic wedding surroundings 13996 Honor Highway, Honor www.greystoneweddings.com Contact: 231-632-1702

LEELANAU

The Homestead

Your venue choices are threefold at The Homestead – a country lodge with gardens and waterscapes, a rustic camp hall or a nautical beachside cafe. There’s plenty of room to wander and take photos, too.

Maximum capacity: 180

Special Features: cedar and stone construction, beautifully tended scenery 1 Wood Ridge Road, Glen Arbor www.thehomesteadresort.com Contact: Elizabeth Curlew at 231-334-5378

Ciccone Vineyard

Views of West Grand Traverse Bay and the unusual setting of a real vineyard and its rolling hills of grapevines make this a unique spot, for sure, but it can also accommodate "casually elegant" affairs from cocktails to dinner.

Maximum capacity: 120

Special features: restored turn-of-the-century barn, estate wines 10343 Hilltop Rd, Suttons Bay www.cicconevineyard.com Contact: 231-271-5553

Snow Moon Ranch

The combination of rustic elegance (restored barn, vintage trucks), live llama and alpaca, and sweeping vistas of Glen Lake and Lake Michigan make this not just a distinctive spot, but one for photo ops, too.

Maximum capacity: 350

Special features: secluded setting, amiable animal guests 10114 S. Bow Road, Maple City Contact: 231-334-6473

Crooked Creek Ranch

Country chic is the order of the day at Crooked Creek Ranch, with 160 acres featuring a turn-of-the-century Victorian farm and a waterfront setting and a "beach bar."

Maximum capacity: 500

Special features: seasonal foods, barn with vintage chandeliers 5601 South Lake Shore Drive, Cedar winecountryevents.wordpress.com/crookedcreek-ranch - Contact: 231-941-7060

*editor’s note: maximum capacity as listed is per single event space. The sky’s the limit for those with unlimited budgets who can rent out as many reception rooms as they want if the price is right!