Traverse City, Michigan Wedding Venues: The Ultimate Local Guide
From vineyards and waterfronts to barns and gardens - this guide includes everything you need to know to plan your Northern Michigan wedding.
You’re here because you are looking for an area of the country and a wedding venue that feels like you! Here at Moondance, we have quickly become familiar with many of the wedding venues in the area and can now be considered your Traverse City, Michigan Wedding Venues experts! Below, we highlight venues that contain the elements for your dream wedding - intimate, beautiful, and rooted in nature.
As you can read about in our story, Moondance started when we were drawn to Northern Michigan because of the Lake, the dunes, vineyards, rolling hills, beautiful vistas, and endless outdoor opportunities (including starting a flower farm!). Little did we know, but, so many people come to Traverse City to get married for the same reason - they have gone “Up North” since they were a kid, their family loved to vacation every Summer in NoMi, and most often, the couple loves Traverse City and the surrounding region and wants to share the beauty, the lake, the good food, and the special setting of Northern Michigan with their closest friends and family.
From bay and Lake Michigan shoreline ceremonies and rolling vineyard views to historic barns, elegant resorts, and tucked-away garden venues, Traverse City wedding venues offer an incredible variety of settings for couples of all styles and budgets. Whether you’re planning a large celebration with hundreds of guests or a quiet, meaningful gathering with your closest people, Northern Michigan has something truly special to offer.
As local farmers and wedding florists who work across the region, we’ve had the honor of designing flowers at many of these venues (check out some of our favorite venues HERE) - and getting to know what makes each one unique. This guide is designed to help you explore your options, spark inspiration, and find the venue that feels like you.
As you explore the venues below, we’ve added floral notes that highlight how our seasonal, locally-grown florals can elevate each setting in a natural, intentional way.
Welcome to the ultimate guide to Traverse City, Michigan wedding venues.
Moondance Wedding at Harbor Brook Hall in June.
Beach wedding overlooking East Bay of Lake Michigan? Sign us up!
Why Choose Traverse City, Michigan for Your Wedding?
Traverse City has become one of the Midwest’s most sought-after wedding destinations for good reason.
Couples are drawn here for:
Stunning natural landscapes (lakes, vineyards, forests, and dunes)
A relaxed yet elevated atmosphere
Incredible local food, wine, and craft beverages
Four distinct seasons, each offering its own wedding magic
A strong community of talented local vendors
A fun place to come back to with your partner, family, or friends
Many couples also love that Traverse City feels like a destination wedding without the destination stress. Guests can enjoy a mini vacation while still staying connected to Michigan roots.
Types of Traverse City Wedding Venues (There’s Truly Something for Everyone!)
One of the best parts about planning a wedding here is the sheer range of venue styles available. Below, we’ve broken down the most popular types of Traverse City Michigan wedding venues to help you narrow your search.
Vineyard & Winery Wedding Venues
Traverse City’s wine country - especially Old Mission Peninsula and Leelanau Peninsula - is iconic. Vineyard weddings here feel romantic, European-inspired, and deeply connected to the land.
Perfect for:
Couples who love natural beauty, outdoor ceremonies, and an elevated but relaxed vibe.
What couples love:
Sweeping views of vineyards and water
Golden hour sunsets
On-site wine for cocktail hour
Beautiful ceremony backdrops with minimal décor needed
Floral note: For winery and vineyard weddings, we design florals that enhance the landscape rather than compete with it - airy, garden-inspired arrangements that feel natural, seasonal, and unforced. By focusing on organic shapes, thoughtful placement, and locally-grown flowers, our designs complement sweeping views, warm textures, and the effortless romance these venues already offer.
Moondance couple Kaleigh and Corey got married in September at Ciccone Vineyard where the ceremony takes place surrounded by vineyards and has a reception inside a barn with views overlooking West Bay.
Waterfront & Lakeside Wedding Venues
If you’ve always imagined saying your vows with Lake Michigan behind you, you’re in the right place. Traverse City is home to some of the most breathtaking waterfront wedding venues in the state.
Perfect for:
Beach lovers, sunset chasers, and couples wanting a serene, timeless feel.
What couples love:
Ceremony photos with water views
Soft, coastal color palettes
Indoor/outdoor flexibility
Natural breezes and open skies
These venues work beautifully for both formal celebrations and more relaxed, barefoot-on-the-sand moments.
Floral Note: Waterfront weddings call for florals that feel soft and intentional rather than structured. Our designs emphasize airy textures, organic movement, and seasonal blooms - enhancing the natural beauty of the water while adding a touch of whimsy and romance.
Moondance couple Mabel & Caleb get married on the beach at the Inn at Bay Harbor steps away from Lake Michigan.
Barn, Farm & Rustic Wedding Venues
Northern Michigan is rich with agricultural history, and many couples are drawn to barn and farm venues that feel warm, welcoming, and authentic.
Perfect for:
Couples who value connection, storytelling, and meaningful details.
What couples love:
Wood beams, open air, and twinkle lights
Flexible layouts
A sense of intimacy, even with larger guest counts
The ability to personalize every detail
These venues are ideal for couples who want their wedding to feel less like an event and more like a gathering.
Floral Note: Barn and farm venues shine when florals feel relaxed and thoughtfully undone. Our designs emphasize organic movement, textural elements, and seasonal blooms that soften wood and open spaces while maintaining a natural, unfussy elegance.
Moondance couple Sarah and Jake got married at Cherry Basket Farm in Omena, just north of Sutton’s Bay. Surrounded by orchards and wildflowers, this venue boasts charming outbuildings, a completely refurbished, chic barn (that includes a lower level with a bar!).
Historic & Architectural Wedding Venues
Traverse City also offers venues with historic charm and architectural character - from restored inns to unique indoor spaces that feel both classic and creative.
Perfect for:
Couples who appreciate timeless style, craftsmanship, and character.
What couples love:
Built-in ambiance
Beautiful indoor options for unpredictable weather
Elegant settings that work year-round
A refined backdrop that elevates simple design choices
Floral Note: Historic and architectural venues pair best with florals that feel intentional and restrained. We focus on refined shapes, layered textures, and seasonal palettes that highlight the character of the space while adding warmth and romance. Seasonal, intentional, refined, whimsical - the Moondance Magic!
A little further north, in Petoskey, Alexa and Justin got married at the Historic Perry Hotel. Mixing classic hotel vibes, a garden area ceremony, and a covered reception overlooking Little Traverse Bay, this venue is hard to beat!
Resort & Full-Service Wedding Venues
For couples hosting guests from out of town, resort venues can offer convenience without sacrificing beauty.
Perfect for:
Couples planning multi-day celebrations or wanting on-site lodging.
What couples love:
One location for ceremony, reception, and lodging
Professional coordination teams
Spa, dining, and activities for guests
Ease of planning from afar
Resort venues are especially popular for summer and fall weddings when guests want to extend their stay and explore the region.
Floral Note: Resort venues often call for florals that feel polished yet approachable. Our designs balance airy movement with thoughtful structure, creating arrangements that elevate the space without overwhelming it - timeless, cohesive, and guest-ready.
Moondance bride Marianne chose the Grand Traverse Resort to get married. This resort, very close to downtown Traverse City, offers stunning Northern Michigan views, diverse indoor & outdoor venue options, all-inclusive packages, dedicated planners, on-site lodging, a spa, a golf course, and much more!
Outdoor & Garden Wedding Venues
If your vision includes florals playing a starring role, outdoor and garden venues provide a stunning canvas.
Perfect for:
Nature-loving couples and those planning seasonal, flower-forward designs.
What couples love:
Organic, romantic settings
The feeling of being surrounded by life and color
A strong connection to the season they’re marrying in
Spring through early fall is ideal for these venues, and many couples choose to highlight Michigan-grown flowers for an extra layer of meaning.
Floral Note: Garden and outdoor weddings invite florals that feel as though they grew there. We design loose, seasonal arrangements with natural movement and soft color stories, creating an organic, romantic feel that blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.
Cassidy and Avery got married at Foxglove Farm in Sutton’s Bay, Michigan. With ceremony venues including in a cherry orchard, a wildflower meadow overlooking West Bay, or in the trees next to their restored historic barn, it’s hard not to love Foxglove. Blending rustic farm charm with modern elegance, this venue also gives you exclusive use of the property for a personalized, intimate, and relaxed experience with your friends and loved ones.
Seasonal Considerations for Traverse City Weddings
One of the most common questions couples ask is when to get married in Traverse City.
Spring: Fresh, intimate, and unpredictable (but beautiful when it works!)
Summer: Peak wedding season with long days, warm evenings, and vibrant landscapes
Fall: Deeply romantic with changing leaves and harvest colors
Winter: Cozy, unique, and magical for couples embracing something different. Moondance, at this time, does not offer wedding services in the winter months.
Each season brings its own energy - and the best venue for you may depend on when you’re planning to celebrate.
Choosing the Right Traverse City Wedding Venue for You
When narrowing down your venue list, consider:
Guest count
Indoor vs outdoor priorities
Seasonal flexibility
Overall aesthetic
Budget and what’s included
Vendor policies (especially florals, catering, and rentals)
For pictures of work we have done at some of our favorite Northern Michigan Wedding Venues, go here.
We hope you’re ready to Start Planning Your Traverse City Wedding!
If you’re in the midst of planning a Traverse City, Michigan wedding, we know how many decisions you’re holding right now - and how meaningful it feels to get them right. From choosing a venue that reflects your story to finding vendors who truly understand the landscape, season, and flow of a Northern Michigan wedding, those details matter.
As local farmer-florists, we design wedding flowers using blooms grown right here in Traverse City, thoughtfully chosen to complement your venue and the time of year you’re getting married. Whether you’re celebrating at a vineyard overlooking the bay, a waterfront venue, or a tucked-away barn, our goal is always the same: to create florals that feel natural, intentional, and deeply connected to your day.
If you’re looking for wedding flowers that feel personal -not packaged -we’d love to hear about your dream floral vision.
Contact us to Inquire HERE!
Planning a wedding in Northern Michigan? Explore more inspiration and seasonal wedding florals from our Traverse City flower farm, where all of our flowers are grown on Old Mission Peninsula.
