Are you thinking about getting married? If you have marriage on your mind, you’ve probably imagined a destination wedding.
Getting married away from home continues to be a rising trend, with 25% of nuptials now taking place out of town. Among couples who have been married before, destination weddings are even more common.
If you’re considering a destination wedding, you might be surprised to know that most of them – about 7 out of every 10 – happen in the continental United States rather than in Hawaii or outside the country. And did you know that many destination weddings are held in Michigan on Mackinac Island?
Mackinac Island has been named the No. 1 Best Island in the Continental U.S. and is a popular setting for destination weddings. Here are just a few reasons why Mackinac Island is an extraordinary place to get married:
The ‘Just Married’ Carriage Ride on Mackinac Island
There are few things more romantic than a Mackinac Island carriage ride on your wedding day. Mackinac Island is car free, so it truly feels like you’re living in a fairy tale – especially when a horse-drawn carriage whisks you away after your ceremony, taking you on a leisurely tour of the island full of stunning Great Lakes vistas.
Bride ‘felt like royalty’ on carriage ride down Mackinac Island’s Main Street
The Iconic Mackinac Island Kiss
During your horse-drawn carriage ride, you can stop on Main Street and re-enact the iconic Mackinac Island kiss as everybody makes way for the bride and groom!
Mackinac Island for couples: 11 super cute photos you can recreate
Scenic Mackinac Island Wedding Venues
There are so many incredible places for your ceremony:
- Mackinac Island is home to the world’s longest porch at the luxurious Grand Hotel and an incredible lawn overlooking the water and Mackinac Bridge at the Inn at Stonecliffe
- Mackinac Island’s “Somewhere in Time” Gazebo from the 1980 movie starring Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve is a popular spot to recreate some romance from the silver screen
- You can say your “I dos” on the historic cannon platform at the Revolutionary War-era Fort Mackinac or up at Fort Holmes on Mackinac Island’s highest point
- Mackinac Island has lots of beaches for waterfront ceremonies including the rocky shore at British Landing where you can see the Mackinac Bridge in the background
- Mackinac Island is home to two butterfly conservatories where you can tie the knot accompanied by colorful little guests with wings
- For a church ceremony, options include Mackinac Island’s historic Mission Church, which is the oldest surviving church building in Michigan, and Ste. Anne Catholic Church, where the names of brides and grooms are added to the parish register that dates back to the 1600s
Churches of Mackinac Island: 350 years of historic beauty
Mackinac Island Lilacs
Of course, flowers are a big part of every wedding. It just so happens that Mackinac Island is home to some of the oldest and largest lilac stems in the world. There’s even a festival each June to celebrate the flowers that flourish all over Mackinac Island and fill the air with their pleasing fragrance.
Why there are so many beautiful lilacs on Mackinac Island
World-Famous Mackinac Island Fudge Wedding Favors
World-famous Mackinac Island Fudge is among the reasons a little island in northern Michigan has become the USA’s Best Summer Travel Destination, and it’s partly why Expedia named Mackinac Island one of the Most Tourist-Friendly Cities in the U.S. When it comes to wedding favors for your guests, what could be better than authentic Mackinac Island Fudge?
How Mackinac Island became fudge capital of the world
Fun Things To Do For Wedding Guests on Mackinac Island
Guests will appreciate the wide variety of things to do on Mackinac Island while attending a destination wedding. In addition to cute shops, vibrant nightlife, and historic places to stay, Mackinac Island encompasses a state park that once was the country’s second national park. More than 80% of Mackinac Island is public land with opportunities to explore by hiking, biking, kayaking, horseback riding and so much more. Staying on Mackinac Island is truly a special experience, and one that will make many memorable moments for you and your guests.
Check out the Mackinac Island Wedding Guide to see more of what makes Mackinac Island the perfect place for your destination wedding. And relax knowing that local Mackinac Island wedding consultants are available to handle all the details so that you and your guests can enjoy the wedding of your dreams with minimal stress.
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