Congratulations! You’re engaged!!!
Now comes the hard part: Choosing where to get married and planning the wedding.
Christi Dupre, a Mackinac Island photographer and publisher, has helped numerous couples plan amazing weddings on Mackinac Island (including her own daughter’s!). She’s here to give you the inside scoop and answer a list of Frequently Asked Questions to help you start planning your own incredible Mackinac Island wedding today!
Can I get married on Mackinac Island?
Yes! Beautiful weddings of all sizes, from 2 to 500, take place on Mackinac Island. The wedding season begins in May and runs through October.
How do I start planning my Mackinac Island wedding?
Check out the Mackinac Wedding Guide. This comprehensive guide is going to give you a lot of fantastic ideas and suggestions for your wedding and put you in touch with all the services you need right on Mackinac Island.
Get your own free copy of the Mackinac Island Wedding Guide
How much does it cost to get married on Mackinac Island?
There is a wide range of services and price points on Mackinac Island. Generally, a small simple wedding is less expensive than a larger event. Each extraordinary Mackinac Island wedding venue has its own rates. An outdoor wedding with a luncheon for those attending is going to cost less than a resort reception with numerous guests. You will find that Mackinac Island has services at comparable prices or less than some city venues.
Can I plan my Mackinac Island wedding myself?
Yes, but it will take initiative and organization as you make inquiries. Planning six to 12 months is good. However, if you are flexible, weekday weddings and elopements can be planned weeks in advance.
Alternatively, there are local Mackinac Island wedding planners who can coordinate your wedding for you, saving you time. Carole Erbel from The Love of Mackinac is one local Mackinac Island wedding planner. Mackinac Island hotels and B&B’s like Bay View B&B, Cloghaun B&B, Grand Hotel, Harbour View Inn, Inn at Stonecliffe, Island House Hotel and Mission Point Resort can also assist with wedding planning.
Find the right planner for your Mackinac Island wedding
What are the popular wedding venues on Mackinac Island?
Probably the number one venue for weddings on Mackinac Island is the “Great Outdoors.” This includes the beach, the park, the point, the bluff, the boardwalk and more. If all this sounds a bit daunting, you can begin by contacting Mackinac State Historic Parks, as 80% of Mackinac Island is on State Park property and small weddings with no or little set up can be arranged on park property through their wedding coordinator.
Other popular venues are Bay View B&B, Cloghaun B&B, Grand Hotel, Harbour View Inn, Inn at Stonecliffe, Island House Hotel, Mission Point Resort, The Somewhere in Time Gazebo and Wings of Mackinac Butterfly House.
There are some beautiful historic churches such as Little Stone Church, Mackinac Island Bible Church, Mission Church, Ste. Anne Catholic Church and Trinity Episcopal Church can host your wedding.
Can I elope on Mackinac Island?
Yes, people elope on Mackinac Island all the time. Several Mackinac Island wedding officiants perform services for weddings and elopements. But be careful who you tell – your elopement might grow into a small wedding with guests because everyone wants to go to Mackinac Island for a wedding!
What about wedding flowers, photographers, music, and more on Mackinac Island?
The finishing details such as flowers, photographers, wedding cakes, music, transportation, fudge, and dining or catering are available from wedding professionals right on Mackinac Island. For wedding, elopement, honeymoon, and vow renewal information, be sure to visit the Mackinac Wedding Guide website and order a free guide or download the online magazine to begin planning.
Selecting vendors most familiar with Mackinac Island will make all the difference for your big day. You can rest easy and trust the people of Mackinac Island to take good care of you and make sure your wedding day is as magical as Mackinac Island itself!
Christi and her husband Jeff have lived on Mackinac Island seasonally since 1992. They are photographers and the publishers of Inside Mackinac and the Mackinac Island Wedding Guide. Boating, bicycling and gardening – anything outside – are among Christi’s favorite activities on the Island. Christi is on the board of Mackinac Connect, and also volunteers at her church, Mackinac Island Bible Church. This blog was first published in January 2022.
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