Top 20 Wedding Venue Types- Start Here Before Choosing Your Venue

Your wedding venue plays one of the biggest roles in your wedding day. Take some time a read through as many of the options I have listed below as possible so you can make a very informed decision.

So you’re already engaged and after some time, you decide that you’re ready to plan your wedding. One of the things that you have to do is to select your wedding venue. You also need to at least pay the minimum deposit to reserve the date you’ve selected. Popular wedding venues often book up 1 – 2 years in advance!

We’ll be discussing some of the absolute best options you have when you’re looking at wedding venues in Michigan! I realize that the wedding venue that works for one person might not work for the next. Everyone has different styles and preferences so in the attempt to best serve the person reading this. We will cover all of the best options available for your Michigan wedding venue.

I’ll start by listing all of the venue style types in sections. This makes it easy for you to find the wedding venue that you are looking for. Simply click on any of the sections that interest you. The page will auto-scroll to that section where you will find a list of pros and cons. You will also have a link that will take you to many of the top Michigan venues in that type. 

Wedding Venue Types

Section 1.  Barn Wedding Venues

Section 2.  Ballroom Wedding Venues

Section 3.  Banquet Hall Wedding Venues

Section 4.  Church (Generally Ceremony Only)

Section 5.  Vineyard Wedding Venues

Section 6.  Garden Wedding Venues

Section 7.  Country Club Wedding Venues

Section 8.  Historic Homes / Mansions

Section 9.  State Park Wedding Venues

Section 10. Conference Event Centers

Section 11. Beach Wedding Venues (Generally Ceremony Only)

Section 12. Rooftop Wedding Venues

Section 13. Loft Wedding Venues

Section 14. Museum Wedding venues

Section 15. Restaurant Wedding Venues

Section 16. Camp Wedding Venues

Section 17. Waterfront Wedding venues

Section 18.  Castle Wedding Venues

Section 19. Modern Wedding venues

Section 20. Yacht Wedding Venues

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1. Barn Wedding Venues

“Barn wedding venues are an excellent option if you’re looking for that rustic feel. This is for couples that love the countryside. This is most likely going to provide you with the experience that you’re looking for.”

PROS

• There are a ton of options when it comes to barn wedding decor.
• There are a lot of reasonably priced options when it comes to barn wedding venues.
• These types of wedding venues provide a very relaxing atmosphere for you and your guests. The more relaxed that you and your guests are the higher the chances that everyone will dance, have fun conversation and an overall great time!
• If you and your family happen to live in a country setting the odds that you will be able to find a barn venue close to home is high. If the venue location provides convenience for your guests that’s always a plus due to the fact that most people will be driving back home that night.

CONS

• In many cases, barn wedding venues do not have air conditioning. They do however, usually have big bay doors that can be opened to allow a ton of airflow.  Of course, that needs to be mitigated as well, especially if it is a windy day.

• If it’s an active farm make sure that the areas where the ceremony and especially the reception are located are far enough away from any animals that there isn’t an odor issue! Most of the time this isn’t a problem but for the sake of covering our bases, I believe this should be something that’s thought of and checked by you personally.

2. Ballroom Wedding Venues

“Ballroom venues are among some of the most beautiful venues that you will find. They provide a lot of great benefits and help to create a breathtaking experience for anyone that walks into your wedding reception.”

PROS

• These types of wedding venues are generally very spacious, so if you have a long guest list this could be a good fit for you.

• Ballrooms are among some of the most beautiful looking venues on the market.

• Ballroom wedding venues typically have a good number of staff members. Having an experienced and helpful staff is huge when it comes to big weddings when there is a lot going on.

• Venues like ballrooms typically have a location in a downtown city. This means there will oftentimes be a hotel nearby for your guests to stay after a long night of fun.

CONS

• These types of venues usually come with a high price tag.

• Many ballrooms have a policy of purchasing everything with them as far as food and alcohol. This could be an issue if you were set on having a specific caterer. But I am sure if you let them know that this is a deal breaker for you they will at least consider your request.

3. Banquet Hall Wedding Venues

“Banquet halls have always been one of the most popular among wedding venues. As you look at all the banquet hall options there are, I think you’ll see why.”

PROS

• Since banquet halls have always been such a popular choice for so many couples, you’ll find that there are a lot of options in this type of venue.

• Because there are so many options with banquet hall venues odds are you’ll find one that’s actually available if you’re getting a late start on your planning.

• If you’re on a budget you can usually find a reasonably priced banquet hall. But if your budget isn’t an issue, you can rest assured that there are plenty of high end banquet halls that can provide you with what you’re looking for.

CONS

• If you happen to choose a banquet hall venue on the lower price point you probably won’t receive an on site staff. In this case, you want to select someone from your bridal party to help you on the day of or appoint a master and mistress of ceremony. 

4. Church Wedding Venues

“A church is the most traditional type of ceremony, giving  a classic yet elegant feel to the entire experience.”

PROS

• For influential members of your family that have a more traditional view on marriage, this will make them very happy.

• Most churches are sizable and have plenty of seating if you have a big guest list.

• If you come from a religious background you may feel as if this is a must.

CONS

• By nature, a pastor in a church can have the tendency to be long winded. If you don’t want an hour plus ceremony be sure to discuss this beforehand.

• Going this route may require that you do couples counseling before the wedding. I personally think that there is nothing wrong with this and it can be very helpful. Although, one of my favorite stories on this subject is on one of my friend’s mom and dad. They were advised that they were incompatible and wouldn’t make it in marriage. Currently, they’re enjoying the company of each other after almost 30 years. The moral of the story is to take the advice you think will help and be the controller of your own futures.

5. Vineyard Wedding Venues

“Vineyard venues are some of the most gorgeous places to host your ceremony and wedding reception. Especially if you are looking for that outdoor feel.”

PROS

• Vineyard wedding venues are very elegant and honestly hard to beat on a beautiful summer day.

• These types of wedding venues tend to have a really great staff that will work with you to help make your day as amazing as possible.

• If you’re looking to host an outdoor ceremony then a vineyard could very well be one of the best options that you have.

• The scenery that vineyards provide during a wedding is what helps to create an all around amazing experience for you and your guests. 

CONS

• As I mentioned, one of the great things about a vineyard wedding venue is that it’s a wonderful place to host an outdoor ceremony. If you choose a vineyard strictly for this reason you might be in for a big let down if the weather doesn’t cooperate. 

• Often times vineyards are in a remote location. This could be a factor for you to consider if a location that works for a majority of both families is needed.

6. Garden Wedding Venues

“For anyone that has a love for the outdoors, this is definitely a great option. If this is you, then I have no doubt you and your significant other will love this type of venue.”

PROS

• Your wedding day will no doubt be filled with excitement and a little stress. The feel of a garden wedding has the tendency to naturally bring down those stress levels. The smell of fresh flowers and the feel of soft green grass under your feet is enough to set anyone’s mind at ease.

• When it comes to garden ceremonies, they give off such a sense of intimacy that it’s honestly hard to beat.

• Although this is a popular way to get married it’s nowhere near as common as you would think. Which helps in giving your wedding day a uniqueness that will keep your guests raving about how beautiful it was!

CONS

• Garden weddings are held outdoors and booked at a date so far in advance that there is no way of knowing whether or not the weather will cooperate.

• One of the downsides to garden wedding venues is that allergies are a very common issue that a lot of people deal with. When it comes to Michigan, high pollen season starts mid to late summer and run into the fall. So your best bet to avoid allergy issues with your guests would be to book for late spring to early summer.

7. Country Club Wedding Venues

“Country clubs may cost you a bit more but as it’s said, you get what you pay for and country clubs usually deliver on this.”

PROS

• Country clubs can provide you with a very classy and relaxing atmosphere. 

• If you have certain family members that happen to be golf lovers I’m sure they would be more than happy to tear up the green sometime during the days before or the days after your wedding. You may even be able to work out a deal on pricing for your guests with the venue manager during booking.

CONS

• country club wedding venues usually have a high price tag associated with them.

• A country club is usually filled with a lot of members/golfers. If your venue isn’t well segregated you might find that there are a lot of randoms walking around your wedding area. 

8. Historic Home venues

“Historic homes are some of the coolest venues. If the walls could talk they would have some amazing stories to tell. Overall, they create a very unique setting for your wedding and get your guests extremely intrigued. 

PROS

• Historic home wedding venues help create a night that you and your guests will never forget.

• If you wrap your wedding theme around the already existing aesthetics of the home you’ll make the task of creating an amazing looking venue a sinch.

CONS

• Some of these historic homes will not be able to support a really big guest list.

• There are a lot of rules or do’s and don’ts when it comes to historic home venues. If easy going is your style this might be something that you’ll want to consider. 

9. State Park Wedding Venues

“A park wedding can be similar to a garden but with the advantage of being a bit more friendly on the pocketbook.”

PROS

• A park wedding can be a cost effective way to have a beautiful ceremony and reception.

• Parks that are popular for hosting weddings usually have indoor reception venues so you can have your beautiful outdoor ceremony and indoor reception conveniently in the same location. It also provides you with a good backup plan if the weather decides not to cooperate.

• A park wedding is another venue that provides a relaxing atmosphere. 

CONS

• If you are looking to have any music during your outdoor ceremony you might have troubles finding a nearby power source. Be sure to check that before you decide on the exact location. A good rule is that the power source should be no more than 300 feet away from the area where you will be saying your vows.

• An outdoor park wedding may be a beautiful setting but any vows that are exchanged at an outdoor ceremony usually don’t make it to the ears of your guests. Be sure to have either a mic with and stand or a lapel mic (clips to the shirt collar) on the minister during the ceremony.

10. Event Center Wedding Venues

“Event  centers are a great choice if you have a big guest list due to the fact that there are built with the purpose of hosting big crowds.”

PROS

• These types of venues generally provide large spaces ideal for hosting large guest lists. 

• Venues like these are usually a one stop shop, between their tables and chairs, table linens, food, staff and multiple rooms for cocktails or ceremonies.

• Event conference centers often have a helpful and courteous staff on hand to help you throughout your big day. The managers are used to dealing with big money companies and their employees so they generally have their stuff together. 

CONS

• Because event conference centers aren’t only focused on weddings, they are oftentimes booked out far in advance. Be sure to book as far ahead as you comfortably can. 

11. Beach Wedding Venues

“A beach wedding is another top contender when it comes to awing your guests and creating a moment that they will never forget.”

PROS

• If you decide on a beach wedding and you really put some effort or hire effort into setting everything up you’ll be thrilled once you’re looking at the beauty of the final product.

• Aside from the beautiful setting that a beach wedding provides, it also helps to create a relaxing and naturally intimate feel. 

• The beach setting can provide your photographer with some really amazing shots that you will cherish forever.

• If you’re going to have a smaller group and looking for a more intimate experience a beach wedding ceremony would be a great option.

CONS

• As with any outdoor planning, you can’t control what the weather is going to do on your wedding day. But you can decide how you will react, so come up with a backup plan.

• If the location of your ceremony is a long walk through the sand you might want to consider if it will be a challenge for any elderly that will be attending your wedding.

12. Rooftop Wedding Venues

“A rooftop wedding gives you the chance to bring your big day to new heights. Enjoy a beautiful view overlooking the city on this special day.” 

PROS

• A rooftop wedding provides an amazing view overlooking the city for you and your guests.

• You’ll be sure to walk away with some awesome photos that you will always have to look back on this day, just like the one pictured above!

CONS

• On a slightly windy day you can expect that wind speeds on a rooftop you will be quite a bit higher. Check to see how much coverage there is in any area you plan on hosting your wedding.

• A rooftop wedding is a long way up. Make sure that there is an elevator if you plan on having any elderly attending your wedding.

13. Loft Wedding Venues

“A loft wedding is a great place to host a smaller sized guest list.”

PROS

• Loft wedding venues are usually smaller in size but provide a really nice setting if you’re hosting a smaller wedding.

• Because lofts are often smaller spaces you will sometimes find that they’re pretty reasonably priced.

• Many times lofts are located above a restaurant. This means you will most likely have easy access to some great food.

CONS

• A loft is another venue located on the upper level of a building. Be sure that there is an elevator available if you have any elderly attending.

14. Museum Wedding Venues

“A museum wedding adds a very unique effect to your big day. If you have a love for art this could result in the creation of an amazing moment in time for you!”

PROS

• If you’re a true fan of art or history than your gears are certainly turning with thoughts of how amazing a museum wedding could be for you.

• With this type of wedding venue, you could create a truly unique experience for you and your guests.

• If you’re planning a themed wedding that already exists in the museum, you would make the task of creating beautiful and unique decor simple and easy. Just think of the hundreds of thousands of dollars that have already been invested to create this atmosphere you will be using for your venue.

CONS

• There is usually not a state of the art kitchen in a museum. Booking for a pre-prepared meal with an outside catering company will need to be made in most cases.

• Some of the bigger museum wedding venues come with a very high price tag.

15. Restaurant Wedding Venues

“I think it would be fair to say that your dinner will be a success if you opt to go with a restaurant wedding reception.”

PROS

• A restaurant wedding reception has the obvious benefit of providing you with an amazing meal!   

• These types of venues usually have a vast selection of alcohols. This puts you in a great position to please everyone’s palate which should lead to an even better time had by all.

• A good restaurant will have an excellent staff on hand to take care of all the little things throughout the evening.

CONS

• When you’re considering a restaurant wedding reception, think about the dance floor space. If you have a big guest list and plan on dancing the night away make sure the restaurant you choose has the space to accommodate that.

16. Camp Wedding Venues

“This was actually the choice of venue that my husband and I went with for our wedding and it was absolutely everything that I could have wished for.”

PROS

• A camp wedding venue provides a beautiful setting for you, your guests and your photographer. We had so many great photos by the end of the night! Pictures are one of the most cherished things that you’ll have after everything is over.

• These types of venues offer a great place to have an outdoor ceremony.

• If a busy city isn’t your thing, then the seclusion of a camp wedding venue will give you the kind of relaxing and private atmosphere you are looking for.

• Camps usually have at least one building that can hold a large capacity of people. If you’re looking for something rural and you have a large guest list, a camp might be just perfect.

CONS

• The fact that a lot of camp wedding venues are located in the woods make bugs like mosquitoes a nuisance. This is more of an issue as it gets later in the evening. Ask the venue manager if they have any sort of solution for bug repellant in the reception area. 

17. Waterfront Wedding Venues

“A waterfront wedding venue is different from a beach wedding but still gives the beautiful effect of looking over a body of water while you say I do.”

PROS

• One of the advantages of a waterfront wedding venue over a beach wedding is that solid ground is much easier to walk on than sand. This could mean a lot more to any elderly guests that plan on attending your wedding.

• Waterfront venues provide beautiful scenery for your wedding. Again, this plays a huge role in the pictures that you will receive after the night is over.

• Like most other outdoor venues this also creates a relaxing and more intimate setting.

CONS

• Any time that you have a location near the water you will see slightly higher wind speeds. But don’t let this detour you, weather conditions are always a factor with venues of this type. If an outdoor wedding is what you want then try to make provisions for a last minute backup plan and go ahead with your outdoor wedding.

18. Castle Wedding Venues

“I’m sure that the thought of a castle wedding venue is enough to make anyone light up and start daydreaming about all the possibilities!” 

PROS

• Although you might think that a castle wedding would cost a fortune you might be surprised after some research. You’ll be able to find some castles that are competitive in pricing.

• If you have a large guest list you can be sure that a castle wedding venue will have at least one room big enough to hold all of your guests.

• These types of venues tend to be located on large properties. This will give you all kinds of different photo locations to choose from.

CONS

• Most castle venues are very old. So if you’re on an upper-level, make sure that the castle has been updated with an elevator for your elderly guests.

19. Modern Wedding Venues

“A modern wedding venue gives off a very clean and elegant look. Modern is currently one of the most sought after looks when it comes to wedding venues.”

PROS

• If you’re setting up your own ceremony or reception areas I think you’ll find that the modern venue is a simple look to pull off. This will make your life much easier (less is more with modern).

• If you’re having thoughts of a very clean and well put together decor, then a modern wedding venue just might be the thing you are looking for.

CONS

• Some modern venues can be so simplistic in decor. They may look very plain and even have the effect of changing the mood in the room to dull. This, of course, involves other factors as well. In my experience, fun people will have a fun time so don’t allow this to detour you from going with a modern venue.

20. Yacht Wedding Venues

“Booking with a yacht wedding venue is a really great and exciting idea! Not just for you but also for all of your guests that will be attending.”

PROS

• If you’re looking for something unique to really wow your guests, this could be just the type of venue for you.

• Yachts usually have an amazing staff to help you along with everything throughout your wedding day. They often go over and beyond to make sure that everything is extra special.

• The bigger yacht wedding venues can even offer rooms to you and your guests. This comes in very handy after a long night of celebrating.

CONS

• Seasickness is a real thing. Make sure you choose a boat big enough that the tied doesn’t affect the motion of the boat to terribly. 

Conclusion 

There are a lot of options and things to consider when you start to think about choosing the right venue. I hope that you found this information to be more helpful than overwhelming. The key to all of this planning is to remember the real reason that you are doing all of the planning in the first place.

Not losing sight of that will keep you grounded is the first step to keeping your sanity throughout this whole process. So select a venue or three that you like, discuss it with your future husband and go check them out. I’m sure that one of them will give you a gut feeling that you won’t be able to ignore.