After the excitement of getting engaged has settled, your thoughts as a future bride and groom will likely turn to the next step - planning your wedding! As exciting as it all is- where to begin can sometimes seem overwhelming- I know! Deciding on a venue to book is one of the first decisions you’ll likely make together as an engaged couple and will help determine everything else that comes next.

Deciding on your wedding date, budget and number of wedding guests are probably the most important things to have settled before choosing a venue. Something couples may not realize- is that venues easily book up 1 to 2 years in advance - so you’ll want to start touring them earlier than you may think to secure your date. It’s also helpful - if at all possible - to have a couple of dates that may work for you in mind -in order to have some flexibility!

In an effort to help in your decision making process, I have put together a list of my absolute favorite wedding venues in Midland, Michigan and the surrounding area! I have been fortunate to have photographed weddings all over this beautiful state of Michigan, in cities both large and small. I am so proud of the fact that my hometown of has some of the best wedding venues around! I have photographed several weddings at these locations and cannot say enough positive things about their services and the experience I’ve had working with them!

Each venue has its own distinct vibe, and ALL will not only make your wedding day magical- but each of these venues is a photographers dream too! (which is one of the things I can definitely elaborate on and attest to!!) All of the venues on this list have a fantastic interior, but additionally have a treasure trove of great photography locations right outside their doors as well! Having easy access to locations can become gold when it comes to fitting everything into the timeline of your day!

Midland, Michigan is a very unique community that has so much to offer! It makes me think of the old saying - Often times, you don’t need to look any further than your own back yard:)

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First on my list is the H-HOTEL in downtown Midland, Michigan. The H-Hotel is one of the most elegant and upscale hotel and wedding venues Midland has to offer. Your out-of-town wedding guests will surely appreciate the convenience of being able to stay right where all the festivities will be! Your guests will also have the benefit of enjoying two extremely popular and trendy restaurants, Cafe Zinc and One Eighteen, as well as their popular Oxygen bar and lounge - all on site.

The H Hotel offers several all-inclusive packages to adapt to your needs and vision, whether you have an intimate or large wedding celebration (up to 240 guests) planned. The decor is classic and sophisticated with a great attention to detail, and their service is something that has always stood out to me! Their staff is always readily available, making sure everyone and everything is taken care of!

The H is not only a top-notch reception venue - they also have a charming outdoor, 5000 sq.ft. courtyard which they will set up with an elegant white tent and chairs for your wedding ceremony. The courtyard is lit with twinkle lights in the evening and your wedding guests can enjoy mingling in and out of this magical space during your reception.

The H-Hotel is not just an elegant venue - it’s a wedding photographer’s dream as well! The interior space has many spacious hallways that are flanked with floor to ceiling windows, a grand white marble staircase, and elegant neutral furnishings throughout. All of these elements help to make your photographs sing! If the weather is less than desirable outside for photographs, you can relax knowing that it has some of the best indoor spaces you could ask for. The perfect photo locations continue right outside of the doors- from the downtown urban vibe of Main Street, to the tree lined river and nature setting behind the hotel. Many couples also take the short trip to the famous and picturesque Dow Gardens- which is less than a mile down the street! No matter what your photography vision is - you can surely find it right in and outside of the H-Hotel!

Photographer - Hello Beautiful Images by Melissa

Photographer- Hello Beautiful Images by Melissa

Photographer- Hello Beautiful Images by Melissa

Photographer- Hello Beautiful Images by Melissa

The Dow Diamond Baseball Stadium, home to our own Great Lakes Loons minor league baseball team, is another absolute top-notch wedding venue located in downtown Midland, Michigan! You don’t even have to be a die hard baseball fan to enjoy this unique venue with a classic downtown urban feel! Your guests will certainly be impressed with this one:)

If you are looking for the convenience of having your wedding ceremony and reception all in one location, the Dow Diamond also has spaces that are beautifully set up to provide that for you!

The wedding reception is set up in the main concourse of the stadium. With its unique brick accent walls and exposed pipe ceilings, it has a truly trendy atmosphere and chic vibe. The space is entirely open on one side to the baseball stadium and field which makes for a pretty impressive view! Your wedding guests are free to move around the baseball stadium if they choose to! Another super cool perk they have to offer - is you will get to display your own personal images and messages as a slide show on their Jumbotron for all your guests to enjoy throughout the reception! And not to worry, in the colder months, the open view to the stadium will still be there! Plexiglass walls are installed to keep out the cold and allow for the space to be heated and comfortable! The staff is professional and works tirelessly to make sure everydetail is taken care of at all times. I cannot say enough good things about them!

The Dow Diamond has other levels that can be utilized for your wedding day as well. For example, the upper level where the indoor-outdoor box seats are located are great spaces for your wedding party to get ready in! These areas are abundantly lit with a flood of natural light and have beautiful views of the field and stadium. These other floors are commonly set up for your cocktail hour as well.

From a photographers standpoint - this is another venue that knocks it out of the park! (sorry couldn’t resist that one:) Obviously, the stadium itself is a phenomenal and a unique place to take wedding photos, but for those of you that don’t necessarily want your photos to be all about baseball, the other options available right outside the gates are plentiful. The downtown Main Street area is always a sure bet for great pictures, as is the park and nature settings near the river- both areas are only steps away. Lastly, Midland’s own and nationally known 110-acre Dow Gardens - is just a little over a mile away.

Photographer - Hello Beautiful Images by Melissa

Photographer - Hello Beautiful Images by Melissa

Photographer - Hello Beautiful Images by Melissa

Photographer - Hello Beautiful Images by Melissa

Last, but certainly not least on the list, is the Apple Mountain Golf Resort, located just minutes from Midland, in Freeland, Michigan. Apple Mountain, like the other venues on this list, has it all to accommodate both your wedding ceremony and reception needs! This venue has the capability to house the largest of receptions for those of you with up to 400 guests. Their beautiful grand ballroom has a wall of windows, giving gorgeous views of the golf course and grounds! Reception not that large? Not to worry, Apple Mountain has other spaces, with equally as impressive panoramic views, that will be perfect for those of you with a smaller guest list. All of the spaces are decorated with elegance and sophistication that have a classic, country-club feel. Their staff and event coordinators will always insure that your wedding vision is brought to life, down to the smallest detail!

Apple Mountain resort has a few areas to choose from for your wedding ceremony. There is a large covered outdoor pavilion, as well as a patio area that can be used for larger guest lists, during the warmer months of the year. For a more intimate ceremony, you’ll definitely want to check out the white wedding chapel! It has such a classic, charming and iconic feel:)

The grounds around the golf club are magnificent backdrops for your wedding portraits! From the picturesque tree lined golf course, to the beautiful pathways and ponds, and of course the iconic white wedding chapel. The interior reception spaces are tastefully and neutrally decorated- so nothing will compete with whatever the color palate or theme is for your wedding day.