Over the past 10 years, I have DJ’d at most of the outdoor and forest wedding venues in Michigan.
Some of the venues have an outdoor space for both the wedding ceremony and reception.
However, I’d be remiss if I didn’t also include venues that have both outdoor and indoor wedding spaces.
If you have always dreamed of having your wedding outdoors, you are going to LOVE these outdoor wedding venues in Michigan.
Outdoor and Forest Wedding Venues In Michigan
Stony Creek
Stoney Creek is in Shelby Charter Township Michigan.
I’ll always remember when I had my DJ consultation with the bride and groom at this location.
As soon as we made our entrance into the ceremony space, my eyes lit up and I said “WOW!”
I was so taken aback by the beauty of this amazing forest wedding ceremony area.
Furthermore, on the day of the wedding, all of the guests had their phones out taking pictures as well as they made their way to their seats.
One side note, as a DJ, I have to mention there is no power in this ceremony location.
If you are considering this outdoor wedding venue in Michigan, be sure to hire a DJ with a portable power supply for your ceremony.
Preferably not a noisy generator.
In addition to this very special ceremony site, Stony Creek also has a GORGEOUS wedding tent for your reception!
Outdoor and Forest Wedding Venues In Michigan
Broadview Christmas Tree Farm
Broadview Christmas Tree Farm is in Highland Township Michigan.
This very charming outdoor wedding space is one-of-a-kind.
If you would love to have your ceremony in a very private and secluded space, you will love this spot.
Once you arrive at this venue, you and your guests will be transported down the trail on a tractor cart with seating.
After the ceremony, there is a very cozy indoor cocktail hour space and outdoor pavilion for dancing as well.
This venue is a very comfortable and stress-free place to have a wedding ceremony and reception.
It really has that “Mom and Pop” country feel to it.
I highly recommend this venue if you are looking for gorgeous scenery with a laid back personable touch to your wedding.
Outdoor and Forest Wedding Venues in Michigan
Indian Springs
Indian Springs is in White Lake Michigan.
It has everything you need for AMAZING outdoor wedding pictures.
Beautiful forest and sunset backdrops, as well as a very charming pond running alongside the reception area.
In addition, they also have a VERY special outdoor wedding ceremony space with a gorgeous tree as a backdrop.
There is also a nice little paved trail that leads to the ceremony for easy access.
Outdoor and Forest Wedding Venues in Michigan
Waldenwoods
Waldenwoods is one of my favorite outdoor wedding venues.
It includes gorgeous outdoor settings for both the ceremony and reception.
They also have several overnight stay accommodations including on-site lodging, RV space and even cottages!
Waldenwoods has a beautiful wedding tent for the outdoor reception area that is very spacious and comfortable.
In addition, their professional team of staff members is always so personable, organized and accommodating.
They have an outdoor space for wedding ceremonies with an amazing waterfront backdrop.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention their signature view of the sunset.
Check it out below! WOW!
Outdoor and Barn Wedding Venues
Wellers Carriage House
Wellers Carriage House is in Saline Michigan
It’s the complete wedding package in my opinion. Pictured here is their outdoor pavilion space.
They also have a beautiful indoor wedding area as well.
In addition, both the indoor and outdoor wedding areas are surrounded by a stunning garden/courtyard with a beautiful river running alongside of it.
I also loved how nobody had to walk far to access the indoor and outdoor spaces.
Furthermore, this venue is VERY wedding vendor friendly.
It is very easy to maneuver when setting up equipment and there is tons of access to power.
Frutig Farms
Frutig Farms is in Ann Arbor Michigan.
Outdoor ceremony by a river, outdoor reception under a beautiful tent and dancing inside the barn.
It’s the total package for an outdoor wedding venue in Michigan!
If you like a lot of space to take in the scenery, you will love Frutig Farms.
Everywhere you look while at this venue, you are surrounded by breathtaking landscapes.
Your DJ will also love the built-in sound system in the barn. It sounds amazing!
I have to add, this venue is run by super friendly owners and staff.
They were very accommodating to the newly married couple, guests and all vendors while I was there.
I highly recommend this venue if you are looking for a total outdoor wedding venue experience.
Hilltop Manor Inn
Hilltop Manor Inn in Clarkdale Michigan is an amazing rustic wedding venue.
What I really loved about this venue was how all of the wedding spaces were very localized.
You never have to walk far to get to the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception areas.
They even have an outdoor bar that is right in the middle of everything.
In addition, the barn for the reception is very spacious. There was even an upper level for my DJ equipment and photo booth. (check out the video above and see!)
All of the guests were able to move comfortably inside and outside of the barns.
If you are looking for a rustic wedding venue, you will love Hilltop Manor Inn!
Briar Barns
This rustic barn wedding venue in Michigan is truly special. From the moment you enter the barn, your heart will instantly fall in love with it.
Briar Barns has a very warm and cozy ambiance that is perfect for a rustic themed wedding.
It also has gorgeous indoor and outdoor wedding ceremony spaces.
In addition, this venue is very accessible for convenient equipment set up and tear down. Your wedding vendors will love it too!
I really enjoyed my time at Briar Barns as the staff and management were also extremely friendly and accommodating.
5 stars all the way for Briar Barns in Sparta Michigan!
Outdoor Hilltop Wedding Ceremony Venue
Pine Knob Mansion
The Pine Knob Mansion is in Clarkston Michigan.
If you’ve ever dreamed of having your wedding ceremony on a massive hilltop overlooking thousands of trees, this is the place!
I’ve got to admit, I got lucky when I took this picture that this wedding was during the Fall.
The trees in the background look so colorful!
This outdoor wedding venue in Michigan also had an indoor wedding space (The Mansion) that was also very accessible for both guests and vendors.
Furthermore, if you like dedicated spots for each segment of your wedding, you will love this venue.
There are separate spaces for the ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner and indoor and outdoor dancing areas.
The Pine Knob Mansion is truly a historic and special venue that you and all of your guests will love and adore.
Outdoor Wedding Planning Tips
Through my many years of DJing weddings, I have noticed more and more couples having outdoor weddings. An outdoor wedding can be magical. Especially if all of the elements are perfect from the sun shining, stars at night, fresh air and the beautiful sounds of nature.
Outdoor weddings are a hot trend that can’t be ignored. With that said, I thought I would share some outdoor wedding tips from my experiences in providing my services in many different outdoor settings.
Outdoor Wedding Planning Tips
Plan Your Budget Before Sending Invitations
It is often assumed that having an outdoor wedding will save you money. Indeed this is often true but is not always the case.
Not only will you want to tally up the expenses of hiring all of your vendors far in advance, one thing that is often overlooked is the expense of preparing the property for the wedding.
This can often cost more than the wedding itself!!
I have heard stories of the expenses spent to host an outdoor wedding piling up and piling up long after sending out the invitations and the couples found themselves in a position where they ended up thousands of dollars over-budget.
Make Sure Your Vendors Are Insured
Which vendors you may ask? ALL of them!
Possible damage to their equipment or your property both outside and inside may occur and you MUST make sure you protect yourself and the expense of your property if any damage occurs.
Unexpected events are much more likely to occur at an outdoor wedding because banquet halls were designed from the start to host many vendors and guests.
Your property will be modified to host the wedding at a later date than which you purchased or rented it.
I will always remember pushing my DJ gear up a HUGE wet grassy hill on a dolly praying I didn’t slip. I don’t think I’d be here today writing this blog if I did!
Weather Clauses In Contracts
Every vendor should have a clause in their contract covering what happens in regards to the expense for their services if the wedding is disrupted by weather or any other condition.
Inclimate weather clauses are obviously more applicable when hiring your vendors for an outdoor wedding.
However, you should still address this even if your wedding is indoors because people may not show up if they have to drive in extremely poor weather conditions.
Every vendor drafts their contracts in a way that makes the most sense for them and their clients.
Furthermore, I’m not referring so much to the right or wrong way to write up a contract.
However, I can’t stress enough they must have a cancellation clause in their contract that is clear and easy to understand.
Access to Power
This is the most overlooked factor in hosting a wedding outdoors.
It is important to ask ALL of your wedding vendors needing power, how much power they need, if they have the proper extension cords and if they have a backup generator.
Some may charge a small extra fee to bring a generator, but it is imperative to always have at least two backup generators on hand whether they are owned by the host or vendors.
Always remember, no power no party. The important thing is to always plan ahead and have adequate power that is accessible in place.
Portable Bathrooms
This one is pretty straightforward. If you are hosting a backyard wedding, nobody wants possibly hundreds of people walking through their house potentially damaging their property, also tracking in dirt and mud.
Furthermore, you may also need portable bathrooms if you are renting public outdoor space as well. Portable bathrooms can be expensive so be sure to shop around EARLY.
Set Up As Early As Possible
Two things are for sure when hosting any event. It will almost always cost more than planned.
It will also take longer to set everything up than initially planned.
Furthermore, unforeseen circumstances occur at EVERY event and usually more in a less controlled outdoor environment.
It could be bad weather, added time to set up power supplies, poor driving access causing vendors having to walk their equipment across miles of land barefoot in the snow (ok maybe not that bad).
You name it, it could happen, so be sure to plan extra set up time accordingly for an outdoor wedding.
Dance floor or No Dance floor
Renting a standard 12′ x12′ dance floor usually costs around $200 to $300. If you have it in your budget, I advise renting one.
It will look great and actually ties everything together in the dedicated dancing area significantly taking the ambiance of your wedding to the next level.
It also simply tells people where to dance. I have DJ’d outdoor weddings without a dance floor.
It is much easier to build the momentum of the dancers when they are not scattered about in different places.
Not to mention it saves the lawn too!! So if possible, be sure to bring everybody together with a dance floor!
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Hello! My name is Tony Coppola and I’d like to take this time to tell you a little bit about myself and CC King Entertainment.
I began my musical journey when I was 12 years old as a singer and drummer.
Ten years ago, I built a home recording studio and named it CC King Studio. Shortly after, I DJ’d my first wedding and CC King Entertainment was born!
Furthermore, after DJing hundreds of weddings, my business allowed me to leave my 16-year career as an occupational therapist.
In addition, I ALWAYS go the extra mile to personalize my wedding services and have the honor to work with an amazing team of wedding DJs.
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