The Inn at Bay Harbor Wedding Guide

For Brides

If you’re looking for Northern Michigan wedding venues, I’m sure that the Inn at Bay Harbor has been at the top of each list! It’s such a popular Michigan wedding venue and I cannot wait to share all about it because it is one of my favorites as well. 

The Inn at Bay Harbor is on Little Traverse Bay which is in Petoskey. And if you’re planning your Michigan wedding from afar, it can be a little harder to book a venue. You want to see all the spaces, you want to know what everything actually costs, and you’re trying to figure out which is the best month to get married. This Michigan wedding planning guide is going help you navigate through all of that for your Inn At Bay Harbor Michigan wedding 

Inn at Bay Harbor wedding venue exterior with garden landscaping, a Petoskey wedding venue in Northern Michigan Bride and groom walking hand in hand across the lawn at the Inn at Bay Harbor, with hydrangeas along the building

Why I love Inn at Bay Harbor weddings

 

It is SO incredibly convenient. From portrait locations to getting ready to the town itself and for your guests and vendors, it’s simply just the best. The ceremony with that view is so beautiful, Lake Michigan does so much of the work on its own. And whether you’re hosting an inside reception with all of that natural light in the Sagamore Room, or you’re wanting to do something tented outside, both options are equally as beautiful.

One of my favorite weddings I’ve done was Audrey and Jake’s Inn at Bay Harbor fall wedding and I loved it because it was truly just an overall good vibe. People were so happy to be spending time in Michigan with a gorgeous view and a fun experience.

why couples choose Inn at Bay Harbor

I have heard nothing but SO much love for Inn at Bay Harbor, it’s simply one of the best wedding venues in Northern Michigan. I think because It’s a Lake Michigan waterfront wedding venue, nothing can truly beat that. For couples who were comparing Petoskey wedding venues, a full service resort is the BEST way to spend your wedding weekend.

A little bit about Inn at Bay Harbor

The Inn is an Autograph Collection hotel. It has it’s own set of cottages and there’s an on site spa and salon, a private beach, and a pool for guests. 

If you’re still looking, here is a list of other wedding venues in Michigan.

Couple sitting on the rocky Lake Michigan shoreline at their Inn at Bay Harbor wedding, with the hotel behind them

the spaces and capacity

 

Inn a Bay Harbor has a few spaces you can choose from which includes their second wedding venue, Bay Harbor Golf Club.

Lake Lawn

This is the most popular and most recommended ceremony space because it overlooks Lake Michigan.

The Sagamore Room

 This room seats 150 guests, it’s got gorgeous natural light and usually used for receptions.

Bay Harbor Golf Club

The second wedding venue from the main venue. It is more seasonal than year round.

Cart Pad – 150 Guests (Outside)

Arthur’s 27 – 90 Guests – can be combined with The Preserve Room

The Preserve Room – 30-60 Guests – great for rehearsal dinners

Getting Ready Suites

The best part of hosting a wedding at Inn at Bay Harbor is simply how close everything is including the getting ready suites. Whether you are staying in the cottages or the hotel itself, there is lots of natural light and space to get ready for your wedding day morning.

Urns of white and blue flowers lining the aisle for an Inn at Bay Harbor Lake Lawn ceremony on Little Traverse Bay Guests watching an outdoor ceremony on Lake Lawn, with the Inn at Bay Harbor’s Lake Michigan waterfront behind the couple Bride in a lace gown putting on an earring on a white porch while getting ready at the Inn at Bay Harbor Inn at Bay Harbor’s white towers and balconies, a Lake Michigan waterfront wedding venue in Petoskey Bridesmaids in dusty blue dresses reacting to the bride’s reveal on the porch, Northern Michigan wedding photography Couple’s first dance in a clear tent strung with lights at their Inn at Bay Harbor wedding reception

Sailcloth tents on Lake Michigan

If you’re wanting to keep everything outdoors with a larger guest count for your reception, another beautiful option is the classic sailcloth tent. You can host your dinner under, which when done right with the best wedding planning design team, can be truly magical.

 

Here are some companies:

Alpine Events

TC Tented Events

Knights Tent Rental

Inn at Bay Harbor wedding cost

For all weddings, including the Inn at Bay Harbor, wedding cost depends on the season you’re getting married, how many guests you’re planning to have, and which spaces you’re choosing. 

The Knot lists ceremony and reception site fees starting at $3,000 each, with bar service from $75 per person and catering quoted separately. This can end up being about $19,000.

Keep in mind those starting prices don’t include service fees, tax, gratuity, or rentals.

Ask for the current package guide when you reach out. It’s the quickest way to see a real number for your guest count.

Bride and groom walking a garden path past dune grass toward the Inn at Bay Harbor at their Northern Michigan wedding

the best time of year for a Inn At Bay Harbor wedding

The busiest time of year is the summer which is June through September as the peak season. But at the end of the day, each season provides a different feel. If you’re wanting it to be a more cozy feel, fall and winter are your biggest go to’s. If you’re wanting to be outside and enjoy that late sun, summer’s going to be the choice. 

Michigan summer weddings

Summer weddings in Michigan have longer days with the sun so the sunset isn’t until 9 o’clock, so that’s going to give your timeline a lot of breathing room and your guests can spend time by the pool or by the water and truly enjoy a full weekend experience. But that also means summer dates book first, so you’re going to want to start early! 

This summer wedding guide for Michigan covers the rest.

fall

Fall has gorgeous colors in the trees and it’s a little cooler and quieter. However, the sunset is a little closer to 7 o’clock, so the ceremony should start earlier if you want the best lighting. Down below I have a wedding from the fall that I did at Inn at Bay Harbor.

And in this guide to planning a fall wedding in Michigan.

winter and spring

For the colder months such as winter and spring, you’re looking at an inside wedding. For winter, you have gorgeous snow on the water. And for the spring, you are going to want to still plan for some layers and inside portraits as things are still coming back to life.

Bride and groom standing by a stone wall and tall grasses, with the Inn at Bay Harbor’s red-roofed tower behind them

where to stay for an Inn at Bay Harbor wedding

The simple answer is stay on the property. It’s SO lovely. Between the hotel rooms and the cottages, a room block will keep your people together. A lot of the rooms have beautiful views with the balconies as well so that gives them an even BETTER experience.

A few things that help on the wedding day:

  • Check in is around 4 so book your getting ready suite for the night before. You won’t be waiting on a room the morning of.
  • The Inn offers two hours of in room catering for the getting ready morning. It’s worth adding so nobody goes hungry before photos!

For overflow, Village Suites Bay Harbor is nearby, and Petoskey has more hotels a short drive away.

Guests walking a garden path past a birch tree to the Inn at Bay Harbor Lake Lawn ceremony, Northern Michigan wedding Brick patio with wooden lounge chairs and flower beds looking out over Little Traverse Bay at the Inn at Bay Harbor White building with a red roof and wraparound porches on the Inn at Bay Harbor grounds, a Petoskey wedding venue

Northern Michigan wedding photography tips

I cannot stress this enough, but the sunset is one of the things that you WANT to plan around. Look up the sunset time for your date and then build your timeline with your Michigan wedding photographer. I do this for ALL of my couples and it’s the biggest stress relief, especially if they do not have a wedding planner! 

Another thing to keep in mind is that weather can quickly change off of the lake so you’re going to want lots of buffer time (such as 15 minutes).

If you want gorgeous Northern Michigan wedding photography, you need a great timeline and a great vendor team.If you’re still choosing, here’s what to look for in a Michigan wedding photographer.

Inn at Bay Harbor wedding photos 

Audrey and Jake were married at the Inn in October. Here’s a look at their Inn at Bay Harbor wedding.

Couple walking the pebble beach along Lake Michigan during their Inn at Bay Harbor wedding portraits Couple exchanging vows with the officiant on Lake Lawn, with Lake Michigan behind them at the Inn at Bay Harbor Groom kissing the bride’s forehead by a stone wall and tall grass at their Inn at Bay Harbor wedding Bride and groom kissing on the lawn with bridesmaids in dusty blue and groomsmen behind them, Northern Michigan wedding photography Groom holding the bride from behind with Lake Michigan in the background at the Inn at Bay Harbor, a Lake Michigan waterfront wedding venue Garden path lined with red flowers and fall trees leading to the Inn at Bay Harbor in Northern Michigan Bride and bridesmaid in dusty blue holding bouquets on the rocky Lake Michigan shoreline at the Inn at Bay Harbor Bride in an off-the-shoulder lace gown putting on an earring on the porch at the Inn at Bay Harbor, Northern Michigan wedding photography Bride and groom hugging in front of a stone wall and tall grass at their Inn at Bay Harbor wedding Couple embracing on the pebble beach along Little Traverse Bay, a Northern Michigan wedding on Lake Michigan Groom being escorted down the aisle at an Inn at Bay Harbor Lake Lawn ceremony, with the hotel behind Groom kissing the bride’s head with Lake Michigan behind them at the Inn at Bay Harbor, a Petoskey wedding venue Bride with her bridesmaids in dusty blue on the lawn by the shoreline rocks at their Inn at Bay Harbor wedding Bride and groom walking hand in hand along the stony shoreline at the Inn at Bay Harbor, a Lake Michigan waterfront wedding venue

Officiant reading during an outdoor ceremony between urns of white and blue flowers, with Lake Michigan behind, at the Inn at Bay Harbor Couple walking hand in hand past a stone wall and tall grass below the Inn at Bay Harbor, Northern Michigan wedding photography Groom hugging the bride from behind on the pebble beach along Little Traverse Bay at the Inn at Bay Harbor Bride escorted along a garden path beside a birch tree toward the Inn at Bay Harbor Lake Lawn ceremony Bride laughing with her bridesmaids in dusty blue on the lawn above Lake Michigan, Northern Michigan wedding photography Bride and groom standing forehead to forehead on the shoreline rocks at their Inn at Bay Harbor wedding Bride holding her bouquet on the white wraparound porch at the Inn at Bay Harbor, a Petoskey wedding venue Black and white photo of the couple kissing on the rocks along Lake Michigan at the Inn at Bay Harbor

Bride escorted down the aisle toward the groom, with Lake Michigan behind them, at an Inn at Bay Harbor wedding ceremony Couple smiling together on the pebble beach as the Lake Michigan shoreline curves behind them, Northern Michigan wedding Bride and groom laughing as the wedding party cheers on the lawn at the Inn at Bay Harbor, a Lake Michigan waterfront wedding venue Wide shot of the couple standing on the rocky shoreline above the blue water of Little Traverse Bay at the Inn at Bay Harbor Bride and groom walking along the garden path past the white columns of the Inn at Bay Harbor, a Petoskey wedding venue

Front entrance of the Inn at Bay Harbor, with its red-roofed towers rising above the gardens and the long drive

Groom smiling while the bride leans on his shoulder by the shoreline rocks at their Inn at Bay Harbor wedding

frequently asked questions

Is the Inn at Bay Harbor accessible?

Hotel listings note a wheelchair accessible registration desk, spa, and van parking. Ask the wedding team about the path to Lake Lawn and the terrace, so any guest who needs an easier route has one planned. Service animals are welcome, but the hotel’s policy doesn’t allow pets, so ask before you plan on including your dog!

How do we tour the venue?

Call the wedding team or fill out the inquiry form on the Inn’s website to set up a visit. If you’re flying in to tour, this out-of-town venue touring checklist will help you get the most out of the trip.

How many guests can the Inn hold?

The Sagamore Room seats 150. Listings vary a little, so confirm your number with the wedding team.

What’s the rain plan?

The Sagamore Room can host the ceremony indoors or under a tent. Ask how the weather call works and how far ahead it’s made.

Is there a place to get ready on site?

Yes. You can get ready in a suite at the Inn. Book the suite for the night before so you aren’t waiting to check in.

Do we need our own wedding planner?

YES. I always recommend a wedding planner for Michigan weddings. They can help handle multiple aspects of your day, as well as the design and leading up to it. The Inn’s wedding planners coordinate the venue side and work alongside a planner of your own. The venue planners are strictly for the venue. Your own planner can take on the rest of the weekend, like welcome events and guest logistics.

Couple walking hand in hand across the lawn above Lake Michigan, Northern Michigan wedding photography at the Inn at Bay Harbor

planning a wedding the Inn at Bay Harbor?

If you’re planning an Inn at Bay Harbor wedding, tell me about it. Share the date you’re holding and what you want the weekend to feel like, and we’ll go from there! 🙂

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