Three Reasons Why I love The Grand Hotel
If you follow me on Instagram, you probably know about how much I love Mackinac Island weddings and being a Mackinac Island photograper. I grew up spending weeks of my summer on the Island on our boat and now that I am an adult, we make sure to take at least two family trips up there every year.
Thankfully, my career takes me up there a few times every summer to shoot some beautiful Mackinac Island weddings. While I love all the wedding venues, The Grand Hotel is pretty darn special, as you can see. Steeped in history, with stunning views of the Island from both ends of its 660 foot long porch, the Grand Hotel is an absolutely lovely location for your wedding ceremony and reception. They handle small elopements all the way up to large, luxury weddings, and I have photographed everything in between.
Having your entire wedding day take place in the same location is SO relaxing
The Grand Hotel can create an all inclusive event for you; you can literally check in and never leave. They have lodging, hair and makeup, florals, ceremony space, reception space, and the most beautiful spots for portraits! You and your guests never have to leave the grounds. How relaxing!
For a full Grand Hotel wedding that took place entirely on the hotel grounds, check out Hannah and Bob’s wedding here!
100% Timeless
There’s just something about Mackinac Island weddings that take place at the Grand, it’s special. You can’t help like you’re actually in the movie, Somewhere in Time. The Grand has taken such care with all their furnishings, you can never really tell what era you’re in… which I love for photography. There’s nothing worse than getting the best portrait of a couple but there’s a brand new Ford Bronco in the background just putting such a modern time stamp on your photo. At the grand, you can safely go anywhere and time is an afterthought.
Endless Portrait Options
Traditionally, at some point during the day, the couple will break away for a carriage around the island to get portraits at all the must-hit spots (Main Street & Windermere Point to name two) but a carriage ride can eat into time with your guests, so if you choose to forego that adventure, there are endless options for portraits at the Grand Hotel. I can’t get enough of these grounds. The sprawling porch is just so picturesque – you can already see how much I love to include the actual hotel in the background of my couples portraits, but check out these other cute spots – inside the foyer of the Hotel and over at the Jockey club are some of my favorite spots with so much character.
For more of my favorite wedding venues on Mackinac Island, click here!
