59°FYour Big Day is on the horizon, and it has to be perfect! Whether you dream of a wedding on a sun-kissed beach, in a refurbished barn out in the country, or at a more traditional indoor setting, the choices are numerous and enticing in Northwest Indiana’s LaPorte County. After all, the county, which hugs the southern shore of Lake Michigan, has long been a go-to vacation spot, known for its lakes, outdoor adventures, indoor activities, great lodgings, and fabulous restaurants, breweries, and wineries.
Destination weddings are all the rage these days, with a record number slated for 2023 and beyond, according to recent surveys by top wedding planners. Couples are looking for ease of planning and affordability, plus plenty of lodging options and fun-filled activities for their guests. But most important, they want that ideal spot that will create memories to last a lifetime. LaPorte County offers so many options, you are sure to find a marvelous match for the Big Day.
Beach, Blue Chip, and Blooming Gardens
Washington Park Beach, Michigan City – With glistening Lake Michigan as a backdrop, the sunshine overhead, and sand between your toes, nature provides an astonishing setting for your special day. The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Department issues 2-hour permits for your own wedding spot on the beach.
Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa, Michigan City – An elegant setting in the Stardust Event Center or one of the many other Blue Chip venues sets the stage for a wedding day to remember. A seasoned wedding planner will be at your side from start to finish, helping you plan the ceremony, delicious reception fare, and all the details, whether you plan an intimate or extravagant ceremony. Custom bridal packages include hotel accommodations.
Friendship Botanic Gardens, Michigan City – This lovely oasis right in town creates a unique setting for outdoor weddings and receptions from May through October. Imagine a ceremony amid blooming gardens with sparkling Lake Lucerne as a backdrop. The facility can accommodate weddings with up to 600 guests. Friendship Gardens’ on-staff wedding planner will help connect you with wedding professionals for everything from catering to entertainment.
Countryside Charm
White Oak Farm, Michigan City – Escape to the countryside for a wedding ceremony in one of two stunning barns. Chandeliers hang from vaulted ceilings in the larger handcrafted Cedar Barn with plenty of room for dancing and an elegant reception. At the smaller Poplar Barn, the doors open to a softly lighted, spacious patio. White Oak Farm encompasses 83 well-maintained acres with wooded walkways.
Emerson House, LaPorte – Reserve this amazing venue for an entire wedding weekend, enjoying privacy, luxury, and nature on 30 rolling acres. The wooded outdoor grounds create an ideal spot for saying your vows and relishing a reception dinner under the trees at candlelit tables. The sprawling, sophisticated home features seven bedrooms and comfortable spaces for gathering.
Circa 1856, LaPorte – Rustic, yet refined! That’s what’s in store for your wedding and reception at this peaceful retreat, which includes a 1910 red barn with hand-hewn beams, an open-air pavilion with a massive fireplace, and the Roosting House with a two-tiered deck for dancing. Open fields and magnificent sunsets add to the beauty.
Williams Orchard, LaPorte – The aroma of apple orchards accompany your tented wedding in the great outdoors at this 135-acre estate. The orchard’s newly restored 1870s barn was scheduled to open for both weddings and receptions in June. Set on two levels with a glass façade that overlooks the orchard, the barn opens to the outdoors through large doors.
The Shed, Wanatah – Wood-beamed ceilings and a wall of windows that display far-reaching views of fields, meadows and acres of Christmas trees growing at a nearby tree farm create a lovely setting for a countryside wedding and reception. Rustic cedar walls grace the indoor space, where guests sit at large round tables, and the dance floor shines. The Shed also rents wedding décor.
Glamourous Gatherings
The Allure, LaPorte – An elegant, modern facility creates the ideal indoor wedding venue for groups from 65 to 320 guests. All eyes will be on you as you make your grand entrance from the balcony, down the grand staircase to the glitzy ballroom, where there’s plenty of room for dancing after the ceremony. The experienced Allure staff will help couples plan every detail, including an expertly catered menu.
Uptown Social, Michigan City – Speak your vows under a soaring ceiling in the glamorous ballroom of this historic venue before you and your guests retreat for celebratory toasts in the adjoining lounge and courtyard. Then head back to the ballroom where tables are elaborately set for the reception dinner. The 1867 building began life as a church and later became a theater before its 2020 renovation blending history and current style.
LaPorte Civic Auditorium – If you’re looking for a swanky wedding and reception venue, the monumental Civic Auditorium just might be your dream location. Picture a huge chandelier overhead, linen-covered tables and chairs, and champagne toasts, creating an ideal setting for a charming celebration.
Historic Settings
Brewery Lodge & Supper Club, Michigan City – Picture your wedding photos on the terrace or in the 1930 main house at this elegant destination, which nestles on 40 acres amid forests, streams, and ponds. Your honeymoon awaits in the boutique hotel, featuring 12 upscale guest rooms.
Barrelhouse The Venue, Michigan City – Your wedding will be one more of the many celebrations that have taken place in this historic 150-year-old brick building. Lights strung against the vintage brick walls create a warm atmosphere for the ceremony, and the wood floors invite dancing the night away. Toast the occasion at linen-draped tables and, of course, at the bar with a Zorn brew.
Krueger Memorial Hall, Michigan City – This historic log structure set amid forested grounds features soaring stone fireplaces and shiny wood floors. It has been extensively renovated in recent years, but it maintains its original character, harkening back to the days when it was built from trees that were cut from the site using WPA funds during the Great Depression.
Even More
Here are some additional venues to consider: Heston Hills Event Center, LaPorte; Legacy Center at Queen of All Saints Church, Michigan City; Pinola Gathering Hall, LaPorte; and Pine Grove Banquet Hall, LaPorte.
Insider Tip: With the popularity of destination weddings on the rise, it’s a good idea to reserve your special spot well ahead of the Big Day.
