Plan the Perfect LGBTQ+ Destination Wedding

You don’t need to book a flight to the Caribbean to have your wedding on a sandy white beach or travel clear across the country to find a dreamy destination where people will accept you for the wonderful person you are. Saugatuck/Douglas is a hidden gem of inclusivity, tucked along the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline. Our coastal towns have been a sanctuary for members of the LGBTQ+ community for decades, welcoming all people to a place where art, nature, and community take center stage. 

If a destination wedding sounds like the ideal way to tie the knot with your partner, let us share why the Art Coast of Michigan is the perfect place to make it happen.

A Convenient, Beautiful Destination

Located just a 45 minute drive from the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, two and a half hours from Chicago, three hours from Detroit, and less than four hours from Indianapolis, Saugatuck/Douglas has everything you need for the perfect destination wedding along with the convenience of being centrally located. If you’re planning on having family in town for the big day, charming and comfortable hotelsbed and breakfasts, and rental properties abound. We also have award-winning restaurants featuring fresh, locally sourced fare. Many of these venues also specialize in rehearsal dinners, offering intimate settings where family and friends can bond and celebrate before the big event. 

 

People That Put You at Ease

Planning an LGBTQ wedding shouldn’t be more stressful than planning any other type of wedding. That’s why it’s so important to work with people who are accepting and understand your unique needs. A wedding planner such as Dream Day Weddings has vast experience working with LGBTQ+ couples. They also have a large network of gay-friendly and gay-owned vendors and venues, so you can be confident that the people you’re working with will put your needs first. Holden Michael Events is another fantastic local option with an experienced and creative team of event coordinators who can transform your wedding day wishes into a romantic reality. 

 

Diverse Venues that Express Your Personality

Are you enthusiastic about the outdoors? Or would you prefer an intimate indoor chapel for your wedding day? Look for a location that’s a reflection of all the things you love and that will be easily accessible to your guests. From beautiful gardens to rustic locations to historical sites, there are plenty of wedding venues in Saugatuck/Douglas to choose from. Planning a beach wedding? Our friends at My Barefoot Wedding are experts, with over 1,000 beach and outdoor weddings planned along the lakeshore since 2008. 

 

You’ll Feel the Love Here

Acceptance—not exclusivity—is the name of the game here. Saugatuck/Douglas is widely recognized as one of the best LGBTQ+ destinations for travel, with mentions in blogs on ThrillistGayCities, and Pride Source. For decades, our residents have welcomed LGBTQ visitors with open arms, taking great pride in our reputation as a place where people from all walks of life can come together, be themselves, and feel free to love and be loved. Here, you can feel confident that your vows will be taking place alongside advocates who celebrate authenticity and cherish all expressions of love. We would be honored to host your destination wedding in the Art Coast!