Hi, I'm looking for some ideas regarding a destination wedding in the Midwest (IL, MI, IN, WI). My fiance and I are low-key, nature-lovers, craft beer drinkers, concert-goers, etc. We are looking for a mid-size wedding venue 150 at most and think anything on the water, on a midwest mountain or in a brewery would be cool.

We live in the southwest suburbs of Chicago and would like to keep the distance within 5 hours.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

There's no such thing as a midwest mountain!

In Milwaukee, Coast restuarant is on the lake, and the Bartolottas own Lake Park Bistro, Bacchus, the catering for Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin, and just opened Harbor House in the old Pieces of Eight.

In Wisconsin, Door County and Lake Geneva might meet your needs.

Haha, sure there are! We have skiing out here but nothing compared to the Rockies. So there are smaller mountains, or what I call Midwest Mountains.

Thanks for your suggestions!

Yes, I hear there are lovely views from the tops of Mount Prospect and Mount Clemens.

While not a brewery - are you interested in a winery?

http://www.chateaustcroix.com/

PamT

I'm a skier--the highest vertical drop is Wisconsin is 600'--that's not a mountain!

The Park Farm Winery in Bankston, IA is beautiful. You can rent it out. You bring in your own caterer (J&D of New Vienna, IA is great but there are many others in Dubuque - Kalmes for example. The winery is set out in the IA countryside but it is situated in a woods with hills and vineyards, very pretty. Dubuque has a lot to offer too. The Julien Dubuque Inn is all refurbished and beautiful. There is the Riverwalk, Star Brewery, Grand Harbor, Aquarium, Mississippi River Museum and one of the casinos all on the river. Granted you didn't say IA but IA is gorgeous in many areas and it isn't as expensive as MANY other places.

Cafe Brauer in Lincoln Park is a gorgeous venue, and there's the north & sound pond, plus new nature walk all around it. I think that would be a beautiful place for a wedding -- and the guests would love the neighborhood.

I urge you to check into a wedding on Madeline Island in the Apostles and you might want to call the Inn on Madeline Island. They handle a number of destination weddings.

I highly suggest Traverse City, MI. Every year they have the Traverse City film festival and there is plenty to do in town and on both of the peninsulas. Ciccone's and Chateau Chantal both have beautiful wineries/vineyards to have a wedding in.

We have seen wedding parties in the Chicago Botanical Gardens in Glencoe. That would be a lovely place to have a wedding the there are many restaurants in Highwood, Highland Park, or other northern suburbs where you could hold a reception.

On the south side, there is Cantigny Park, which was created by the McCormick family of Tribune fame. It's a large, very nice formal gardens park. Wouldn't necessarily be a "destination" for you, but give some thought to your guests and whether/not they can travel and afford overnight lodging. Here is a link to their weddings and reception page: http://www.cantigny.org/weddings/wed...eceptions.aspx

You don't say what season. If it is summer or early fall, the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island would be a setting for a storybook wedding.

There are no Mts. in the Midwest - http://www.kelleysisland.com/

This post is about a year old. (just an fyi...)

You should look at Hidden Lake Gardens in Michigan. It is near Ann Arbor in the Irish Hills. I grew up in MI and this is where I had my wedding. After the ceremony we had the reception in Ann Arbor at a hotel.

http://hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu/

You could also go to Mackinac or Mackinac Island - very NICE!

My son and soon to be D-i-L are getting married at Castle Farms in Charlevoix MI. Although not on the water near the water. A very pretty venue.
Homestead resort outside of Glen Arbor MI on Lk Michigan is also very nice.
Good luck

In my opinion the Julien Dubuque Inn is all refurbished and beautiful. There is the Riverwalk, Star Brewery, Grand Harbor, Aquarium, Mississippi River Museum and one of the casinos all on the river. Granted you didn't say IA but IA is gorgeous in many areas and it isn't as expensive as MANY other places.

Check out this website: sjtoday.org or give them a call. They can supply you with info re: wedding site in St. Joseph. There are several beaches, Riverview Park is along the St. Joseph River and has pavilions and a "lodge-type" facility that can be rented.

There are two craft breweries in the area, The Livery in Benton Harbor (they have a website) and a new one in Sawyer, MI but I can't remember the name. The restaurant next door features meals made with the craft brews. There is also one in Lawton, MI and also a restaurant there with 100's of varities of beer.

Lots of wineries...Tabor Hill would be a pretty site for a wedding ..check it out www.taborhill.com

My nephew's wedding was at the Ludsen Resort on the north shore of Lake Superior. In addition to the main lodge, there are townhouse rentals available.

http://www.lutsenresort.com/