Figuring out where to start when planning for a wedding can be daunting. Thankfully, all it takes is a team of professionals to help relieve that stress and bring your wedding dreams to life. The hardest part is finding these wedding professionals. I did some of the work for you and compiled a list of wedding vendors that I have personally worked with and recommend from the Traverse City area.
These are my favorite wedding vendors in Traverse City.
Wedding Planners:
Juniper and Lace Events
Stacy does an excellent job planning, coordinating, and working with all vendors involved to keep everyone organized and on track. That’s not it though, I once saw Stacy sprint across a lawn to quickly fix a speaker issue during a wedding ceremony. That’s dedication. Juniper and Lace Events work behind the scenes during your wedding to make sure you don’t have to stress about anything, because issues are taken care of before you even realize anything was wrong.
Conradie Event Design
Melissa works incredibly hard to plan, and design a wedding that truly encapsulate her couple’s personalities. Her weddings are often elegant, and thoughtfully organized. She gets to know what you really want on your wedding day, then her work isn’t done until everything comes to fruition. She doesn’t stop moving with a goal to make sure you are able to enjoy your day fully.
Fox and Fern Events
Meaghan and her team work with you from the beginning of your planning, up until the execution of your wedding day celebrations.
Wedding Venues:
Willowbrook Mill – Northport (35 miles from Traverse City)
Situated at the top of the Leelanau Peninsula, Willowbrook Mill is a rustic, yet elegant wedding venue. It has chandeliers, fireplaces, a creekside mill, beautiful green ivy growing on the outside, and is a short walk to the Northport Marina. They can host up to 130 guests but I’ve personally found this venue to be charming with around 50-75 guests.
Nature A Michigan Retreat – Maple City (20 miles from Traverse City)
Nature is a natural, bright, and airy wedding and event space. Not only can you choose from a handful of locations to hold your ceremony on the property, you’ll also have the ability to customize your reception space as well. I love how each wedding here truly shows people’s true personalities. They can host up to 172 guests and have plenty of parking on the premises. Also, you and your guests can make this an all-inclusive experience by renting the glamping tents or cabins to stay in on the property.
The Ridge at Verterra Winery – Northport (26 miles from Traverse City)
This winery makes a great location for a wedding. They have a building to get ready in and contain personal belongings, plus public bathrooms. The Ridge at Verterra Winery is a mostly outdoor venue featuring a view of Lake Michigan, well maintained vineyards, a nice lawn, and beautiful blooming garden, with room for a large wedding tent and up to 300 guests. 
Starry Night Barn – Suttons Bay (18 miles from Traverse City)
If you are looking for a beautiful barn with twinkle lights this is for you. They do provide a lot of things you may have otherwise needed to rent like tables, chairs, bathrooms, and a few cottages you can stay the night in if you decided to. The 29 acres of natural land and orchards that Starry Night Barn sits on can accommodate up to 299 guests.
Jacob’s Farm – Traverse City
This is a 40 acre, operational farm with a barn, rows of orchards, a pond, and depending on the time of year there’s also a corn maze. They have 3 wedding ceremony spots to choose from allowing you to host 50-350 guests depending on which location best fits your needs.
Bridal Hair & Makeup:
Good People Hair – Traverse City
I have had great experiences with everyone I have worked with on the Good People Hair Collective.
Team Hair & Beauty
With a large team of traveling hair and makeup specialists they are able to cover Northern Michigan.
The Pretty Committee – Grand Rapids
A traveling hair and makeup squad who do the most elegant updo’s and photogenic makeup.
Wedding Catering:
Smoke and Porter – Traverse City
When I review a wedding’s details to see that Smoke and Porter is catering, I get excited for the delicious food to come. Chef Henry dishes up unique, and tasty dishes that are still aesthetically pleasing.
Delicious Wedding Desserts:
Cakes by Aunt B – Traverse City
You know it’s Aunt B’s Cakes and Desserts when it looks AND tastes good. Ann accepts a couple’s unique requests and delivers the most photogenic cookies, cupcakes, tiered cakes, etc. I always know it’s Aunt B when it’s too pretty to eat, yet consistently delicious. While I’m happy for her, I am so sad that Aunt B is retiring.
Water’s Edge Sweet Tooth
For delicious cakes and deserts, I have now had the pleasure of enjoying their edible art at a few weddings and have been very happy with the look and flavors of their cakes and cookies!
Bartenders:
Tonic and Lime Boutique Bartending – Traverse City
Amber and her team craft beautiful cocktails with pretty little garnishes. The concoctions always go down too easy. I never knew before Tonic and Lime what a boutique bartending experience was. She has an extensive team of qualified staff to help deliver quality bartending service for any event sent her way. This is a unique experience that goes beyond traditional bartending.
Florists:
Leelanau Plant Co – Cedar
Natalie is an absolute gem of a florist. With her desire to continue creating unique floral designs, I am always thrilled to photograph her arraignments. From traditional bouquets to fresh flower crowns and even body florals, she keeps my floral loving heart happy with her custom creations.
Amy Kate Designs – Elk Rapids
Amy and her daughters reside on each of their farms in Northern Michigan. She wakes up early every morning to tend to her gardens as she grows all of her floral designs with love. This is Amy’s life largest passion and it shows in her vibrant and lively florals.
Field of Flowers North – Northport
Christina at Field of Flowers North grows fresh to cut flowers in Northport.
Victoria’s Florals – Benzonia
I had never seen an air plant in a bride’s bouquet until this floral shop made a unique arrangement of flowers with a huge air plant that could then be preserved to continue growing after the wedding.
Non-Traditional Officiants:
Rev. Crystal Yarlott
Crystal is professional and easy to work with. She keeps her couples in mind when officiating their wedding so that it’s uniquely catered to them and their beliefs.
Event DJ:
DJ Parker Marshall
If you are looking for a DJ who can read a crowd, pick great music, and wow a whole room with his dance moves, DJ Parker Marshall is your man. Not only that but he is great at communicating the events-to-come with me to be sure I’m ready to capture them.
Dynamic James
James is always a pleasure to work with, with extensive experience as a DJ, he has the most aesthetically pleasing sound set up. I don’t know any other DJ’s in Northern Michigan who have all white speakers. This is a dream as a photographer if the DJ will take up a white wall.
2Bays DJ
The DJ’s at 2Bays know how to get a party going. With top-of-the-line lighting, and sound equipment, 2Bays will get the crowd moving with upbeat music your crowd can’t help but dance to. They’re also the only vendor I know to have a silent disco option. This is great if your wedding venue has a noise ordinance but you want to celebrate later into the night.
Northern Beat Entertainment – Tony Lackie – Traverse City
Tony’s charismatic personality is a joy to be around. As a photographer, I love that he communicates with me before he makes wedding announcements to be sure I don’t miss anything.
Blue Waters King Band
If you want an actual band, I know this group will not disappoint their crowd.
Wedding Decor & Rentals:
307 Events and Tents
Sensational Events
Event Theory
You can’t go wrong with any of the above vendors when you look for wedding decor to rent.
Stationary Design:
Holly Thomas – Traverse City
As a Northern Michigan native, Holly believes it is important to support our local businesses and strives to source her printing services and paper products local. From save-the-dates to table menus, Holly specializes in beautifully branded weddings creating a custom look, signature to each client, that can be carried throughout their wedding design.
Ultimately, you can’t go wrong with any of these Traverse City wedding Vendors, but I know there are many more vendors in the Traverse City area that I have yet to work with.
