Plan Your Perfect Wedding in Saugatuck/Douglas
Nestled along the rolling dunes between the shores of Lake Michigan and the banks of the Kalamazoo River, the picture-perfect towns of Saugatuck/Douglas scream romance. And even though planning a destination wedding is daunting, there’s no shortage of vendors for your Art Coast® nuptials. Here is our ultimate guide to planning your perfect Saugatuck/Douglas wedding.
Where to Say ‘I Do’
Whether you’re planning to host a blowout bash for 200+ of your nearest and dearest or an intimate affair with your closest family and friends, there’s a venue for that.
Just minutes from the lakeshore and downtown Saugatuck is A Cut Above Event Center, where couples have access to a grand fireplace, outdoor deck and patio, gazebo with a fire pit, high top whiskey barrels, and an arch and covered bridge for the ceremony.
At the Felt Estate, the century-old former summer home of millionaire inventor Dorr E. Felt, take advantage of three distinct locations throughout the sprawling 15-acre estate for your nuptials. We recommend the grand ballrooms and elegantly carved fireplaces of the Felt Mansion for your reception, the rustic and intimate Carriage House for your rehearsal dinner or cocktail hour, and the 110-year-old Chapel at Shore Acres for your ceremony.
More modern yet equally elegant is Ivy House, a lush yet bucolic event space featuring a photo-worthy greenhouse, a wide-open cocktail area with a covered patio, and two getting-ready suites for the perfect all-inclusive wedding weekend.
At the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, a striking outdoor pavilion and rain garden will have you and your guests surrounded by flourishing plants and beautiful sculptures, while multiple indoor spaces range from dramatic to laidback.
For those who want variety, look no further than The Venues at Third Coast, where there’s everything from the rotunda, a spacious indoor area ideal for receptions, and the grove, an outdoor reception space surrounded by nature, to the patio, perfect for cocktail hour, and the gathering room, an ideal getting-ready space.
Host up to 175 guests at the Ravines Golf Club, where the thoughtfully designed event spaces and scenic outdoor areas offer beautiful backdrops for your wedding.
Set within Saugatuck’s peaceful woodland landscape is Emerson Lounge, where historic character (think handpicked vintage accents) meets contemporary sophistication. Offering both indoor and outdoor event spaces, this distinguished venue blends the accessibility of a convenient location with the intimacy of an exclusive retreat.
For more options, visit here for our guide to the most unique and romantic venues in Saugatuck/Douglas. And if seating charts and tablescapes make your head spin, check out our guide to the best spots in Saugatuck/Douglas to elope here.
Capture the Picture Perfect Moment
Photo opportunities abound in Saugatuck/Douglas.
Take your wedding party to Mount Baldhead, hike up the 303-step stairway to heaven, and you’ll have a breathtaking photo backdrop overlooking the Kalamazoo River and harbor below. Or get a romantic shot on the impossibly picturesque Oval Beach nearby.
The boutique-lined Butler Street in downtown Saugatuck is especially photogenic in the spring/summer, with white picket fences, brick sidewalks, and blooming window boxes.
In Douglas, Wade’s Bayou Memorial Park has multiple backdrops for an all-in-one stop. Think quiet Kalamazoo River waters, wooden docks, and golden sunsets. And downtown Douglas has historic buildings, artistic murals, and charming storefronts.
Want shoreline, sand dunes, and beach grass to grace your wedding pics? Check, check, and check. The hiking trails of the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area loop through the dunes, around wetlands, to the north shore of the Oxbow Lagoon, along the Kalamazoo River channel, or the Lake Michigan shoreline, offering striking scenic views at every turn.
If the weather is nice, rent a classic runabout boat at Retro Boat Rentals, and have your pictures taken aboard the vintage vessel before enjoying a celebratory jaunt down the Kalamazoo River.
For more wedding photo backdrop ideas, visit here.
Need someone to snap the pics? Try one of these local photographers:
Stop and Smell the Flowers
Bouquets, centerpieces, boutonnieres, oh my! Find your perfect floral match with a standout Saugatuck/Douglas-area florist.
Back to the Fuchsia is a full-service, local floral boutique in the historic Old Hardware Shops on Butler Street. Their floral designers specialize in everything from fun and whimsical to classic and elegant.
The team at Adorn in Douglas has been designing wedding and event florals for 15+ years with custom creations tailored to your personal style. They’re passionate about creating events that reflect a unique connection between the beauty within natural elements and the intimate personal ingredients each client brings to the mix.
Put Your Best Foot Forward
Look and feel your best on the big day with a little zhuzhing from the hair and makeup pros at Hair Haven Studio, L Salon, Rose + Huck Salon, Center Stage Salon, Faith Forcier Makeup, and Kosmetics by Katie.
Need a mani/pedi? Crystal Nails in Douglas has you covered. If wedding planning has you feeling tense, get pampered before the big day with a massage at Bella Vita Spa, or with an aesthetic treatment at The Alámar Integrative Medical Spa, or a facial at Susan Amidon Esthetics.
Feed the People
Many Saugatuck/Douglas wedding venues offer in-house catering. Or try in-town caterers like Shanahan Catering Company, Lady Bird Catering and Events, and Somm + Seeds. And some of our many can’t-miss culinary spots in town will cater, too, if not.
For getting ready before the ceremony, Saugatuck on Board offers cheese and charcuterie curated from around the world, artfully arranged (and delivered) in a variety of different-sized handmade wooden boxes or on beautiful, handcrafted hardwood boards—perfect for grazing.
Looking for a rehearsal dinner spot? Here are our top recommendations.
Ready to say “I do” in Saugatuck/Douglas? We’re here to help every step of the way. Share your wedding details with us, and we’ll assist you in finding the perfect venue, accommodations, vendors, and everything else you need to bring your dream day to life.
