Unique outdoor wedding ceremony venues?

I know earlier someone was asking about small wedding reception venues but I have my reception pretty much nailed down for my wedding on June 25, 2011.

My fiancee’ and I want to do an outdoor ceremony. We don’t want to do it at the Rose Garden because its so common and the car/foot traffic doesn’t appeal to us. We’d prefer someplace with a view of the lake but a general view is great! I’d really appreciate the suggestions of the fine PPD people!

27 Comments

Paul Lundgren

about 14 years ago

Wisconsin Point. Enger Park. Lincoln Park.

Em

about 14 years ago

We had our wedding at Enger Tower last Sept.  It was the perfect place and you can rent the space for $60 for the whole day.  Granted people will still be allowed at the park but you will be the only event there on the day.

Sam

about 14 years ago

I think Billings Park in Superior is really nice, and it is not too crowded.  Lester Park would be nice too (but gets more visitors), and Brighton Beach.

Tom Maloney

about 14 years ago

Brandy and I played a reception barn dance at the old tennis courts in Chester a couple weeks ago.  No lake view, but a nice, outdoor setting with a privacy.  They had a huge tent up and alcohol was served so long as they had a rent-a-cop.  It was quite nice.

ginger

about 14 years ago

We're doing it at the Park Point Beach house in a few weeks for appx. 150. We'll let you know how it goes!

JJ

about 14 years ago

Glensheen.

Amy S.

about 14 years ago

Brighton Beach

Zeito

about 14 years ago

+1 for Brighton Beach.  I was at a wedding there a few years ago and it was very nice.  There is a fairly large picnic shelter there that they were able to reserve in case the weather was not cooperating.

Mark

about 14 years ago

Stony Point. About fifteen miles north of Duluth. Beautiful location. My wife and I had our wedding out there with about 25 people four years ago in September. We rented a small bus and shuttled the bride and and everyone else out there. Me, my best man, and the justice of the peace were out there waiting for them all to arrive. Beautiful wedding. Beautiful locale for picture. Free. Have a bad weather back up.

Teal

about 14 years ago

I also recommend Enger Park. My brother got married there, wonderful view.

solon

about 14 years ago

The GL Aquarium observation area is really beautiful.

wildgoose

about 14 years ago

 Lake Place  between downtown Duluth and Lake Superior at the corner of the lake has a spot designed just for this sort of thing by the designer, Kent Worley.  Unfortunately it was never really exploited by the City of Duluth for some reason perhaps because they are skittish of finding that their multi-million dollar international sculpture garden is home to the occasional down-on-their-luck types and also very rare crimes, usually committed ON, not by said down-on-their-luck types. When I met Worley to talk about Lake Place in 2004 he told me about the spot, it is on the North End of the Place (park) a little flat platform in a break in the greenery on the Michigan Street side but facing Lake Superior. If you go there you'll find it no sweat as well as a couple of other candidates near the Peace bell and the sunken band stage.  Those are good ideas, too but as far as I know this one, near two or three of the other "lesser" sculptures has never been used for a wedding even though that's what it was designed for.  How's that for unique?

jessige

about 14 years ago

If you don't mind going a bit out of town, I think you could do such a thing at Nokomis.

Makoons

about 14 years ago

Wow! Thanks for all the amazing suggestions and ideas everyone I definitely have some exploring to do, especially on your suggestion wildgoose! Keep them coming!

ebtide

about 14 years ago

Leif Erikson Park on the stone stage right next to the lake (near rose garden). Unlike the rose garden, chairs are allowed and I believe there is electric hook up. We're planning ours there next July. I prefer to set up the chairs on the stage in a curved shape, rather than the lawn- like this: (click to the second page, top right photo captioned "Amidst History"- also I believe since this photo was taken the trees behind the stage are gone) http://www.deborahsussex.com/wedding-gallery/wedding-ceremony-gallery/

If you have any recommendations for me, I'd appreciate it. We still don't have a reception site, or much else, so any vendor suggestions are appreciated. Thanks and best wishes to you.

Carla

about 14 years ago

My professional .02:
the farther away it is from a real kitchen, the more you will pay for food and the iffier it will be - if you are thinking about catering.

sam

about 14 years ago

Gooseberry Falls or Palisade Head.

heysme

about 14 years ago

Mark, where on Stony Point did you have your ceremony? I'm familiar with the area and trying to picture the ceremony. Did you have to make a treacherous walk down or were you on the rocky beach? I love Stony Point and frequently stop to walk on my way home from work.

Rae

about 14 years ago

I think Spirit Mountain has some gazebos for wedding ceremonies too, although, I've never been invited to one up there. I think it covers the "great view of the lake" requirement.

Breanne

about 14 years ago

We had our wedding at Chamber's Grove.  It's a City of Duluth park.  Beautiful outdoor wedding with the St. Louis River as a backdrop.

Beth Probst

about 14 years ago

We got married at Enger Tower and really enjoyed it. We had our reception at Spirit Mountain/we would have had the wedding there as well but they only have space for one outdoor wedding. If you are willing to travel into WI and it is a small wedding consider the Siskiwit Lodge. http://siskiwitbaylodge.com/ 

I've never been to a wedding there but I did attend a party there in the summer. It was beautiful, small, extremely intimate and high class. A place in Washburn did the catering. Hands down, best lake superior privacy I've experienced at an actual lodging establishment... Good luck! Beth

newkid

about 14 years ago

While exploring last weekend we just happened to see a wedding on the shore at Brighton Beach, was just a small wedding and they'd rented a bus to get everyone out there, parking seemed like it would be chancy on a good weekend thought it was a great idea.  Also there was a small gazebo at the ?south end? (I guess would have been the first turn off for Brighton Beach - sorry new around here) could be a back up for rainy day.  I think it would be beautiful regardless of the weather though and on a rainy day you really would have the whole place to yourselves I bet.

Andrea

about 14 years ago

Thank you all for the awesome suggestions!  I am helping a friend plan her small wedding and we are just getting started looking for locations.  I already have quite the list and I have only been looking for 10 minutes!  =D  Thanks again! And please keep them coming!

Mark

about 14 years ago

Yeah, there was a 10' section of trail that we had negotiate. I did some weed whipping the week before and I took an old long rug and nail it down over that section of the trail. We got married on "cliffs". We found a 10'X6' rock that we used as our altar. It was perfect for me, my wife, justice of the peace, best man, maid of honor, and a couple of flower arrangements. The "altar" was elevated about 1-2 feet about the main surface of the rock. We were between the audience and the lake. If was a brief service so everyone just stood. The father of the bride walked the bride down from the bus. We had a flower girl dropping flower petals. Afterwards, we enjoyed champagne and bubbles and pictures and everyone rode the bus back to Fitgers for dinner. We had a more traditional reception the next day at Fitgers with friends and extended family. Hope that helps.

Missy

about 13 years ago

If you are still looking for a wedding location, the Lafayette Building on the beach at Park Point is available on June 25, 2011 for a wedding!

Claire

about 13 years ago

I've been to some wild parties at Lafayette, that's an *excellent* place for a casual, beachy-type of wedding! You do have to hire a security person if you serve alcohol, and I'm thinking, you have to talk to the city about that too and get a permit?

Missy

about 13 years ago

That is correct, Claire.  If alcohol is served, you need the permit from the city and a security guard.

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