Top Ten Midwest Wedding Venues 2024

Friendship Gardens (Michigan City, IN)

Indiana… or magical garden out of a fairytale?

Friendship Gardens is hidden on the east side of Michigan City, IN. Walking down the trail to the main part of the garden feels like a portal to another world. This garden features vegetation from several different countries. Not only is this a beautiful place for a ceremony, but their reception spots are next level. This venue is usually booked 12+ months ahead of time so if you’re planning your wedding, call them now!

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Oak Hill Farm (Galena, IL)

Quietly nestled in the hills of Northernwest Illinois

Before we ever saw Oak Hill Farm for the first time we could tell it was special by the beautiful, windy drive it took to get there. At the end of a long driveway we were met with one of the most beautiful properties we’ve ever seen! With three different ceremony spots and a stunning open air reception hall, Oak Hill Farm quickly became one of our very favorites. Their chapel, with great lighting, made the perfect back up spot for a rainy wedding day. This piece of property is located in the hill country near Galena, IL. Trust us, this is very different than the flat farmlands of the majority of Illinois.

Quick facts:

  • Website: https://oakhillweddings.com/

  • The bridal suite is a two story cabin with giant windows and incredible natural light pouring in.

  • The “path of pines” features hanging lights and can be used for portraits in the day or night.

 

The Barn at Hamner Ridge (Edinburgh, IN)

Modern barn in Central Indiana

We’ve had the privilege of shooting at this barn on three separate occasions. This curated modern barn is the perfect central Indiana wedding venue complete with four ceremony sites- a prairie, an outdoor chapel, a wooded area, and the barn! This venue has several repeat vendors who have really figured out how to best serve their clients. One thing that has always stood out to us is the staff. These ladies are the most helpful, positive, and hard working venue owners we’ve worked with. You will certainly get your money’s worth booking this amazing venue.

quick facts:

  • Website: http://barnattheridge.com/

  • It really is located on a ridge in central Indiana. You can see for miles in most directions.

  • Nearby is the famed Columbus, IN known for its architecture internationally. It’s worth a visit. :)

 

Canyon Run Ranch (Dayton, OH)

Wild beauty for nature lovers

We LOVE Canyon Run Ranch. We’ve shot here a few times and each time has been a great experience. The ceremony location is tucked away in the woods. Golf carts are provided to transport your guests through a pretty prairie and on to the ceremony site. The photo opportunities this location provides are endless between the prairie, forest, creek, and beautiful bridal suite. We’ve enjoyed talking with the owners while they’re outside gardening and overseeing the day’s activities. If you’re looking in the Dayton, OH area, book this place now!

Quick facts:

  • Website: https://www.ohiobarnweddings.com/

  • The Milk Parlor beneath the barn is perfect for cocktail hour.

  • Complete with a vintage, elegant bridal suite in a stone home.

  • The barn for the reception is one of our favorites.

 

Nazareth Hall (Toledo, OH)

A boarding school, transformed

This former boarding school has been curated to become one of our favorite, Toledo area wedding venues. Located next to the Maumee River, Nazareth Hall is perfectly restored and renovated. The grotto ceremony location is straight out of a fairy tale. There is something for every bride and groom, no matter the style. Nazareth Hall made this list because of its beauty and versatility.

Quick facts:

  • Website: https://nazarethhall.com/

  • Natural light pours through the windows of the school all day long providing plenty of options for photographers.

  • You can climb to the top of the grotto. We definitely recommend checking it out.

 

Journeyman Distillery (Three Oaks, MI)

A magnificent industrial brewery

Journeyman Distillery is located in a small town called Three Oaks, MI. This two story venue has multiple ceremony locations and reception spaces. If you’re looking for a wedding venue with a rustic industrial feel, you’ve found your match! If you’re looking for variety in your wedding photos, you can drive to the beach in New Buffalo in just 15 minutes. The natural light and open spaces makes this a photographer’s dream.

quick facts:

  • Website: https://journeyman.com/

  • The journeyman building is the old EK Warren historic Feather Bone Factory.

  • Natural light pours in from all directions. The large windows reveal breathtaking sunsets and views.

  • On-Site Lodging for up to 20 guests in the Flat… it’s seriously incredible!

 

Bread & Chocolate (Goshen, IN)

Original wood floors and plenty of natural light

Bread & Chocolate is located on the northwest side of Goshen, IN on the third floor of the Old Bag Factory. Featuring exposed beams, brick walls, and restored original wood floors, this venue is another industrial beauty. Not only does Bread & Chocolate have three separate venues to choose from, but they also do their own in house catering. This venue is practically built for photography with amazing scenes and natural light around every corner. You can’t go wrong here.

Quick facts:

  • Website: http://www.breadandchocolate.com/

  • The outside of this building is equally photogenic, especially the iconic bridge within walking distance.

  • They offer 2 hour elopement packages Monday-Thursday.

 

The Lighthouse Restaurant (Cedar Lake, IN)

Lake backdrop, beautiful during every season

After shooting at the Lighthouse Restaurant a few times, we quickly fell in love with the outdoor ceremony location and of course, Cedar Lake. The restaurant is on the east side of the water which provides the perfect sunset each evening the weather allows. Even without sunny skies, the lake and surrounding areas are picturesque. This venue is a one-stop-shop for your wedding with a reception area filling up the top floor and in-house catering.

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The Brix on the Fox

A premiere wedding venue with class

The Brix on the Fox has some serious class. Everything from Fox River across the street to the open concept design, made it easy to put on our favorites list. The Brix gives you the freedom to choose your vendors and has several flexible renting options. They have two large scale venues (both 7000 sq/ft+) and the price includes everything you need for your wedding including tables, chairs, DJ lighting, photo booth, and more. The Brix knows how to make shopping for a venue simple.

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The Barn at Willow Creek (Parkersburg, WV)

Tucked away and private

The Barn at Willow Creek is the definition of “hidden gem”. Once you turn down the gravel driveway right off of Meadsville Road, you’ll twist and wind all the way to a gorgeous barn property with a beautiful emerald colored pond. This property is surrounded by woods giving you and your guests a private wedding experience. The color of the pond really stood out to us as we found it added to the dark, earthy tones surrounding the barn.

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Timeless Charm (Camden, OH)

Nature’s amphitheater

Timeless Charm features two wedding venues, both surrounded by nature. Timeless charm is a large property with plenty of options for photographers to choose from. There are paths through the woods, a pond, rows of pine trees, a small waterfall, and a beautiful outdoor amphitheater. You’re going to want to spend a lot of time with your photographer at this venue exploring the grounds. Even though there are plenty of woods, there is an equal amount of open space to enjoy the setting sun.

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Kaitlyn Lehman