Choosing Your Intimate Wedding Venue
Size matters when it comes to wedding planning. The number of guests has a strong impact on budget and venue options. Many couples dream of a large wedding, but there can be something very sweet and beautiful about having a small, intimate gathering at your ceremony and reception, celebrating your love. With that being said, Mike Staff Productions put together a list of some of our favorite intimate wedding venues that proves bigger isn’t always better!
READ MORE: Benefits of Planning a Small Wedding
The Iroquois Club
If you’re looking for that all-natural, rustic yet elegant look — this Bloomfield Hills venue may be a great fit.
The ‘Great Room’ (main dining room) comes complete with a Wisconsin ledge-rock fireplace, dramatic cathedral ceilings topped by hard-wood beams and custom mission-style chandelier. This space gives couples the option to host a larger crowd.
The Prairie Rooms (two smaller meeting rooms) can be separated from the main dining room with concealed wall-dividers that have been custom designed for enhanced sound protection. Giving you that private, intimate setting. Sounds like you wouldn’t have to sacrifice ‘looks’ of the space either because you can adorned the divider walls with commissioned artwork.
Each Prairie room can seat 32 and they can also be combined into one room comfortably seating up to 64. How quaint!
The Holly Vault
Dating back to the 1860’s, a building located in the heart of Holly, MI was once a photography studio, a millenary, a hardware store and a bank. Today, it could be your wedding reception venue!
We’re talking about The Holly Vault, located in the Historic Business District of Holly, MI. The venues unique style mixes the best of the old with the best of the new to bring you and your guests a one-of-a-kind experience.
This Newest Addition to The Holly Vault Collection is something old with a mix of new. Originally built in 1913, this Vintage School has been undergoing a complete remodel! With multiple gathering rooms, private rooms, outdoor courtyards and more, this Venue is our biggest yet with max capacity of over 400 guests.
Meet the Owner
Cari Cucksey, host of HGTV’s Cash & Cari and her husband Vince created, The Vault, a venue inside their circa 1860’s bank building and fell in love with historic Holly while doing so.
II Gather
II Gather in Auburn Hills knows how to make the most out of a petite space. Something that allows this newly opened venue to stand out — they want guests to look UP (when they aren’t looking at you – the bride, of course). When I say ‘up’ I am referring to the ceiling! You heard me, you’re able to choose from a variety of ceiling décor packages that will transform the main hall to help create your vision.
They feature a movable ceiling technology that allows your decorations to be suspended from the ceiling without the use of a ladder. Whether you want a soft, romantic look or something more modern, we have a variety of options to make your vision a reality.
When it comes to the layout, food, and (some) décor, you call the shots and need to bring in outside vendors. A variety of items are included: tables, chairs, linens, lantern centerpieces etc.
Eagle Tavern at Greenfield Village
From historic structures, Model Ts, and horse-drawn carriages, if you’re looking to go back in time, Greenfield Village has a variety of unique venues to host a wedding — Eagle Tavern being one of them. We’re talking 19th-century Michigan hospitality dating back to 1849.
During that century, a stage line was operated between Detroit and Tecumseh. As traveling increased and roads were made possible for stagecoach travel, taverns were built along this route. Originally known as Parks Tavern when built in Clinton, Michigan, around 1831, this building was renamed the Eagle Tavern in 1849. It was one of the first of the taverns built in this area and one you can get married in, accommodating anywhere from 75 – 135 guests.
Zingerman’s Cornman Farms
From a rustic barn, goats roaming the farm, yummy smells wafting from the kitchen – this place just feels like home. The team at Zingerman’s Cornman Farms is truly expert at planning and hosting events of all kinds— especially if they involve gathering around fantastic, farm-to-table food.
Did you know it was a Chef who brought this venue to life? Makes total sense. While they are known for incredible food, they have a wide range of reception and ceremony options ,including the exclusive – Tiny Wedding – the most intimate experience you could ask for!
Looking for something little, but lovely? The Tiny Wedding might be for you. This seasonal offering is one-of-a-kind – an exclusive micro-wedding experience designed by Michigan’s finest wedding professionals.
Our event producers will coordinate every aspect of your Tiny Wedding, from ceremony to cake cutting. Your day will feel spontaneous, effortless, and stress-free so you can relax and enjoy the moment. As simple as the courthouse, but a big step up in style.
Your budget will love our Team Approach Package.
Photography + DJ + Videography + over $1,500 in extras = $6,197
Save Time
Imagine booking your photographer, videographer, and DJ with one phone call.
Save Headaches
When you bundle services with Mike Staff Productions, our team coordinates with one another, so you don’t have to.
Save Money
With The Perfect Package, you’ll enjoy substantial discounts and bonuses. Can you imagine coming in under budget?
Mike Staff is the founder and CEO of Mike Staff Productions, Metro Detroit’s most awarded wedding entertainment and media company. Since founding Mike Staff Productions in 1996, Mike has led a team that has served over 25,000 couples across Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, and Washtenaw counties — providing wedding DJ, photography, and videography services at hundreds of Metro Detroit venues. Under his leadership, Mike Staff Productions has earned recognition as one of the top wedding companies in the country, with consistent five-star ratings on The Knot, WeddingWire, and Google. Mike pioneered the Team Approach model — coordinating DJ, photo, and video under one contract — to eliminate the stress and coordination gaps couples face when booking vendors separately.
