Venue & access

• 12 hours of venue access on the wedding day

• Beautiful indoor and outdoor waterfront spaces

• Dedicated venue manager and experienced front-of-house crew

Seating & furnishings

• Large custom family-style tables

• Vintage wooden chairs for all guests

• Accessory tables at no additional charge

• Signature 7-foot wooden ceremony ring

• Full ceremony chair setup and teardown handled by our crew

Planning & support

• Custom ceremony and reception floor plans

• Comprehensive inclement-weather plan with day-of implementation

• Complimentary 30-minute grace period for décor and personal item pickup

Additional support

• Abundant lodging options just minutes from the venue

• Assistance connecting couples with trusted local and West Michigan vendors

Yes! Our ceremony site is right on the shores of Lake Michigan, tucked between the Badger Carferry port and the Ludington Marina, with a stunning view down the channel to the lighthouse. We offer both the ceremony site and the reception at The Lake House, creating a seamless, stress-free transition between the two so your day flows naturally.

Ludington is known for its white sandy beaches on Lake Michigan, beautiful shoreline views, and relaxed beach-town atmosphere. With easy access to Ludington State Park and miles of coastline, it’s a place where people come to slow down, explore, and enjoy the outdoors.

The town itself is lively and walkable, with a charming downtown full of local shops, restaurants, and a fun bar scene, including spots like The Mitten Bar. Everything is close together, making it easy to enjoy a full weekend without spending much time driving.

Yes! On-site parking is available for both guests and vendors, with a large private parking lot directly attached to the venue. Having parking on site helps make setup and breakdown easier for your vendor team, and guests don’t have to walk far to access the space. Clear guidance is provided in advance so arrivals and departures feel simple, organized, and stress-free for everyone attending.

Ludington offers a wide range of lodging options to fit different preferences and budgets. Guests can choose from hotels in the uptown and downtown areas, vacation rentals and Airbnbs throughout town, and several charming bed and breakfasts nearby.

For guests who enjoy the outdoors, Ludington State Park offers camping that’s considered some of the best in the region, with easy access to beaches, trails, and Lake Michigan. With so many options close to the venue, guests can easily find accommodations that suit their style for the weekend.

Yes! You’re welcome to bring your own décor and signage, or rent items directly from The Lake House. You can personalize the space however you’d like and make it feel completely yours.

The Lake House stands out for both the experience we provide and the team behind it. Situated right on Lake Michigan, with stunning views down the channel to the lighthouse and just steps from the marina and Badger Carferry port, our venue offers a truly one-of-a-kind setting. Our amenities make planning easier and day-of logistics smoother, from ceremony setup and teardown to thoughtfully arranged indoor and outdoor spaces.

What truly sets us apart is our unmatched, detail-oriented crew. From the owners to the venue manager, servers, and back-of-house staff, everyone on our team is committed to making your day seamless, stress-free, and unforgettable.

Our package includes a 12-hour rental block, with typical timeframes of 10–10, 11–11, or 12–12 at the latest. Setup begins at the start of your rental window, with the option to add additional setup hours in advance at $150 per hour. Vendor arrival times and venue access are coordinated ahead of time to ensure an organized, low-stress setup. Your venue manager works closely with your day-of coordinator and vendor team to align timing and keep the day running smoothly.

We proudly work exclusively with The Hearthstone Bistro, a well-known restaurant based in Norton Shores. Their team is experienced with weddings at The Lake House and understands how to execute elevated service in our space. Couples often appreciate having a trusted catering partner already in place, which helps simplify decisions and reduce stress.

We offer a flexible contingency plan that allows couples to decide the day of the wedding based on weather conditions. If plans need to move indoors, the ceremony and decor will be set inside with up to 30 chairs arranged on the dance floor for the guests you wish to have closest to you. Remaining guests will be seated at their designated tables. This approach allows for a smooth transition while keeping the ceremony intimate and comfortable.

Yes, we do require each couple to have a day-of coordinator. This does not need to be a paid professional and can be an organized friend or family member you trust. Having a dedicated point person allows timelines, questions, and logistics to be handled without pulling you away from enjoying your celebration. Couples often find this creates peace of mind both leading up to the wedding and on the day itself.

The Lake House provides a venue manager who oversees the property and works closely with your vendors throughout the day. Your venue manager collaborates with your day-of coordinator (see next FAQ) to ensure everything runs smoothly and effortlessly.

If requested, The Lake House offers up to one hour of outdoor-only rehearsal time the day before your wedding. If no wedding is booked the day before, rehearsal time is available from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. If another couple has a wedding booked, rehearsal time is available from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This is outside access only, with no restrooms available and no alcohol permitted. Many couples choose to host their rehearsal or rehearsal dinner at one of Ludington’s downtown restaurants, which we’re happy to recommend!

Yes! Live candles are permitted when placed in a vase or vessel that fully contains the flame. For safety, the flame should not exceed the halfway to three-quarters mark of the container.

Yes, we offer specialty drinks curated specifically for each couple! Pricing is based on the selected liquor and mixers, allowing flexibility while keeping costs transparent. Signature cocktails are a fun way to personalize your bar menu and enhance the guest experience.

The Lake House is a Class C licensed venue, which allows us to provide a full bar experience on-site. All alcohol must be ordered through us, and outside alcohol is not permitted on the property. This helps ensure a safe, organized, and seamless bar service for your celebration. If a shuttle bus has been rented and allows a cooler, it may remain on the bus but cannot be brought inside the venue.

Couples and guests are responsible for gathering personal belongings, décor, and personal property, which must be removed within 30 minutes after guest exit. The Lake House handles garbage removal and general venue cleanup. Many couples assign a trusted friend or family member to help collect items so they can fully enjoy the end of the evening.

Linen rentals through The Lake House include delivery, placement, collection at the end of the night, and cleaning. It’s an easy, stress-free option so you don’t have to worry about the extra logistics!

You are welcome to, but please note that linens rented through an outside provider must be collected, counted, and returned by you or your designated point person at the end of the evening.

Confetti bombs, sparklers, and fireworks are not allowed on the property in order to keep the venue safe and easy to maintain for all of our guests. If you’re looking for a fun and festive send-off, bubbles and light sticks are great venue-approved alternatives that still create a celebratory moment without the cleanup or fire risk. We’re always happy to help you find an option that fits your vision while keeping everything smooth and stress-free.

Artificial flowers are welcome, as long as they are used in an arrangement or securely hung as part of your décor. We do not allow faux flowers to be thrown down the outdoor aisle, as we want to be mindful of our environmental impact so close to Lake Michigan. Thank you for helping us keep our shoreline and surrounding space clean and beautiful for everyone.