Michigan Small Event Venues
Michigan Small Event Venues
Finding The Best Venue For Your Special Occasion
There are many event venues across Northern Michigan that can host a wide variety of event types. However, it will be best for your special occasion to be celebrated in a space that is uniquely designed for the event you have in mind. Michigan small event venues provide the perfect atmosphere for special celebrations.
Weddings, for example, are often a large, once-in-a-lifetime type of event that will need a space that can accommodate a large group of people and have staff on hand to assist in running the event. Smaller events, like bridal showers, are better suited for smaller, private venues that can provide an intimate setting for the bride-to-be.
(Featured Image: Appetizers And Desserts by N. Stojkovic)
Small Event Venues Are Different
When celebrating in a smaller space, your atmosphere will naturally be more intimate than a larger venue area. Tables and chairs can be arranged in a tighter area, allowing for easy conversation from table to table.
Small event venues are also specialized to work with certain event types and can help your planning process along the way. Are you in charge of planning a baby shower but don’t know where to start? Your small event venue may be able to help point you in the right direction!
Don’t Be Pressured To Share Your Space
Many larger event venues can also host small events, but may not be suited for these occasions specifically. Oftentimes you’ll share larger venues with other events that are placed in different areas of the property. This can take away from the privacy and feel of your own event.
Small event venues are typically set up with privacy in mind. These venue types can only host one event at a time, ensuring you do not share parking, bathrooms, or other common areas with another party’s guests.
The Best Events For Small Event Venues
1. Birthday Parties
Planning a big birthday celebration for a milestone birthday has become popular in recent years. Gone are the backyard BBQ birthdays, small venue celebrations are in! Choosing a venue based on the star guest’s preferences is always a good place to start. For example, if they are avid golfers, a golf course might be a fun venue option. Or if they love flowers, a botanical garden would be a lovely venue for their party. Make sure you choose an event that is private and has all the amenities your guests will need!
2. Bridal Showers
A bridal shower is a pre-wedding celebration held in honor of the bride-to-be. It is usually organized and hosted by the bride’s close friends or family members, and is traditionally an all-female event. The purpose of a bridal shower is to shower the bride with gifts, celebrate her upcoming wedding, and provide an opportunity for the bride’s female friends and family members to get together and have fun. This intimate event is best hosted at a private venue for small events so you guests have the opportunity to catch up and mingle without interruptions!
3. Family Reunions
The key to a successful family reunion is to make sure there is plenty of space and lots of activities. This is especially important when it comes to keeping the kids entertained! Outdoor venues are the best option for family reunions as they have plenty of room to roam and can accommodate a variety of lawn games that everyone can participate in. Make sure you select a spot that has a good space for photos, as you’ll be wanting to document time with the whole family!
4. Bridal Showers
A baby shower is a celebration held in honor of an expectant mother to celebrate the impending arrival of her baby. The purpose of a baby shower is to shower the mother with gifts, celebrate the new life that is about to arrive, and provide an opportunity for the mother’s friends and family members to get together and have fun. The event often includes games, food, drinks, and other festive activities. Private and intimate venues are best suited for baby showers, as you will want privacy to celebrate this special occasion with those close to you.
Baby Shower Cupcakes by Clever Cupcakes
Small Event Venues Can Offer Flexibility
For larger events, like weddings, the venue will often waive the actual cost of renting the space in lieu of receiving payment for food and beverages. Most venues like this will require that you eat from their own catering business or restaurant, and will not allow you to bring in outside food or drinks.
Small event venues tend to charge only for the rental of their space. This gives you the freedom to choose any vendors you would like to use for food, baked goods, drinks, and decor. You can also choose to do a potluck style lunch or dinner, which can reserve a large chunk of your budget for other party expenses.
Some small event planners get very creative with their food options! Choosing a unique way to provide food for your guests is one way to make your event memorable. Some good examples of external food options you can bring into a small event venue include:
- Food trucks
- Buffet style food
- On-site grilling/smoking of meats
- Chef presence on site, so guests can watch their food being cooked
- Potluck style meal
- Simple meals like pizza or sandwiches
Finding A Small Event Venue In Michigan
Event venues that cater specifically to small events and special occasions can be hard to come by! In Northern Michigan, we have a plethora of wedding venues to choose from, but it is much harder to find a smaller venue that is well-suited to host a bridal shower.
However, Lake Ann, MI has just gained a new small event venue! Bright Lane Gardens is a plant nursery and small events venue that will formally open for events in late summer 2023. This unique space features landscaped gardens, a koi pond, covered pavilion, and a beautiful waterfall terrace.
Capable of hosting up to 40 guests under the covered seating of the pavilion, this space is perfect for events such as bridal showers, baby showers, reunions, birthday parties, work events, and more! Interested in booking a date? Inquire about our availability on our website!
