Beach Weddings
Beach Wedding - Photo by Kate Morrow Photography
A beach wedding may be something you've dreamed about for years! We aren't surprised. Many couples choose the picturesque Grand Haven area to get married.
Grand Haven City Beach wedding ceremony information:
1) Weddings must be held south of Bil-Mar Restaurant.
2) Guests must be bused in from another location due to the limited parking for beach-goers.
3) A wedding on the beach does not mean "exclusive" use of the space.
4) Setup can be no earlier than one hour prior to the ceremony and must be taken down immediately after the ceremony.
5) No alcohol is allowed on the beach.
6) Limited to under 100 guests.
7) All deliveries and pick-ups must be made in the City parking lot; which is next to the beach condos.
8) Applications can be found on www.grandhaven.org website under “permits and forms” in the Community Affairs section. We have been informed by city staff that you should fill out the “Central Park Application” for a park or beach wedding. In event location section fill in “city beach”.
9) The application fee is $25 and is non-refundable.
**The above information was provided by the City of Grand Haven on February 1st, 2012.**
For City Beach and Central Park Rental -
All inquiries should be addressed to:
Cheryl Billedeau
Department of Public Works
City of Grand Haven
(616) 847-3493
Grand Haven State Park wedding ceremony information:
**A State Event Application/Permit for use of State Land and Signature Page must be filled out.**
1) Due to the volume of people that come to the Grand Haven State Park and the limited parking available on weekends, Saturday and Sunday wedding use permits will not be issued ON WEEKENDS from July 1st to August 31st. Applications for weekdays and weekends outside of 7/1 to 8/31 will be considered for approval. Alternate weekend locations are the Grand Haven City Beach and North Shore County Park.
2) Fill out the application as completely as possible including number of participants, any tents or awnings you will set up and any other types of activities that will take place during the ceremony. These may be included on a blank sheet of paper if necessary.
3) For the location on state land, please describe what area of the park you would like to set up in. Examples would be: Near the pier/lighthouse, in front of the concession stand, south end of the beach, etc. A map of the area is not required. Be sure to include the start/end time of the event keeping mind that the park opens at 8am and closes at 11pm daily. (Seasonal hours may apply.)
4) The safety and fire plan are not required for small wedding ceremonies.
5) Liability insurance is not required unless otherwise indicated on the event permit.
6) Unless otherwise indicated, the cost for a wedding ceremony held at this unit is $100.00.
-$50.00 of this cost is for the application fee and is non-refundable. This fee must be submitted with the original application. The remaining $50.00 is for the land use fee and must be paid at least (15) fifth-teen days prior to the event. A permit will not be issued until the full fee is received.
After completing the application, please sign at the bottom and return the application with minimum payment ($50.00 application fee) to the address below. Any questions regarding the application can be directed to the park at the phone number below. Checks are made out to “State of Michigan”.
7) Alcohol is prohibited in the park at all times.
8) Parking is non-reservable and on a first come first serve basis.
9) The location of any tent erected needs prior approval from the unit supervisor.
10) Any structures put up on the beach must be removed on the day of the event.
11) A Recreation Passport is required for all vehicles entering the park.
12) Animals are prohibited on the entire beach and must be leashed in all other areas of the park.
13) ADA access to the beach is limited to the sidewalk. A beach wheelchair is available in the day use concession building free of charge. Driver’s license required to borrow the chair.
14) Please do not throw any type of artificial flower petals for the ceremony. These create litter on the beach and could produce invasive plant growth.
2) Fill out the application as completely as possible including number of participants, any tents or awnings you will set up and any other types of activities that will take place during the ceremony. These may be included on a blank sheet of paper if necessary.
3) For the location on state land, please describe what area of the park you would like to set up in. Examples would be: Near the pier/lighthouse, in front of the concession stand, south end of the beach, etc. A map of the area is not required. Be sure to include the start/end time of the event keeping mind that the park opens at 8am and closes at 11pm daily. (Seasonal hours may apply.)
4) The safety and fire plan are not required for small wedding ceremonies.
5) Liability insurance is not required unless otherwise indicated on the event permit.
6) Unless otherwise indicated, the cost for a wedding ceremony held at this unit is $100.00.
-$50.00 of this cost is for the application fee and is non-refundable. This fee must be submitted with the original application. The remaining $50.00 is for the land use fee and must be paid at least (15) fifth-teen days prior to the event. A permit will not be issued until the full fee is received.
After completing the application, please sign at the bottom and return the application with minimum payment ($50.00 application fee) to the address below. Any questions regarding the application can be directed to the park at the phone number below. Checks are made out to “State of Michigan”.
7) Alcohol is prohibited in the park at all times.
8) Parking is non-reservable and on a first come first serve basis.
9) The location of any tent erected needs prior approval from the unit supervisor.
10) Any structures put up on the beach must be removed on the day of the event.
11) A Recreation Passport is required for all vehicles entering the park.
12) Animals are prohibited on the entire beach and must be leashed in all other areas of the park.
13) ADA access to the beach is limited to the sidewalk. A beach wheelchair is available in the day use concession building free of charge. Driver’s license required to borrow the chair.
14) Please do not throw any type of artificial flower petals for the ceremony. These create litter on the beach and could produce invasive plant growth.
**The above information was provided by the Grand Haven State Park on July 17th, 2012.**
For State Park Rental -
All inquiries should be addressed to:
All inquiries should be addressed to:
Joyce Rhodes - Unit Supervisor
Grand Haven State Park
616-847-1309
Rhodesj1@michigan.gov
Grand Haven State Park
616-847-1309
Rhodesj1@michigan.gov
Ottawa County Parks wedding ceremony information:
If you are considering an outdoor wedding in an Ottawa County Park, read the following information carefully. Call the Parks Office for additional information about the specific park you would like to use. (These rules do not apply at the Spring Grove Park Trellis.)
If you choose to hold your ceremony at an Ottawa County Park, you MUST call the Parks Office at (616) 738-4810.
1) All outdoor areas are first-come, first-served.
- You may not rope off or “hold” space prior to your event.
- You may not block any walkways/boardwalks/stairs.
2) All park rules and regulations are in effect.
- No amplified music or speaking. Music may be played during your ceremony, but it must not disturb other park guests.
- Pesticides, bug bombs, and similar products are not allowed.
- ALCOHOL IS PROHIBITED on all park property, except by special permit at the Pine Bend Park Weaver House and Connor Bayou Woodland Cabin.
3) If you would like to provide seating for your guests or decorate the area, the following regulations apply:
- Chairs and/or decorations may only be put up 30 minutes before the ceremony and must be removed immediately after the ceremony is finished.
- Artificial flowers are not allowed.
- Birdseed, rice, confetti, and like products are not allowed.
- Candles or open flames are not allowed.
- Decorations that would cause damage to park property or buildings are not allowed.
4) Parking is not guaranteed for any event. Parking areas may fill if it is a nice day or if large events are occurring.
- Vehicle entrance fees are in effect at all Lakeshore parks (Tunnel, Kirk, North Beach, Rosy Mound, Olive Shores) between the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (Monday).
If you choose to hold your ceremony at an Ottawa County Park, you MUST call the Parks Office at (616) 738-4810.
1) All outdoor areas are first-come, first-served.
- You may not rope off or “hold” space prior to your event.
- You may not block any walkways/boardwalks/stairs.
2) All park rules and regulations are in effect.
- No amplified music or speaking. Music may be played during your ceremony, but it must not disturb other park guests.
- Pesticides, bug bombs, and similar products are not allowed.
- ALCOHOL IS PROHIBITED on all park property, except by special permit at the Pine Bend Park Weaver House and Connor Bayou Woodland Cabin.
3) If you would like to provide seating for your guests or decorate the area, the following regulations apply:
- Chairs and/or decorations may only be put up 30 minutes before the ceremony and must be removed immediately after the ceremony is finished.
- Artificial flowers are not allowed.
- Birdseed, rice, confetti, and like products are not allowed.
- Candles or open flames are not allowed.
- Decorations that would cause damage to park property or buildings are not allowed.
4) Parking is not guaranteed for any event. Parking areas may fill if it is a nice day or if large events are occurring.
- Vehicle entrance fees are in effect at all Lakeshore parks (Tunnel, Kirk, North Beach, Rosy Mound, Olive Shores) between the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (Monday).
**Information source: Ottawa County Parks website March 2013***
For Ottawa County Parks Rental -
All inquiries should be addressed to:
Ottawa County Parks
ocparks@miottawa.org
(616) 738-4810
www.miottawa.org/parks
All inquiries should be addressed to:
Ottawa County Parks
ocparks@miottawa.org
(616) 738-4810
www.miottawa.org/parks
