Why You Should Choose Us When Searching for Kalamazoo Wedding Venues
Are you searching for Kalamazoo wedding venues? Keep reading!
Northfork Estate is a beautiful, customizable venue that will give you the wedding of your dreams. A short 60-mile drive from Kalamazoo, the Northfork Estate is the premier wedding venue serving wedding couples in Lansing, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Ann Arbor. Keep reading to find out why wedding couples choose The Northfork Estate when searching for Kalamazoo wedding venues.
A short answer about why wedding couples love The Northfork Estate:
- BYOB, BYO Catering, BYO Vendors. YOU get to decide where you allocate your budget.
- We coordinate with all your vendors to ensure a seamless, stress-free experience.
- You will get prompt responses to any questions or concerns.
- Owner Marta takes on the role of a wedding planner to give you the best possible experience.
- “No” is not in our dictionary. Any theme or decor request is possible.
- All of your guests will feel special and attended to.
- Rehearsal time is included.
- Tables, linens, chairs are included at no additional cost.
- You can rent our onsite decor items.
- Parking & golf cart shuttle service for guests.
Get ready in our gorgeous, beautifully appointed bridal suite.
We know you want to look and feel your best on the big day, so we have a beautiful bridal suite where you can get ready. When touring wedding venues, ask if they have a bride’s ready room with makeup mirrors and space to get ready.
We have lots of time and money-saving inclusions to give you the best experience.
When you book at The Northfork Estate, you not only have the entire venue to yourself for the whole day, but we also include:
- the rehearsal time
- tables
- chairs
- white linens
Our goal is for you to never feel limited or forced into vendors, fees, or more.
Stay till midnight and party with your guests!
Your reception can be a party! Your guests can stay until midnight and dance the night away. At many other wedding venues, you can only stay till 10 or so, and you have to pay extra for “late-night hours”.
We’re 100% upfront about our services and costs.
Here at the Northfork Estate, you can expect to pay around $9,200 for the rehearsal time, entire venue to yourself & your guests, provided rentals including chairs & tables, golf cart and shuttle service for the guests from the parking area, day-of coordination, and coordination with vendors and planning leading up to your wedding, tear down & more.
When touring wedding venues, be sure that they are completely upfront with their pricing, otherwise, you may be in for an unwanted surprise down the road.
Choose from our decor options to save you even more time and money.
So, the tables and chairs are included in our fee. But you might also want to rent an arch for your ceremony or some uplighting decorations. And guess what? We have these items on-site! And if you’re interested in other venues, do they have these options available? Otherwise, it will cost more as those rental companies charge a fee and you’ll have to deliver items to the venue!
Other Tips For Selecting Your Dream Kalamazoo Wedding Venue
If you’re searching for an amazing place to host your wedding in Michigan, there are a variety of wedding venues in Kalamazoo, Michigan that could be just what you’re looking for. Our goal is to provide you with detailed information about our wedding venue so that you can compare it to other wedding venues in Kalamazoo, Michigan. We want to help you make the best choice for your wedding day!
Whether you’re hosting your ceremony, reception, rehearsal dinner, or bridal shower at the site of your Kalamazoo wedding venue – there are plenty of options to accommodate. Some spectacular weddings in Kalamazoo have been hosted in ballrooms, venues, and banquet halls with a rustic flair! So many different styles on offer make it easy for couples to decide which suits their style best.
A wedding is a time to celebrate, but it can also be very expensive. One way to save some money for your special day is by choosing the right venue! Michigan has many great options that offer various capacities and budgets- whether you are looking for something affordable or have tons of cash on hand (that’s totally fine too!)
There’s so much more than just picking out dress colors; there are location details, vendor selections, budgeting decisions…but one important detail in any event planning – from weddings to birthday parties – is what type of venue will work best with your party size expectations. If you’re not sure where to start in your search, you can come to take a tour of The Northfork Estate!
One way to cut costs is to consider other venues in Michigan that allow outside vendors, such as bartending services, so you can control how much budget to allocate to certain aspects of your big day. Here at the Northfork Estate, we allow BYO vendors, BYOB, and BYO catering, You read that right! Although we have preferred vendors as well to help save you time & research. You may bring in your own catering – our on-site prep kitchen will help them get everything ready for you. And the icing on the cake? You may bring in your own liquor & alcohol as long as you purchase liquor liability insurance.
Things to do in Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo: the city with it all! Come and enjoy our free family concerts, art sculptures to admire, or visit some of Michigan’s most unique shops.
Kalamazoo is a cool, vibrant college town that’s home to Western Michigan University. The downtown area features many hip and progressive options for dining – from Mexican food to famous burgers – as well as interesting shops! Kalamazoo also has art galleries worth checking out if you want to see some unique pieces of work by local artists. From souvenirs, gifts, antiques to flowers, and more, shoppers can buy anything in the downtown area! And there are plenty of opportunities for fun nightlife activities with nearby clubs and bars, and live music performances on Friday nights in front bar patio seating!
Top sights include:
- Kalamazoo Valley Museum
- Kalamazoo Nature Center
- Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
- Kalamazoo Farmers Market
- Kalamazoo State Theatre
- Markin Glen County Park
- Al Sabo Preserve
- Milham Park
- Verhage Fruit Farm & Cider Mill
- Green Door Distilling Company
- New Vic Theater
- Kalamazoo River Valley Trail
- Lillian Anderson Arboretum
- Garden House Antiques
More about The Northfork Estate
The Northfork Estate is a wedding venue that allows you to have a customized wedding that matches your wedding vision. You can bring in your own catering, your own alcohol, and your own vendors. We have a gorgeous property with an onsite bridal suite and plenty of indoor and outdoor spaces. Owner Marta is very experienced and can help you as a wedding coordinator as well.
Don’t leave it up to chance: pick the Kalamazoo wedding venue that serves your best interest.
We know that searching for Kalamazoo wedding venues can be overwhelming. We’re here if you have any questions or need anything from us, and we wish you the best in your Kalamazoo wedding venue search!
Questions to Ask Your Kalamazoo Wedding Venue
If a Kalamazoo wedding is on your horizon, you may be looking for the perfect MI wedding venue to tie the knot. As you browse through your options, it’s best to go into the research process with a plan. The best thing you can do while selecting your Kalamazoo wedding venue is to ask the right questions!
Here are 10 questions to ask wedding venues in Kalamazoo to determine the best fit.
What is the capacity?
The most important factor in planning a Michigan wedding is to pick a venue that can accommodate your expected guest count. Too small and you’ll have to make cuts to the list, but too large and you may end up with a space that feels empty and cavernous for your group of guests.
If Northfork Estate is on your list of Kalamazoo wedding venues to consider, know that we can accommodate up to 300 seated guests — the perfect size for weddings of all sizes. As you tour local wedding venues in MI, be sure to ask about the maximum headcount first as that will determine whether you can feasibly pull off your wedding!
Is parking available onsite? How much space is there?
Downtown venues can be great, but logistics can get tricky for guests to park in busy areas. Street parking isn’t ideal, especially if it means guests have to get up and move their car every few hours! Ideally, your Kalamazoo wedding venue will provide a space for guests to leave their cars for the duration of the event without worries.
At The Northfork Estate, we offer plenty of parking space to ensure your guests’ comfort. Our lot is large and lighted for safety, but that’s not all! For convenience, we also provide a complimentary shuttle service to transport guests between the main venue and parking lot for easy access.
What is the backup plan for rain or inclement weather?
While we’ll always wish you a sunny day for your wedding, there’s no controlling Mother Nature. So naturally, it’s wise to have a backup plan if rainclouds show up on your big day! Every venue should have contingency plans in place for inclement weather — regardless of whether it’s indoors or outdoors.
As an indoor/outdoor venue in Michigan, The Northfork Estate is well-equipped for any type of weather. We always have a Plan B ready to go, so we can maintain the flow of your special day while mitigating the risks associated with rain, extreme heat, cold, or other surprise weather conditions.
Is the venue ADA accessible? Does it have easy transportation options?
If you are inviting guests who rely on wheelchairs or have trouble walking, it’s essential to book a Kalamazoo wedding venue that is ADA accessible and ensures that handicapped guests are able to enjoy their time onsite.
At the Northfork Estate, we are proud to offer a complimentary escort service from the parking lot to the venue site to shuttle guests through our beautiful property. We also have legally designated handicapped parking closer to the venue, ensuring that all of your guests are comfortable.
We have also ensured guest comfort by ensuring our state-of-the-art restrooms are fully handicap-accessible. We’re here to make it as easy as possible for your guests because their experience matters!
What else is included in the fee besides the space?
Booking a wedding venue is an investment — of course, you want to get the most bang for your buck! Many venues charge flat rates to rate the space, only to add on more fees and upcharges for things like setting up tables and chairs or hosting your ceremony onsite.
We think those things should be included in your rate — without any surprises! When you book The Northfork Estate for your Kalamazoo wedding, you can expect to pay around $9,200 for the rehearsal time, entire property (including 9,000 sq. ft. venue and 50 acres of private estate), rentals including chairs & tables, golf cart and shuttle service, day-of coordination, coordination with vendors, planning, tear down & more. We also include all of our onsite décor, including arches, uplighting, vases.
Do you have your own sound equipment and speakers, or will those need to be rented or provided by the entertainment?
A memorable celebration is all about entertainment and, for couples planning a Kalamazoo wedding, it typically involves a fair bit of coordination to pull off a party to remember. After all, your guests are coming to dance! So it’s worth noting that some venues are built with A/V in mind, whereas others are not.
We have outdoor speakers installed so your DJ or band can stream music on the outdoor patio during your event. We are also happy to work with your entertainment provider to determine whether there are additional needs for A/V equipment and/or power generators.
How many hours are included in the rental?
Ask any married couple: Your wedding day will go by in a flash. There is seemingly so much to do beyond saying “I do” that you’ll want to have more time on site to soak it all in! Six- and eight-hour packages don’t cut it — by the time the cake is cut, guests will be thinking about heading home. But that’s when the party is just beginning!
Consider The Northfork Estate as party central. We want your guests to enjoy their time here and stay awhile. After all, we’re celebrating YOU! Our Friday and Sunday wedding packages provide 12 hours onsite, whereas Saturday events allow for 14 hours onsite. That way, you and your guests can make the most of your day and enjoy your Kalamazoo wedding to its fullest!
Do you have a list of preferred vendors?
Many venues are happy to share their preferred vendors that they’ve worked with in the past, so it’s always nice to ask for recommendations! Be careful, though — some venues require exclusive vendors for their site, which will tie you into using a specific company. That could mean sacrificing the photographer you love from Instagram or missing out on the caterer from your fave restaurant.
When you book a Kalamazoo wedding at The Northfork Estate, you will receive a preferred vendor list upon booking. We are also happy to make introductions! However, you are welcome to bring in any vendors you hire as long as they are licensed, insured, and approved by our team. It’s your wedding day, after all.
Will your staff be involved in setting up and breaking down the décor? In what capacity?
When the celebration has come and gone, you’re going to be exhausted by the end of the night. And, for many couples, you likely have plans immediately following — whether it’s checking into your night-of suite or shuttling off to the airport for your honeymoon. Who wants to stick around and clean up the trash left behind? Not you!
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! Our team will handle all clean-up and trash removal throughout and following the wedding reception, in addition to tearing down tables, chairs, and linens after the event. We’ll take care of the mess, so you can be off to your happily ever after without worrying about a thing!
More about The Northfork Estate
The Northfork Estate is a Kalamazoo, MI wedding venue that allows you to have a customized wedding that matches your wedding vision. You can bring in your own catering, your own alcohol, and your own vendors. We have a gorgeous property with an onsite bridal suite and plenty of indoor and outdoor spaces. Owner Marta is very experienced and can help you as a wedding coordinator as well.
The right questions will ensure you plan the perfect Kalamazoo wedding!
Planning a wedding is a lot of work, but booking the venue is one of the most important steps! If you ever have any questions about Kalamazoo wedding venues, don’t hesitate to reach out — we are happy to help with your search!
9891 North Fork Way, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827
We’d like to thank our photographers who provided gorgeous photography on our website: Michelle Lippert Photography and Emily Hary Photography