A rehearsal dinner isn’t just about running through the logistics to ensure the wedding ceremony runs smoothly. It’s also a great opportunity for the wedding party and close family members to come together in a more intimate setting, bond, and celebrate before the big day.  The Art Coast of Michigan is a beautiful location for a destination wedding, with many great options for rehearsal dinner venues. Here are our top recommendations. 

1. The Belvedere Inn & Restaurant

This beautiful, historic European-style inn and restaurant, often referred to as Mini Versailles, offers private dining spaces for rehearsal dinners, accommodating up to 40 guests. Known for their attention to culinary detail and fresh, locally sourced ingredients, all food and wine for your event can be pre-selected from the seasonal restaurant menu.

2. The Kirby Hotel / J. Paul’s Dining Room 

This charming Victorian-era boutique hotel and restaurant has a private dining room that can accommodate up to 40 guests, making it an ideal location for an intimate rehearsal dinner. The restaurant offers a variety of cuisine options featuring fresh, sustainable takes on classic and modern dishes. Fine wines and craft cocktails are also available to pair with the meal. 

3. Bowdie’s Chophouse

This quaint, upscale Sinatra-era steakhouse offers an intimate, private dining room that can accommodate up to 14 guests. Exceptional food, including steak, seafood, and vegetarian dishes, are served along with world-class wine and craft cocktails.

4. Salt of the Earth

Located in downtown Fennville, this rustic farm-to-table restaurant offers private dining space for rehearsal dinners. Specializing in scratch-made food made from locally sourced ingredients, they offer a variety of menu options, including small and shared plates and entrees that change seasonally. Their extensive drink menu features specialty cocktails and a wide assortment of wine, beer, cider, and spirits.

5. Borrowed Time

This cozy Douglas restaurant and bar features indoor and outdoor seating and can be rented out for private events. Known for their small plate experience style of dining, their menu features seasonally-driven local ingredients that are artfully prepared. Guests can expect constantly rotating wines from around the world, craft beer made mostly in Michigan, and unique small batch liquors on their beverage menu.

6. Coast 236

With beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces available, a rehearsal dinner at this downtown Saugatuck restaurant proves to be memorable. Featuring approachable coastal-inspired fare and an extensive wine and drink list, this restaurant is passionate about responsible food sourcing and creating sustainable cuisine.  Enjoy small and shared plates and entrees from land and sea with unexpected details.

7. Pumpernickels

Who says wedding rehearsal events must be dinner only? This modern and upbeat restaurant and bar in downtown Saugatuck serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with craft cocktails and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. This inviting two-story venue has various size spaces that can be rented out for private events. 

8. Isabel’s Market + Eatery

Located in Douglas, this retail market features a beautiful private event space, Isabel’s Atrium, that can accommodate up to 70 guests. On-site catering services can assist you with designing a custom menu for your rehearsal event. 

9. The Butler 

From October through April, this cozy and casual waterfront restaurant in Saugatuck can accommodate up to 30 guests in their private dining room. Your event can be customized with a limited version of their existing menu, which includes comfort food favorites, fresh seafood, and classic American fare, like their famous Butler Burger. Signature cocktails, mocktails, wine, beer, and spirits are also available. 

10. Capizzo Studio

Rent this multi-use art gallery and hold your rehearsal dinner in an inspired space that features notable artwork, striking 14-foot-high metal ceilings, and plenty of natural light. Space rental also includes outdoor access to fire pit seating areas, tree swings, and yard games. Bring your own food or use one of the studio’s preferred caterers. Alcoholic beverages may be provided from Wine Sellers of Saugatuck.

11. Root Café

Featuring an eclectic menu with a fusion of global flavors, this Fennville restaurant can accommodate small private events either indoors or outdoors on their back patio, which offers gazebos, firepits, and a chef’s cooking station for events. Wine, spirits, and gourmet coffee are available, and guests are welcome to stroll through their connecting art gallery, Fernwood 1891.

12. Alley’s Classic American Diner & Bowl

Forego the run of the mill rehearsal dinner and host a pre-wedding event that involves some friendly competition.  This lively restaurant with lounge and patio also features an adjoining eight-lane bowling center to amp up the fun. Alley’s diverse menu includes wood-fired artisan pizza and other American fare along with a fully stocked bar with beer and wine selections. Rent just the dining room or reserve the entire facility for your party.

13. Saugatuck Brewing Co.

For a fun, casual setting, hold your rehearsal brunch or dinner in this craft brewery’s private Barrel Room, which seats up to 65 people. From this space, guests can get a view into the beermaking process with a peek inside the Barrel Cooler, which stores craft beers aging in wood barrels. A variety of food packages are available, along with 15 taps of beer. Games, such as pinball machines, bumper pool tables, dart boards, and more, will keep your guests well entertained.

For more details, please reach out to these venues directly to see what they offer and if they can accommodate your party’s specific needs.