Wedding season is fast approaching, and with that deadline comes a most critical decision: where to hold the wedding. There can be sentimental value in booking a traditional venue, but for some, sentiment isn’t a strong enough factor to base such an important decision on. Elements like scenery, convenience, and memorability are all worth considering, which is why many couples today are opting for the now-evergreen option that is a waterfront wedding.
While waterfront weddings were once relegated to summer alone, they’ve since begun to extend well beyond peak season thanks to the growing prevalence of year-round lakeside venues in regions like the Midwest. For those in eastern Iowa and western Illinois, the search for one such venue now often leads just a few hours north to southern Wisconsin, where destinations like Lake Lawn Resort on Delavan Lake offer a balance of natural beauty and accessibility.
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An Option for When Beauty Matters
Lakeside venues are unique in that they bring much of their own décor; with features like open views of the water and expansive lawns, there’s usually little need to worry about the wedding’s backdrop.
At Lake Lawn Resort, for instance, ceremonies can take place directly along the shoreline at dedicated lakefront sites such as Promise Point and Enchanted Shore. It’s at these sites that couples walk down a paved aisle to the water’s edge, all the while framed by pergolas, trellises, and unobstructed views of Delavan Lake.
For couples who prefer an indoor option, the resort offers reception spaces with large windows overlooking the lake, keeping the scenery front and center throughout the celebration. This setting allows the natural backdrop to remain part of the experience regardless of the season.
Making Room for Wedding Weekends
Resort-style venues like Lake Lawn Resort are also seeing more use thanks to the growing preference for wedding weekends over a single wedding day. Since these venues allow couples and guests to stay in one place, celebrations can be made into shared experiences. At Lake Lawn Resort, these experiences can include rehearsal dinners, welcome gatherings, and post-wedding brunches, all hosted onsite.
The resort’s Lake Lawn Queen two-level cruise boat also makes for a good option for those wanting a unique setting to hold smaller celebrations on the water. Its layout can complement both warm and cool conditions, with guests having access to both an open-air top deck for pleasant summer days and an enclosed lower level for dining and gatherings when temperatures cool.
Seasonal Flexibility
Summer remains a popular time of year to hold waterfront weddings, but couples are increasingly planning these weddings in spring, fall, and even winter due to the expanding accessibility of venues that offer a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces.
Such is the case at Lake Lawn Resort, where options range from the expansive Geneva Ballroom to more intimate spaces with fireplaces and lake views. The resort also maintains outdoor areas like the Lakeview Terrace and a lakefront lawn to provide additional flexibility when temperatures rise. This variety is an important part of any waterside venue, as it allows couples to adapt their plans to the season without needing to alter their plans altogether.
The Evergreen Value of Convenience
Picturesque as waterfront resorts are, they likely wouldn’t be nearly as popular as they are were it not for the fact that they help make wedding celebrations convenient. Resorts that have accommodations, dining, and activities located onsite give guests the ability to relax and enjoy the weekend without needing to make additional travel plans; what’s more, couples can also add more experiences to their celebration.
Lake Lawn Resort’s Calladora Spa, for instance, offers a calming lakeside setting for pre-wedding preparation, offering guests a range of hair, makeup, and wellness treatments. Meanwhile, guests looking to stay active can spend time at the Majestic Oaks Golf Course, a landscape known for its views along the shoreline. Guests can even explore the lake itself through boating and other seasonal activities.
A Local Getaway
For many Midwest couples, deciding on a wedding venue becomes a balancing act; couples want an accessible location, yes, but that location also needs to feel like a real, wedding-worthy destination.Â
Couples in the region are increasingly viewing lakeside venues as the meeting point between these qualities, giving couples the tools needed to create a wedding that feels elevated while avoiding much of the complexity that comes with long-distance planning. Through their combination of scenery and functionality, lakeside weddings are gathering momentum, and given how flexible yet beautiful they can be, it’s not hard to see why.
