For couples planning a Northern Michigan wedding, Castle Farms in Charlevoix stands alone. It is not just a venue; it is a massive historic landmark that offers a visual scale rarely found in the Midwest.
Originally built in 1918 as a model dairy farm by the acting president of Sears, Roebuck & Co., the property has been restored into a premier wedding destination featuring antique stone arches, soaring cathedral ceilings, and acres of manicured gardens. It offers a “fairytale” aesthetic but grounds it in the rugged, historic texture of Northern Michigan stone and timber.
Here is a detailed breakdown of Castle Farms, based on its architectural offerings and our perspective behind the lens at Mid-July Media.
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An Overview of Castle Farms
Located at 5052 M-66, Charlevoix, MI, Castle Farms is designed in the French Renaissance style. The architecture is defined by its locally sourced fieldstone walls and distinctive pointed roofs.
This is a large-scale property capable of hosting weddings of almost any size. The venue is divided into separate “wings” or rooms, each with its own adjoining courtyard, allowing multiple events to occur simultaneously while maintaining privacy. Capacities range from intimate gatherings of 50 up to massive celebrations of 300+ guests in the larger halls. The venue operates year-round, but it is particularly popular for summer and fall weddings when the extensive gardens are in bloom.
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The Reception Spaces
Castle Farms offers several distinct reception areas, each with a unique architectural character.
The King’s Great Hall
This is the centerpiece of the property. The room features 14-foot high cathedral windows and massive iron chandeliers that hang from the high ceilings. The stone walls provide a neutral, historic backdrop that contrasts well with formal wedding decor. It creates an atmosphere of grandeur suitable for large guest counts.
The East and West Garden Rooms
For a lighter, airier feel, the Garden Rooms feature walls of French doors that open directly onto private courtyards. These spaces rely less on heavy stone and more on natural light and garden views, creating a seamless flow between the indoors and the outdoors.
The Knight’s Castle
A more intimate setting, the Knight’s Castle features a unique cathedral timber ceiling and a large stunning crown chandelier. This space includes a private rigid roof structure for outdoor cocktail hours, ensuring weather doesn’t dictate the flow of the event.
The Ceremony Sites: Courtyards and Arches
The defining visual feature of Castle Farms is the stone architecture found in the ceremony spaces.
The Queen’s Courtyard: This is perhaps the most iconic spot on the property. It features massive, open-air stone arches that were part of the original 1918 construction. These arches create a natural, dramatic amphitheater for the exchange of vows, eliminating the need for a rental arch or extensive floral backdrops.
The King’s Grand Courtyard: A sprawling outdoor space often used for larger ceremonies, featuring a stone path aisle and manicured hedges, centered around a historic fountain.
The Grounds and Photo Opportunities
The property sits on an expansive footprint that offers significant variety for photography and videography without leaving the venue.
The Reflection Pond: A large water feature that captures the reflection of the castle’s stone towers, providing a wide, landscape-style backdrop.
The Birch Forest: A quiet, wooded area on the property that offers a stark contrast to the heavy stone of the castle, perfect for softer, nature-focused portraits.
Why Mid-July Media Loves Filming at Castle Farms
At Mid-July Media, we appreciate texture and scale. Castle Farms offers both in abundance. The fieldstone walls provide a rich, detailed background that looks cinematic in 4K resolution, while the sheer size of the property allows for sweeping drone shots that establish the grandeur of the day.
The separation of the different courtyards allows for excellent audio capture during ceremonies, protected from the wind and noise of the main road. It is a venue that feels like a destination, providing a cohesive visual story from the first look to the final exit.
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