For couples in Grand Rapids who want the convenience of a full-service venue without the “dated” feel of a traditional country club, Watermark Country Club is the standard. This isn’t about dark wood and stuffy interiors; it’s about light, height, and modern lines.
Managed by RedWater Events, this venue offers a level of polish and scale that is hard to find in the city. Located just minutes from downtown, here is a detailed breakdown of Watermark Country Club from a videography perspective, based on the visual opportunities it offers and our experience behind the lens at Mid-July Media.
Ready to Book Your Wedding Videographer? Check availability now »
An Overview: Modern Scale
Located at 1600 Galbraith Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI, Watermark Country Club is defined by its verticality. While many venues feel cramped once you add tables and a dance floor, Watermark features 25-foot ceilings and massive windows that flood the space with natural light.
The venue is highly adaptable, hosting everything from intimate gatherings to massive celebrations with a capacity of up to 400 guests. For our team, the appeal lies in the “clean canvas” aesthetic. The neutral tones and open architecture allow your wedding film to focus on the people and the emotion, rather than fighting against busy wallpaper or low lighting.
Our Wedding Film Created at Watermark Country Club
The Ceremony: The Waterfall Backdrop
The outdoor ceremony site is the visual anchor of the property.
The Waterfall: You don’t need an arch when you have a natural stone waterfall. This feature serves as the backdrop for the vows, providing motion and texture that look incredible on camera (especially in slow motion).
The Setting: The ceremony space overlooks the manicured greens of the golf course but feels secluded enough to avoid the distraction of golfers. The layout creates a natural focal point, ensuring clear sightlines for your guests and unobstructed angles for our cameras.
The Reception Spaces: Shore, Lake, & Grand Ballroom
Watermark’s interior is divided into adaptable spaces that can be combined depending on your guest count.
The Lakeshore Room (Combined): This is the ultimate configuration for large weddings (up to 320-400 guests). The 25-foot ceilings make the room feel majestic. For videography, this height is crucial—it allows us to get sweeping wide shots of the reception without the room feeling crowded.
The Shore & Lake Rooms: For mid-sized weddings (150-170 guests), the room can be divided. Even in these smaller configurations, the floor-to-ceiling windows remain a key feature, bringing the “Golden Hour” light directly onto the dance floor during summer weddings.
The Private Patio & Grounds
Flow is essential for a good guest experience. Watermark includes access to private patios attached to the main reception rooms.
Cocktail Hour: These outdoor spaces are perfect for cocktail hour, allowing guests to step out and enjoy the view of the course. It provides a visual break in your wedding film, moving from the solemnity of the ceremony to the relaxed energy of drinks on the patio.
The Grounds: We frequently utilize the stone bridges and tree-lined fairways for romantic portraits. The venue offers golf carts to whisk the couple away for sunset photos, maximizing our shooting time without keeping you away from your party for too long.
Logistics and Inclusions
Watermark is a well-oiled machine, which means less stress on your wedding day.
In-House Catering: As part of RedWater Events, the culinary team is in-house. This ensures high-quality service and food that is plated beautifully for video.
The Suites: The venue provides on-site changing rooms/private suites. While simple, they provide a dedicated space for final touch-ups and for the wedding party to regroup before the grand entrance.
Amenities: The rental includes floor-length linens, chiavari chairs (a huge visual upgrade over standard banquet chairs), and house sound systems, ensuring the room looks polished before you even add a single flower.
Book Your Wedding Videographer for Watermark Country Club
Your venue sets the stage, but your videographer preserves the performance. Watermark Country Club offers a stunning canvas—from the natural light flooding the Grand Ballroom to the motion of the waterfall backdrop—but it takes an experienced team to capture those details correctly.
At Mid-July Media, we know how to work with the unique scale and lighting of this venue. We don’t just film the day; we craft a narrative that feels as grand and modern as the space itself. If you are securing your date at Watermark, let’s ensure your memories are captured with the cinematic quality they deserve.
Check Our Availability: Mid-July Media Wedding Videographers
