Weddings on the Water: Behind the Scenes with WeddingDay's 2024 Look Book Cover Shoot Location, The Inn at Harbor Shores

Nestled amid the breathtaking backdrop of Lake Michigan's coastline, The Inn at Harbor Shores has become an iconic destination for Southwest Michigan weddings. Serving as the cover shoot locale for WeddingDay Magazine's 2024 Look Book, this extraordinary venue embodies elegance and modern allure. In an exclusive conversation with Elizabeth Hacker, Director of Sales at The Inn at Harbor Shores, we uncovered the rich history and distinctive appeal that have made this resort-style haven a coveted setting for Midwest destination weddings and escapes!

Tell us a little about the history of The Inn at Harbor Shores.

"The Inn at Harbor Shores was built in 2014 to luxury resort standards in a manner best described as understated elegance. The design concept, while influenced by the classic coastal architecture of late 19th and early 20th century Lake Michigan hotels, embraces 21st century conveniences and amenities. The Inn offers 92 luxury guest rooms, a selection of dining options, full service spa, indoor and outdoor pools, fitness center, state-of-the-art meeting rooms and wedding venues for up to 300 guests."

What attracts couples to The Inn (for a wedding or an overnight getaway)? What is unique about your property?

"Our location is less than a mile away from Lake Michigan’s sandy beaches and St. Joseph’s quaint town. We have an all-in-one option with the reception venue and ceremony space right on the water, catering and bar all in the same place. We also have the hotel for room blocks, taking the guess work out of where our couple’s guests are going to stay overnight. Our resort style hotel offers on site restaurants, outdoor dockside bar, indoor and outdoor pools, an on site spa, marina and many other amenities for guests to enjoy."
 

What activities in the area make The Inn a memorable stay?

"Our hotel is located less than a mile away from Tiscornia Beach, Jean Klock Park and the popular Silver Beach. St. Joe on one side of the hotel is a quaint romantic town with many unique shops and restaurants and Benton Harbor arts district on the other side has many eclectic shops and restaurants. The area also boasts local wineries and breweries."

What advantages does a bridal party enjoy when reserving on-site accommodations at The Inn at Harbor Shores?

"Wedding groups having their reception on site will receive a complimentary room block with up to 25 guest rooms blocked off at a discounted rate. This is the highest number of discounted rooms that The Inn offers. We also offer room blocks for our on site rehearsal dinners and day after brunch groups. These blocks typically have less rooms than our on site weddings. We also offer smaller complimentary blocks based on availability for couples who just want their guests to stay at The Inn. However, in order to get a discounted rate, couples must have an on site event such as their reception, rehearsal dinner or day after brunch in one of our private event spaces."

Tell us about the all-inclusive aspects of The Inn at Harbor Shores.

"At The Inn at Harbor Shores, we do all of our own catering and bar. We have many options to choose from, including package pricing for our wedding receptions that includes an open bar, non-alcoholic beverages, hors d’oeuvres, salad and bread course, entrée and a late night snack. We also offer limited planning such as creating your diagram and timeline."

What do you love most about working with couples who visit or get married at your property?

"When I started at The Inn in early 2015, I was working exclusively with wedding couples. It is still my favorite part of what I do here at The Inn and I am very involved in the process with our couples. I am proud to be a part of our couples' memories."

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