Searching for the perfect Duluth wedding venue? Duluth offers a plethora of stunning wedding venues to choose from, whether you prefer a ceremony by Lake Superior, in a historic setting, at a luxurious resort, or something unique. One place I recommend adding to your list of places to consider is Pike Lake Golf & Beach Club! Pike Lake Golf & Beach Club is a dreamy, idyllic lakeside wedding venue that is open all year round, and comes with a glowing recommendation from me!
Keep reading to learn more about planning a wedding at Pike Lake Golf & Beach Club and take a look at Mel + Dan’s stunning fall wedding here to get a better idea of what your own celebration could look like!
Duluth Wedding Venues: Your Guide to Pike Lake Golf & Beach Club
Pike Lake Golf & Beach Club is a newer wedding venue in Duluth (they officially started hosting weddings in the summer of 2022), and they also have a 9-hole golf course and a public beach that you and your guests can enjoy. This venue also has picturesque views of the lake and truly gorgeous sunsets!
They have a capacity for 300+ guests, and they also have multiple ceremony locations, both indoor and outdoor, depending on your preferences. You’ll also find here two getting-ready suites, a spacious event center with modern amenities and with views of Pike Lake, and an outdoor patio to enjoy. Pike Lake Golf & Beach Club also offers a full-service indoor and outdoor bar, and they have a selection of different wedding packages that you can choose from.
Something I appreciate about this venue is that they are upfront with their pricing, and you will know exactly what to expect right from the beginning. For more info on their wedding and catering packages, go here! This might be your dream wedding venue if you want to say “I do” next to the water and celebrate your day in a serene setting with all the amenities you need and a venue that has exceptional service!
Mel + Dan’s Magical Fall Wedding at Pike Lake Golf & Beach in Duluth
Background on the couple
“Our lives intertwined the moment we settled into our UMD dorms freshman year, which happened to be facing each other across the Griggs P courtyard. Fast forward a handful of years, and we had graduated, moved to a new city, and added a new roommate to the mix (our dog Linus). One day, we went up to the North Shore (Palisade Head), where we had our first North Shore date in college, and Dan popped the question! The surprises didn’t end there – we went to our favorite brewery in the world (Ursa Minor – iykyk), and families were waiting there for a celebratory weekend. We think about this perfect day constantly, and can’t wait to add our wedding day to the list of best. days. EVER!” – Mel
Wedding planning
Mel and Dan decided to have a fall wedding, as it is not only their favorite time of the year but also because they love the cozy, warm, and inviting feelings that come with this season. Mel knew from the beginning that she would be making the floral arrangements for her wedding, and she loves mums, so they were incorporated heavily throughout the day. They knew they wanted to tie the knot in Duluth – the only question on their minds was where. Dan happened to have family that lives on Pike Lake, and he grew up next to this beautiful lake and has many happy memories there. They found Pike Lake Golf & Beach Club, and it felt like the perfect place for these two to tie the knot.
Before the wedding
In a shocking turn of events, almost everyone (bride, groom, wedding party, and immediate family members) got food poisoning from the groom’s dinner the day prior. It was a really rough time for the groom. However, despite this, everyone rallied, and they were all such troopers and still made it to the wedding the next day. For me, this goes to show that sometimes things just won’t go according to your plans, no matter how hard you try or how much you try to figure everything out in advance. Mel and Dan’s day was still perfect, even with this unexpected twist.
Getting ready
One of the best features of Pike Lake Golf & Beach Club is that they have everything you need on site – from spacious getting-ready rooms, a ceremony site, and a reception area. In the getting-ready rooms, they even have a golf simulator you can play and a TV if you have some extra time!
Mel and Dan both used separate getting-ready rooms, and then once Mel was ready, she had a first look with her wedding party, which was so sweet! Then she headed outside and had a heartfelt first look with her brother and dad before she surprised Dan down next to the water. Dan was so emotional and excited to see her – it was so beautiful to photograph this special moment between these two!
Couple portraits, wedding party, and family portraits
We then headed to different spots around the golf course to take photos of Mel and Dan before we met up with their wedding party. Pike Lake Golf has so many great spots for photos! One of my favorite spots was next to the trees that had vibrant fall foliage, which made Mel’s bouquet shine and created a warm, golden backdrop for these images.
The ceremony
Mel and Dan had their ceremony at the gorgeous hole 9 on the golf course, which is right next to the water and surrounded by trees. All of the wedding party arrived in golf carts, and Mel’s mom walked her down the aisle. One of Mel’s brothers was the officiant, and they had an incredibly romantic and sweet ceremony.
The reception
After the ceremony, we headed to the reception space where guests enjoyed cheesecake, a signature drink in honor of Mel and Dan’s dog, and lots of additional thoughtful details. Before the sunset, Mel, Dan, and I headed down to the water to capture golden hour portraits – which is a must here! Then it was time to party! Mel and Dan are the kindest and most loving souls, and their entire wedding day was intentional and filled with so much love and support. They really value those around them, and these two truly planned the most perfect wedding!
M + D’s Wedding Vendors
I wanted to give a special shout-out to the vendors who made this day possible:
Venue: @pikelakegolfandbeach
Florist: @marketflowersmpls
Hair: Ash + Olive hair studio
Makeup: @karalikemascara
Gown Company: @ivorybridalco
Suits: @Atmosferempls
Rings: @shanecompany
DJ: @bennynord
Caterer: Pike Lake
Ready to Plan Your Wedding in Duluth, MN?
I hope you found all this info on planning a wedding at Pike Lake Golf & Beach Club helpful and hopefully, M + D’s wedding here gave you some inspo and ideas on what your own celebration here could look like.
Now all you need is your wedding photographer! I’m a wedding and elopement photographer based in Duluth, Minnesota, specializing in playful, true-to-color photos for couples who love Lake Superior and the North Shore of Minnesota. If that sounds like what you’re looking for, I’d love to connect!
You can click here to learn more about my wedding photography services or head over here to get in touch!
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