Weddings & Receptions
Congratulations on your engagement! Thank you for considering the vineyard for your Central Illinois wedding and reception location. We have been in business 20 years and have helped hundreds of families create wonderful wedding day memories at the vineyard. We look forward to meeting with you and helping with your special day.
We currently have a limited number of 2023 dates still open and are booking for 2024 weddings and receptions. Please email – mackinawwinery03@gmail.com for available wedding dates, a wedding information and pricing package or to schedule a meeting and tour of the facility.
Wedding Ceremonies: Ceremonies are traditionally held at the lake gazebo with a large concrete area for guest seating or the pergola in the vineyard with a large grass seating area. These areas are nice for both small and large wedding ceremonies. Couples have also taken their vows on other areas of the grounds. The vineyard is available to host weddings on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays though we have on occasion hosted weekday weddings to meet special circumstances. Wedding fees are for use of the gazebo or pergola area you choose for your wedding ceremony and the chairs for the ceremony are rented from the vineyard for an additional $2 each. The chairs are setup and put away by vineyard staff. On Saturdays, June through September the latest we schedule wedding ceremonies is 3pm. Friday and Sunday weddings can be scheduled to start later then 3pm, many Friday ceremonies start at 530pm with the reception to follow.
Pavilion building Receptions: Our pavilion space will seat up to 310 guests with beautiful views of the lake and vineyards for a picturesque and unique setting in Central Illinois. The pavilion can be left open and used as an outdoor space or with the glass panel doors closed the building can be heated if chilly but maintain the natural lighting, vineyard and lake views. Included in your fees for the reception are all the tables and chairs needed for your reception setup by our staff per a layout that is determined with the Vineyard Event Coordinator, the use of the pavilion facility and the bar serving staff. The pavilion also has a large covered patio area that can seat additional guests and is often used as a dance floor area by receptions or outdoor games. For receptions the pavilion is a private space with its own restrooms, bar service and food service. The pavilion and all our public areas are fully handicapped accessible. The pavilion is used from mid April to late November. Receptions of all sizes, from 80-100 guests, up to 300 guests for a formal dinner have been hosted in the pavilion building.
Tasting Room Receptions: The tasting room is a lovely space for small weddings and receptions, for 80 or less guests. This room has a large peaked window overlooking the picturesque vineyard and valley areas. There is an adjacent room for the food buffet service and bar service is at the tasting room bar. The tasting room can be used evenings on weekends, October to May. During the months of June, July, August and September it may be used evenings on Fridays and Sundays. We are closed in January.
Getting ready for the big day: We have two bridal changing rooms for the bridal party to have a private space to dress and socialize. Your wedding rehearsal and early arrival the day of the wedding or reception to decorate and take photos are included in your fees.
Pictures of the grounds: We have a Facebook page, Mackinaw Winery-www.Facebook.com/MackinawWinery,with many pictures on it of our facility with weddings and reception shown in addition to the pictures on our Photo Gallery page.
Catering: The caterer we use is The Catering Company and they can be reached at 309-678-9000 for questions on menus and pricing. They can offer Vegan, Vegetarian and Gluten Free options as needed. We do not allow other caterers or let wedding receptions do their own foods with the exception being cultural catering and we can recommend good options in our area. The Catering Company can also rent linens for the reception. The caterer’s email is TheCateringCompany9000@yahoo.com
Getting in Touch: Our Event Coordinator can send our pricing and information to you as well as available dates. Please email-mackinawwinery03@gmail.com for available date information, pricing and general information or call Diane at 309-645-5054. Meetings can be scheduled to visit the grounds and see firsthand what the vineyard has to offer.