FAQs

Question

How do you pronounce “Mackinac"?

Answer

"MACK-in-AWE" Mackinac Island is a shortened version of the Native American name, Michilimackinac. The Anishinaabek word means "place of the great turtle". Why great turtle? They saw that Mackinac Island, with its limestone bluffs, looked like a giant turtle rising out of the water. In 1715, the French built Fort Michilimackinac in current day Mackinaw City, on the mainland. Translating the local Anishinaabek name for the area into their language, their spelling included their silent “c” creating the pronunciation “awe.”

Question

Why Mission Point Resort?

Answer

We love Mission Point Resort and have chosen this as our venue for many reasons. The resort is located on the East End of Mackinac Island, opposite from the famous Grand Hotel. The walk to the resort is a beautiful introduction to the island with numerous places to stop along the way. After passing through the hustle and bustle of downtown, you’ll immediately notice everything slows down, making it the ideal location to stay. Embrace the “island” life! Stop in the shops downtown, pass Fort Mackinac, the Watercolor Café, St. Anne’s Church and charming homes and cottages until you see a wide green space full of Adirondack chairs. You definitely cannot miss it! The resort has 3 restaurants, 2 cafés, several bars, gifts shops, a pool and hot tubs, the Lakeside Spa and Salon, and a natural grass, 18-hole Putt-Putt course. The Straits lodge is also pet friendly, important since many of you know, the boys come with us everywhere. We most often enjoy spending time relaxing on the expansive lawn with the pups just to take in the views. The map above outlines the whole resort, including the reception and ceremony spaces. The main lodge is closer to the amenities listed above, however, the Straits lodge is a very short walk away. There's really no downfall to either option.

Question

What's the ferry like and where do I park?

Answer

The ferry from Mackinaw City is a beautiful 16-20 minute ride that takes you by the Mackinac Bridge (or under on a Mighty Mac departure) and has fantastic views of the island, Grand Hotel, and the length of main street arriving right in the heart of all the fun. You are also able to cross the bridge and take the ferry from St. Ignace, MI, although we suspect this will add travel time for all guests. While you can choose any ferry options available, Shepler's is the only one with a discounted rate using code "frankandty". All tickets are round trip, can be booked ahead of time, and the ferry departs every 30 minutes. Upon arrival at the Shepler's gate in Mackinaw City, you will be directed to a loading area. Here, the staff will take and load your luggage which will be available at Mission Point, your final lodging destination, or right at the ferry dock for pickup. These fees are included in all bookings. Next, you are guided to your choice of day, overnight, or VIP parking that is an additional fee. You will then be taken by shuttle back to the ferry from these locations, join the queue, and hop on the ferry! *Rest assured, even without knowing any of the above, the process is made ease by the Shelper's staff who are fantastic and will direct you every step of the way.* We find it best to keep a backpack with us to begin exploring as soon as we hit the dock, gradually making our way to Mission Point. All you do is take a right on main street leaving the ferry and follow the road all the way to the resort. We also prefer the open top deck of the ferry for views and a better ride overall. Finally, August is a busy time on the island so please allow plenty of time for travel. We encourage you to avoid arriving at the ferry during peak times which is often midday. Saturdays also tend to be much busier.

Question

How do I get around without a car?

Answer

Taking a break from our auto-driven society is part of the charm of visiting Mackinac Island! There are no cars on the island whatsoever, so horse-drawn carriages or bicycles are the most popular ways of getting from place to place! Much of Mackinac Island is easily walkable for many visitors, including the wedding. Mission Point Resort is just a beautiful 15 minute walk east from downtown, right where the ferry docks. There are also wheelchairs available to visitors who may need some additional assistance. Biking is certainly a more exciting option and allows you to adventure further into the island. If you are feeling dangerous, you could take a chance with your life, and your relationship, by getting a tandem bike . . . we've never risked it. There are numerous places to rent bikes on the island directly off the ferry and also right at Mission Point. You are also welcome to bring your own bike over on the ferry if you so choose. or... Carriages!

Question

What about the horse-drawn carriages?

Answer

During peak season, Mackinac Island has up to 600 horses, which is more than the number of people who live there year-round! Most lodging accommodations have designated horse-drawn carriages to and from that you can arrange with your concierge. But, carriage taxis also run all over the island! The Mission Point Shuttle is your easiest carriage transit to and from the resort! The shuttle sits at the top of circle drive at the hotel on one end, and at the top of the Shepler's dock on the other. Guests can just hop on as long as there is room for a fee of $8.50 a person, running every half hour at minimum. This shuttle will not make any other stops other than the dock or the hotel. Additionally, the island is covered with carriage taxis, although, dissimilar from taxis on the mainland, Mackinac Island taxis cannot be “hailed”. They work on a dispatch system and need to be called to a particular location. Just call the Mackinac Island taxi service at (906) 847-3323 and tell them where you are and where you want to go. You will receive a text when the taxi has been dispatched, and shortly after a taxi carriage will pull up where you told them you need a ride from and shout out their destination. The carriage service is also $8.50 per adult and drivers can only accept cash; the horses take a break from 12:30pm to 2:00pm and service is not available during this time. Guided tours can also be arranged ahead of time, please see Island Attractions.

Question

Is there a dress code?

Answer

Island Cocktail Chic! We encourage our guests to wear lots of color, fun dresses (cocktail to maxi), linen blazers, crisp white shirts, suspenders, loafers, strappy heels, and even hats! After all . . . this is a #bigGAYislandwedding, so wear some color, live a little, and be comfortable! We simply cannot have a poor fashion choice hinder our friends' abilities to throw down on the dance floor. Surrounded by water, the island is often cooler than the mainland even in the warmest summer months. Historic Weather August 16, 2024: 76 Degrees, Full Sun August 16, 2023: 83 Degrees, Full Sun August 16, 2022: 80 Degrees, Partly Sunny

Question

Can I bring my child?

Answer

For various reasons, we have chosen to host a celebration for adults only.

Question

When should I RSVP by?

Answer

We encourage you to RSVP as soon as you are able but we do ask to please provide no later than July 1st, 2025.