Outdoor Duluth/North Shore Wedding

I attended a wedding on the beach a few years back. I think it was Knife River Beach, just North of the Marina.    When you look at google maps, it will look like it's far too close to the marina, but you'll notice that it is wooded between the marina and the parking area, and wooded again between the lot and the beach.   There was a large circular area for parking, and no visible homes from the beach, after you walked down a short sand path.  

I'm going to caveat this whole suggestion with:   my memory is fading, and I'm not 100% sure  this is the exact location, but it was in that general area, and the parking area looks familiar.

We had our wedding on the island, off the foot bridge from the lower trail in Billings Park. We had about 15 people with a string quartet. The reception was an easy walk up the steps in the new larger pavilion. I am guessing if you just wanted your wedding at the island it would be free. Reserving the pavilion was somewhere around $50. We were allowed alcohol. There was plenty to do for guests between a nice playground for the kids and horse shoe pits and volley ball for the adults.  Couldn't have been happier with it. Granted we lucked out weather wise. I believe Mary Morgan with Parks and Rec was our contact.

I have shot video for a ceremony at Hartley that was really nice.  I think they have a dedicated spot for weddings now.

Billings Park is lovely. Mary Morgan retired last year and Linda Cadotte's the new parks director for Superior. The Parks & Rec number is 715-395-7270.

The first time I read this post I somehow missed the focus on wooded locations.  Sure, Billings Park is wooded but even more so is Pattison Park.  I attended a beautiful wedding there held inside the covered bridge.  I see a plethora of trails that have the potential, given they have openings large enough to accommodate all of your guests.  There is  a nice spot with built in bleacher seating about 1/4 mile in on the Millennium Trail. In fact, it is so wooded that you barely see it due to tree cover in the link below. There is ample parking and the trail is paved for the convince of elderly guest and wheeling in equipment.

Google map

Thank you! Those are some good suggestions. Do you have any specific trails you know of at Pattison that may have bigger openings? We really want it with a wooded backdrop and wouldn't mind walking in to the site. We are planning another trip up in May to explore more, but it's good if we have more specific places to look at, so keep the ideas coming!!!

I will think about it some more.  I feel like there are tons of spots out there for you two!  I was mistaken, the covered bridge was in Amnicon Park, I get those two confused.  We really like the hike down to the Black River in Pattison Park.  There are gorgeous views of Big Manitou Falls along the way down.  That is if you're guest are agile enough. There is an opening along the river for quite a few guest.

I came up with another one. You'd be hard pressed to find a prettier trail then the park point nature trail at the end of Minnesota Point.  Again, a decent amount of parking with plenty of openings/ lake front for the ceremony.  I just scoped it out on google maps. I sure do hope you are planning this for fall because, although beautiful year round, fall is on fire.  Imagine the photos.