4.8
Praised by couples for:
Amenities
Quality catering
Guests comfort
Premier Waterfront Venue
Holds ceremonies and receptions
We got married here on 9.12.2026 - It was amazing, everything went just as we planned!
Hailey C.
5.0
We had our wedding rehearsal at the boat Works and it was beautiful. Would definitely recommend the place for any event.
We rented the Macatawa room for our event and it had a pretty view of the water. There was also a wedding going on outside and it looked very beautiful too.
For our wedding rehearsal we only did appetizers and an open bar. All the food was good except we weren’t a fan of the chicken and waffle bites. But everyone talked about the meatballs and the French onion tartlets.
Would definitely recommend for a wedding or wedding rehearsal.
The only negative thing is they don’t allow you to bring an outside cake.
Kimberly B.
5.0
Deals
OfferPermanent
All-Inclusive Wedding Reception – From $75
Claim Deal
AWARD WINNER (6X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
Boatwerks Waterfront Events offers couples a one-of-a-kind wedding setting on the shores of Lake Macatawa in Holland, Michigan. With panoramic waterfront views, a bright contemporary ballroom, an open-air courtyard, and spaces that flow effortlessly from one part of the celebration to the next, Boatwerks brings the beauty of a lakeside wedding together with the convenience of a full-service venue.
Imagine exchanging vows beside the water, enjoying cocktails around the fire pit as the sun begins to set, then opening the ballroom doors and continuing the celebration into the evening.
**Facilities & Capacity**
The Black River Ballroom accommodates receptions of up to 250 guests, while the waterfront courtyard can host outdoor ceremonies and events for up to 220 guests.
Venue highlights include:
* Panoramic Lake Macatawa views
* Retractable doors connecting the ballroom and courtyard
* Adirondack chairs & fire pit
* Market lighting & bistro tables
* Lawn games
* Dance floor
* Valet parking
* Venue access from noon–midnight
* Scenic waterfront settings for photography
**More Included. Less to Coordinate.**
Your reception includes:
* Dedicated experienced Sales Manager
* Day-of venue Banquet Manager
* Floor plan, food, beverage & timeline assistance
* Setup & teardown of in-house tables, chairs & linens
* Floor-length white or black linens
* Linen napkins
* China, glassware & flatware
* Round, rectangular & high-top tables
* Gift, cake & place-card tables
* Banquet chairs
* Dance floor
* Access to the waterfront courtyard
**Your Wedding Day Starts Here**
Boatwerks ceremony couples also receive access to dedicated getting-ready suites beginning at 9 a.m., giving the wedding party a comfortable home base before the celebration begins.
The ceremony package includes:
* 220 white resin chairs
* Arbor
* 30-minute rehearsal
* Privacy screens
* Four boxwood greenery walls
* Champagne & orange juice for mimosas
* Beer for the wedding party
* Lunch for 16
With onsite culinary and beverage service, waterfront ceremony and reception spaces, and an experienced hospitality team, Boatwerks allows you to spend less time managing logistics and more time experiencing the day.
From getting ready and saying “I do” beside the lake to sunset cocktails, dinner, and your final dance, Boatwerks creates a wedding experience that feels unmistakably West Michigan.
Amenities + details
Amenities
Ceremony Area
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Liability Insurance
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Elopement
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Settings
Ballroom
Beach
Waterfront
Restaurant
Venue Service Offerings
Bar & Drinks
Cakes & Desserts
Destination Weddings
Destination Wedding Packages
Food & Catering
Planning
Rentals & Equipment
Service Staff
Awards and Affiliations
6-Time 'Best of Weddings'
2026.2025.2024.+3 more.
Best of Weddings
The Knot independently assesses vendors for this award—it’s never self-reported. We base it on firsthand experiences from real couples and guests, and they must have a 4.5-star average across 7+ reviews in the qualifying year.
Hall of Fame
Earned by winning 'Best of Weddings' four or more times.
Join couples who chose award-winning vendors for their wedding
Meet the team
Showing slide number 1 out of 3
- Tracey BarryEvent Sales ManagerBorn & raised in Michigan, Tracey is thrilled to be back after 22 years! After moving to Naples, Florida in 2002 to care for her Grandfather, she instantly fell in love with the hospitality industry and started her career in something that she truly enjoys! The majority of her career has been spent in Food & Beverage Operations and Management and Events Sales and Planning @ private country clubs in Naples, Florida and Charlotte, NC. Being responsible for other’s perception of a company’s brand and reputation excite Tracey, as does the challenge of initiating and creatively prospecting new customer relationships. Tracey is authentic, honest, and driven to succeed, and accountability is important to her. Throughout her career, Tracey’s success has been dependent on her ability to foster positive, productive, and lasting relationships, manage many and complex priorities, pay attention to the small but important details that impact how well a business operates, and provide superior solutions where it matters most to customers. In her free time she enjoys golfing, hiking with her fur babies, live music, going on adventures and spending time with family.
- Lacey ShefferEvent Sales ManagerLacey, the event sales manager at Macatawa Golf Club, enjoys connecting with and getting to know the couples she works with, believing that wedding planning should be an enjoyable experience. Her team specializes in creating beautiful and memorable experiences for brides and grooms, utilizing the stunning ballroom, fun atmosphere throughout the clubhouse, and picture-perfect views and photo opportunities. The team strives to make each couple’s day relaxed, fun, and unforgettable, making them feel at home at Macatawa Golf Club. They look forward to getting to know each and every client.
- Logan ShanafeltEvent Sales ManagerLogan started his career assisting corporate and private events in 2018, and his passion for quality food, memorable moments, and bringing people together has kept him in the industry since! He started engaging in West Michigan events in early 2021 and has worn many hats as a part of weddings, non-profit galas, and private corporate gatherings. He joined the RedWater group in 2026 as an Event Sales Manager and loves his views of Lake Macatawa while getting to know more of the Holland community. Outside of events, you can find Logan grabbing brunch with his friends, playing musical instruments, or traveling to visit his seven younger siblings!
Reviews
4.8
out of 5.0171 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help
you make those big decisions with ease.
Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
Boatwerks is a beautiful waterfront venue with stunning lake views and flexible indoor/outdoor spaces like the Macatawa Room. Guests praise the professional, attentive staff and event coordinators, seamless planning, and delicious food. A few mentioned minor issues (no outside cake, occasional tasting/temperature concerns), but overall it's highly recommended.Review photos
Showing slide number 1 out of 9
Hailey C
5.0
We got married here on 9.12.2026 - It was amazing, everything went just as we planned!
Kimberly B
5.0
We had our wedding rehearsal at the boat Works and it was beautiful. Would definitely recommend the place for any event.
We rented the Macatawa room for our event and it had a pre...
tty view of the water. There was also a wedding going on outside and it looked very beautiful too.
For our wedding rehearsal we only did appetizers and an open bar. All the food was good except we weren’t a fan of the chicken and waffle bites. But everyone talked about the meatballs and the French onion tartlets.
Would definitely recommend for a wedding or wedding rehearsal.
The only negative thing is they don’t allow you to bring an outside cake.
Any questions?
Heather B
5.0
We had an amazing experience at Boatwerks for our son’s rehearsal dinner. The service was wonderful! They took great care of us! The atmosphere was perfect and the food was great! ...
I would highly recommend this restaurant for an event!
Maddie M
5.0
My client had a great experience using one of their rental spaces. The room had a beautiful view of Lake Macatawa, the food and service was great, and working with their event plan...
ner was a very smooth process. Highly recommend for events!
Jade S
4.0
Our wedding venue was absolutely beautiful and provided the perfect backdrop for our special day. The staff was very nice and helpful, and while communication could have been bette...
r leading up to the wedding, everything really came together when it was crunch time.
The transition from the ceremony to the reception was quick and efficient, especially making sure all the chairs were moved inside and everything was ready for the next part of the celebration. We also absolutely loved having separate getting-ready rooms for the bride and groom. They were comfortable, convenient, and made the day feel even more special.
There were so many beautiful spaces around the venue for pictures, and we were especially blown away by the gorgeous sunset! It made for some truly beautiful photos and was definitely one of the highlights of the day.
Overall, we had a wonderful experience and were so happy with how beautiful everything turned out. Our wedding day was unforgettable, and the venue was a huge part of making it so special!
Penny L
5.0
We used RedWater for an event held at Boatwerks. The food was amazing! We never had to wait for service as they were always on top of everything and the views and atmosphere were b...
eautiful. Anyone planning an event should not skip on letting Boatwerks plan your next party!
Jan K
5.0
We hosted a rehearsal dinner in the Macatawa Room. The food was great, and the service was even better. The nautical vibe and views were beautiful.
Abigail B
5.0
We held our rehearsal dinner and welcome event at Boatwerks and it was incredible! The staff was so friendly and professional, the food was delicious, and the space was beautiful. ...
The team was very communicative throughout the whole process and we had a blast celebrating with them! ❤️
Carly S
5.0
We loved working with them and the food was excellent! Our guests had nothing but positive things to say.
Leslie K
5.0
We hosted our daughter's wedding reception at Boatwerks. I can't say enough good things about the food, service and atmosphere. Guests enjoyed food and drinks, and the outdoor pati...
o with incredible views of Lake Macatawa and the sunset. All of the wait staff were professional and hospitable toward our 180 guests. Everyone was very well taken care of. In addition, Boatwerks has a great event planner that assists with all of the planning ahead of time covering all of the details of the event. It was truly a pleasure to work with Boatwerks!
Natalia K
5.0
My wedding at Boatwerks was incredible. All the guests ravde about the views and location. 10/10
Pat S
5.0
Boatwerks is a Beautiful venue right on the water - The staff was very friendly and helpful - The food was very good and set up so beautifully- I had someone that was at our event ...
asking me about it as they wanted info to also inquire about having an event there - I would recommend Boatwerks to anyone wanting a beautiful venue event center with good food right on the water 👍
Lexi B
5.0
Boatwerks was the perfect place for our wedding dinner. We wanted something intimate, and it was fantastic for the size of our party (smaller than the usual wedding). We booked the...
Macatawa room for a private dining experience. The food was fantastic. The room faces the water, which was an added perk as well. The service was also very professional. Could not reccomend enough!
Tara B
5.0
We had a large Company Christmas Party at Boatwerks this past weekend with over 235 people in attendance and not only did the space work out great, but the quality of the food and ...
the customer service was fabulous! I had multiple people come up to me and rave about everything! Not to mention the place was gorgeous and being on the water is always beautiful. Tracey was a gem to work with as well.
Ashley S
5.0
We held our annual company Christmas party there and everything from the initial request to the day of the event went amazingly. Tracey was great to work with.
Kristin T
5.0
This was our second year holding our fall fundraising event at Boatwerks and it was flawless again! The sales team and the day-of-event team were friendly, helpful and very easy to...
work with. Anything we needed they were very attentive and detail focused. We have booked our event for next year already. Highly recommend - only drawback is because our event is in early November, it's too cold to enjoy the deck and beautiful lake views outside (it's still pretty cool view from the warm inside!)
Kyle T
5.0
Excellent event. Sales team was professional and full of knowledge - very helpful - made things stress free!! Event team was on top of everything!! Great service!! Chefs were on i...
t - great food!!! Service was top notch. Would highly recommend. The venue is a great location, very beautiful!!
Danielle J
5.0
Boatwerks is a beautiful wedding venue with an indoor and outdoor space. We worked with Hannah throughout the planning process and she was great to work with. Our wedding day was a...
bsolutely wonderful and everything ran smoothly. The staff was friendly and well organized. We had our ceremony outside on the patio and our reception followed inside with the doors being opened later on in the evening. Our guests loved being able to be indoors and outdoors all in the same spot. We would highly recommend Boatwerks to anyone looking for a beautiful wedding venue!
Dawn B
5.0
We had our Rehearsal Dinner at Boatwerks in the Macatawa Room. Hannah, the event coordinator, did a great job helping us plan for the evening and the bartender and waitstaff provid...
ed excellent customer service the evening of the event. All the food on the buffet was excellent. We would highly recommend Boatwerks for your next special event!
Alexandra D
4.0
We had our rehearsal dinner here, after initially wanting to get married here. We decided not to have our wedding day at Boatwerks because the contract was very strange - they woul...
dn't write out any of the things you get on the day of (bridal suite, chairs, etc.), which does leave things open to misinterpretation. Ultimately, we love the location so much we decided to have our rehearsal dinner and welcome party on the patio and the west room, and it was perfection!!
Katie C
4.0
Boatwerks was a beautiful spot for our outdoor wedding ceremony and reception. The views of the lake you cannot beat and the indoor/outdoor atmosphere was lovely for guests. The st...
aff during the ceremony and reception were friendly and attentive and provided fast service. Food was great and well received amongst the guests. We give it a 4/5 instead of a 5/5 mainly because of the parking situation. Family that came for family photos were supposed to have spots reserved with cones but cones were removed by people attending a nearby festival and Boatwerks failed to mention this during the rehearsal and failed to keep those spots reserved. A better system should be in place as they created a lot of stress amongst family members and put us behind in our timeline. They also failed to prevent guests from coming to the ceremony space early and guests were coming while we were still doing family photos. Our coordinator had to put a stop to it but it did create some tension. Overall our wedding day was beautiful and we are happy with our decision to have our wedding there.
Jens M
5.0
Hannah from Boatwerks was great to work with for our work event.
Jerrie A
5.0
Great venue for our wedding rehearsal luncheon for our son and daughter-in-law. The had a great selection to choose for the buffet. The service was excellent. I would highly rec...
ommend the Macatawa Room for a small to medium size gathering. We will definitely be back
Diana A
5.0
Boatwerks truly exceeded expectations for our wedding day!! Hannah was super helpful throughout the entire planning process and was quick to respond to the million questions I had....
As a type A bride planning the whole wedding herself, I sent Hannah countless emails and she was also so prompt!
A part of the reason we picked Boatwerks was for the vision I had for a boat entrance into cocktail hour, and it was truly the highlight of the night. Our guests have no stopped talking about our entrance!! (They also let you dock the boat overnight if you need to)
I think doing a wedding there you have to take advantage of the outdoor space (which is highly dependent on weather) but if weather is not on your side, the entire event can be indoors without a problem. A June wedding we had the most incredible sunset and got the most stunning photos. The staff also always had their eyes on me and my husband making sure to offer us drinks if we ever had an empty hand. The food was delicious, even buffet style it was hot and the lines moved quickly. I was actually slightly nervous because we did the food tasting a few months prior and felt the food was pretty underwhelming and underseasoned. BUT, they really showed up for the wedding day because it was delicious and our guests thoroughly enjoyed the spread!!
Boatwerks is definitely more of an “all inclusive” venue, which made planning so much easier. They also have partnerships with other vendors that make it even easier for wedding day.
Overall, we could not recommend Boatwerks for your wedding, the entire process was so seamless and we had the most perfect day!
Amy G
5.0
We held our son and daughter-in-law's rehearsal dinner here. Since they were having a more fancy menu at their wedding we decided to do a pizza buffet with cookies and bars, it wa...
s nice to have that option. Would highly recommend them - staff was super nice and helpful.
Matthew C
5.0
We had our wedding reception at Boatwerks. The staff did a great job, and the food was amazing. The only downside is it was a hot day outside and the room was also very hot!
Sabrina Z
5.0
Wonderful venue from a breakfast to wedding event
Emily M
5.0
We absolutely love having our annual client open house at Boatwerks and continue to use their event space and catering year after year. Absolutely beautiful space and the patio and...
the window walls can’t be beat. Redwater makes everything easy for you. Hannah was an amazing event sales manager to work with and she ensured that everything was taken care of on the back end. Christie was our day of coordinator and made sure everything was seamless. If you want to be able to host your event without having to worry about food, venue, etc.- Hannah and Christie are your team. What a relief to not have to stress about the logistics at my own event.
Natalie S
5.0
Boatwerks hosted our rehearsal dinner and they made our night absolutely perfect. The food and service was amazing! Cannot recommend them enough.
Joseph A
5.0
The venue itself is beautiful, and the food and service were excellent. The staff did refuse to serve alcohol to one of our guests for having an out of state ID, which is ridiculou...
s. Other than that, everything was great.
Morgan M
5.0
This venue is beyond beautiful, especially being on the water. I love that most if not all rooms have wonderful views of the water. It adds so much natural light to the rooms as we...
ll.
I hosted my sister’s baby shower at Boatwerks, and will always recommend this venue to friends/family. The staff are always so friendly, welcoming, and very helpful! The food/beverage options are always exactly what we are looking for. The shower was absolutely perfect and couldn’t have gone any better.
I’ve hosted 3 events now a at Red Water venues 2 of them at Boatwerks and will continue to be a repeat customer.
Giles
5.0
Staff was welcoming and very accommodating! The food was amazing and the restaurant was clean and had a beautiful view of the river. Very spacious venues. Professional and organize...
d staff.
Holly
5.0
We had a great experience at an event held in the boatwerks event center. The staff was kind and food was exceptional.
Allison H
5.0
Hannah was great! She helped coordinate every detail of the day. We had a wonderful experience
Janice F
5.0
We were very happy with our company Christmas party at Boatwerks. The space is beautiful, the staff professional and helpful, and the food was great! Would highly recommend!
Anna M
5.0
If you’re in the mood for a seamless booking experience, look no further than using Redwater Events, Hannah was absolutely amazing and great with details and impeccable service, th...
e dessert menu was truly a showstopper!
Lyza S
5.0
We had a small corporate event at Boatwerks and our experience was great! We worked with Hannah, who made the planning process seamless. The staff was incredible, had everything se...
t up and ready to go for our team (even a half hour early for our early bird arrivals), and the food was delicious! Highly recommend for any size event.
Jordan M
5.0
The food was yummy and the staff were so helpful and friendly! A great environment for any event! Tracey The event coordinator was great to work with as well. Overall, it was a gre...
at experience, hosting our event there.
Bryce Q
5.0
Everything went according to plan. Food was great.
Eric V
4.0
It was a beautiful day and a beautiful location for our event.
Megan M
5.0
We loved every part of having Boatwerks as our wedding location. Tracey was very helpful and responsive in the planning process and the day of staff exceeded our expectations from ...
their professionalism and friendliness to making the whole event feel seamless. We kept our wedding as simple as possible and we are so glad because our guests wouldn’t stop raving about the lake view and beautiful event space.
Liz D
5.0
Boatwerks is a beautiful venue on the lake. We had our daughter’s after wedding day brunch here and it was a wonderful ending to an amazing weekend! Hannah and the staff were frien...
dly, helpful and accommodating. And the food was delicious! Our guests raved about everything. 10/10!!
Madison O
5.0
I have been to Boatwerks lots of times for all types of events (casual dining, wedding, engagement party, and bridal shower) and each time was a perfect experience! Highly recommen...
d for the venue alone and the great food is a cherry on top!
Morgan N
5.0
Our sales manager did a great job answering most of my questions in a professional manner (and I had a lot of them). We absolutely loved the atmosphere and the staff on the day of,...
everyone made our special day amazing. Food was really good, but be aware that wedding tastings are not free and we found some variance in the cooked vegetables (overdone vs raw vs just right). Thank you for an amazing day Boatwerks!
Sydney H
5.0
Very helpful. Made the day great.
Christopher M
5.0
Boatwerks was beautiful and the staff was professional and kept us feeling calm leading up to the wedding day. Hannah was very easy to work with. The value for the location is unma...
tched
Cara B
5.0
My daughter chose Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant for her wedding lunch and it was the perfect choice for the event. The service was excellent, the view was lovely, and the food w...
as delicious. Everyone in attendance enjoyed the event!
Mara T
4.0
We were all so please with this venue for our rehearsal dinner! The food and staff were incredible! Would recommend :)
Sydney P
5.0
The food and service was fantastic, everyone raved. Will definitely be back!
Jenell K
5.0
Wonderful location for your special event. Knowledgeable staff and very professional.
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Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant
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Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant
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