WHERE TO STAY:
We held a block of rooms at the JW Marriott ($179/night), available when booking through this website. Autumn is a busy time of year in Grand Rapids, so please contact the groom if you have any trouble. The Courtyard, the Amway Grand Plaza, Holiday Inn, and City Flats are the other Downtown options. We have a few rooms held elsewhere. There are also a range of possibilities outside the city limits, many near the airport (15 minutes driving: directions) or closer to Lake Michigan, such as the beautiful towns of Holland (35 minutes driving: directions) and Grand Haven (40 minutes driving: directions). If you prefer Airbnb or HomeAway to live like a local while traveling, you'll find houses, private rooms, and loft apartments nearby.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids is served by American, Delta, Southwest, United, and US Airways with direct flights from more than a dozen U.S. cities. Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (3 hours driving: directions) or Midway International Airport (main Southwest Airlines hub; 3 hours driving: directions) and Detroit Metropolitan Airport (2.5 hours driving: directions) may offer more affordable and flexible options, including international connections. Amtrak runs a once-daily train (4 hours: 6:30 p.m. departure, 11:39 p.m. arrival) from Chicago to Grand Rapids. Megabus and Greyhound bus services connect Grand Rapids with Chicago and Detroit (3.5 to 5 hours, depending on the route and stops).
If you have any questions at all as you plan your travels, please send us an email and we'll be eager to share our recommendations!