Spectacular Detroit Views From an Exclusive Venue
Holds ceremonies and receptions
AWARD WINNER (2X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
Sitting high atop Detroit, MI, Highlands Detroit is an exceptional new wedding venue. Located on the 72nd floor of the GMRENCEN, it provides a stunning panorama of the city. These majestic views of the city skyline and Detroit River, unmatched culinary offerings, and our full-service staff come together to make a magical venue that is sure to delight and impress.
Located right at the heart of Detroit, the GMRENCEN has towered over the city since the early 1970s. Restored by General Motors in 2003, it now stands as a testament to the revitalization of the city. Within this building, Highlands Detroit is a perfect example of that renaissance. Working closely with both local and international suppliers, this venue offers high-quality, delectable catering from our award-winning culinary team!
Along with stunning views of the city from above, the interior design of Highlands Detroit focuses on creating a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere blended with elegant style. Tasteful decor and artful lighting work together to create a vibrant energy for your celebration. This space can host up to 300 people, providing plenty of space for a raucous reception. Ceremonies are also welcomed, giving you an unparalleled setting for your service among the clouds. To help you prepare for the big moment in peace, we also boast a gorgeous bridal-ready suite on-site.
From classic, wood-fired steaks brimming with flavor to fresh, delicious seafood, there are plenty of culinary options to satisfy all your guests. To add to the exclusive experience of the event, couples can also receive the services of the Highlands restaurant and the High Bar. The High Bar brings something sweet to the table, offering delicious desserts and cocktails for you and your guests to enjoy. Couples are welcome to visit this venue to meet the team and to learn more about what this venue can offer them on their special day.
Amenities + details
Amenities
Ceremony Area
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Liability Insurance
On-Site Accommodations
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Settings
Ballroom
Beach
Waterfront
Hotel
Restaurant
Venue Service Offerings
Bar & Drinks
Cakes & Desserts
Cupcakes
Other Desserts
Food & Catering
Service Staff
Awards and Affiliations
2-Time 'Best of Weddings'
2023.2022.
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.
Join couples who chose award-winning vendors for their wedding
Meet the team
Craig Davis
Events Manager
Every great wedding needs a flawless stage, and that’s where I come in. As the Highlands Events Manager, I’m the person making sure the food comes out hot, the staff stays in sync, and the room looks picture-perfect from the first toast to the last dance. I work hand-in-hand with couples and their coordinators so they can stay focused on the “I do” while I handle the “who’s got the champagne?” Smooth, stress-free, and unforgettable, that’s how I run the show.
Reviews
5.0
out of 5.016 reviews
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Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
The Highlands in Detroit stands out as a stunning and magical wedding venue that has left couples impressed with its beautiful views, exceptional service, and delicious food offerings. The staff, including Craig and Lyndsay Zelenak, were praised for their attentiveness, professionalism, and responsiveness, making the planning process seamless. Guests were delighted with the unique and elegant atmosphere, along with the top-notch service provided by the team. The venue's attention to detail, thoughtful gestures, and overall experience were highly recommended by reviewers for creating truly memorable weddings.Review photos
Showing slide number 1 out of 8
Rebecca W
Highlighted review.
5.0
5/28/2025
Our wedding at Highlands was truly magical. The space itself is absolutely stunning, whether you’re looking out the 360 windows or the interior (the robin’s egg blue walls, tall wh...
ite pillars, or the modern chandeliers) and it created the perfect backdrop for our celebration and felt so special from start to finish. We loved the elevated feeling of the included décor- like the chairs, tablecloths, and dishware which we felt did not need any upgrades or changes.
The venue team went above and beyond to make everything run smoothly, even through some of the staff transitions that happened while we were working with them. We started with one coordinator, but ultimately worked with Craig, who was not only incredibly sweet but also just a really cool person and a calming presence leading up to our big day. He clearly paid close attention to the details, like making sure my partner and I got an extra plate of the beet salad that we loved during our tasting, even though we’d picked the Caesar for dinner. It was such a thoughtful gesture, and it meant so much to us.
The food was TO DIE FOR- seriously we knew that we wanted the food at our wedding to be top notch, and it does not get much better than Highlands! Our guests were raving about the Chicken and Beef dishes, hors d’oeuvres, and dessert options which also stole our hearts (and stomachs). The bar and serving staff were also amazing! Professional, friendly, and so kind to our guests. One server even brought a special plate of grapes to my young nephew after he didn’t want his entrée, and handed it to him while he was halfway hiding under the table! That kind of attentiveness really stood out to us, and made our whole day feel so much more personal and cared for. We’re so grateful to the whole team for helping make our wedding feel joyful, seamless, and uniquely “us.”
Jessica M
5.0
10/12/2025
We had our wedding at the Highlands and to start, it is a beautiful venue with the perfect view of downtown Detroit. We had the pleasure of working with Craig. He was always respon...
sive and great to work with! We unfortunately had some issues with our set up vendor and we noticed that Craig was having to wear an extra hat. It was first noticed when our day of coordinator arrived to my room during our getting ready and he was present as well. While that vendor will receive their own review, I want this to be about the outstanding service provided by Craig and his amazing team. He didn’t have to help with any set up nor should he have but it was appreciated. The food was 10/10. I had guests say it was the best food they’ve had at a wedding. The Highlands was the perfect venue for us and Craig and his team made it beyond special!
Any questions?
Carmen C
5.0
8/07/2025
The Highlands staff was amazing from the first interaction. Krista and Craig were great to work with, always being available and able to answer all our questions and concerns. The ...
food was fantastic. The private tasting they set up was beautiful and all the options tasted great. Our guests kept commenting on how beautiful and unique the location is and how excellent the food and service was. We highly recommend!
Alef B
5.0
4/24/2025
We had incredibly high expectations for the Highlands team—not only because so many of our friends had raved about the restaurant, but also because the location holds deep meaning ...
for our family. The GM Ren Cen has a special place in our story, so being able to get married there was truly meaningful.
And honestly, we were blown away—again and again—throughout the entire planning process. The team was consistently on top of everything: emails, communication, every touchpoint was seamless and positive. From our first tour to signing the contract, the tasting, and all the coordination in between, they worked so smoothly with us and our planner, Haley. We are beyond grateful!
The planning materials were incredibly helpful—especially the PDFs and how-to guides. The recommended vendors list was a total game-changer for our wedding journey. Definitely ask for it because it’s such a valuable resource!
During our technical visit a month before the wedding, our photographer was so impressed with how the Highlands team operated. She even mentioned the service surpassed that of some of the "famous" Detroit venues where things often slip through the cracks. That confidence gave me such peace—I just knew our day would be incredible.
And it truly was.
The venue looked stunning—every detail was exactly as we had envisioned. The silverware, the tables, the setup—everything was immaculate. And the food? I’m still speechless from our tasting day. Our guests couldn’t stop raving about the hors d’oeuvres, the cheese table, desserts, and drinks. Every single thing was phenomenal. We don’t have a single complaint—just so much gratitude.
We felt genuinely cared for. I know most brides barely eat on their wedding day—but not me! I enjoyed everything 😂 The staff checked in with us throughout the night to make sure we had all we needed and were enjoying ourselves.
The service throughout the evening was exceptional. I watched each table being served dinner with such grace and organization—it was truly impressive.
Thank you, Highlands, for giving us the wedding of our dreams. We’ll never forget it. 💛
Cathy I
5.0
2/11/2024
My daughter got married and had the reception at the Highlands on New Years Eve 2023. They did an exceptional job in every way! Every detail was met and the coordinators were outst...
anding! I highly recommend this venue and its staff! The strolling dinner was perfect!
Sarah M
5.0
10/09/2023
The Highlands Detroit was the perfect venue for our wedding - absolutely stunning, fun and unique layout, and the food was amazing!! We cannot say enough good things about the enti...
re staff, especially Lyndsay Zelenak, their event coordinator - excellent at communication and professionalism throughout the entire process and I had complete trust in her on wedding day. Highly recommend!
David F
5.0
10/24/2022
The venue was stunning and the food was perfect. Overall, I would do it all over again. It was a little nerve-wracking to plan in a non-standard space (it's round) but it truly wor...
ked out better than expected. We pushed the venue and vendors to their limits in a good way that highlighted what Highlands can do. Lyndsay and Shea were terrific throughout and made the night perfect. In all transparency, I am picky and my husband is even more particular and we pay attention to everything...they knocked it out on budget and on time.
Hannah C
5.0
9/03/2022
When my husband and I were looking for a wedding venue, we were pleasantly surprised at how affordable it was given the location and views. The food was phenomenal as well as the w...
aitstaff (shoutout Gary & Jarvis) and views, of course. Our guests and us truly had the best time. Our wedding had 150 people and it was so comfortable in spacing, as well as guests being able to see everything. The fact that there is two bars is a total bonus too. Mike, the General Manager, was the best and we loved working with him - he went above and beyond even though events isn't his responsibility there. My only critique/advice to future couples considering here is to book your own wedding coordinator. We were disappointed with the overall lack of communication and professionalism with the event coordinators there (Mike and the waitstaff made up for it though)!
Samantha L
5.0
6/13/2022
Hands down the most beautiful venue in Detroit. Everyone was blown away by the Detroit skyline views. Food was delicious. Service was great, and a huge benefit is having a full Mar...
riott hotel right downstairs to make for a super easy weekend for all of your guests!
Mahmoud I
5.0
1/31/2022
This was the most perfect party ever. We did our engagement party there on 1/29/22. It was a dream come true. It accommodated 220 guests and Gen was amazing. Our meals were amazing...
, the service was amazing, and the desserts were amazing. All the staff was extremely accommodating allowing our band to set up early, the flowers, and the valet was amazing! Once again thank you to highlands Detroit for literally the most perfect party ever. We didn’t have a single complaint from our hard to please guests haha.
Kim B
5.0
1/28/2022
The Highlands was an incredible wedding venue! Photos cannot do justice to the breathtaking views and the feeling of having your wedding surrounded by the skyline. We had a lot of ...
guests flying in from other cities, and there was no better way to show off the beauty of my hometown than this space.
The food was incredible -- more than once person commented that it was the best wedding food they have ever had. I suggest saving money on your cake and serving guests the desserts included with the package. We got a small cake for cutting, but served the Highlands' red velvet to guests and people loved it. They were also incredibly accommodating of our guest list that was full of all sorts of dietary restrictions.
The venue coordinator, Genifer, was super cool, detail-oriented, and amazing to work with. She was communicative and helped us get into details that we hadn't considered. Her team was incredibly attentive, getting us waters, hors d'oeuvres (also the best), and drinks in the back before we came out for our big entrance with the bridal party. I had concerns about the elevators to the venue getting backed up with guests, people getting lost, etc -- none of that happened. Gen made sure it all went smoothly.
With the two walls on either side, I was concerned about the size of the dance floor for 130 guests-- those concerns were also unwarranted in the end. I think the two walls actually made people feel a little more comfortable while still having plenty of space (and we had a big party crowd, so they were all out there).
We opted to have a mostly standing ceremony on the Windsor Gallery side of the venue. If you're open to something unconventional and not having a long ceremony, this worked really well for us and resulted in great pictures.
Overall, the wedding was unique, modern, and elegant. I couldn't have asked for anything better!
Natalie F
5.0
12/28/2021
After COVID reared its ugly head, my now husband and I decided to downsize our guest list and change our venue. We decided to have our wedding at Highlands, and it was the best dec...
ision we ever made. After 2 covid surges, Highlands was nothing less than accommodating in helping us move our wedding date TWO times! Genifer was the most amazing woman I have ever met and at the drop of a hat was there to make all my wildest dreams come true. The food was top notch, the view was breathtaking and the service was out of this world. I highly recommend The Highlands to anyone and everyone looking to get married downtown and have the BEST venue in the city!
Tracy C
5.0
11/10/2021
This wedding venue as a wedding guest was absolutely amazing! The staff were beyond gracious and made our experience one of the best.
Taylor D
5.0
10/05/2021
Highlands is the most quintessential, classic, modern Detroit venue. The views are incomparable and the venue will help you plan around sunset to provide the most stunning backdrop...
for you and your guests. The food is UNBELIEVABLE! It's the best wedding food I've ever eaten - you cannot pass up the short rib.
The best part was working with the event coordinator Gen. She is the most ideal partner you could ask for. She is professional, quick to communicate, very detail oriented, and overall an absolute dream to work with. She really took our experience over the top. If you are considering your wedding here, you can't go wrong! It's so unique and people will be talking about it forever!
Natalie N
5.0
9/29/2021
The most magical venue ever! As soon as I walked in The Highlands venue space, I was already planning the layout of my wedding but my husband to be insisted on us viewing other ven...
ues but there was nothing quite like the breathtaking views of the Detroit/Windsor skyline like at The Highlands! The whole staff was so helpful and very kind! They really made me feel special the day of my wedding. And do not get me started on the food...from the bread to the desert every bite was nothing short of amazing. If you are looking for a city wedding with great food, book The Highlands now!
Emily W
5.0
7/11/2021
Gorgeous, unique and memorable space with amazing food. Service staff is friendly and hospitable.
Response from Highlands Detroit on 07/12/2021
Thank you Emily! Eboni and Jalissa were thrilled to received your feedback as was the res...
t of the staff...wishing all the best for the next chapter in your life!
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Highlands Detroit
Lyndsay Zelenak
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Events Director
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Wedding vendors in Detroit
Highlands Detroit
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