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Weddings

About

The Blue Heron is an Event Center which provides a full range of social, and business catering services in a beautiful natural setting, overlooking one of the area's loveliest golf courses. It occupies a colonial cape cod building especially designed for its unique needs. The space provides an airy country club ambiance featuring large open vistas overlooking two of the prettiest golf holes in Michiana.

The west view from the grand hall features ninety feet of windows and a sweeping veranda overlooking Blackthorn Golf Course. The grand ballroom is 4,500 square feet, which can be divided into three smaller 1500 square feet. rooms. In addition, there is a 1,200 sq.ft. pre-function/reception area which will provide great flexibility in planning your event. Similarly, in good weather, the 1,170 sq.ft. veranda and 2,500 sq.ft tented patio can be used for outdoor dining, cocktail parties, buffet areas and other outdoor events.

The Blue Heron makes the perfect place for business meetings, seminars, conferences, company parties and other events. Its close proximity to the Blackthorn Golf Course makes it the perfect place to combine business with pleasure.

  • Woman-owned
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Frequently asked questions

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$3,000

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

$1,500

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?

$1,000

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

$1,000

Which of the following are included in the starting site fee?

Chairs
China
Clean Up
Event Planning
Flatware
Glassware
Linens
Parking
Set Up
Tables

Which of the following are included in the cost of wedding catering?

Cake Cutting
Server(s)

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$19

Which of the following are included in the starting price for bar service?

Bartender(s)
House Beer
House Wine
Limited Bar

What is the minimum number of guests required to book your venue?

30

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

1

Describe your venue:

Ballroom
Banquet Hall
Country/Golf Club

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Covered Outdoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Bar Services
Catering Services
Clean Up
Event Planner
Event Rentals
Liability Insurance
Outside Vendors
Pet Friendly
Wifi

What catering services do you offer?

Buffet
Cocktail Reception
Dessert
Hors d'oeuvres
Outside Cake
Plated
Server(s)
Stations
Tastings

What bar services do you provide?

Bartender(s)
Cash Bar
Champagne Toast
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Limited Bar
Liquor License
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
Specialty Beer
Specialty Wine

What event items are available?

Aisle Markers
Altar/Arch
Audio Equipment
Centerpieces
Chairs
Chair Covers
Dance Floor
Decor
Drapery
Furniture
Lighting
Tables
Tents
Tent Accessories

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
China
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

May
June
July
August
September
October

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
March
April
November
December

Reviews of The Blue Heron at Blackthorn

Samara
Samara Sent on 11/10/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Highly recommended!

Blue Heron is such a unique, beautiful location. We had our wedding last weekend, and it was great! The space outside was the biggest sell for us, and we had one of our favorite photos outside just before sunset. Lexi was very organized and amazing to work with, and we had all our questions answered professionally and thoroughly. We also got the chance to decorate for our own reception (which we preferred, even though they offered to do it for us). The staff at the end was so helpful packing everything inside the car (food, our decorations, gifts), and they even packed two food clamshells for us, labelled MR and MRS for the day after (which were delicious and highly appreciated).
A
Allaina Sent on 03/12/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing venue!

I have nothing but Amazing things to say about Lexi and the crew at the Blue heron. They were so sweet and so helpful. We got married January 20th 2024 and it was everything I dreamed it would be. Lexi was so helpful throughout the whole planning process. I had an idea of what I wanted, but I wasn’t sure how to execute it. And Lexi and her team made the vision I had come true even though I didn’t give them a ton to go off of! They were all so sweet and welcoming. I was late to a few appointments, and Lexi didn’t even bat an eye over it. She was still so sweet to us and didn’t treat me any differently. I absolutely love that they do the set up and tear down of decorations. That literally saved me so much stress because I don’t think I would have had any decorations up if not for them. I gave them quite a bit to set up and boy did they deliver! It was worth every penny to me. Lexi and her team did such an amazing job coordinating with my other vendors to make sure everything flowed smoothly. They did regular check ins to make sure things were going the way I wanted and they just so considerate Oh and the food! It was so good!! The Bistro filet was my favorite by far. My guests could not stop talking about how good the food was and how beautiful everything turned out! I have zero regrets choosing the Blue heron. I cannot recommend them enough.
A
Andrea Sent on 12/23/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Perfect for our wedding reception

The Blue Heron was PERFECT for our wedding reception! We were originally scheduled to get married March 2021, but postponed to December 2021 due to COVID. Luckily, the Blue Heron was flexible and able to work with us to switch to our new date. We had our ceremony at the Notre Dame Basilica, followed an hour later by cocktail hour and reception at the Blue Heron. Lexi was fantastic to work with and made planning and day-of very easy on us. We bought a random assortment of things for centerpieces (garland, pinecones, etc), and she and her team were able to put everything together and make it look even better than we had imagined. We continue to get rave reviews about the food, too, which is always great to hear.
Marianne
Marianne Sent on 10/21/2021
5 out of 5 rating

The perfect day

The Blue Heron, and specifically Lexi, exceeded every one of my expectations. Not only is it one of the most beautiful venues in South Bend, but everything runs like a well-oiled machine. I'm an overly organized, Type A person, who doesn't like to delegate, so I was the one on the phone/email/carrier pigeon with Lexi seemingly every day. I say this not as an exaggeration, Lexi is the best in the business. She is extremely good at her job, and more than that, she is friendly no matter the situation. She kind, compassionate, and flexible. She was willing to customize pretty much anything. She is so responsive, I had to tell her to stop responding to my Monday emails on Monday because that is her day off (and she has earned it).

The Blue Heron caters in house which is nice just because you don't have to worry about another vendor. But the food is spectacular. I had a friend who texted me to ask what kind of chicken we served, because her husband had been pestering her for days to ask me because he loved it so much.

The venue does set up and tear down so you don't have to come in the morning of your wedding, and don't have to stay late that night. We dropped our centerpieces and decorations off the Thursday before and picked it all up a couple days later.

The Blue Heron is not the cheapest option in South Bend. But it is the best, and it was worth every dollar we spent there. And I highly suggest considering a Friday wedding. They are just as great, and much more cost effective.
andrew
Andrew Sent on 01/05/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Best in the business

There is no better place to hold an event! Lexi is so easy to work with and absolutely accommodating. I look forward to any event at the Blue Haron on Blackthorn!!
Kelli
Kelli Sent on 02/01/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Beautiful space & great food

We had our large wedding reception at the Blue Heron in November last fall, and Lexi and her team went above and beyond! We were planning our wedding from out of state, and Lexi was able to juggle questions and meetings with my parents who were local, as well as with us via phone and email. Lexi was always quick to respond to our questions and would send an updated quote each time we discussed changes in logistics. I even emailed her the morning of our wedding to let her know about 3 people who we found out couldn’t make it and she was able to make sure those tables didn’t have the extra/unneeded chairs at our reception. We had tons of different questions along the planning process, and she was always very clear and knowledgable with her answers and advice. The staff at our reception were all wonderful, and many of our guests raved about the food. Lexi and the venue were flexible with most of our requests as well, such as letting us bring in some of our own ingredients for signature “his and hers” cocktails. The staff handles all of the decor setup and tear down, and all I did was provide Lexi with a list of our decor items noting where I wanted them setup. I loved not having to worry about any setup or tear down, as I certainly didn’t want to deal with that as the bride and we didn’t want any family or friends to have to help with that type of work either. We were able to schedule a time the next day to pick up any of our remaining decor items. Thank you so much to Lexi and the staff at Blue Heron for helping make our wedding day unforgettable!
Laura
Laura Sent on 08/05/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Would highly recommend!

We had our wedding reception here this past June, and loved it! It is a gorgeous space with lots of natural light (great for the beautiful South Bend summer evenings!). We found the prices very reasonable, and the food was great. And Lexi went above and beyond in making our event everything we dreamed. She was very professional and extremely accommodating, even for last minute changes. She took care of so many of the little details and set up the venue beautifully. She was such a joy to work with! I would highly recommend!
R
Rachel Sent on 09/03/2016
5 out of 5 rating
AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING! Lexi was wonderful to work with. She helped everything run so seamlessly the day of our wedding, and the food was amazing! Absolutely no complaints at all.
Carolyn
Carolyn Sent on 06/09/2012
5 out of 5 rating
This venue is amazing! It has a golf course backdrop with floor to ceiling windows surrounding the entire reception hall so even on a cloudy day it looks amazing. We received so many wonderful compliments on the food and they are very willing to work with you! They have just installed a permanent tent on their patio which is an added bonus for cocktail hour! Overall great service!
P
Phyllis Sent on 03/01/2017
4.9 out of 5 rating
We had our wedding here in February, it was absolutely perfect. The food was great, and we received many compliments. Lexi was very helpful, patient and a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend this location to anyone looking for a stress free wedding. The evening was perfect.
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Awards

10

Map

The Blue Heron at Blackthorn frequently asked questions

The Blue Heron at Blackthorn includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Chairs
  • China
  • Clean Up
  • Event Planning
  • Flatware
  • Glassware
  • Linens
  • Parking
  • Set Up
  • Tables
The Blue Heron at Blackthorn includes the following items and services in its wedding catering costs:
  • Cake Cutting
  • Server(s)
The bar service starting price at The Blue Heron at Blackthorn includes:
  • Bartender(s)
  • House Beer
  • House Wine
  • Limited Bar
The space offered by The Blue Heron at Blackthorn for wedding events is known for:
  • Ballroom
  • Banquet Hall
  • Country/Golf Club
The Blue Heron at Blackthorn offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Covered Outdoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
The Blue Heron at Blackthorn offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Rehearsal Dinner
The Blue Heron at Blackthorn offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Bar Services
  • Catering Services
  • Clean Up
  • Event Planner
  • Event Rentals
  • Liability Insurance
  • Outside Vendors
  • Pet Friendly
  • Wifi
The Blue Heron at Blackthorn offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Aisle Markers
  • Altar/Arch
  • Audio Equipment
  • Centerpieces
  • Chairs
  • Chair Covers
  • Dance Floor
  • Decor
  • Drapery
  • Furniture
  • Lighting
  • Tables
  • Tents
  • Tent Accessories
The Blue Heron at Blackthorn is recommended by 100% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 5.0, with the same score awarded for quality of service, flexibility, value, professionalism and average response time.

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