The High Five Grand Rapids Wedding | Cassie + Austin



If you’re looking for a downtown Grand Rapids wedding venue with exposed brick, huge windows, city views, and an industrial feel without feeling cold, The High Five GR is absolutely worth checking out.



I photographed Cassie + Austin’s wedding at The High Five, and this venue gives you SO much to work with. Beautiful natural light during the day, an open reception space, downtown Grand Rapids right outside the door, and a completely different atmosphere once the lights go down and the dance floor gets going.

And Cassie + Austin’s wedding? An absolute PARTY.

Smiling man in black suit with lavender tie and pocket square, wearing a watch, leaning against a wall.
Bride in lace wedding gown putting on earrings reflected in mirror while getting ready.

A Wedding at The High Five GR

Located at 19 La Grave Ave SE in downtown Grand Rapids, The High Five is a historic, loft-style wedding venue with exposed brick, hardwood floors, chandeliers, and large windows overlooking the city.

The main fifth-floor space can be used for both your ceremony and reception, while the fourth floor can provide additional space for getting ready and cocktail hour depending on your wedding package.

One of the biggest perks is how much can happen in one location.

Less driving. Less getting people in and out of cars. Less time spent coordinating everyone between multiple locations.

More time actually enjoying your wedding.

Elegant white bridal heeled sandals adorned with pearl embellishments displayed on a wooden floor.
Elegant wedding reception hall with floral centerpieces featuring lavender roses, white dahlias, and blue blooms on white-draped tables.
Bridal heels displayed on a window sill with a historic church steeple and brick buildings in the background.

The High Five Grand Rapids Wedding Photography

From a photography perspective, I LOVE a venue that gives us variety without requiring us to disappear for an hour to find it.

The High Five has plenty of character on its own, but you're also right in downtown Grand Rapids. We can step outside for couples portraits, use the surrounding architecture and city streets, and be back before you've missed half of cocktail hour.

Because your wedding isn't supposed to turn into an eight-hour photoshoot.

I want you to have beautiful portraits AND actually experience the day you spent all this time planning.

The High Five makes that really easy.

Elegant wedding venue with circular chandeliers, draped white curtains, and rows of chairs on hardwood floors.

Cassie + Austin's Downtown Grand Rapids Wedding

Cassie + Austin filled this place with the people they love, and their wedding was exactly what a wedding should be - emotional, fun, a little chaotic, and completely THEM.

There were the big moments, of course.

But my favorites are always everything happening between them.

The hugs. The reactions. Someone absolutely losing it during a speech. Your people laughing together when they don't realize I'm photographing them. And eventually, everyone hitting the dance floor and forgetting there is a camera anywhere near them.

That's where the good stuff lives.

The High Five also transforms once daylight disappears. The bright industrial loft feeling gives way to a completely different reception atmosphere, which means your final wedding gallery doesn't feel like it was photographed in one room all day.

Man in white dress shirt adjusting his purple tie, preparing for a formal event or wedding ceremony.
Bride in lace ballgown wedding dress assisted by bridesmaids and flower girl in bright room.
Bride and groom share an intimate moment exchanging vows near a brick wall window during their wedding ceremony.
Silhouette of bride and groom exchanging vows by arched window in rustic brick venue with chandelier.
Excited groom in sunglasses reacts to seeing bride in white wedding dress and veil outside brick building.
Groom in black suit stands with eight groomsmen in navy blue suits and boutonnieres beside stone columns.
Bride and groom laugh joyfully with bridesmaids in lavender dresses holding blue bouquets outside elegant venue.
Bride and groom walk hand-in-hand on city street, bride in flowing white gown holding bouquet, black and white photo.
Mother and groom share an emotional hug during wedding reception mother-son dance at elegant venue.
Guests seated in rows of chairs at an elegant indoor wedding ceremony venue with chandelier lighting.
Emotional mother wiping tears during wedding ceremony seated beside man in gray suit at elegant venue.
A young boy in a blue shirt climbs on chairs near smiling adults at a wedding ceremony.
Elegant indoor wedding ceremony in a rustic brick venue with arched windows, chandelier lighting, and guests seated along a candlelit aisle.
Bride and groom share a romantic moment under a geometric wooden arch adorned with purple and white florals in a rustic brick venue.
Bride and groom signing wedding documents with officiant and bridesmaid at elegant indoor ceremony.
Bride placing white sunglasses on groom during wedding ceremony in elegant venue with chandeliers.
Three groomsmen in navy suits dancing joyfully at a wedding reception in an elegant venue with a chandelier.
Bride in white lace gown and groom in black suit wearing fun sunglasses, holding hands and bouquet at wedding venue.
Bride and groom share a romantic dip kiss on a hardwood dance floor beneath a chandelier in a rustic brick venue.
Bride and groom smiling while cutting their white wedding cake together at their wedding reception.
Groom dips bride on dance floor as she raises floral bouquet during romantic first dance at wedding reception.
Couple sitting closely together at a formal dinner event, woman in navy dress leaning affectionately on man.
Bride and groom share intimate first dance under warm string lights in elegant brick wedding venue.
Bride and groom share an emotional first dance, bride raising a glass under warm string lights at wedding reception.
Bride in lace gown laughs joyfully while dancing with groom in black suit at elegant wedding reception.
Wedding guests dance and celebrate together in a warmly lit rustic brick reception hall during the evening reception.

Why Choose The High Five GR?

If you're searching for a Grand Rapids wedding venue, The High Five is especially worth considering if you want:

  • A downtown Grand Rapids location
  • Industrial character with a polished feel
  • Exposed brick, hardwood floors and large windows
  • Space for up to 300 guests
  • Ceremony and reception options in one venue
  • A private getting-ready space
  • Easy access to downtown for wedding portraits
  • An open reception space made for a packed dance floor



And because you're already downtown, there are hotels, restaurants, and plenty of Grand Rapids within walking distance for you and your guests.

Bride and groom share a romantic nose-to-nose moment on a city street, bride holding a purple and white bouquet.
Bride and groom embrace among grand stone columns, her lace gown trailing elegantly as they share a romantic wedding portrait.

The High Five GR Wedding Venue Details

Venue: The High Five GR

Address: 19 La Grave Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Location: Downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan

Capacity: Up to 300 guests

Style: Industrial, urban, loft-inspired

Best for: Couples looking for a unique downtown Grand Rapids wedding venue with character, city views, and plenty of room to celebrate.



Bride and groom walking hand in hand on a city sidewalk, bride in lace gown with veil, groom in black suit.

Planning a Wedding at The High Five Grand Rapids?

If you're getting married at The High Five GR and looking for a Grand Rapids wedding photographer, hi. 👋


My approach blends documentary wedding photography with editorial portraits — which means I'll guide you when you need it and step back when you don't.


You don't need to spend your wedding day performing for your photographer.


Be with your people. Get emotional. Get your dress dirty. Dance your ass off. Actually experience it.


I'll make sure you remember how it felt.


Your wedding deserves to be experienced.


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Black and white photo of two young children helping a bride with her wedding dress while seated on the floor.
Wedding flat lay featuring invitation for Cassandra Hock and Austin Sturza, pearl heels, rings, lace, and Jo Malone perfume.
Smiling groom in dark suit with lavender tie sits on windowsill, posing for wedding portrait.
Bride putting on earrings with help from older woman in blue dress, reflected in mirror.
Groom in black suit with floral boutonniere holds bride's hands during emotional first look at wedding venue.
Bride and groom share a romantic kiss, with a church tower visible in the background.
Wedding party poses on a blue bridge in Grand Rapids, bridesmaids in lavender gowns and groomsmen in navy suits.
Bride and groom share a romantic embrace between stone columns, with the groom kissing the bride in her lace wedding gown.
Groomsmen in navy suits lifting groom outdoors on city street.
Bride and groom signing wedding documents at a white table, with a blue and white floral bouquet nearby.
Couple dancing and smiling at a wedding reception with warm string lights overhead.
Two smiling women dancing together in elegant dresses at a wedding reception with warm string lights.
A smiling couple embraces at a wedding reception, man in plaid blazer with floral tattoo sleeve, woman in lavender gown.
A smiling couple in formal attire poses together at an elegant indoor event with string lights in the background.
A smiling couple poses together at an indoor event, woman in dark dress and man in light blue shirt.
Smiling couple embracing and dancing together at an elegant wedding reception with string lights.
Bride and groom cross a city street at dusk, holding hands, bride in white gown, groom in black suit.
Bride and groom share a romantic embrace on a city street, with the groom kissing her cheek in wedding attire.
Bride and groom embrace romantically in front of gray barn doors covered with lush green ivy at outdoor wedding venue.
Bride and groom walk hand in hand along a city sidewalk, smiling joyfully in elegant wedding attire.
Black and white photo of a bride and groom kissing against a brick building, their reflection visible in the window.