Love is in the air at the White Birch Wedding Barn, a full-service event venue nestled in the heart of the Irish Hills. Owners Amie and Pat Pelham have taken full advantage of the rustic location and natural beauty of the surrounding birch trees to create a romantic setting that provides all the amenities a bride and groom could possibly desire.
For the Pelhams, "in your dreams, every detail matters" is not just a tagline promoting their new venture; it is a mission rooted in their own love story.
Once upon a time, Amie and Pat were high school sweethearts — she a freshman, he a senior. While she accompanied him to his prom, they did not date. It was clear, even then though, that their union was inevitable. But first, Pat would go off to Adrian College while Amie would continue her high school career in Hudson. Soon, she would graduate and he would be calling to ask her on their first official date. That was in 1988. They were engaged a year later. And, in June of 1991, they tied the knot.
After 33 years together, they continue to share the same vision, both inside and outside their home. Ours is a "sweet marriage," Amie reflected. "Pat and I are a good team. We consider each other's opinions and bounce ideas off of each other. We have fun, so it never feels like work."
Though they did not officially break ground on the White Birch Wedding Barn & Events Center until 2023, the project was years in the making. Back in the day, Pat's mom, Catherine, owned Pelham Catering. And, for many years, while Amie was home caring for her and Pat's two boys, she would sometimes help her mother-in-law at bridal shows and other events, which gave her a unique vantage point from which to observe what worked and what didn't.
As the information collected in the back of Amie's mind, she and Pat would talk about their shared interest in eventually opening a venue of their own. Finally, the time was right, and the pieces just seemed to fall into place, starting with the acquisition of a nine-acre property in Cement City. It was the first one they saw. "We just knew," said Pat.
They contacted an architect who Amie had worked with through her other successful business, Classic Cabinets & Interiors in Tecumseh. The couple trusted that he would be able to capture what they envisioned. On June 1, 2023, official work commenced. And, by June 1, 2024, the White Birch Wedding Barn was hosting its first celebration, which would hold particularly special meaning for Pat and Amie, as it would tie into their own story.
Each year, the Pelhams go to Saugatuck to celebrate their wedding anniversary, and every trip includes a stop at a local shop there. Whenever they stopped previously, Amie would point out a sign with a snippet of lyric, "Take my hand, take my whole life too," from a song made famous by Elvis Presley, of whom Amie is a big fan. After many repeated visits and not walking out with the sign, Amie finally seized the moment — and now that sign hangs above one of the bars in the Barn. Well, as fate would have it, the song from which those words come, "Can't Help Falling in Love with You," turned out to be the song that first bride and groom would enter to. Amie and Pat's goal is to bring each couples' magical vision for their wedding celebration to fruition without anyone in attendance being aware of the tricks it took to make it happen. But they do not accomplish that on their own. The Pelhams have a dedicated staff that assists with all aspects of each event to ensure that things run smoothly and that the focus is "on the magic, not the mess." This hardworking team is led by Wedding Event Manager Molly Boldt. And, while the Pelhams are passionate about providing top-tier amenities and service to create those magical moments, they are equally passionate about doing so with an eye toward affordability. They are also completely transparent when dealing with prospective clients and clearly explain their pricing and terms. Their venue includes 8,200 square feet of indoor space, with a capacity of up to 260 (220 with a designated dance floor). The modern barn is climate controlled and has full glass overhead doors that can be opened for an extended reception area, along with elegant touches such as high-end designer finishes on every surface and four custom-designed fireplace features. To add to the celebratory options, there are two indoor bars, as well as an outdoor bar option, and a Bluetooth smart audio system. All rentals include round tables, black chairs, linens, and a special head table. À la carte items, such as a mobile bar, a dance floor, a golf cart to shuttle guests from the parking lot to the building, and a bus that provides transportation to and from local hotels, are also available. In addition, the outdoor area is covered with 7,600 square feet of artificial turf and there are concrete walkways. "Our goal is for women's shoes and dresses to never touch dirt," Pat proclaimed. For those opting to exchange vows outdoors, the open-air chapel offers the ideal location, and the 140+ hydrangea flowering plants, beautiful gardens and landscaping, and elegant illumination of Edison lights supply the ambiance. The facility also features dedicated bridal and groom suites. The bridal suite is equipped with a private bathroom, hair and makeup stations, full length mirrors, a fireplace, a serving bar and mini-refrigerator, a TV/sound system, luxurious seating, and a balcony and mezzanine that are ideal for photo ops. The groom's suite includes many of the same amenities as the bridal space. But it also has an outdoor putting green and cornhole game. Each detail is well thought out, so all a soon-to-wed couple needs to focus on is the beginning of their happily ever after. Indeed, when it comes to the White Birch Wedding Barn, the Pelhams have left no stone unturned, including the large heart-shaped rock that was unearthed during the early stages of construction. For two people who trusted their instincts and built a venue to host celebrations of love, that discovery could not have been more appropriate. To see all the White Birch Wedding Barn & Events Center has to offer, visit their website and follow them on social media. nWhite Birch Wedding Barn & Events Center
11000 Briggs Hwy, Cement City
517-403-6342
whitebirchweddingbarnmi.com
@whitebirchweddingbarn
