The White Birch Wedding Barn

The White Birch Wedding

Barn & Events Center

Written by Melissa McCance

Because in your dreams, every detail matters.

When you’re planning a special event, taking care of the details can make the difference between a so-so celebration and one that is truly special. Amie and Pat Pelham, owners of the White Birch Wedding Barn & Events Center, have invested many hours thinking through every important detail involved in a wedding. Their goal is to create a wedding venue where a seamless experience allows the bride and groom to have a wedding that will be remembered as a magical time, free of worries and mishaps.

The seeds of creating a wedding venue were planted some time ago when Amie enjoyed helping her mother-in-law with her catering business. This included working a number of weddings as well as bridal shows. Amie and Pat began talking about opening a nice wedding venue, but, busy with raising their sons, work, and other commitments, that project went on a back burner.

They revisited the idea in November 2022, located some land, and began work in earnest. The facility was designed in January 2023 and construction started in June that year. Their concept combines the spaciousness of a barn structure in a rural setting with many elegant, modern features. Tackling a project of this size and complexity could strain a marriage, but the Pelhams never had that issue.

“Pat and I are an awesome team,” explains Amie with a smile. “We both consider each other’s opinion as very important, so I’ll run things by him and he’ll run things by me. And, we have fun doing it so it doesn’t feel like it’s work.”

It was important to the Pelhams to create a venue that was beautiful but still affordable. It’s not uncommon for a couple to think a venue is within their budget until they find out how much of what they’ll need isn’t included in the venue price. Amie and Pat want to be very transparent when dealing with prospective customers as to what their rental price gives them. The rental fee for the White Birch Wedding Barn includes round tables, black chairs, linens, a special head table, an open-air venue, and a golf cart to shuttle guests from the parking lot to the building if they need or prefer that to walking. Also, everything is handicap accessible.

For couples planning an outdoor wedding, there is an outdoor chapel that makes a perfect setting. And, unlike at most outdoor weddings, neither the wedding party nor the guests need to worry about heels sinking into the dirt or

dresses dragging across the grass—the outdoor area is covered with 7600 square feet of artificial turf. This, combined with the concrete walkways around the venue and the golf cart shuttle makes for a bonus that Pat states with pride: “Our goal is that women’s shoes and dresses will never touch dirt.”

Nine acres of property surround the venue. In addition to the white birch trees that were already there, 45 additional trees have been planted with strategic placement and highlighted with lighting. The landscaping provides a special touch with white hydrangeas flanking the walkway that leads the bride to the openair chapel as well as a number of professionally-installed gardens. All the landscaping is fully irrigated to ensure a lush, green setting. There’s an 80-foot covered porch, bistro tables, outlets for the sound system, and Edison lights to enhance the outdoor space.

The interior design of the barn is stunning: approximately 8200 square feet of space with a guest capacity of 260 people (220 with a designated dance floor), a 30-foot ceiling with beams, multiple chandeliers, four custom-designed fireplaces, climate-controlled, and two full glass overhead doors that can be opened to extend the reception area outdoors. Every surface features high-end designer finishes.

Continuing with their passion for details, the Pelhams have included two bars and a mobile bar, a commercial ice machine, a warming kitchen for the caterer, a separate rear entrance and parking lot for all the service personnel, an interior and an exterior balcony, several feature walls that are perfect for photos, beautifully-appointed restrooms, and coat storage.

There are also suites for the bride and groom where they can gather with their bridesmaids or groomsmen to get ready. The bridal suite features hair and make-up stations, full-length mirrors, a private bathroom, fireplace, feature wall, serving bar with minifridge, tv and sound system, elegant seating area, and a balcony and mezzanine that are perfect for pictures.

The groom and his crew will enjoy custom suit storage, a luxurious seating area, fireplace, serving bar with minifridge, tv and sound system, and a full-length mirror. Just outside they’ll find a putting green and a corn hole game.

To help the couples stay within budget, the Pelhams offer a generous discount for early payment. There’s a 50% down payment

required to secure the date and any available 2024 weekend dates that are paid in full by March 31, 2024, will receive a $2,000 discount off the standard fee. For 2025 dates, the 50% down payment still applies and weekend dates that are paid in full by June 30, 2024, will also receive the $2,000 discount. Besides what’s included in the basic fee, they have a selection of à la carte items that can be added such as a “day of” coordinator, all-inclusive coordination package, after wedding clean-up, option to host the bridal shower or rehearsal dinner on site, and several others.

Amie and Pat love their community and are working to bring in other area businesses from the Irish Hills area that mesh with creating a wedding such as food vendors and wineries. They’re excited to see their dream become reality and look forward to having many weddings and other special events at the venue. As Amie summed it up, “It’s a labor of love.”

The White Birch Wedding Barn & Events Center is located just south of US 12 at 11000 Briggs Hwy, Cement City, MI 49233. You can reach them at 517-403-6342, on Facebook, and their website is whitebirchweddingbarnmi. com.