About Être Farms
Barn Weddings Enter A New Era
Gone are the days of conventional, rustic weddings. At Être Farms, you’ll find that we have elevated the concept of a “Barn Wedding” to align with the expectations of modern brides and grooms. Within our luxury venue, you’ll find a sweeping event space that maintains a clean, crisp, and contemporary aesthetic.
Located in the resort town of St. Joseph, Michigan, Être farms is just a one hour drive from Chicago and only two hours from Ann Arbor. We like to consider ourselves a “Local Destination” - meaning you get the carefree atmosphere of an elopement with the elevated touches of a grand wedding celebration.
The perfect combination of cozy and lavish, our grounds feel more like those of a modern estate than a typical rustic barn venue. The venue’s opulence is only enhanced by our on-site, speakeasy-inspired bars -“Seven XVI'' and “Spirits + Soul”.
With space to accommodate over 325 guests, Être Farms is a wedding venue beyond compare.
Our Mission
Our vision for Être Farms was born from a dream. This dream was to not only give you and your partner a special day, but also to inspire the eye to beauty in its rare form. Our barn only blossoms with your love.
We created Être Farms with our couples in mind. With the development of our services, we believed it was of utmost importance for our couples to have an all-inclusive and upscale experience. At Être Farms, you are accompanied by a team of experts who will lead the way through your event planning.
From invitations, florals, and exquisite cuisine, we will manage it all. It is our priority to see that you worry less about the details and more about creating beautiful memories.
We go beyond designing a visually stunning event. We want a connection with our couples that will withstand the test of time. We want to continue the story beyond your big day.
Our story begins here with you.
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Être Farms Family
Meet the Etre Family!
Nicole VanLente
Owner & Lead Designer
Nicole has worn many hats through her professional career but always stayed sharp on the business side and followed design intently.
Nicole also known as Nic was in a HR role for the contractors at Whirlpool Corp. This is where she found her love of working with people. She went into an Operations Manager role at a high-end men's clothing catalog. She decided after a few years to grow her husband's automotive company through sales and marketing. As expected it did exceptionally well but foreseeing the upcoming struggles in automotive they knew to look at other endeavors.
During a trip to Traverse City, MI almost four and half years ago, she was inspired by the charm of the rolling landscape. On the way home Nicole woke from a nap and said to Mark "What about a white wedding barn?" And that's how it all began.
Taylor Hollis
Event Coordinator/Bar Manager
Taylor grew up in South Haven and is no stranger to the service industry. She’s worked many roles beginning at the young age of thirteen. She has a total of fifteen years in the restaurant industry with eight of them focusing on restaurant management. In Piedmont Italy she spent three months interning and volunteering where she gained an interest in winemaking. Once back in Michigan she obtained a degree in enology and viticulture (winemaking & grape growing) and worked as an assistant winemaker.
Her background in the service industry, management, and education have proved to be a great asset the team. Her skills combined aid with coordination and logistics associated with event planning.
Taylor now lives in St. Joseph with her fiancé Jerrad, set to get married at Être Farms June 2023. They have a beautiful baby boy Boone who is the youngest member of the Être family.
Mark VanLente
CFO/Kitchen Manager
Mark is a former accountant and pilot but was never happy just being in an office. He started his own automotive recycling business at the age of twenty-five before there was internet to tell you what to do and not do. This is why Être has been able to stay on track through construction and planning. His knowledge of how to work through roadblocks and design changes Nicole throws his way, makes him the go to person to get things done quickly and accurately.
Mark's father was an Industrial Arts & Drafting teacher at the local High School. In the Summer he did contracting and restored antique cars. Mark was always told that he was born with a hammer in his hand and wrench in his mouth, by the time he was seventeen he was restoring show cars on his own. He had the pleasure of his work on display at a Pebble Beach Car Show.
He turned his attention from automotive back to construction, he says "it has been like saying hello to an old friend."
Louis V. aka
Best Friend
VP of Animal Mgmt.&
Corp. Paper Shredder
I was a graduation present for my mom, Morgan. She said she wanted a little white dog to carry around and match the barn, boy did I surprise her! Now when she carries me she usually needs to support me on her hip because I have a gained a few pounds from last year, hehe. Don't judge, mom says it's all muscle.
I rule the house, and everything is mine, mom just lives there to take care of my every bark. I love going to the venue, but I get a little dirty with all the dirt being moved. I take my job VERY seriously and you will find me on patrol at the barn keeping an eye on everyone. I'm trying to show them I can be security detail if needed. It's always good to add to your resume.
I can't wait for the couples to bring their fur babies so I can show them around.
Morgan Newman
Director of Operations/Event Coordinator
2020 Graduate from University of Tennessee - bachelor’s in supply chain management with a collateral in entrepreneurship
Morgan keeps everyone organized and uses her skills in logistics to keep the client operations on track. Also, acting as the communication liaison between the venue and our clients. Ensuring to build lasting relationships with the couples who decide to join our Être Family.
Morgan was born in East Tennessee but grew up in Southwest Michigan and knows all the great little local places in town for whatever you’re looking for. She is obviously a huge University of Tennessee fan.
Also, she is a proud mother of a 1-year-old Westie named Louis who keeps her busy. You will see them on their daily walks around downtown St. Joe usually heading to get a matcha latte or going to visit the lake.
Shane Graybeal
Executive Chef