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 400 guests, Être Farms is a wedding venue beyond compare.
Morgan Newman
Director of Operations
& Event Coordinator
cell: 269-769-3316
email: morgan@etrefarms.com
morgan.etrefarms
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.
Nicole VanLente
CEO & Founder
email: nicole@etrefarms.com
nic.vanlente
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.
Mark VanLente
CFO & Marketing Mgr.
cell: 616-239-9099
email: etrefarms@gmail.com
mark.vanlente
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
cell: call my Mom I don't have thumbs
email: I don't have email as I explained above but if you would like to follow me on IG that would be very nice of you.
vp_louisv
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.
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