The MillCreek Wilde…. is natures promise
The MillCreek Wilde was once a working Tree and Plant Nursery. The venue sits deep in the countryside of Southwest Michigan just 1.5 hours from Chicago and 2 hours from Detroit. It's a perfect central location for your out of town guests. Many hotel, AirBNB and fun cottages to rent in our area…and it’s only 15 minutes from beautiful Lake Michigan! As you approach MillCreek you are surrounded by rolling fields, fragrant orchard blossoms, fruiting trees and beautiful working farms -which sets the stage for your day. In fact, Millcreek Wilde is noted for offering the most private and secluded wedding day experience.
The Venue itself offers a Chic cottage white windowed dining room full of lush light seating up to 280 people and a dancehall that boasts hand-hewn beams surrounding you. It perfect for your late night bash! It is not uncommon for couples to offer food trucks or hot dog carts to their guests at dusk.
The Ceremony site is picturesque with flagstone steps that approach a vintage whitewashed arbor with majestic pines on each side - here a mature climbing rose has delightfully made itself a home for years. The spacious grounds are defined by fieldstone walls and outdoor lounges - which include a lawn ready for yard games or the perfect cocktail garden party. Come for a country ride and see us!
We have three Venues!!!!
5-10min away from each other!
We’d LOVE to show you all three!
Reservations Available:
Friday, Saturday & Sunday
May – October
2024/2025 VEnue rental Pricing
Prices are subject to change at anytime and a reservation is not complete until a signed rental agreement has been submitted with a non-refundable deposit of $1000 ( this is applied towards your rental) . Visit our What's Included section to learn more. 250 people max.
Friday Pricing
Venue Rental Fee: $5400
Ceremony Fee: $600
Total: $6000
Saturday Pricing
Venue Rental: $6400
Ceremony Fee: $600
Total: $7000
Sunday Pricing*
Venue Rental Fee: $4400
Ceremony Fee: $600
Total: $5000
*Saturday pricing will apply to any Sunday that falls on a holiday or precedes a holiday
2024/2025
Included with Venue Fee
(up to 250 person capacity)
This list represents what is available to any client, not necessarily what a particular client will use. Visit our pricing section to see costs.
12-hour rental of the barn (Noon – Midnight)
30 - 60” dia. round tables (seats 8 – 9)
280 - Chiavari dining chairs
4 - 8' Head tables (wood harvest or standard tables)
32 - 6' Buffet tables (as needed)
Vintage cake table
Gift table & place card table
Vintage coffee table
Vintage guest book podium
4 - 30” dia. x 42” H high-top tables
Hand made wood DJ table & stage (plenty of electric for a band)
Handcrafted wood bar
Ice bins, galvanized bins & Kegerator
Indoor gorgeous bathrooms (handicap accessible)
Draped twinkle lights
Outdoor patios
Cocktail-hour area with hand built outdoor bar
2 - 24” x 32” chalkboards
NEW!! outdoor covered lounge area
Fire pit ( please provide your own Michigan firewood)
Set up tables and chairs
Take down tables and chairs
Staff for maintenance, janitorial duties and emergencies
Plenty of free parking onsite
Handicap accessible
1-hour on-site scheduled consultation
You hire your choice of caterer - we have a wonderful vendors list if you need help finding the perfect caterer
please email ameliabriske@eathlink.net for this list
You will buy and supply your own alcohol
Included with Additional Ceremony Fee of $600
This list represents what is available to any client, not necessarily what a particular client will use. Visit our pricing section to see costs.
Spring at Millcreek Wilde….most Romantic time of the year!
ladybird Cottage (with A/C & heat)
Hemingway Hut (with A/C & heat)
Unity table
One-hour complimentary rehearsal (see FAQs for rehearsal schedule)
280 chairs
Setup & breakdown of ceremony chairs
Handcrafted arbor
Location
68770 80th Ave.
Watervliet, Michigan 49098
Just 20 minutes from the beautiful Saint Joseph & Benton Harbor area and within a 1.5 hour drive from Chicago or Detroit.
GPS Coordinates:
N42 07.842 W86 12.730
Southwest Michigan is known for its fantastic tourist attractions including local wineries, breweries, beaches and apple, peach, cherry & blueberry picking. Jollay Orchards is a nearby and popular destination for seasonal events and orchard picking for all ages.
The beaches along Lake Michigan are some of the finest in the world. The most notable are Silver Beach, Tiscornia, Rocky Gap, Jean Klock Park and Weko Beach but the list goes on and on.
Someone say Vineyard? Berrien County is long known for it's vineyards and first-class wine grapes. Visit 21 wineries on The Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail.
Artisan breweries are popping up all over Southwest Michigan. Check out the http://www.swmibrewtours.com
Looking for more local information? visit Southwest Michigan Tourism Council — their website is an awesome resource for local event listings, lodging and all sorts of other great stuff!
MillCreek Barn Wilde is 25 minutes east of the Benton Harbor Arts District and beautiful downtown St. Joseph where you'll find a wide-array of boutiques, restaurants, museums, hotels, beach rentals and seasonal events.
We're here to help.
Thanks for stopping by! Please use the form below to inquire about tour dates, available event dates, pricing or anything else that comes to mind.
If you haven't heard from us within 48 hours please check your junk mail! or resend your email to ameliabriske@earthlink.net.
If you have time, please visit our social media sites and award-winning sister venues — The Blue Dress Barn and Sundance & The Secret Garden.
Fields marked with an asterisk* are required.
LET'S CELEBRATE SAFELY!
To our guests:
MillCreek Wilde is open and welcoming guests! During your visit, know that the collective well-being of our guests, employees, and community remain our priority, and we are committed to maintaining public safety standards that bring us all peace of mind.
We appreciate our couples’ patience, flexibility and continued support as the team at MillCreek Wilde finds the best ways to navigate health & safety requirements while remaining of service.
MillCreek Wilde exists to honor and celebrate your special event!
We are with you, and we will get through this time together.
Be well, be safe, and thank you!
The Barns Management Co.
Sample Time line
(This is just an example)
Rental times Noon-Midnight ( Sundays we offer 10am-10pm if you choose)
When you arrive the tables and chairs will be set up - ready per your floorplan that Amelia will hand draw & provide to you. Email for details ameliabriske@earthlink.net
Noon Arrival
Noon-1:30
place linens on tables, set up personal décor etc.
(Or maybe hired a coordinator/rental company to do that for you?) We do see DIY couples. MillCreek Wilde is already very beautiful – linens and florals you have a beautiful room!
1:30-3:00
Bridal Prep / other vendors arrive for their set up
(Couples usually have hair/makeup done in town/hotel/AirBnB. They arrive in robes and use
the Cottage & Hemingway Hut for putting on their dress/suits and touchups)
Usually they arrive at the venue around 1:30/2pm
3:00-4:00 First look
(Couples walk around the Barn & Wooded Areas, The Old Barn on the Hill,
Under the Apple Trees, Hang in the Bower Lounge and more)
Sometimes Family Formal photos are taken at this time.
4:00-4:30 Bridal Party in Suites
(Back to suites for one more touch up & line up your wedding party for Ceremony)
4:30 -5:00 Ceremony begins
(Traditional ring ceremony is 9min. long )
5:00 -6:00 Cocktail Hour, Wedding Party Photos
(your guests will enjoy drinks & appetizers during this time - provided by your caterer. Couples usually head to Hemingway Hut to sign their marriage license – along with more celebratory photos)
6:15 -6:30 Wedding Party announced….. Newlyweds introduced!
(gather your wedding party behind curtains / prepare for introduction)
You could cut your cake at this point & first newlywed dance.
6:30-7:30 Dinner Begins
Important to confirm your dinner time with your career before solidifying your timeline
7:30pm First Dances (with parents)
8:00-11:00 get out and Dance!!!
(3 hours of non-stop fun!)
11:00 Music ends
(last call is made, Coordinator, Rental companies or family start to gather personal belongings, Dj starts to pack up, bartenders box any opened alcohol for you to take home, The MillCreek Wildestaff starts to clean the barn and take trash out.
Midnight Departure
( this includes vendors)