Unveiling Michigan's Premier Wedding Event Venue
We’re beyond excited to share the highlights of our grand opening event at Hidden Grove Estate, which took place on Friday, May 31. This night marked the culmination of our hard work and the beginning of a new chapter for our beloved venue.
For us, the grand opening means the end of the renovation phase, which is a huge relief. But it’s also the start of our journey in building the business, establishing the brand, and learning the ins and outs of running an event venue. There are still many projects ahead, but we were thrilled to showcase our hard work to our loved ones.
The Transformation Journey
Before we get into the details of our grand opening event, we want to take a quick look at how far we’ve come.
When we bought The Wheatfield Inn, the venue was in dire need of a facelift and a new identity. The exterior, originally a midcentury California villa style hidden under dull, gray stucco with red and green accents, is now a sleek black and white building with beautiful wood soffitting. The front pillars have also been redesigned to be proportionate to the building and are covered in European-style stone. The exterior is absolutely stunning and looks even better against the lush woods and landscaping.
Inside, we retained midcentury features such as unique paneling designs, cabinetry, an open stairway, and high ceilings with beams. However, the decor screamed late 80s/90s, leaving the space feeling confused and lacking cohesion. The heaviness of the décor and design made the space very dark and gloomy.
We’ve restored its identity, creating a modern transitional design with earthy accents inspired by our environment. We focused on lighting up the space and breathing new life into each room. The greens, browns, and natural textures of the wood and stone are now harmoniously integrated throughout the venue. This was purposefully designed so that our guests have a neutral palette to use for their own event color palettes and design. Our venue is crafted to make YOU shine on your special day!
The renovation process was not without its challenges. The number of times we said, “Joanna Gaines makes this look way easier than it really is”! Weather played a significant role, from a tornado during the construction of the pillars to raising the roof over the dance floor in November without a ceiling, exposing us to the fridgid temperatures. Rain also delayed our paint and stucco timelines, causing a domino effect on other tasks.
Despite these challenges, there were many exciting and fun moments during the restoration. Every step brought us closer to realizing our vision.
A Black-Tie Affair
Now let’s get into the details of our incredible event! The night was full of glamour, with everyone dressed to the nines in sleek gowns and black-ties. Our grand opening was an intimate gathering with family, close friends, some of our favorite contractors, and new industry colleagues like photographers and florists who were eager to tour the transformed space. It was an amazing experience to be able to speak with everyone personally.
We kicked off the night with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Lansing Chamber of Commerce, followed by a pre-party before our guests arrived. Our owners, Andrea and Craig even got to use the big scissors for our ribbon cutting! We offered valet parking, appetizers served by Morton’s Fine Catering, cocktails provided by Sleepwalker, and music by Night and Day Productions. The evening was a hit, with Sabrina Oliveira capturing beautiful photos of the night. Sabrina is one of our brides getting married in August, and it was wonderful to have her document this special occasion.
Together, we popped some bubbly and said cheers to a promising future for Hidden Grove Estate.
Gratitude for a Supportive Community
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all who helped make not only the grand opening a success, but the transformation of our venue a reality for us. We could not have done this without the support of the Williamston and Greater Lansing communities cheering us on throughout the renovation process. We extend a special thanks to Morton’s Fine Catering, Sleepwalker, Night and Day Productions, and Sabrina Oliveira for their contributions to making the event a smashing success. While we joked about our contractors not gifting their services, their work was invaluable in bringing our vision to life. We seriously could not have done this without them and their hard work!
As we look ahead, we are excited to host many more events at Hidden Grove Estate. Thank you for sharing this journey with us. We look forward to creating unforgettable moments with all of you.
