A farmhouse wedding can be wonderfully romantic, taking the seemingly rudimentary and transforming it into something completely new. If you have always dreamt of having a country wedding, the very first step is to find a venue that gives you the barn style with the castle treatment. That’s where Vale Royal Barn is going to come in and save the day! As a Michigan wedding photographer, I get the chance to go all across the state searching for the best venues out there. Here’s what you can expect with a Vale Royal Barn wedding!
About The Vale Royal Barn Wedding Venue
11009 Old US 23, Fenton, Michigan 48430
Located out in the Fenton countryside, Vale Royal Barn has been around for nearly two centuries before becoming a wedding venue. The structure was built in the 1830s by Frederick F. Riggs, one of the first pioneers in the area. Originally, the building was a part of a 180-acre settlement that also featured a schoolhouse and a farmhouse. Over the years, the property changed hands several times until it was purchased by the Boulton family in 1929. The family kept the land for decades, and the dairy barn eventually became abandoned.
In 2014, Valerie Johnson approached the Boultons to ask about buying the barn, and to her surprise, they offered to donate it. They explained that the barn was about to be demolished, and she had saved it just in time. The property owner, Kent Boulton, asked for one beam that he could incorporate over the mantle of his fireplace. The rest was then salvaged and taken to the waterfront, where it was turned into a venue. Today, the grounds feature butterfly gardens, open fields, and, of course, the historic barn, complete with the original hand-hewn beams.
Details of the Grounds
The Vale Royal grounds have been carefully curated to ensure you have everything you could possibly need for your wedding day! Your day can begin in their on-site inn in a dressing room where you can prepare for your ceremony. Your wedding party will have plenty of space to put on all the finishing touches while sharing a toast to the future!
For those who prefer something a little more nature-filled, you will love the Woods! This forest location is surrounded by trees and features a small clearing for you and your guests.
The Covered Bridge brings its own kind of magic, offering a wooden bridge that will serve as your altar as you say your I do’s. And lastly, the Courtyard is a quaint, backyard space encased by a white picket fence for some country charm!
Cocktail Hour And Beyond
Once it’s time for your cocktail hour, your guests can head to the Courtyard, where they can enjoy drinks while you take pictures in the gardens. The Vale Royal Barn can work with you to set up lawn games like cornhole and fowling so they can stay entertained until it’s time for your wedding reception.
Dinner and dancing will take place in the barn itself. The interior might be rustic, but it’s anything but simple! The hand-hewn beams are wrapped in twinkle lights while brass chandeliers add some sophistication. Natural light shines through the beams while the wooden and concrete floors give you the perfect spot to dance late into the night.
If you feel like having some late-night celebrations, the venue features a bonfire so you can make some s’mores and share drinks with all the people who made your night so magical. This venue is able to hold up to 150 guests.
Photography Opportunities
This property has been lovingly built to ensure you have plenty of photo opportunities throughout your wedding day. The morning of your wedding, you will be able to use the inn so you have on-theme, candid portraits with your party. The farmhouse aesthetics give you the perfect backdrop, while the porch is great for group shots! Both before and after your wedding, you will want to spend plenty of time exploring the grounds. The wildflower gardens are ideal for both group and couples’ portraits, and the dock is a fantastic way to incorporate the water. I also love using the covered bridge and the woods to get romantic pictures with your brand new spouse.
While the barn shines at every hour, I really love it for send-offs. Your guests can head outside and say their goodbyes with the barn serving as an iconic backdrop!
Wedding Details
Vale Royal Barn is an all-inclusive venue with packages for everything you could need for your wedding. You will be able to choose between one-day rentals and full weekend rentals. With the latter, you will be able to start setting up on Friday morning and hold your rehearsal that evening. From there, you will be able to stay the night at the inn. You will have access to the venue for all of Saturday, and you will check out the next day on Sunday. They additionally have micro-wedding packages and Sunday discounts. With Vale Royal, you will have a list of preferred vendors to choose from, and you can pick caterers outside of the list. You will have access to a golf cart and an attendant throughout your wedding day, and they will provide the tables and the chairs.
I Hope You Absolutely Love The Vale Royal Barn Wedding Venue
If you are looking for a wonderfully rustic backdrop for your farm wedding, I just know you are going to love the Vale Royal Barn wedding venue! Now, you just need the right photographer by your side to help you capture it. I can help with that, too! As a Michigan wedding photographer, I love traveling all across the state, working with couples to help them document their special day. If you want to see if I’m the one to be there for your celebration, let’s chat! Send me a message today to find out more!
