”Some painters transform the sun into a yellow spot,
others transform a yellow spot into the sun.
-pablo picasso
Welcome to Sundance & The Secret Garden
Sundance is located in the village of Millburg, amongst the “Wedding Belt" of Southwest Michigan.
Just 1.5 hours from Chicago and just over 2.5 hours from Detroit…making it a perfect middle area for your out of town guests.
The owners Amelia & Kirby Briske are cutting edge Designers and Artist who met while Studying Fine Art in Chicago 22 years ago. This Husband and Wife team have taken an abandoned bank, a historical blacksmith shop and farm equipment station and turned it into a one of a kind Venue … Truly nothing like it!
The Dining room itself offers a cement block/white washed walls…. with steel framed factory windows - This room is full of hand made chandeliers wiht an assortment of wood tables - just adjacent is the dancehall (once a blacksmith shop) has a rustic “A” framed ceiling - It is raw and cool!
The Ceremony site is located thru the Parlor door in the courtyard (outback) … yes it is a Secret Garden! Nestled in this area is the Bridal cottage and Grooms Garage - with stone paths that lead you to every magical spot. The courtyard is influenced by old European gardens - Roses, Lavender, Sage & Fern. Decorative white steel railings line the walk way to the arbor which is framed by Huge Arborvitaes. A Vintage bar is located just down a hill for the perfect Outdoor cocktail party.
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
Sundance and The Secret Garden in the Media
2024/2025 Venue Rental Pricing
The maximum occupancy is 200.
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 applied towards your rental ). Visit our What's Included section to learn more.
Friday Pricing
Venue Rental: $5400
Ceremony Site Rental : $600
Total: $6000
Saturday Pricing
Venue Rental : $6400
Ceremony Site Rental : $600
Total: $7000
Sunday Pricing*
Venue Rental : $4400
Ceremony Site Rental : $600
Total: $5000
*Saturday pricing will apply to any Sunday that falls on a holiday or precedes a holiday
LET'S CELEBRATE SAFELY!
To our guests:
Sundance 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 Sundance finds the best ways to navigate health & the safety of guests while remaining of service.
Sundance 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.
2024/2025
Included with Venue Rental
The maximum occupancy is 200 guests.
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 Venue (Noon – Midnight)
21 - 60” dia. round tables (seats 8 – 9)
200 - Chiavari dining chairs
3 - 8' wood farm tables
12 - 6' tables (as needed)
Vintage cake table
Gift table & place card table
Vintage coffee table
Vintage guest book podium
4 - 30” dia. x 42” high-top tables
Hand made DJ table & stage
Handcrafted wood bar
Ice bins, galvanized bins & Kegerator
Indoor gorgeous bathrooms (handicap accessible)
Draped twinkle lights
Outdoor patio with cafe table
Cocktail-hour area with hand built outdoor bar
1 - 24” x 32” chalkboards
Set up tables and chairs
Take down tables and chairs
Staff for maintenance, janitorial duties and emergencies
Free parking onsite
Handicap accessible
1-hour on-site scheduled consultation
QUICK FAQ
*Hire your choice of caterer
( this can be your choice or we have a wonderful vendors list if you need assistance )
*You buy and supply your own alcohol or drink
*Luther Bar tending service is our required bar service
email ameliabriske@earthlink.net for more info and the vendors list
Included with Ceremony Rental
This list represents what is available to any client, not necessarily what a particular client will use. Visit our pricing section to see costs.
Bridal Cottage (with A/C & heat)
Groom Garage (with A/C & heat)
Unity table
One-hour complimentary rehearsal (see FAQs for rehearsal schedule)
200 white chairs
Setup & breakdown of ceremony chairs
Handcrafted arbor
Location
4817 Territorial Road,
Millburg, Michigan 49022
Just 15 minutes from the beautiful Saint Joseph & Benton Harbor area and within a 1.5 hour drive from Chicago or Detroit.
GPS Coordinates:
42.110465, -86.227567
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!
Sundance Studios is 15 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 you spam! 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 The MillCreek Wilde.
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 - 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 hired coordinator or rental company to do that for you?) You can be a DIY couple or hire a person to do that for you.
Sundance 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 Garden Studioor The Garage Loungefor putting on their dress/suits and touchups)
The Bridal party usually arrives at the venue around 1:30/2pm
3:00-4:00 First look
(Couples walk around Sundance, stain glass windows for backdrop, walk one block north to the gorgeous wooded area, love the decorative block in front, sit on “all you need is love” bench, walk to sunflower field one block west, take a 3min car ride to Jollay Apple Orchard and more)
Family Formal photos are sometimes taken at this time.
4:00-4:30 Bridal Party in Suites
(Back to suites to gather your wedding party – Meet in the dancehall to prepare 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 in the Garden - provided by your caterer. Couples usually head to Garden Studio to sign their marriage license – along with more celebratory photos)
6:15 -6:30 Wedding Party announced….. Newlyweds introduced !
(gather your wedding party in the parlor behind curtains and prepare for introduction)
You could cut your cake at this point & newlyweds first dance.
6:30-7:30 Dinner Begins 7:30 (
(You should confirm with caterer before solidifying 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, Sundancestaff starts to clean the venue and take trash out.
Midnight Departure (this includes vendors)