By Deb Malewski
Marta Brown will take the perfect wedding that’s in your head and dreams and make it a reality, she promises. Brown is the owner Northfork Estate, a wedding venue in Eaton Rapids. Brown and her husband were the first couple married at the venue, in 2015, and since then they have hosted over 74 other weddings at the 50-acre location. Northfork Estate is complete with a ballroom, dance floor, bridal suite, bar, dining area and more. The beautifully landscaped grounds include private ponds and patios. The venue features multiple locations to have the ceremony, both indoors and out, Brown explained.
Brown also acts as a day-of-wedding planner, which is a vital part of the special day. She makes sure every little detail of the event is taken care of so that the bride and groom can relax and enjoy their special day.
“I help them create the best of day of their lives,” Brown said. “They put that trust in me, knowing I will help them create the wedding of their dreams.”
What started out as a horse farm has developed into the largest wedding venue in the area, with a 9,000 square-foot Grand Hall which can seat up to 300 people. This allows both an intimate gathering or an arena-sized event. The venue can go from rustic to ballroom, Brown explained, depending on the couple’s preferences.
The wedding season at Northfork runs from May until October. Northfork Estate has won the “Best in Business” for wedding venues from the Lansing Bridal Association for three years in a row.
As you enter the property through an elaborate wrought-iron gate, you are greeted by a large bronze sculpture of a horse. Brown was a competitive rider for many years with Harley, an Arabian horse, who is now retired. Together, they earned national awards in Western and English riding. The life-size, extremely realistic sculpture was created by renown sculptor J. Anne Butler from Arizona.
Brown has worked for Tetra Corporation — a medical product company founded by her late husband, Paul DiMeglio — for 17 years. At Tetra, she is the director of special projects, which was an easy segue to becoming an event planner/ wedding planner as a business of her own, she explained.
“I do a really good job of throwing a party, and that’s what I do,” said Brown.
Brides seem to agree with her. Every online review is five stars, and they all express great happiness with their weddings. The attention to detail, attentive customer service and the excellent event coordination at Northfork brings many accolades.
Brown’s favorite part about hosting a wedding is the connection she gets to make with the bride and groom.
“Couples truly become part of the family here,” she said. “I spend two minutes alone with them before the event and love being part of the wonder and the excitement of it all.
“We allow them to have the wedding they want. They are free to roam the entire property, bring games and just enjoy the day at outdoor patios and cocktail tables.”
Northfork Estate can be reached by phone at 866-669-6977 or by email at marta@thenorthforkestate.com.
PHOTO INFO:
Photo by Deb Malewski
Marta Brown is owner and operator of Northfork Estate in Eaton Rapids.
