Stonegate Manor Stylized Wedding Photoshoot

August 09, 2017 • 2 Comments

Love & Lace at Stonegate Manor

I follow a lot of the online wedding planning pages that prospective couples use to communicate with each other about their planning process and experiences with vendors. One of the most common issues I saw was (usually brides) trying to locate vendors local to them that maybe weren't the most popular because they wanted something different from everyone else. They wanted options and they didn't want to have to drive all over to get their needs met.

Stylized shoots happen all the time and a lot of them will use some local vendors but I noticed a lot of overlapping, using the same vendors and models across multiple shoots and most of them were already well-known vendors in their area. If brides are wanting options, then they want to see some of the lesser-known vendors.

What if I created a stylized shoot that did just that? What if I was able to put together a wedding using only local small business wedding vendors? What if I showed couples the options they're looking for? An idea was born--or should I say, a Stylized Shoot was born.

Figuring I would start local with Southwest Michigan since it's a popular destination wedding spot with our rolling hills and vineyards and forests and beaches, I connected with Gretta Volkenstein, marketing director of Stonegate Manor, after seeing her post on Facebook about a venue that was opening in the area. I told her about my idea and she loved it so I made an appointment to come out and see the venue and hear more about it.

I was blown away with how gorgeous the location was! Tucked away in the countryside and surrounded by lush green trees and sprawling lawns, is a Victorian era mansion that once belonged to the Siriano family and is considered a local Historic Landmark.

Originally one of the largest cherry farms in Berrien County, the property began when it was purchased and farmed by the Dickinson family in 1830. They eventually turned it into their homestead, adding a tiny farmhouse in 1847 with gas lighting and no electricity or running water. Over time, more was built onto the home with electricity and running water added by 1890.

Eventually the home was abandoned for 40 years and fell into a state of disrepair. Scheduled for demolition, Patsy Siriano discovered the property and acquired it before it ended up with Chris Siriano, a local historian with the House of David museum and a realtor, who lived on the property with his children and began the work of restoring the home to its former glory.

Over the next 30 years, Chris would add more incredible features to what is now called The Manor House, including the three story turret you can see from the front of the house, as well as an adjoining wing addition to the original Victorian home.

Inside the Manor House, now a Bed and Breakfast, Chris added three ornate fireplaces, carved columns and accents, elaborate tin ceilings, to name a few.

Chris took the existing carriage house and completely remodeled it into what is now used as the Bridal Cottage where brides and their bridesmaids can get ready surrounded by Victorian inspired furnishings and modern comforts.

...more pictures from Stonegate Manor...

The Riverside Room was built by Chris for his House of David Museum and is now used for wedding and event receptions. Able to accommodate groups of 175, the reception hall showcases several floor length windows and french doors that open onto the long sweeping covered porch where guests can wander for fresh air or just to relax away from the music and dancing. At night, the porch lights up with twinkling white lights for a soft, romantic touch.