During her first trip up the driveway of Malbay Estate, seeing the house and barn, Breanna Church knew the Bass Lake locale was a destination spot.
Now, she just had to make it one.
After hosting her first wedding in early September, the vision had come together beyond what she expected.
“Someone had to pinch me,” Church recalled. “I’m living my dream.”
The 3,600 square-foot home, barn and 1,000 feet of shoreline on the sprawling 80 acres outside Cohasset was a pristine family home when Church and her husband closed on it in 2023 with her brother and business partner, Dan Benham Jr. They set out on her idea to create a local “wedding staycation” venue that would marry the beauty of northern Minnesota’s outdoors with the simplicity Church built into the Malbay Estate redesign.
Inside the updated farmhouse, she crafted a bridal suite with full-length mirrors, makeup stations and a lounge area. The “garage” is the custom groom’s area with leather couches, TVs and games. New flooring and fixtures blend in with the rustic farmhouse structures for a modern and warm feel.
Some wooded areas around the home and barn were cleared so vendors and guests could easily access the venue, and the outdoors space accommodates a 40x80-foot tent adjacent to the barn. In all, Malbay Estates can host 200 guests on the property.
Vaulted ceilings and large chandeliers highlight the inside of the barn. Handmade reception tables were made using wood from its second-level space, which Church said were ash trees harvested and milled at the estate.
“There was no way I was letting that go,” she said.
Church grew up in Deer River and left for about 12 years while her husband was active duty in the U.S. Air Force, and they returned to the area two years ago. The family is “back to our roots” with more time for their children to see their extended family.
Family, less stress and more fun for couples were among the real inspirations for her vision.
The 5-bedroom home can sleep up to 10 guests, allowing for friends and family to stay onsite for more relaxed time together. Being an extended weekend venue allows them to arrive Friday and leave Sunday, slowing the rush of the traditional wedding timeline.
Access to Bass Lake and the estate's acreage provides a chance to enjoy the outdoor activities of the region. Outdoor seating and fire pits offer the serenity of the estate’s remote location.
“I imagine everyone sitting around a fire after the rehearsal, or waking up early and going fishing on the lake the morning before your wedding, and it's all right here,” Church said. “I just want it to feel like the whole 80 acres is theirs for that weekend.”
Interested in booking Malbay Estate for a wedding or other event? The venue is currently taking reservations between June and mid-October.
More information on Malbay Estate can be found at www.malbayestate.com or on Facebook at Malbay Estate. Those interested in booking the venue can contact Breanna Church through email at malbayestate@gmail.com or phone 218-259-9874.
Photo: Kristina Hendrickson Photo