The Gallery Venue by Branhams — Attraction in East Tawas

My husband and I live 12 hours apart (Toronto & Houghton), so finding a wedding venue in the middle was not easy — but The Gallery Venue by Brahnams was perfect. With so much family flying in from different countries, and family and friends driving from 6+ hrs away, I wanted a beautiful space for them to enjoy our wedding and this venue did not disappoint! Teila has done a phenomenal job with the space. My wedding party really enjoyed the bridal/groom suite, and my guests absolutely loved the venue.

Planning remotely presented its challenges, but the venue manager, Teila, was exceptional. She kindly offered a video tour so we could see the space before booking and continued to be a tremendous resource throughout the planning process. She not only guided us with decor ideas (and has a wonderful selection available), but also helped coordinate with our photographer, videographer, DJ, and caterers leading up to the wedding. Every question we had was answered with care and helpful suggestions.

Wedding planning is stressful enough on its own, but trying to organize everything from hundreds of miles away without family or friends nearby to help made the process even more challenging. Throughout it all, Teila was incredibly supportive and responsive. The venue itself is stunning, but what truly made the experience exceptional was Teila’s dedication. We are so grateful for her guidance and care in making our wedding day smooth and special. I would highly recommend both this venue and Teila to anyone planning...

Let's be clear: the venue itself is the only reason this place hasn't sunk into the swamp of mediocrity. The grounds are gorgeous, a beautiful backdrop that, frankly, deserves a competent staff. Instead, we were cursed with Teila, the alleged "venue manager." If she's a manager, I'm the Queen of England. She exhibited a stunning, almost artistic incompetence. Forget the usual organizational hiccups; Teila offered a masterclass in how to fail spectacularly. Her "communication" was a tragicomedy of missed calls, ignored emails, and the general vibe that she was either actively hiding or had forgotten the meaning of the word "professional." Important details weren't just "missed"; they seemed to have been actively incinerated in a bonfire of sheer indifference. For a day this important, you don't just want an organizer; you need a strategic commander. What we got was an intern who clearly only landed the job because she could operate a key fob. She didn't just add stress; she was a human stress grenade, detonating tiny, avoidable disasters at every turn. It's a crying shame that such a magnificent location, a place that clearly cost a fortune, is being run into the ground by someone who couldn't organize a sock drawer. The bride's heart ache? Mine aches for the poor owners who are clearly oblivious to the liability they have running around pretending to be a manager. Do yourself a favor and find a venue where the staff is as polished as the silverware, not one where the manager is duller than the...

We were very disappointed with our experience at this venue due to the way it was managed by Teila and her staff. • We were kicked out three hours early so Teila could attend the junior homecoming football game — even though she didn’t have kids in it. • She repeatedly told us there were cameras in the bridal and groom’s suites, which was both uncomfortable and inappropriate. • The lighted “bride and groom” sign was supposed to be white but was turned red multiple times, leaving it red in most of our photos. • Teila actually walked up to the bride right before her first bite of dinner to hand her a vape she claimed to have found outside. • She refused to turn down the lights for the father–daughter dance and for the DJ, only relenting when guests yelled. • The groom’s suite cooler was kept locked, and when it was opened there were only four beers sitting in a tub. • Bar service was limited to 1 oz pours. • Teila and her staff ate before our guests and even before the hired help. • At one point, Teila attempted to throw away the wedding cake. • Staff began packing up tables while guests were still eating and even continued during speeches.

For a venue this beautiful, the lack of professionalism and courtesy from Teila and her team was unacceptable. What should have been a smooth and joyful day was overshadowed by repeated disruptions and...