It is always fun to watch something old be made new. Mill Creek is home to a jaw-dropping makeover of a nuisance property now known as the beautiful and award-winning event venue: Starlight Meadows.

Brick and Connie Baldwin bought a neglected seven-acre property just outside of Mill Creek in late 2017. Friends and advisors thought they were crazy, but the Baldwins had a vision. Neighbors of the property had grown tired of questionable renters, wild parties, and police visits, and cheered on the new owners in their plans to improve the neighborhood.

It was a daunting project. The Baldwins began by filling three 30-cubic-foot dumpsters with garbage and debris and had six rusted and rotting cars removed from the property. They spent ten months renovating the 1955 home, and in September of 2018, opened the new “Starlight Cottage” to short-term renters on Airbnb and VRBO. Today, the cottage has over 200 five-star reviews and has become a popular choice for Mill Creek families gathering for reunions, holidays, weddings, and wine-tasting retreats.

“We approached this project with our eyes wide open, strong renovation experience, and naive optimism. Looking back, we were also a little bit nuts,” they admit. Connie had envisioned a rustic and whimsical event venue, while Brick had the technical know-how to bring it to life. Planning to do much of the work themselves, they knew it would take years to realize their vision, but the rental income from Starlight Cottage helped to cover expenses while they worked on the rest of the property.  

“We had so many decisions to make and so much to do to follow Snohomish County venue guidelines. We were not allowed to build a permanent structure for receptions, so we bought the prettiest tent we could find, upgraded it with custom features, and added breezy curtains to create a dreamy space with meadow views,” says Connie. She bought 100 used Chiavari chairs to sand and repaint, and Brick designed and built ten farm tables that set the stage for their rustic, yet refined, aesthetic. They hung 21 imported tin and glass stars from the tent ceiling, installed starry tiles on the stairs, and added a handmade stained-glass window featuring a star to the old barn. “Starlight Meadows” was living up to its name.

They hosted their first three events in 2020 and 2021 for friends and neighbors who didn’t mind the property’s rough condition at the time. In fact, the wedding couples and their families pitched in to help. “We held several work parties over the years and could never have come so far so fast without the help of our friends and family. Over the course of several cold spring days, we cleared brambles, seeded meadow grass, and planted over 325 PNW native plants. It felt like a modern-day barn raising where people come together to make something wonderful happen in a short time. We were humbled and so grateful for all the support,” says Connie.

With so many beautiful venues in south Snohomish County, the Baldwins carved a niche for smaller, more intimate events. Their unique tiered pricing structure for elopements, micro weddings, and boutique weddings under 100 guests helps smaller events pay less. Their “Starlight Store” provides over a thousand beautiful items collected by Connie, which she uses along with her design skills to help couples decorate the venue to their unique vision for little to no extra cost. Couples can also rent the Baldwin’s antique cars and furniture. In January of 2022, Brick and Connie officially opened and offered ten wedding dates for the summer season that were booked within six weeks. In the 2023 wedding season, they completed 21 events and are already half-booked for 2024.  

“Creating Starlight Meadows has given us something joyful to focus on after our son’s fatal car accident in 2021,” says Connie. On top of weddings and other events, Starlight Meadows is home to the annual Redfellow Music Festival each July which supports emerging musical artists in memory of their son. “We channel our grief into this place that celebrates love and brings joy to others. We have fallen a little bit in love with each couple, and it has been a privilege to host these beautiful beginning chapters for them. It’s very hard work but it fills us, and we never tire of hearing how much guests love the property,” she adds gratefully.

The Baldwin’s hard work, vision, and unique niche led to Starlight Meadows being nominated for “Best Wedding Venue” in the 2023 Seattle Times "Best in the PNW: The People’s Choice” contest. They won third place after only two years in business.

More than a local property makeover turned business, Starlight Meadows is helping to mend the hearts of a local family. Keep up with the Baldwins and Starlight Meadows at @StarlightMeadowsEvents on Facebook and Instagram, or visit StarlightMeadowsEvents.com.