What is included? Do they have chairs, tables, linens, decor and the list goes on. You can save big time if your venue offers more than just the building for your big day.
When do you get access? If your wedding is on Saturday, when does the venue allow for set up. Some can be very accommodating while others only allow for a certain amount of hours on the day of. YIKES! Some venues allow for you to come in the day before to set up (a beautiful thing) while others charge for use of the facility the day before. It’s also extremely important to ask if there is an exit time.
What is the vendor policy? While a full service venue can take alot of stress off, it can also come at an extra cost. Some venues have very strict policies which requires you to use vendors that are on their preferred list.
Welcome to Pisgah Hill
Photo by Wes Roberts Photography
When my youngest (Hunter) was a baby, we had a Sunday afternoon routine......church, lunch at Red's, and then a little riding to lull him to sleep. Almost weekly, I would purposefully take a left off of Gardner Road onto Pisgah Road. This route was for one reason only - so I could drive by THE most GORGEOUS place around......1850 Pisgah Road Grady, Alabama. This sixteen acre slice of heaven was once owned by my grandfather. He later sold it to a man who was known for turning places into pure beauties and then selling them. The work that was done on this property was AMAZING! I had total "property lust". I had never drooled like this over a piece of earth in my life. Ponds, fencing, driveways, and the prettiest, green grass were added. Every time I drove by, I daydreamed of owning it. But, thanks to its hefty six digit price tag I was quickly brought back to reality. Although I consider myself a "big fat dreamer", I'm not completely crazy and knew buying this was NOT an option. From time to time, I would have to "mess" with Paw Paw by telling him he should have given me the land instead of selling it! But for the most part, I guess you can say I kind of forgot about it.
Years later my hubby and I caught wind that the land was up for sale. We inquired (with no real plan) about it. The price was PHENOMENAL! But the more we learned about the deal, we knew something just wasn't right. We walked away. I knew someone would snatch it up quick! I was sad but knew two things: 1) no matter how great the price was, we couldn't afford it and 2) something was off. So, I guess you can say, I kind of forgot about it - again. Another year or so went by, and I was surfing the internet one night. Looking for a place for weddings, I was googling local real estate and came upon a familiar slice of heaven. The acreage was slightly smaller but the price was ASTONISHING! I couldn't believe it! Long story short.....I love GOD! HE ROCKS MY WORLD and NEVER ceases to amaze me! Almost 10 years later, Kelly and I became the proud owners of 1850 Gardner Road Grady, Alabama. This time we had a plan......to turn it into a beautiful venue for weddings and events. I will never forget the day we closed on the property. My Paw Paw and I walked the land and holding back tears I said, "I can't believe after all this time it's mine!".
On April 28, 2012, we held our first wedding at Pisgah Hill. Our great friends John and Lacy exchanged vows in front of the big pond.
It had been almost a year since John and Lacy's wedding and we had something new up our sleeve. My good friend and AU college roommate called and told me she was engaged. Her "must have" for her wedding was a BARN! Both of us searched and called and googled and looked and scoured the entire state of Alabama for a barn venue. Don't get me wrong we found some nice spots but none that would fit the bill.......too far, too expensive, too many restrictions, too busy, and the list continued. UH-OH! The "big fat dreamer" brain kicked in and I sent a text saying, "Hold off on your search! You have stirred something up!". Hmmmmmmmmm?! Why not build a barn at Pisgah Hill?!
