Transcript
Speaker: Planning a wedding comes with timelines, trends, expectations, and a whole lot that couples never see coming. We're two wedding planners pulling back the curtain on what really happens behind I do. Each week on Behind I Do, we bring you real talk about real weddings, timelines, trends, the wins, and the what ifs.
Speaker: From the smooth as silk celebrations to the did that actually just happen moments, we're sharing the stories, lessons, and insider knowledge that help couples plan with confidence and maybe even laugh along the way.
Speaker: Whether you're a bride, groom, vendor, or wedding lover at heart, this is your backstage pass to the world of weddings. Told candidly, graciously, and with the expertise only seasoned planners can offer. Grab your coffee, your planning binder, and your confetti, and join us behind I do. Episode 25, we're here with Charlie at... Dear Flat Ranch.
Speaker: Yeah. Thank you guys for having me. You're welcome. No one's ever really cared what I had to say before. so We always carry up to say Charlie. Always. Okay, so we thought we'd start with... How did Deer Flat come to be? And how long, I guess, have you been a venue? yeah Deer Flat, let me think. So, I mean, it really just came because we had the property. So we bought the property back in 2017.
Speaker: We're trying to figure out what to do with it without putting like... 600 homes out there yeah and so we're like okay well let's uh let's weigh some options and um we actually talked with another coordinator and just see like hey what Like, could we do a venue out here? Because we have no experience in venues at all. And so we talked to this coordinator, she said, do it like this is a great property for it and so I think we went through the permitting process in 2018, 2019.
Speaker: COVID happened and we delayed everything and we built the building in 21. So we've been kind of functioning events in our for the last.
Speaker: Seven years. Yeah. And so for the first year was just that grass. space, right? I want to say you guys did one of the first events we we ever did out there. Yeah, I remember coming out there because we all worked at Lululemon together. Oh, yeah. We actually, we've known each other for a long time. together We're like, what the heck? How? like Why are you here? Yeah, it was so funny. But yeah, because we've known each other for like 10 years now. And we're all wearing Lululemon today also. yeah no Shout out to Lululemon.
Speaker: ah If you don't wear Lululemon, you can't be a part of our group. but
Speaker: Yeah, because I think I met Allie in 2016. And then, yeah, you guys got started in weddings in what, was it 2019 or 2018? I think it was eight. You started in 18, yeah? Yeah. We came to be Capital Cajuns in 2019. In 2019, yeah. Because I started the year before I got married. Right. So yeah, yeah. So that's crazy. Wild journey. It has been. And it's been cool seeing the grass space and then you guys creating that building. Yeah. Which I think we've talked about it before in our podcast. And it's like...
Speaker: You are one of our favorite venues. I think just how you designed it makes so much sense. It's like, it's big enough, eh? And there's no weird pulls and it's like the coloring is good. yeah and i feel like when we were designing it like we kind of like learned like i'm glad we had that early wedding experience part of the venue because we kind of figured out what we what we wanted and what we didn't want right
Speaker: When we went through the design process, our architect kind of like gave like pretty clear guidelines on what would work and what wouldn't. And yeah I feel like it just makes our life a lot easier on that design. Yes. And those six garage doors are like, like Sunday we just had a wedding there and it was like the weather was perfect. And Charlie opened the three garage doors and it was just like, you can see the lake and the sun shining in. And it was like. a Beautiful. Yeah, when were when we were kind of in the design process, like we want a functional tent if we can, but just have like all the practicality. Yes, so yes. And the indoor outdoor space is like a lot of fun. So nice. That's amazing. I think we talked about it in our venue podcast. you're one of, if not the only venue. Like.
Speaker: especially two years ago, that was built for weddings. Every other like building has been semi -converted from something else yeah into a wedding venue. And it makes all the difference because there's all these, like even this.
Speaker: Stucco Sky Center, however you say it. It's not a wedding venue, but they try. to make it one but you have poles you have tvs everywhere the carpet color the car there's carpet i mean there's carpet in a wedding venue yeah
Speaker: Yeah, it's just crazy. So it's so amazing to walk into a space that was actually designed for with yeah the thought in mind of a wedding going to be here. What would photos look like? The only thing you need to add still is a space for it. I know. Yeah. and Where can I go? That's like our my biggest but little kitchen, the tiny kitchen that looks like all the vendors go in there and eat dinner and stuff. And it's just like we had a like Sunday. I think yeah like the.
Speaker: The wedding was a great and the bride had a vendor table and we all just still end up in that kitchen. I eliminated the vendor table because I was like, absolutely not. Well, when we first came into this venue space, we were like, this kitchen is amazing. yeah We were like obsessed because no other.
Speaker: Venue even has that. But yeah, we feel that. in Four seconds flat. Yeah. like it say yes yeah that That's one thing. if If we do a renovation at some point, we'll be adjusting. Yeah. Definitely. Yeah. But I guess.
Speaker: Because you started it kind of without experience, like you said. But my question for you is like. We hear it all the time. People are like, oh, I'm going to start a wedding video. You make so much money and it's just so easy. like And obviously we know that's not true. Yeah.
Speaker: But what's like your advice or what's the hardest thing also like owning a venue? I mean, it's not just that easy. You don't just open the doors and say, have fun. Yeah, no, definitely. I mean, there are venues that do that. I don't know how they do it. I mean, it just I feel like your space would just get trashed eventually. but i don't know i there are a lot of like venue people that are interested in building venues that haveve come out and talk to us about it and i think people don't realize the the time requirements that it takes and then.
Speaker: honestly like the inputs like like just keeping the lawn nice is like landscaping landscaping is no joke i mean charlie is a professional landscaper you killed that one tree then you have to replace it one of the little of a lot of trees i mean it's the kid and kids kill everything and that's true kids and drunk people destroy everything but landscaping is probably the biggest thing that i don't know we didn't realize that would be such ah an ordeal going into yeah
Speaker: um keeping Keeping things clean is another thing where it's just like... spills and i mean there's just a lot there's a lot of vomit. ah ah But yeah, we we love cleaning up vomit. um
Speaker: It happens. You're a venue owner and a ja janitor. it's like I'm functionally a janitor, one, and then we own the venue, two. Landscaper, three, venue owner. Yeah, but now I feel like the day -to -day stuff is a lot it is a lot more than we were initially expecting. it's been It's been fun. I think now we have good systems in place that it's not like...
Speaker: overwhelming but And you've given stuff to Mara to let her have a little control? Yeah, well, she does like... Mara's a lifesaver. So, i like, you you get you guys can attest to how... Poor communication was. What do you mean, Charlie? Two weeks. We're like, we still need the contract. The bride wants to book. Okay, just do whatever you want. We'll figure it out. I'm not going to worry about it. Now Mario actually has like.
Speaker: Shooting panels and systems and it works out. but You actually email. It's crazy. You get an email response back. yes she Yeah. You're still both very bad at texting. I will just call you both out. We do not like our phones. but that is kind of I'm just like, hello. Yeah.
Speaker: Yeah, if you want to get a hold of me, call me. Yeah, that's the phone. Oh, all that's how you know. And it's always like, yes, Jaden. Well, yeah, I know if I get a Jaden call, I'm going to be a little bit annoyed or there's going to be some question that I'm not going to love. Probably. Probably. We'll make it work. We'll figure it out. Always. but But yeah, I think that is what people don't realize. It's not just like a space that people are booking and it's that's it. yeah like There's so much more to it. Yeah, no, definitely. And I feel like the, I don't know, it's just the the hours are definitely what what it's it's a lot. It's just, you know, tours and walkthroughs and coordinated meetings and yeah all that. It's like, yeah, the event days.
Speaker: you know, 15 hour day, but then you have all the, all the midweek leading up yeah to it. Cause you guys typically right now book like. Sometimes Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday. I mean, what's like an average weekend in peak season? Through the summer, we're doing three weekends. It's every Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
Speaker: Um, there are some months june is june and september like the two months that we kind of like We had 16 events in June this year, which is crazy. It's like every other day we're doing an event. Right. It's not. it's like you were But yeah, yeah. Yeah. But... Yeah. And then plus like this year, I mean, we were all in kind of the same boat here where we all had.
Speaker: Fresh babies they around that time. Yes. so that's orange Charlie just had a baby too. Yeah. Yeah. We should have a little play date with the three. We should, I should have brought the great podcast. saint Just you're crying in the background. It's fine. It's just one of the babies. But yeah, so June was like, that I was the most tired I think I've ever been ever in a month in June. but
Speaker: Yes, three a week throughout the summer. And then we're doing better at taking. weekends off now that that is one thing that like yeah good for us good for the the facility everything kind of recovers and yeah yeah but But do you feel like realistically, because I think that's another thing.
Speaker: new venue owners might not understand. like Initially, A, you are going to say yes to more because you don't know what you don't know. Oh, yeah. But also... I mean, to make ends meet, you might have to have Friday, Saturday, Sunday weddings. I mean, financially, right? It it depends on what model you're working. True. There's different venue models. Like yeah we we choose the.
Speaker: Like you're renting the space. we we don't We don't do catering. We don't do alcohol. So we're just like functionally, you know, you get the facilities and tables and chairs and and stuff. There are other venues that if they do other services like the all -inclusive venues, right they might only do one event, but they're, you know, instead of a...
Speaker: you know, $5 ,000 to $10 ,000 just venue rental, they they might be charging $30 ,000. Because they have, like you said, catering and bar, that's true, and included. That's just something that we we're comfortable doing, just just having more volume and just doing the the rentals, or just doing the facility rental. but
Speaker: Yeah, I don't know. That that could be something that that changes down the road. where yes I'm not a caterer. I'm not a bar. I don't want to get in. I don't want the liability of a bar. You don't want the liability of a bar at all. Bars, bless them. We're scared of alcohol. No thanks. what Nothing to do with it. now But that's, I mean, realistically, if you are just the space.
Speaker: Like if you are doing weddings Friday, Saturday, Sunday, again, like. Time -wise, that's a lot. Again, you're not just because you have to make sure someone's cleaning it and then it's ready for the next day. and Yeah. When we first started, we were doing.
Speaker: all of it so we'd you know open the venue at i think ah back then we were doing like 8 a .m open And then we would do like midnight ends and then we'd clean the venue. So I'd go home for like. three hours and then be back the next day go yeah but now we have like we we're a little bit more ah Or or with greedy with our time. now that so should be safe And we talked about it a little on Sunday, like.
Speaker: Burnout. If you keep going at that rate. You're going to burn out. And if you keep doing three weddings every weekend, I mean, that's... No, and it's they're not all weddings. but ah Well, that's true. You do events, yeah. but the and I don't know. Yeah. Definitely having, having like a cleaning crew is was like, that was life changing. Like honestly, it was just, and we did when we built the building, we're like.
Speaker: our goal was like we needed like a 30 minutes of an hour clean up time so we kind of designed a lot of things for for quick turnaround. Right, yeah. but And it does make it so that the venue is cleaner. like Right, for having a professional come in to do it. Yeah, definitely. I mean, it's that makes me think about like Coyote when we hired Coyote for Set Up and Tear Down. it Coyote is the best thing in capital occasions.
Speaker: a Period. It's not me. No, it's Coyote. Coyote is. He carries our team. But it's it's an expense and a like that's so worth it. Like, and for you guys cleaning, it's like you said, managing your time and you're not doing it and having a professional that can come in and save your back a little. A little bit, yeah. Like Coyote saves our back every. Yeah, no, and Coyote's just, he's a great kid. Oh, he's such a great, if he ever leaves us, Coyote, if you ever leave us.
Speaker: we'll find you we'll never be the same um Can you tell us like the wildest story that's ever happened? At a wedding? I mean, I'm sure you have a ton.
Speaker: But like. This year. Let's do this. Let's cap it at this year. There we go. Craziest thing that happened at a wedding. This is like a trap question for me, definitely. But no, like wildest. Nobody can get mad at him. Okay. I'm not going to limit it to this year just because ok I feel like I've been in a.
Speaker: Been and more tired and grumpy this year, so I feel like let's... Well, you did just have a baby. I mean, that's... And had a pregnant wife for a while. I mean, it's i think the thing. So we get some pretty crazy asks occasionally, like...
Speaker: ah I mean, the one that comes to mind is I think... we had a a wedding it was a few years back but we had a wedding where week of they asked if they could come in on a helicopter. And so, and like, if I don't know if you haven't been out to Deerfield. We're on a hill. yeah There's no real safe place to land a helicopter just because the grade's not right.
Speaker: and so this the the bright room like we'll pay you to build a helicopter pad out out on the property and in a week it was like you know this is like like yeah sure let me just and i kind of got excited over and i was like yes let's do it let's do this helicopter pad i will do it so we brought in like 600 yards of dirt like build out this huge thing and then it's on our instagram but this like they did a helicopter landing for their reception welcome that was like really cool where was it
Speaker: It was where the putting green is. That's what I was wondering. Yeah. Okay. Pre -putting and green. Pre -putting. So is that what then started the putting green? Cause it was already a flat surface. Putting green was for my wedding. Yes, is the family wedding sometimes we'll do some. Yeah, like the sister wedding that's coming up. Yeah, Mara, we love you. We love you. Less than two weeks away. I know. Yeah, I don't know when this is coming out, but yeah. tomorrow's wedding will be fun yeah and then it is it is fun to actually use the facility
Speaker: For us. For your own personal. Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. That's cool. Um, when it comes to vendor wise, I mean, we obviously want to know. Planner specific. So we could start with that. like Pet peeves with planners.
Speaker: I mean, I know you have, I mean, um you know, you work with so many different varieties of planters, brand new ones, day of. We have the whole range of. planners out there and I feel like there there are like really awesome planners. There's like, you know, I don't know. There's there's levels to planning. you have like the full design pointers that are going to bring in like
Speaker: huge budget weddings that have all these installs and all this stuff. And then you have like the. the planners that are really just there to kind of functionally just kind of like manage a and a nice event. That's really what it is. And so. For us, as far as like planner is asking about like.
Speaker: What we like and don't like about it. Yeah, like yeah what what you don't like. i don't I mean, I don't really care what you like. and I know, definitely. What annoys you when a planner comes in or emails you before?
Speaker: unorganized like just chaos chaos yeah and so there are planners that like And it's a new, it's ah it comes with experience, but like new planners just don't know what they don't know. And so a lot of times when you know we get a new planner in there, it's just kind of.
Speaker: chaotic. And so they they're they're doing their best, but they're just really not. I'm not familiar with how weddings work. And so I feel like that can be really frustrating for us. And, you know, we do try and like, we we do what we do. like and and And you're so helpful. Yeah. But.
Speaker: I don't know, a lot of times you can only do so much for for an actual all the planning is you know it's it's done by the time they're there and so it's kind of we're just working with what we got yeah yeah yeah that makes me think that we had a wedding out there and one of our employees and it was a new planner but she was helping you guys with because you just had the baby and she was helping with venue stuff
Speaker: And she's her employee was like, I literally became her assistant. Yes. Because she didn't know what she was doing and it was just her. Yeah. And so she's like, I couldn't just not help her. Like I had to help her. But then she's like, then I felt like I wasn't doing what I was supposed to with the venue. Yeah. Sometimes we we turn into the de facto coordination and it's like, I don't know. I don't know about this. Yeah. Yeah. But.
Speaker: Is there anything with experience planners that bothers you? Ahem. Yes, I mean, it's more of just like a pet peeve. it's not like a There are some planners that'll come into your walkthrough and they'll ask us to like leave. Like they don't, they don't want to, it's, it's. It's crazy. Really? Yeah, because because they're I think they...
Speaker: There's like a little...
Speaker: arrogance that will come with some planners and where it's like you know we have good suggestions like we work in we yeah it's the only facility we we work in right we've seen everything happen so like when when you get a planner that's like i don't really care what you guys have to say or your input and it it happens more frequently than i think you'd really oh definitely so next time i do a walkthrough i'm gonna say charlie could you step outside Yeah, no, no. Just kidding. No, but it does happen. yeah That's fascinating. It's really interesting. But I'm like, okay, and we'll leave. But we're like, okay, that wedding, who knows what we're getting into. Good luck with that. oh I'm like so sad when I do a walkthrough and like Mara's like, sorry, I won't be able to be there. I'm like.
Speaker: yeah That's rude. I feel like but you guys are out there enough that you kind of, you know. Well, that's, I was going to say, because sometimes, yeah, like one of the last ones I did, you both, I think, I don't know if it got forgotten or you're just like, whatever, just like go in there. But I like wanted you to be there. I was like, well, this is sad. And there's always still questions. I mean, that's like.
Speaker: crazy thing about our job is we've done So many at Deerflot. Maybe at Deerflot or so. And I still will be like. oh What do you think? Especially the hardest part is layout. And they're because. Everyone wants to try something new. And sometimes we're like, Charlie, what do you think? I don't know. Like, I just can't visualize the space like you can because you've seen 500 ,000 events out there. So it's helpful, I think, to have.
Speaker: I mean, I do understand it to a certain point sometimes there are too many cooks in the kitchen. Yeah. And. I mean, like, for example, we just. or sending out a timeline for a wedding in two weeks. And the DJ had a call with the couple without us and literally just changed that entire thing and had all these suggestions. And it's sometimes I'm like, I don't need your suggestions. yeah Sometimes just, we're just trying to keep the.
Speaker: them on one track here yeah and we're so close that i do get To a certain point, sometimes we don't want the extra input. yeah But it's not an arrogance thing. It's more of a like...
Speaker: They've changed their mind so many times. Please don't say anything. Yeah. know yes yeah there I mean, sadly, I mean, there are, I mean, we all have egos and I feel like yeah there are egos involved in decision we're -making. than hundred percent Yeah. It's something it's, it's expected. It's just. Sometimes it's worse than others. Right. Yeah. Yeah. They're like, yeah, step outside. Yeah, that's like that's just a wild, like, we're like, oh, okay. We'll let you know when we're done. Pretty much, yeah.
Speaker: What's your favorite part about owning the venue? um Honestly, just meeting new people. like like I am a ah people person. You are? Oh, yeah. Sometimes. It depends on the day. and But um no, it's like but we there's so many amazing groups that come to the venue. And and honestly, like.
Speaker: I mean... our goal for pretty much every wedding is we don't want you guys to know that we're there like it's just you know we just want to provide like a good foundational like place to build your wedding. But, you know, we still interact with guests. We still we still talk to the parents and everything. And just like...
Speaker: Actually getting to, I don't know, to meet and and talk to these people is great. There are some groups where that is not the case. But both for the most part, it's like, oh boy, yeah can you leave? yeah It's time for this party to be over. But I'd say, yeah, for the most part, it' it's just, you know, we have a lot of good people out of at the at the property and yeah it's a lot of fun. yeah yeah Because, I mean, on average, I don't know if you want to answer this, on average, how many weddings or events total do you do a year? I don't know. A lot? It varies. I mean, anywhere between like...
Speaker: I don't know. 60 to 100 yeah so you meet a lot i mean yeah a lot of people yeah and i like we we had one year where we did i was a lot like more than 100 like 115 or something like that Never again. and we just We couldn't do it. Learned your lesson. that Yeah. And so and I think in kind of down the road, we'll definitely.
Speaker: Try and do fewer events and try and keep it around that the smaller number. But do you ever so envision yourself taking like. A step. Back in the sense of like being present and like letting Mara or whatever someone. know it yeah Like you eventually not even go out. It will have to happen. it You think so? And I think I will be involved. like um i don't think i'm gonna
Speaker: i i I don't know if I can give that up. i just That's what I'm curious. Yeah. But um yeah, I think. And it's mostly now that we're having kids. It's like, I do, you know, if the... football on a Friday or something like that like i do that. I'm not going to be able to do that every yeah weekend because we're right right now it's like.
Speaker: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, we're there, you know. 12 hours. and so Yeah. Hopefully. I mean, hopefully. Yeah. You'll kind of take a step back. um have set back Yeah. That's true. why And if you have another kid like Katie's ready, you know, you guys are going to be busy. Katie, by the way, is I told her I was coming on this podcast and she's like, if they ever need their favorite bride. which don't let her come on. Do you know? it's Love that. Talked about interviewing like real. Oh, God. And she also, you know, has like the attorney perspective. You know, she has some. Yeah, she could bring it. And she's helped with the venue. this stuff She's going to get me so much. of
Speaker: We'd love to have her. She's our next guest. We'll call you. No filter. You know, that's why we love her. Oh my gosh. Oh, um. I don't know. Do you have any other questions for him? I feel like those are most.
Speaker: We could talk with Charlie forever, but we want to like... Yeah, I feel like the chatting at events is sometimes an issue because a lot of times we'll... Well, like the last time him and I were talking so much and our our employees are still working. And I was like, sorry, guys, i'm but I'm networking over here. Charlie and I are talking. Building my network. But that's also my question, too. I think about like in the future, if you phase out, I'm like, are we going to get to see Charlie at Deerflaw anymore? Yeah, i'll i'll I'll definitely be around. Will you just come for our wedding? Yeah, yeah but we can. Yeah, just keep it. Keep it he me posted. We'll see. Keep the schedule live. No, I just want to know what you want couples to know about venue shopping.
Speaker: And or. Yeah, like choose like. Over. So. We... I don't know. I feel like I'm a really bad salesman. You're terrible. I'm like a terrible salesperson when it comes to like doing tours and venues.
Speaker: Because I tell people, you need to actually go out and go tour other venues. and kind of Because there's no one right venue for every couple. yeah It really comes down to just figuring out what what facility is going to work best for you. Right, yeah. Because they are all so different, just slightly, yeah. Yeah, there's different packages, different offerings. I mean, different settings, the whole deal. and so Yeah, a lot of times we'll have wolf couples that, you know, they're like, you're our first venue, you we're the one, like, we want to book you guys. I'm like...
Speaker: Why don't you? Okay, tell. Wait a second. Go look around. Yeah, there might be somewhere that... you know, meshes better with you because. Kind of the reality of it is is we want weddings that fit are what we do. And so that is one of those things that like.
Speaker: for couples it's like don't just go to one venue and call it like go go tour go you never know yeah exactly and so I don't know. and we're i'm and we fill up we we're confident that we will fill our schedule so it's really just finding But I think that's sometimes a problem is people know how popular we are. And I think couples are like, if I don't book Deer Flat now, I'm going to get married on a Tuesday because all their Saturdays are going to get booked. I mean, yeah, I do see it from that side. But um we do offer like...
Speaker: we I don't know, like, and again, we're like, I'm not going to hard sell anyone. so Like, hey, if you want us to put like a like a soft reservation on the state. go do a tour and then we'll let you know if someone else reaches out about that date that's just something that we do just to kind of give people peace of mind that we're not going to book from ah from under them yeah um and so that's i don't know but
Speaker: i don't I don't know if other venues do that or not, but it's something that we we're comfortable doing. I don't know if they do, but I do. I mean, I agree with you. I think it's important for couples to go. It's like any vendor. You should meet with three vendors in every category. And I think it's good with venues, too, because you might go to a venue and be shocked, like, oh, wait, I do like this better than. yeah what that venue had to offer.
Speaker: No, definitely. and the The venue is kind of like, it is probably one of the bigger decisions. probably the biggest decision as far as like foundationally what how you're going to build your wedding out. And so nailing that. is important and I feel like.
Speaker: you have venue we always say like book your venue first and you know photo coordination like the creatives and then what you can work out from there but yeah i don't know i think just uh Ex... Educating yourselves on um on what's out there is really important for for couples and brides.
Speaker: Yeah. um and Now, I mean why know we talked about planners, but do you have any other... I'm sure DJs, I want to go back to the drama. Oh, let's get it. DJs are another one that are probably like. hard to work with yeah not i don't mean that in a bad way like but just more challenging with being the owner of a venue yeah so if you want the venue perspective ah as far as like what There's like.
Speaker: three probably three areas that venues can really get in trouble yeah um traffic. So like, you know, Traffic is is one that you don't think of, but like if you. You're parking on the road blocking egress. It can be an i canun issue. yeah Bar is another big one that can lead to... trouble. And the third, the third biggest, I mean, the pre probably the biggest one is noise complaints. Yeah. And so DJs.
Speaker: It's kind of a love -hate relationship with us as far as DJs go. because we understand the You know, DJs are there to bring energy, to bring, you know, like a good party atmosphere, kind of lead the, they're kind of, they're emceeing with that. Right. Yeah.
Speaker: But at the same time, there is a little bit of liability on our end that we we just can't afford to tick off our neighbors. and if If we start getting too many noise complaints or anything, then, you know, we could potentially lose permitting. Yeah. say jeopardize you huge Yeah.
Speaker: So like... i don't know a deer flat like we actually installed our own sound system which is It's... really designed for maximizing volume in the space without distributing it to the neighbors. And that's like why we we encourage d DJs to use our system because they'll have more than enough headroom as far as as far as like keeping a party going, latin noise -wise, without like...
Speaker: potentially jeopardizing us right yeah i think jesse mentioned that actually because i listen to this podcast oh yeah yeah well yeah jesse mentioned it like where are you jesse i love jesse jesse is one of the good djs yeah But with with Jesse, you know, we can put him anywhere in the room and then move the soundstage kind of wherever it needs to be. right And that's really...
Speaker: I mean, it's for night for Jesse, so Jesse can have enough. volume and yeah and make the party go, but also for us to kind of protect us just in case. But yeah yeah, DJs are one of those things too where... If there's one vendor.
Speaker: Who has a little diva energy. It's always going to be the DJ. Always the DJ. And we do, it like, we love DJs. Yeah, we all do. I mean, we need them. Like, yeah. yeah we We are, like, very anti -no DJ. I mean, that's one of our main yeah pillars as a company. yeah is You don't have to have a professional DJ. We see a lot a lot of weddings that...
Speaker: The DJs are like and a quick cut. And for us, it's like. Man, it just makes the event feel... not And there's some events that are, it's, it works and it's great. It's just, there's like almost like awkward moments where it's like the DJs fill that void of just kind of the, whether it's their releasing tables or or something, but it's just one of those things that like.
Speaker: The DJs are there. Very important. to they Right. yeah Yeah. Or I mean, it makes me think one time the we had to put straps on the bride and I didn't know like before the grand entrance and it was taking longer.
Speaker: than anticipated I'm in the bathroom like trying and so the DJ like filled that space of like... maybe have fun like played a game or something so it was just like without that
Speaker: Guests would have just been like, what's happening? Yeah, no, definitely. They're there're they're in an important part of the entertainment. But they are, they can be them and like musicians or bands can be a little. String quartets. can be a little difficult to work with sometimes because they just are very high maintenance. no that point And I'm just like, okay, I have a million other ah things. I just need you to go in your corner and do what you're supposed to do. Please. No, I do. I feel like, I mean, we we see. a lot of different vendors and oh yeah that is consistently the bands are
Speaker: um the Great party atmosphere. We do like the bands, but... there there is a little bit more of maintenance with them yeah yeah definitely 100 yeah and holding The whole way through. now And appeasing them, making sure they have food. Yeah.
Speaker: no but is something that the band The bands are one of the biggest... kind of culprits as far as like demanding like even demanding It's just that is like a podcast I want us to talk about is vendor meals. Like it literally drives me nuts yes when dinner's like dinner's about to start and they're like, where's my food? And I'm like, yeah. i dot know I'm trying to get the guests through dinner. This is for you guys. Do you guys ask for vendor meals and and contracts? Bye.
Speaker: Yes. Only because I feel like, I mean, like our attorney just was like, it's something. but I. We could take it out. I feel like we should take it out because in my opinion. I don't have time.
Speaker: Be... I don't, we're there for 12 to 14 hours. I don't want to sit down and eat a heavy meal because then I'm just tired. yeah And Allie also is celiac and is also a picky eater. I'm a pretty picky eater. So half the time I'm like, I don't like meat on the bone. I don't like, I'm just weird. So to us, I'm like, I don't want you to spend $50 a head. yeah Just for us. sir
Speaker: Yeah, I feel like that. Like, we don't have vendor meals in our contracts at all. Like, we just, like, don't. I was just saying, bring your own sandwich and eat it. The flip side of that, too, is I don't think caterers really should charge for vendor meals because there's always...
Speaker: Extra. so True. Not all. Well, there should be. Yeah, I know. Yeah. yeah extra And so then it's also kind of like a weird. Where's all that? You know, like, 40 extra steaks. Yeah. Where are those going? Yeah. And they're trash. Like, you charge, like.
Speaker: It's weird. yeah it's weird yeah we always kind of if there's extra food and honestly most of the caterers like they'll Yeah, most of the people that we love, yeah, it's fine. but kind of the issue I run into now is like,
Speaker: Man, when you're eating three wedding meals a week. wedding It's pretty easy to pack on a few pounds of this. Chip cookies. Gosh, those are terrible.
Speaker: I'm sorry. Yeah. Gosh, it's it's fine. It's but it is true. I don't know. I just think it shouldn't be. And my biggest pet peeve with the vendor meals is it's the vendors that are there for the shortest period of time that feel like they need to be fed immediately. yeah and i just cannot be bothered by that like again no offense string quartets or the photo booth like not i'm not saying i don't want you to be fed and taken care of but you are here for three hours yeah
Speaker: I've been here since 8 a .m. Yeah, and I'll be here till midnight. and If anybody really out of the vendors team that needs to eat it's the photographers because they have to be there for all the things so them for sure i'm like yes let's get you fed so you can get back out there everybody else don't care they just have such a short window yes everyone else i'm like figure it out yeah and no one wants photos of them eating so it's kind of like it's perfect it is a great time yes you go eat
Speaker: Yeah, ru so true. Who cares? Well, this is fun. We kind of got to pivot into my Thundermill podcast. now Just drives me nuts. scott oh Well, is there anything else you want to share about owning a venue?
Speaker: That we haven't talked about. My last question I want to know about is sort of flower farm, lavender situation, venue. Because they are unique in that way. You have all three. Yeah. so we're so the property i mean Right now, likere we're operating the file the flower farm, Lavender.
Speaker: wedding venue. It's kind of a part of a larger mixed -use agritourism project that we'll be working on down the road, but we'd like to do a restaurant and winery and stuff down there. like in the future but right now yeah event center was the first thing we got up and running flower farms.
Speaker: busy now which is so cool we do a lab great job mara yeah that's all mara like marga's all the flowers And we do a big Lavender Festival usually.
Speaker: Like early July every year. um The Lavender Festival has been a lot of fun. it' And the lemonade is so fun. The best lemonade in the world. I know. Yeah. That was like my first outing, I think, after having a baby. well Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And Allie came. I was about to see you. Yeah, and And you're like, oh, Allie's hair. Oh, man. Don't ask her how she's doing. Yes. Definitely overdue at that point. But it was so, it's so fun. Such a fun event. Such good vendors. And it's so fun. Amelia went and cut her lavender. and It was cute. She loved it. And it it is good for, on the wedding side, the flowers are good for photos. yeah Oh, yeah. It is like a cool setting. And the lavender is amazing for photos. And are what's that field that's like grassy?
Speaker: Isn't there like, a is that what it is? I don't know. Props rotate. This is a whole fascinating farming situation that we've had to learn. yes But sometimes there's the photos where they go out and like the... Yeah, so... There's like a few crops that are like really photogenic. Yeah. There's like barley early season is like awesome barley wheat. Yeah.
Speaker: beautiful until like they harvest in june july yeah we have mints now mint is all which i smelt it so much on sunday it's so good min is is nice yeah we we kind of uh i don't know we we own all the fields around us right and so kind of working with the we lease the land and so we've been working with the farmer because a lot of times that is like one thing that like Another thing that people don't realize that like we have to coordinate with the farmer as far as like when they can actually actually be doing farm activities because no one wants a combine going anywhere near the farm during the wedding.
Speaker: and so true and so that that is one thing that like you know we've been trying to pick crops that are I don't know, conducive to pretty weddings. Right. yeah The mint, the mint is, that's like a five -year crop and it's going to be a leafy green. And does the farmer not like they're open to whatever?
Speaker: They better be. Is it the same shapes the same guy? yeah okay yeah the The farming, I mean, on our end, it's like... I mean, we pretty much lose money farming every year. And so the only thing that's like profitable on the farm is the venue and the flowers. And so if if they want to maintain, if they want to keep farming it, like we have to work together. Right, right. To make it keep going. That's so true. but I mean, how many eight like how many acres are around you of farmland? Just under 300. Yeah.
Speaker: Yeah. And so, yeah, we're it's a pretty we have a pretty big site. Right. So it's ah it's another stress or two on your shoulders. Yeah. And like this year, like with water was bad this year. And so like we had to make some like weird farming. Like, I don't know if you notice, but the field.
Speaker: Like north of the venue, we didn't farm it just because we were we were worried about we wouldn't have we wouldn't have water. Turns out we probably could have this year. But of course, at the time it was an issue. But yeah, there's just little little things that I don't think anyone else really should worry about that we're worrying about.
Speaker: ah yeah But we're glad you're worrying about it because it makes it look pretty and photos are fun. Yeah, the photos are fun. And I do feel like that's one one thing but about Deerflat is that we have a lot of photo diversity. Yeah, like down at the lake. is ah i've I remember the first time I saw a wedding photo and I was like, where is this from? They're like, oh, down at the lake. I'm like.
Speaker: We what? Like, it doesn't even occur to me because it sits so far above the lake. It doesn't even feel like you could get down there. yeah I've never even been. I should do that one day. You should. down We'll take it. We i never never have time. No, I feel like and when they're doing sense of photos, you're always kind of yeah ready to, I don't know, transition to whatever. Coordinate all the chaos. yeah yeah but um
Speaker: What venue? So as far as i now I have questions for you guys. Oh, here we go. So venue wise, like there are a lot of venues that are moving into that, like all inclusive, like they're doing catering and, you know, bar and all that. Do you guys like, like that? Is that something that coordination wise is.
Speaker: is nice or not really you don't the bar situation i'm totally cool with Yeah. Because if they have a liquor license, I think the hard part with that, not to interrupt you, is that like some venues have a bar, but they can't, it's like they don't. which I know they can do the canned cocktails, and yeah I know it's similar.
Speaker: But we have a lot of couples who want a full bar. service So I think that sometimes, but it is nice if it's in -house and it's one less vendor we have to worry about. Sorry, all I didn't mean to cut you off. The alcohol set and the liquor specifically, that is one. So we looked into essentially doing in -house alcohol.
Speaker: And there was no way for us to to get liquor. And a lot of our like. I don't know, I'd say like the high -end events. like That is like a big selling point. as They want to be able to have... Like high end options. Yeah. Yeah. And so for us, it's like that was like a nonstarter. We're not going to do alcohol unless we can do liquor and say it.
Speaker: Um, for us, you know, we have like two or three alcohol vendors and really it's just pretty much just Liberty. that yeah Shout out to Liberty. You need a bar service. You should have Lindsay on. Oh, that actually would be so fun. I know. Yeah. But, um, yeah, Matt and Lindsay are great and they're out a lot, but yeah, with the, um, I don't know. Yeah. Liquor is, it is ah important yeah to a lot of people. Yeah. But what were you going to say? Oh, I do. I mean.
Speaker: The only full service that I really appreciate is the. Sun Valley. Oh, yeah. Shorelock. Yeah. If I'm going to get full service, I want all of my linens. I want my plateware. I want glasses. I want everything. Yeah. it is If you're actually going to say you're full service, like be full service and have employees that do things.
Speaker: I don't think that having forcing you to use my caterer and forcing you to use my bar is that helpful. Yeah. No. Yeah. At the end of the day. I mean, I don't think there's like there's limitations to it. yeah Or if the food's not good. We've heard that at a few of the all -inclusive venues. Yes, the ones that have catering. That is yeah the bright but the catering is terrible. yeah
Speaker: Now I feel like the, um I don't know, on the... Let's do like... Trail Creek, River, like like Sun Valley does a great job. Yes. Shout out Sun Valley. We love you. No. We love you. I think once I went to like three Sun Valley weddings at Trail Creek in one year and it was like.
Speaker: like they have such a good operation up here it's like awesome but like having the resort backing is like yeah it allows makes that for sure like we would never be able to do that no yeah a lot even just a linen situation like how would any other venue really operate a good linen yeah Like those hotels and stuff have obviously huge laundry services.
Speaker: I will say, though, there is one... venue specific that has, that is. all inclusive. that has linens and they don't, they're terrible. It drives me nuts when they're square linens for a round table. Just buy round linens that are floor length. And that is hard, too, because that's the other problem with all -inclusive. like Even back to a short lodge or something. Sometimes the plates like aren't.
Speaker: Up to our like design standard. Right. So then it's kind of a bummer because that you get free plates that are real plateware, which is expensive. But then you're still renting from yeah like China yeah to make it more beautiful. So the couple ones, gold, silverware in the venue only has silver, silverware. And it's like, well.
Speaker: Yeah, that's been yeah that's our our biggest hesitation hesitation as far as like... I don't know. adding offerings, right? is like yeah i don't There are vendors out there that can do a much better job than we can when it comes to...
Speaker: linens and all these things like why would why are we going to step right on their toes To do a worse job than that. Right, yeah. Well, and like cause more stress. For you. Yeah, no. On top of everything else your, yeah you know, janitorial and landscaping duties have you doing. Yeah, no.
Speaker: i think And that's sometimes what I think is hard to, again, have when they're all inclusive like that or other venues around here that are trying to do that, I think that's the problem. Then there's like... It's not as good quality, and it's then the but the couple has to pay for it because it's a part of the price. But then we, like Allie said, end up still renting from someone else. Yeah. It's just annoying. yeah No, definitely. And I feel like they're, you know, they...
Speaker: that's nice but oftentimes you're paying for it and so it's one of those things where and i I do feel like budgets are tighter like in the last few years. It's one of those things that like having the... The flexibility to, you know, find vendors that fit in your budget. Right. It makes a difference. We've talked so much about.
Speaker: that in like planning your wedding and if you want a really nice venue like deer flat then we've had a wedding out at your venue where someone literally got all of garden catering yeah yeah and it's like that is to us our perfect combination of getting what you want
Speaker: Well, like working it in your budget, because you may not be able to afford horsewood and deer flat at the same time. But if your priority is your photos and your venue, yeah you can come in with a cheaper budget. Yeah. Like food option. And it makes for such a like. win -win yeah and i do feel like sometimes though it is important to kind of like I don't know, you can't go too far in one area on budget with neglecting other areas. I mean, that is like, we've seen a few months like that and it's like.
Speaker: man it it might have been better to just kind of balance your money yeah yeah yeah for sure Well, and other, I know there was a venue around here that also tried to do for a while. It was like. catering, bar, DJ, planner, all included. And it's just...
Speaker: I think that's the other hard part is it's, I think that's not allowing again, couples to like. i Find vendors that fit their personalities. That and I mean, as a venue, I feel like every wedding would start to look the same. Like where it's, I mean.
Speaker: And I know the one you're talking about. And it just, it seems like it. it would be almost the exact same wedding every single day. Right. Yeah. And it's, I don't know. I just feel like what we do and even like a DJ, like.
Speaker: If you don't mesh with their personalities, I just... i've If you say you don't like the in -house coordinator and she drives you nuts. like Well, you're screwed because that's who you're working with and that's who's going to be. talking to you all day on your wedding day. I don't know. I just...
Speaker: I think there's certain areas that should there should be more flexibility. Yeah, I agree. Definitely. For couples. Yeah. But I don't know, that's our... Maybe that could be another podcast. That's our take on it. I like your level of venue, too. The other thing that we run into is like the train depot. Super cheap, but they include nothing. Nothing. Yeah. So.
Speaker: You're bringing him. I mean, at least you have a good base where you have tables, chairs. we can We can form a wedding. Yeah, comfortably with what you include. Yeah. But then you have these other venues that, yes, they look cheaper on the front end, but.
Speaker: I mean, you have to bring... You have to pay for delivery for event rent to bring all your tables and chairs and... I mean, up to like even that one, that Festival Meadows in Sun Valley where it's literally, if you're you're renting the... Acre. like an And that would bring everything. Tent. yeah I mean, in theory, yes, that's cheaper than working with a Sun Valley company, but at the end of the day, it's just as expensive. like And more logistically.
Speaker: challenging for everyone yeah no i feel like just kind of having those Those early foundational logistics handled for you does make a big difference. Yes. And it kind of allows you to kind of focus energy into other areas. Yeah. The more fun part. That you've put power everywhere.
Speaker: Like that's another huge. Like power if there's no plug -ins in the bathroom. There. All right. we We'll, we'll, we'll talk. I'm getting like, is Jesse. I listen to the podcast. Jesse.
Speaker: But yeah. Yeah. I mean, it's true. Just nice that like. There's stuff like that that you don't even think about. that Like, power becomes such an issue at... non -venue like people who haven't even at venues we've had venues that have power outages all the time and we're bullying you can't plug in too many things yeah blow them no no i'll be honest like the um Power is one of those things that like.
Speaker: most people don't know anything about electrical and but and like when you're having like high draw equipment like like a band like bands um the i mean steamers are the ones that kill me steamers coffee got like coffee bars stuff like that they don't realize how much power those draw. And so a lot of times, like, we're... where we have tons of power on like ah everywhere but like a lot of times it takes like three four circuits and so we're running extension cords all over bands are like a big culprit like where they and it's the their lighting is like can be pretty exciting yeah
Speaker: but yeah it's um yeah the power thing is one we did consider that when we were building but it is something that like if we didn't consider it we would have issues yeah absolutely sure but I don't know. Things we don't think about. That's why I don't want to own a venue. Don't. Yeah. Don't. dont Yeah. um don you event You're asking like how how we got into it. And I'm like, gosh, I asked myself that question all the time.
Speaker: How did we get here? And now you're one of the most popular venues in the Valley. No, and it's there's a there's just a lot of, I don't know, design considerations and stuff early on. that It does make life easier yeah on the road, for sure. 100%. Yes. Yeah.
Speaker: We did it. well Charlie we appreciate you being here. We're done? i Unless you want to talk for another hour. Cheers.
