WEDDINGS

September 2022: in with the new

My musings…

There is something comforting about writing this newsletter for the first Thursday of the month that happens to fall on the first day of the month. (Today is Thursday, September 1 in case you’re wondering what day it is!) It’s a small beacon indicating the world is in alignment for a day – or maybe just my world!

In August we started another big phase of renovations and additions in the venue. In the garden space, we added and expanded several graveled areas, allowing for more room to set props, tables, and seating for photoshoots and events.

We also added in a firepit, which can be used for a s’mores station in the winter or a cigar bar year-round. We also bought 6 more bistro table and chair sets, providing ample seating for our guests who enjoy strolling through the garden. 

Additionally, we hosted a special and intimate date-night, organized by our talented photographer friends, Rob & Ale Captures. Rob and Ale also put together a gorgeous styled shoot in the venue. We can’t wait to share the photos!

Below I dive into some of the big lessons and takeaways I’ve learned over this past month.

1. Building a business is like a rubber band.

You’re building, stretching, learning, expanding, growing…but every once in a while, something snaps back at you. And that resulting slap doesn’t feel good.

Not everyone is going to support you. Not everyone is going to agree with how you run your business. Not every decision you make will be a good one or lead to the outcome you had been hoping for. Certainly not everyone will want your product or service.

However, each of those “slaps” or negative experiences will lead to bigger and better. Better ways to run the business. Bigger decisions and outcomes.

And especially in those slap moments, it’s beneficial to focus on the gains that you have accomplished rather than the gap of where you want to be. I am currently reading a book called The Gap and The Gain: The High Achievers’ Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success by Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan.  The authors explain, “Being in the GAIN means you measure yourself backward, against where you were before. You measure your own progress. You don’t measure yourself against your ideals.”

In a month with more downs than my glass-half-full heart wants to admit, these remarks serve as an excellent reminder of how to refocus and continue moving forward.

(This same logic can apply to wedding or event planning when you’re in the thick of it!)

Photo Credit: Rob & Ale Captures.

2. You’ll be served reminders of why you do what you do.

The journey of building and running the venue has been both challenging and rewarding. During the tough times, which are inevitable in both owning a business and in life in general, we are served moments that remind us of exactly why we do what we do.

Something that is important to Mike and me is a sense of community. One of the goals we set out to accomplish when we decided to pursue an events venue is to provide a space where members of our community feel like they can come together and honor and celebrate some of life’s most important occasions.

Something we didn’t necessarily expect when we opened the venue was that it would be a space for hosting funerals or celebrations of life. However, last weekend we hosted a gathering for family and friends near and far who came together to honor the life of our friend’s sister who passed away from cancer.

It’s hard to put into words what this event meant to us and everyone involved. We’re humbled and grateful they trusted us to do her memorial justice. And the vendors who participated on a short notice to pull it all together were nothing short of amazing. Thank you to Stir It Up Mobile Bar, Bee-Ella Fizz, Bee Cheesy Miami, Chache Tents & Events, and Mandale Magazine.

3. Friends are an antidote to burnout.

If I wasn’t grateful for having the best of friends before this month, I certainly am now. (But I’m always grateful for my best gal pals!)

I say this because August has been stressful for a number of reasons. However, amid the overwhelm, I have been reminded that my friends are an invaluable support system, and I probably wouldn’t make it too far without them! I certainly wouldn’t have the emotional capacity or energy to run this business.

When I went to the Midwest and Nashville earlier this month, I had two groups of friends that surprised me with mini bachelorette parties. I wasn’t going to have a bachelorette party leading up to our wedding because of how busy our schedule is. My friends being the incredible people they are decided to surprise me with festivities, and I learned just how fun and meaningful it is to be celebrated by those you love.

Some of my wonderful friends also read this newsletter regularly and comment back to me, letting me know my efforts aren’t going to waste. They let me vent when I’m anxious and help me problem-solve when I ask for it.

Friends truly are the antidote to burnout.

 

Updates for TheGoWM…

This month, we plan to:

  • Hang Art by Shannon Martin Perkin’s artwork up in the get-ready suite (we still need to do this)

  • Host our first-ever baby shower

  • Finish those smaller projects that have been on the to-do list for months, like paint the wooden poles that currently hold up some of the bistro lights in the gravel grove

  • Start construction on a couple of big additions to the venue…which we’ll reveal this month!

Our Asks…

This wouldn’t be a community space without the help from, well, our community! If you can assist us with any of the following, we’d greatly appreciate it.

  • Please subscribe to this monthly newsletter if you haven’t and share if you like what you read!

  • Please follow us on our social media pages: Instagram (@thegardenswm) and Facebook.

  • Please engage (share, like, comment, save) with our posts on social media.

  • Help us brainstorm events we can host in our space outside of private parties (e.g., wellness events, art galleries, concerts, gaming events, etc.).

  • Book a tour if you’re in the area and would like to see our space!

Thanks for tuning in this month!

-Emily, Co-Founder, The Gardens of Weber Manor

Blog News: We love to connect with our clients and friends, and we publish a special newsletter every 1st Thursday of the month. We also provide a lot of wedding tips from our preferred vendors.

“You will find that most times you have a vision of what it is that you want to accomplish and that’s most important. It allows you to work backwards and make cuts and changes that will still reflect the overall outcome you wish to achieve. What good is splurging on one particular item if it doesn’t result in the overall outcome you were trying to create?

-Emily, Co-Founder, The Gardens of Weber Manor

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THE GARDENS OF WEBER MANOR LOCATION 

“ When I say that pictures and videos do not do this space justice, that is an understatement!! The Gardens of Weber Manor, in all of its whimsy and magic, is truly a perfect little nook in the heart of the Redlands. No matter what the vision or mood board, this venue and its versatility will allow you to transform it to match your wildest dreams. Add to that the fact that Mike & Emily are the absolute sweetest owners & venue managers, and there should be NOTHING holding you back from booking a tour and picking your wedding date that same day. It is clear that they have put their heart and souls into building up The Gardens from the ground up. So whether you’re planning a wedding, anniversary, birthday or corporate event, you need not look further.  ”

– Alianne Valladares-Prieto

“ The Gardens of Weber Manor is a hidden gem. This venue is magical. I can’t express how amazing it was working with Emily and Mike. They answered every question I had and made me feel that they had everything under control at all times. The staff was awesome!!! The rooms looked beautiful!!! I want to give a special thanks to Emily it was an absolute pleasure working with you. Everything went smoothly, easily and successfully thanks to Emily and Mike and the rest of the team. We felt like family from the time we started to plan the wedding and especially on our wedding day. Thanks to the Gardens of Weber Manor for the wedding of our dreams! ”

– Fernanda Rodriguez

“ We cannot say enough good things about this venue and the owners, Emily & Mike! It is truly a hidden gem. The garden is absolutely gorgeous – you really don’t even need to decorate because the scenery has so much beauty all itself. There are so many spots throughout the venue that could be used for different parts of an event, and no matter where you turned it was a perfect photo backdrop. Our friends and family kept telling us how beautiful the venue was and wondering how we found it. ”

– Kyla Hill