We’ve been exploring the world of wedding venues with our new three-part series, What Can I Get For… After tackling $5,000 and $10,000 venues around the country, we’re closing out this series with the show-stopper $20,000 venues that you need to see to believe. We’re just covering site fees, aka the price you pay a venue before food and beverage minimums or table and chair rentals. We checked with wedding experts from Koru Wedding,Bustle Events, Alicia K Designs and Shay Brown Events to bring you a list of what $20,000 can get you in any part of the United States. So if you’re looking for a venue that will wow everyone you know, check out these four stunners.
1. The Ashford Estate, Allentown, NJ: This estate is the epitome of European elegance. With hundreds of acres of land surrounding the breathtaking estate, carefully manicured gardens and beautiful fountains, the Ashford Estate is perfection defined. The site fee starts at $20,000, which includes the use of the ballroom for the reception and chapel for the ceremony, along with table and chair rental. Have a large guest list? Not a problem! The ballroom can accommodate up to 275 guests. The Ashford Estate also has an in-house caterer that has catered to past presidents, so you know your guests will dine in style. (Photo via John Arcara Photography)
West Coast
2. Kunde Family Estate, Kenwood, CA: In the heart of California wine country, Kunde Family Estate offers various sites for ceremonies and receptions on its 1,850-acre property — all with rustic charm and history. The Dunfillan Ruins site fee (pictured above) is $20,000 and can hold up to 250 guests. You’ll need to bring in everything (including generators and restrooms) to this venue, but it’s worth it for the tranquility and beauty of the setting. (Photo via Jessamyn Harris)
South
3. Rockwood Lodge at Old Edwards Inn, Highlands, NC: This gorgeous and amazing estate sits on top of one of the highest peaks in the Highlands, with 360-degree views of never-ending mountains. Decked out in beautiful wood and stone interior design, this lodge is a mansion in the woods. From the lawn area, you’ll have a spectacular view of the mountains and rolling hills. This venue holds up to 200 guests and the site fee starts at $15,000. There is also a minimum stay of three nights in addition to the site rental. (Photo via Old Edwards Inn and Spa)
Destination
4. San Ysidro Ranch, Santa Barbara, CA: This Santa Barbara beauty provides breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the Channel Islands (famous honeymooners include JFK and Jackie O + Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin). With several indoor and outdoor options, site fees range from $12,500-$20,000 and can accommodate a maximum of 200 guests. (Photo via Elizabeth Messina Photography)
Getting married at one of these venues? We’d love to hear about it in the comments below. Have another venue favorite around $20,000? Fill us in!
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.