S10E12: All-Inclusive Venues: A Seamless Wedding Day
When you book an all-inclusive venue, you know the vendors have worked together before.
This ensures that you’re getting the experience you’ve seen on their social media and marketing materials - which is probably why you booked in the first place!
All-inclusive venues can take the guesswork out of wedding planning.
At C&C by the Lake, you are booking a stunning wedding that comes with everything from flowers and cake to photography and catering.
Guest: Kortney Strange, C&C by the Lake
This week, we’re dishing about…
What does an all-inclusive wedding venue actually mean? And, what does it include?
What are some of the benefits of having your wedding at an all-inclusive venue?
What are some of the benefits of staying at C&C by the Lake for your wedding weekend?
... and more!
Meet Kortney, C&C by the Lake!
Hello there! My name is Kortney Strange!
I juggle many roles at C&C by the Lake, a lakeside destination All-Inclusive wedding venue in Arkansas!
If you're planning a wedding, consider an all-inclusive package for an affordable, stress-free, and environmentally friendly experience. Our venue has assembled a team of skilled professionals who go above and beyond to make every event a success. Couples appreciate having a single point of contact, especially when they're busy and don't have the time to coordinate with multiple vendors. With our all-inclusive package, we take care of the heavy lifting so the couple can focus on enjoying their special day. -Korney, C&C by the Lake
Business Info
What areas do you serve? Arkansas
How long have you been in business? 1 year
How long have you been in business?
1 year
Why did you decide to start your own business?
In January 2023, we opened our venue, and after a few weddings, we learned a lot about what couples renting the space needed. We observed which vendors excelled and which ones didn't, and we decided to create an all-inclusive package to help our couples plan their special day without any added stress. We noticed that parents of the couple were often overworked and didn't even get to enjoy the wedding themselves. Thus, we created a cost-effective package that streamlines the planning process. Instead of making multiple deposits to vendors, couples can now make just one deposit followed by a single monthly payment.
What's the coolest thing about owning your own business?
I have a top three favorite things, in no particular order:
1. Wedding cake every weekend
2. The Zamboni Machine
3. Getting to work with my husband (okay, maybe he should be #1)
What challenges have you had to overcome?
Mostly working on my boundaries and time management.
Do you have a favorite story to share?
A while back, a couple contacted us for a tour of our property. Since they lived far away, they were only available that day and no one was available to show them around. Undeterred, they proceeded to explore the venue on their own. We fondly refer to them as the "Trespassers."
Interestingly, they fell in love with the location and booked our All-Inclusive package right then and there. We met once for planning over coffee, but communication was limited afterward. It was almost like being ghosted, but since they had already booked, we continued with our preparations. On the day of their wedding, they explained that they just knew everything was under control. It was a pleasant surprise and an honor to know that they had faith in our abilities.
What advice could you offer to someone starting a business like yours?
When building a team, it's important to choose those who share your work ethic and embrace a team mentality. Seek out like-minded individuals who are enthusiastic about collaboration.
Daily Life
Are there any challenges or obstacles that you've had to overcome?
Managing time has been my biggest challenge. I've been working on streamlining the business processes and eliminating redundancies. As a Xennial, it has been a bit of a struggle to become accustomed to my CRM software. We grew faster than expected too, hosting over 20 events in our first year and scheduling 40+ more for the upcoming year. We jumped into the deep end without hesitation.
Your Wedding
What was the most important decision you made about your wedding?
Our love story blossomed during the pandemic, culminating in a backyard elopement. We threw all of our budget at our dream photographer and exchanged vows at sunrise with just our daughter Joey, aged 5 at the time, as our (unofficial) officiant. We cooked breakfast and had a feast under a canopy of trees. It was the perfect celebration for us.
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