If you’re planning your wedding then you know how crucial your wedding location is. Some couples don’t even set a date in stone until they have booked their wedding venue. You HOPE that your top choice has availability on your wedding date, but if they don’t, you either have to shuffle your date around, or choose another venue.
 

Greg Beasley Photo, Inc, www.beasleyphoto.com, all rights reserved, 706-937-2458

In my 10 years of doing weddings, there are about 3 or 4 venues that I consider my “regulars” but if i had to call one my “home field”, if would be Walnut Hill Farm in Dalton, Georgia.

 

In the years that I have been doing weddings in this region, Walnut Hill Farm has changed owners once, but the hospitality and professionalism must be a part of that property because no matter the owner and management, Walnut Hill Farm weddings run like a well-oiled machine.
Matt Barrett of Walnut Hill Farms takes a short break from taking care of business at a wedding to pose for a photo with me!
Today, Matt Barrett makes sure that machine runs like clockwork and he does a killer job. Matt has become a friend over the years and has championed my work over and over again. So for this week’s Meet A Wedding Vendor blog, we will be chatting with Matt!
 

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT WALNUT HILL FARM?

I am the General Manager. I oversee all operations for our estate.

IT WAS ORIGINALLY BUILT FOR A LLAMA FARM RIGHT? WHAT’S THE HISTORY THERE?

Joe and Nannette Yarbrough first started developing our property about 30 years ago.  While in the planning of the farm Nannette took her grand kids to a petting zoo where she first met a baby Llama. It was love at first “pet” and the history of Walnut Hill began. 12 years ago the Yarbrough’s converted our spaces from hosting animals to host the finest of events. With well over 55 acres of managed gardens and meadows, Walnut Hill sits in a unique spot to overlook the Appalachian Mountains.

HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP THE STYLE OF THE VENUE?

Southern Elegance and Appalachian Hospitality.

 

Walnut Hill Farm has multiple ceremony options (5 different set ups that I have seen) and can accommodate virtually any size wedding, and the property is so large that it can accommodate multiple weddings on the same day without the either even being aware of the other! Greg Beasley Photo, Inc, www.beasleyphoto.com, all rights reserved, 706-937-2458

DOES WALNUT HILL FARM SUIT OR CATER TO A PARTICULAR STYLE OF WEDDING?
 
 Walnut Hill offers a beautiful canvas to which a bride can design her dream wedding. From low key and casual affairs to high end formal celebrations, we are flexible to any style.
 

HOW HAS WALNUT HILL FARM GROWN AND CHANGED SINCE IT FIRST WAS USED AS A WEDDING VENUE?

Four years ago Kasey & Julie Carpenter purchased the property and began renovating and updating our spaces. With the addition of air conditioning and a commercial kitchen we were able to increase our guest’s experience. Today Walnut Hill Farm is equipped to welcome over 30 overnight guests and events of 600 guests or more. While the Yarbrough’s surely developed the land, gardens and buildings into beautiful spaces in which to enjoy the perfect day, the Carpenters brought world class food. Restaurant people by trade, Kasey and Julie began a culture of food and hospitality that is simply unmatched in area venues. Our team of chefs help to develop and execute menus custom tailored to our clients taste. Our floral stylist and wedding coordinators work tirelessly to make sure every detail is perfect. Coming to Walnut Hill is an escape from the hectic nature of the day to day grind. The perfect place to rest, reflect on the beauty of God’s creation, and enjoy a glass of wine.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT WALNUT HILL FARM THAT MAKES IT STAND OUT APART FROM OTHER NORTH GEORGIA/EAST TENNESSEE WEDDING VENUES?

There are so many wonderful venues and places to host weddings in our area. What breaks Walnut Hill away from the others is our concierge style of service. We custom tailor all of our weddings to specifically reflect the brides choices and desires. All of our meals are prepared onsite by our executive chef. Our coordinators walk you through your timeline, ceremony and even pack to-go food for you when you exit. Jennifer, our baker, creates the most delicious and beautiful cakes we have ever seen while Amanda, our floral stylist, will deliver flowers so fresh and amazing you will swear they were cut from our gardens. While we do offer so many services and details in house we also love to work with our industry friends. This area has so many local artisans and professionals we love being a part of that large community.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS WALNUT HILL FARM OFFERS COUPLES?
Our couples first option would be location. Walnut Hill is blessed to offer two separate venues with two different atmospheres to choose from. Dependent on your guest count and desired mood for your wedding would help determine which venue you choose. Walnut Hill offers so many different options. From planning your menu to designing impeccable floral pieces, each bride has every available option and choice.
 

WHY DOES WALNUT HILL FARM ONLY ALLOW IN-HOUSE CATERING?

We are food people by trade. The preparation of our food and the execution of our service on our passion. We want every guest of Walnut Hill to be captivated by the beauty of their surroundings and perfection of their meal.

One of the super-epic reception locations on the property of Walnut Hill Farm. Photo by Greg Beasley Photo, Inc, www.beasleyphoto.com, all rights reserved, 706-937-2458

TALK ABOUT THE DIFFERENT SPACES WALNUT HILL FARMS OFFERS FOR WEDDING PREPARATIONS, CEREMONIES, AND RECEPTION
Walnut Hill hosts two venues both complete with event space and bridal suites. Outdoor ceremonies can happen anywhere on our 55 acre farm. The most popular views are of the pond and mountains.
 

CAN WALNUT HILL FARM HELP WITH PLANNING, COORDINATING, AND EVEN CATERING?

The team of professionals we have gathered together at Walnut Hill will assist you with every detail of your wedding. From setting the tables and floor-plan to designing the perfect centerpiece our team is here for you.

 

WHAT WEEKS OF THE YEAR IS WALNUT HILL IS THE MOST BUSY?

Our September through mid November usually book 18 months in advance. By far our Spring and Fall seasons are the busiest.

The views of the mountains from almost anywhere on the property is breath-taking! Photo by Chattanooga Wedding Photographer Greg Beasley Photo, Inc, www.beasleyphoto.com, all rights reserved, 706-937-2458

HOW MANY WEDDINGS DOES WALNUT HILL FARM HOST IN A TYPICAL YEAR?

We were so blessed to have had 44 weddings this past year.

WHY DO YOU THINK WALNUT HILL FARM IS SUCH A SPECIAL PLACE TO TIE THE KNOT?

It is hard to deny the beauty and goodness of God when you come out to Walnut Hill. Once you pass through the gates you can feel the stress of the day decrease. It truly is a special place, one that you don’t want to leave.

Water features, mountains, barns, trees, and wide open fields. WHF has virtually every sort of backdrop a bride could ever want! Photo by Chattanooga Wedding Photographer Greg Beasley Photo, Inc, www.beasleyphoto.com, all rights reserved, 706-937-2458

TELL US ONE OF THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS YOU’VE SEEN OCCUR DURING A WEDDING DAY AT WALNUT HILL FARM.
One of the most memorable ceremony events happen when two of the sweetest couples I’ve had the please to meet began to read their vows. The groom went first and lost it immediately. You could hear the passionate all consuming love they had for each other. It took each of them a while to get through their vows but I’ll never forget just how sweet and pure the raw emotion was. That couple are preparing for the birth of their first child now.

Photo by Chattanooga Wedding Photographer Greg Beasley Photo, Inc, www.beasleyphoto.com, all rights reserved, 706-937-2458

FINALLY, WHAT IS IT THAT YOU LOVE ABOUT WORKING IN THE WEDDING INDUSTRY?

Being able to join a family in the celebration of two uniting as one is pure joy. Getting to know each family and inviting them into our home is a wonderful honor. We treasure each and every relationship we make here and love when those friendships continue long after the celebration.

Thanks so much Matt! To schedule a meeting or a tour with Matt at Walnut Hill Farms, go on over to their website and click the “Contact” link!

Here’s a wedding film I shot at Walnut Hill farms in the early Spring!

Another special THANK YOU to the Amazing Greg Beasley of Beasley Photography! Greg provided all the photos for this post! Check him out at www.beasleyphoto.com