Realized I haven't given an update on my little venue adventure in a while. Just in case anyone care, here it is:
Bookings have been harder than I anticipated but they are at a decent level. We ended up last year with 15 weddings and a bunch of cheap dates. This year, I've cut out most of the non-weddings and have 14 for 2022. I anticipate landing another 3-5 before the end of the year. Last year I was doing pretty much just venue+DJ with a $2.5K average. This year, I've re-vamped our packages to be all-inclusive. I've also added an Events Director, who is doing more of the sales and acts as coordinator. My current packages run from $5.5k to $9k and my net has increased to about $5k per event, which is right where I was hoping to get to.
I'm still working on improvement projects and have a few jobs that must be done before the next big event in 4 weeks (5-21). Paving my ceremony aisle. This one has been a killer. I formed it up for concrete, but can't get a truck for 3-4 weeks and even then, the ground is too soft to get a truck down there. The alternative is to do pavers, which is a big physical labor job but it's probably the only option I have that can be done in time. The other is to have the walkway from the barn to ceremony paved with asphalt. I'm waiting on 2 bids right now. The other is the bridal cabin that has to be finished out. I have plumbing installed and currently putting up drywall and finishing electrical. And as if that isn't enough, I'm planning my own wedding at the venue on 8-6-22.
My son and his wife moved into my mom's house a few weeks ago. They're adapting very well (better than expected) and we're getting to spend some quality father-son time, both with the venue and doing various car repair projects on some of the vehicles around here. I've been keeping my 8-month old grand-daughter some and that has been HEAVEN. The divorce is becoming a distant memory and for that I'm grateful. Besides all that, I do still have some health issues but nothing too bad. Dealing with high blood pressure currently but have a good doctor here who's on top of it.
Life is getting better all the time. I sincerely appreciate all the support and concern you guys have shown me.
Bookings have been harder than I anticipated but they are at a decent level. We ended up last year with 15 weddings and a bunch of cheap dates. This year, I've cut out most of the non-weddings and have 14 for 2022. I anticipate landing another 3-5 before the end of the year. Last year I was doing pretty much just venue+DJ with a $2.5K average. This year, I've re-vamped our packages to be all-inclusive. I've also added an Events Director, who is doing more of the sales and acts as coordinator. My current packages run from $5.5k to $9k and my net has increased to about $5k per event, which is right where I was hoping to get to.
I'm still working on improvement projects and have a few jobs that must be done before the next big event in 4 weeks (5-21). Paving my ceremony aisle. This one has been a killer. I formed it up for concrete, but can't get a truck for 3-4 weeks and even then, the ground is too soft to get a truck down there. The alternative is to do pavers, which is a big physical labor job but it's probably the only option I have that can be done in time. The other is to have the walkway from the barn to ceremony paved with asphalt. I'm waiting on 2 bids right now. The other is the bridal cabin that has to be finished out. I have plumbing installed and currently putting up drywall and finishing electrical. And as if that isn't enough, I'm planning my own wedding at the venue on 8-6-22.
My son and his wife moved into my mom's house a few weeks ago. They're adapting very well (better than expected) and we're getting to spend some quality father-son time, both with the venue and doing various car repair projects on some of the vehicles around here. I've been keeping my 8-month old grand-daughter some and that has been HEAVEN. The divorce is becoming a distant memory and for that I'm grateful. Besides all that, I do still have some health issues but nothing too bad. Dealing with high blood pressure currently but have a good doctor here who's on top of it.
Life is getting better all the time. I sincerely appreciate all the support and concern you guys have shown me.