Carriage House Origins

Welcome.  In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Lisa, the Events Coordinator at The Carriage House.  I spend a lot of time telling folks how special this beautiful property is; I’ve known it was extraordinary in so many ways since I was the Mother-the Bride here when my own daughter married.  That first day that my daughter and son-in-law spent here on this property was nothing short of exquisite. In fact, I don’t really know how to put the feeling of this place into words, but I promise you’ll know it when you feel it here, too.

Given all that The Carriage House is today—the premiere wedding and event venue for Jefferson County, Tennessee and surrounding parts, it’s sometimes fun to look back on the distinctive character this place had not so very long ago.  In fact, one of the most common questions guests ask me during their tours is, “What was this before it was a wedding venue?”   The fun of that question is the story I get to tell those who are planning the biggest days of their lives!

How it all began

This venue began as a working farm and held that position for the last several decades.  This beautiful land, with expansive views of rolling pastures bordered by dense forests, was given a distinctive character in the late 1990s by a local Polled Hereford cattleman who built the phenomenal house and barn.  He improved the land to its current gorgeous state by placing the buildings here in Dry Hollow to make a beautiful place to showcase his herd, but soon the owner decided to take his business endeavors in a new direction and sold the farm to a horse enthusiast who updated the barn to fit the needs of his mares and stallions.

New life as an exquisite wedding and events venue

It took the next set of owners, James and Jennifer Carter, to heed the encouragement of friends and family and polish up that horse barn to host occasions to best all others.  James’ and Jennie’s undertaking was a roaring success and a huge hit with those who discovered the out-of-the-box barn space that soon became the backdrop to many, many beautiful weddings and special events.  While it’s true that weddings and events had never been part of their original plan, the newly hatched notion was a great opportunity to show others the beautiful property. The barn received a few more touches at this point, many of which make the wedding venue special today: the back patio on the barn, the elegant chandeliers inside, and comfortable, beautiful changing rooms for the bride and groom. The Carters’ modifications created a perfect wedding venue deserving of the moniker, “The Carriage House.”

The couple who loved to entertain

A young local couple, Walt and Laura  Stinson, found real pleasure in entertaining and after hosting countless wedding parties, Laura and Walt held their own wedding reception on the property. As they owned a  farm nearby, the younger couple soon became fast friends with their neighbors, the Carters.  Walt, Laura, James, and Jennie enjoyed a unique friendship and it seemed natural that when the older couple  expressed their desire to retire, Laura and Walt decided the Carriage House property would be the best next step in their lives together. The opportunity allowed them to grow their farm and enjoy the fun of hosting other couples on their special days, each of which they hoped to make as momentous as their own.

From my perspective

I can’t adequately express how much I love that I can call this magnificent property my office. I get butterflies each time I see a beautiful bride and all the expectation and awe in her smile at the gorgeous place she is blessed to marry the man of her dreams. Even more, I love meeting couples as they consider the venue and think of all the possibilities it holds for the day they will join their lives and become one.

The Carriage House’s history from a working farm to a working events and weddings venue is such a unique story, and every day is summed up beautifully in the breathtaking sunsets that settle on this exceptional piece of land—we hope you’ll share at least one of those extraordinary days or remarkable sunsets with us as you begin your own history starting right here.

All my best,

Lisa

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