Today we’d like to introduce you to Carla Webster.
Hi Carla, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
This is what we have on our website:
Welcome to our cherished haven, where timeless elegance meets historic charm. We are Carla and Randy Webster the passionate duo behind this beautiful outdoor venue. Carla’s vibrant personality and love for building relationships shine through in every interaction. With an eye for beauty, she takes joy in curating spaces that reflect the love and joy of the couples who celebrate here. For her, this venue isn’t just a place; it’s a canvas where every love story is painted with grace and style.
Randy, on the other hand, is the heart of our operations. With a work ethic as solid as the structures he builds, Randy has a knack for turning visions into reality. There’s nothing he can’t create when he sets his mind to it, and his dedication ensures that our venue is always in perfect shape for your special day. He’s never met a stranger and believes in the power of hard work and genuine connections. Together, we’ve poured our hearts into this venue, ensuring that it remains a place of elegance, history, and warmth. We’re here to make sure your wedding is not just an event but an experience that you’ll cherish forever. We can’t wait to welcome you and help you create memories that will last a lifetime.
We bought the venue about five years ago. We were looking for a venture that we could do together. When our oldest daughter got married, we were intrigued by the beauty and simplicity of her venue. It was at that point we started looking for a property that we could host weddings at. We wanted to invest in ourselves, provide a beautiful wedding at a reasonable price and pass along some generational wealth to our kids. We searched five years for a property that was what we envisioned for our venue. My husband loves looking at properties and he stumbled on this new listing. We loved what we saw so we decided to go see it the next day! When we pulled through the tree lined drive and saw the colonial estate I immediately fell in love and told him this is the property. We put an offer on the property the next day and moved in shortly after that. We have poured into the property the first year and every year after that with a full remodel of the main kitchen area, refinishing all the floors, painting, building the covered bridge, the three tiered deck, converting Eleanor’s Cottage into the designated vendor space and Noah’s cabin into the groom’s Suite.; not to mention the expansive landscaping with beautiful flowers, trees, shrubs, fountains and lighting installed. A true labor of love for us.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
While the journey has presented several obstacles, we remain committed to our long-term vision. The operation of the venue has proven to be significantly more labor-intensive and financially demanding than initially projected. This substantial investment of time and resources is essential to realizing our complete vision for the property.
Currently, we reside on the property, which provides the necessary flexibility to continue making vital improvements.
Our key long-term goals include:
1) Renting the complete venue out for an entire week or weekend.
2) Constructing an indoor ceremony location to mitigate limitations imposed by seasonal weather.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
With a background in social work and ministry, I have always been driven by a passion for building genuine relationships. I am a gregarious person who thrives in social environments, and I would much prefer learning what makes people tick over making small talk about the weather. This desire to connect deeply with others is at the heart of how I manage the day-to-day operations here at The Villa Franca.
I also have a great passion for creating beautiful spaces and a keen eye for detail. I truly enjoy the process of decorating our venue and helping brides curate every aspect of their special day to ensure its beauty.
What sets us apart is that we take your event personally; we are fully invested in your happiness, and that commitment is reflected in everything we do.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I would say the biggest lesson learned so far is the need to set healthy boundaries in our professional processes.
Without clear boundaries in place, the distinctions between roles and processes can become blurred, leading to potential complication across various areas of our work.
To maintain clarity and ensure smooth operations, we must establish healthy boundaries and clear expectations for bother clients and our vendors early in the engagement process. This proactive approach will help0 us avoid misunderstandings and confusion later on.
The happiness of our clients remains a top priority at The Villa Franca. Setting these professional boundaries is key to maintaining high-quality service and successful relationships.
Pricing:
- 100-140 Guests- $6,000.00
- 60-90 Guests-$5,500.00
- 30-50 Guests-$5000.00
- Mirco-Wedding 20 or fewer guests-$4000.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thevillafranca.com/about-us/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevillafranca/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VillaFrancaEstate/
