BUILDING A WEDDING & EVENT VENUE - Episode 4

Come along with us as we document our journey of building a wedding venue from the ground up! In today's episode we discuss many of the details on running our business and managing clients! Websites, Branding, Marketing, SEM/SEO, Contracts, and SO MUCH MORE!!!
Honeybook Referral Link: share.honeybook.com/blake425396
22:28 - Building Your Online Presence
27:30 - Creating an Elevator Pitch
31:18 - Managing Leads & Clients
34:20 - Establishing Preferred Vendors

[@Miss_goalgetter]

I’m extremely happy for you!!! 🎉❤. For over 7 months now I’ve been researching and watching a Lot of videos and THANK GOD I found your channel, GREAT information and I’ve learned so much thus far! Everyone else is selling this information and it feels more like a scam. I know I’m 2 years late but I appreciate all the gems 💎 you dropped. I wanted to open my event space ever since I got married back in 2014 but things had happened and I put it on hold, now I’m back and is really ready to move forward with my dream. ❤

[@Vivienne_Ndana]

We need more business owners like yourself. Its not a competition 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@joannabingman8079]

Omg!!! I'm legit tearing up! I'm soooo flipping excited and pumped for you guys!!! I'm loving following your guys journey. ^_^

[@beahernandez5761]

My heart is so happy for you guys! Can’t Thank you enough for this channel and all your passionate videos! We own an outdoor venue in Az. Our lifelong dream is to build a barn! We’ve been busy getting all our ducks in a row and after your videos we are ready to take that leap!

[@PandoraEast]

Blake, your generosity is GOLDEN! thank you! I'm a subscriber now

[@desereenicole]

This is amazing! Your venue is already looking so beautiful!

[@courtneyyawn1760]

I’m so happy for y’all! Thank you for sharing all of this info it’s very very helpful!

[@michelleg2864]

I am thinking of starting a event venue and I just loved your sharing of what is going on and what you did. I love that you shared that you have made mistakes and fell but got up. This video had so much information I was a little overwhelmed and will have to listen again. But wishing you so much success and happiness

[@Alasinvisibles]

Hey Blake I hope you guys are doing wonderful. I am praying that you will make all the videos you have given my husband and I are lotta information. You have blessed us.

[@mbpritsch2951]

Blake, Thank you so much for making these videos. My wife and I have been dreaming of building a wedding/event space on our 40acre property in California for over 20 years. This year we decided to take the plunge and have begun the process. I too have been doing lots of research, business plan writing, contacting SBA, contacting builders to try and get quotes for structures made from wood to steel buildings. Meeting with contractors, SBDC business coach, contacting the County for the permit process, trying to fill out forms ie; conditional use permit, personal financial statement etc, etc, etc. Trying to accomplish what you have already achieved is a daunting task, but your videos are very encouraging and helpful. You seem to be a very pleasant person and seem genuinely happy with each milestone. I wish you and your wife the best of luck on your venture and hope that you continue to help others that are trying to wade through the maze and red tape of launching a venue. Once again thank you, the information that I have gained from you has been very helpful and encouraging.

[@thehaveneventspace]

Thank you so much!! Wish you guys the VERY best, and just know, after ALL this hard work... It will be SO worth it! :)

[@kirkplumb6283]

Blake, the way you are organized and take your time to explain things in your videos is awesome! You're very professional and it's obvious that you've done your research regarding the venue and all aspects of making the day perfect for your couples. My wife and I also live in Kansas and are seriously contemplating building a venue on our property!!! We live on 35 acres in the Wichita area and plan to build the venue on our property. Your videos are helping us gain traction and motivation on so many levels, seriously! If you don't mind, I'm going to email you to ask a few questions that you haven't covered in the videos. Congrats on the immediate success! God's timing is ALWAYS the best!

[@thehaveneventspace]

Thanks so much! Can’t wait to chat :)

[@TrishTalkz]

Let me just say you are great! The information, your presentation, everything is fantastic. So happy you're doing so well already! We're looking at opening an event venue here in Maryland, so I'm taking notes! 🤗 New subbie here!

[@rory.nieto85]

Beautiful story . This is very inspirational. You guys will do amazing 💪🏼👏🏼. My wife and I are following your foot steps and starting our venture in the venue industry. We also purchased our 8 acre property 1 month before COVID hit hard in march 2020 . Thank you for your videos . God bless you both.

[@ojackson370z]

Wow congrats on the 37 bookings! And thanks for all the great info!!!

[@nataliamoscow]

🎉🎉🎉 very inspirational ! Thanks so much for sharing your experience and knowledge . It’s pleasant to see such enthusiastic and giving person 🤩🤩🤩

[@LarryGipson96]

Seriously inspiring guys.

[@cynthiaasogwa298]

Wahoooo, so much infor 👏👏👏. Thank you for the detailed breakdowns. You are really awesome. God bless the work of your hand. I am literally taking note as you speak 😄.

[@kiaralewis30]

Great infomation thanks for sharing! Much success to you in 2022.

[@sundaraaj]

As always very Thankful 🙏for the great details !!!

[@sundaraaj]

Blake you are such an inspiration to us ... God bless you and your business 🙏... The details you're sharing are very useful...

[@shanabowman]

This is incredibly useful information! Thank you!

[@joshualyman2107]

You are awesome! Love these videos! 👏

[@heathergilreath9159]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience and knowledge! We would love to know more about your audio/video systems.

[@sialao849]

Love your ideas! Thank you so much for sharing. I am Muslim & don't drink Alcohol. It's great that you made it an option for those who don't drink.

[@taiwilson2131]

There's some good stuff in this one.

[@hlyncollier]

So glad I finally got to watch this video, been waiting for some dedicated time to watch. This is exactly the kind of information that is so helpful to those of us who are still in the “dreamer” stage of opening an event space.I appreciate the way you organize the information in your videos because as a note taker it really helps me to capture what you’re presenting, as well as come up with any other questions. You mentioned bookings for full weekends and I am curious as to what that looks like. Usually you think of just a day for the wedding, so what are they booking the additional days for, just additional preparation time? Thank you again for sharing this journey with us!

[@thehaveneventspace]

GREAT question!! I have had several couples take advantage of our "full weekend" rental. This gives them access at 9am Friday morning through 11pm Sunday night. This allows them to come in Friday and decorate, have their rehearsal dinner onsite, and enjoy the space in a more intimate setting prior to hosting all of their guests. Then saturday they can obviously come onsite, get ready, do photos, and have their ceremony and reception. Then Sunday they can come back, tear down, allow guests access to get cars that were left the evening before, or even host a family brunch or something. It's their property for the weekend and they can do anything they would like! I love the idea of the slower pace and giving them time to enjoy the property!

[@hlyncollier]

@@thehaveneventspace Great information! Never thought about cars left behind - makes sense, especially with a bar package. Thanks for the response!

[@carlajoduke2866]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I am totally loving this series. Everything you share is so important and so thorough. I’m never even tempted to fast forward or quit watching before the end. In fact, just the opposite. I’m waiting to click on the next video. You really have an engaging way about how you present the info. Never boring, I hate the idea of all of the “business” stuff, but you keep my interest and never drone on with too much info. Just the right amount. I’m just in the praying stage of building a venue. But I am planning on going through your videos again just so I don’t miss anything. Just want to say “You Rock! And please keep going”. One more question…would you consider sharing your contract. I’m in New Mexico, so I’m sure it would probably have to be altered to fit our state specifics. But I feel like this is an area where I really need some specific guidance. 😊

[@thehaveneventspace]

Absolutely!! Shoot us an email requesting it to [e-mail]! Thanks so much for the kind words and I’m wishing your prayers to quickly become reality for your dreams just like mine did!! 🥰

[@kennysalazar3631]

This information is great knowledge, thank you.

[@edithnamatovu839]

Could you please share what the accommodations look like for Inspo ? Huge thank you for sharing your journey and Inspiring us … More Grace and favor to you

[@brendaacevedo2388]

Awesome videos

[@djpainter753]

Great video! I’d love to know how much cash you and your wife had to have up front to cover all of these expenses, and which of these expenses you’re mentioning are from your bank loan versus what you pay for out of your own pocket? Thank you!

[@thehaveneventspace]

Hey DJ! We bought our land and paid for our architect out of pocket, which was around $450k. Because our project loan was around $2.3MM we needed that as our 20% equity injection, leaving the other $1.8MM financed through the bank. Obviously with smaller projects, smaller down payments and equity injections are required!

[@RobPirieCedarOtaCoffee]

As a KZbinr these are amazing. Your total view to subscriber ratio is off the charts. The amount of transparency coupled with your personality could really go along ways on here. I know your are super busy but you have some great YT potential. Looking to start a venue myself coupled with a coffee roastery and these videos are the best I have seen and why I love KZbin! I know you are elbows deep in the business but if you ever want to chat KZbin and venues I would love to talk. Keep hammering away buddy!

[@thehaveneventspace]

Thank you so much for the kind words!! I would love to connect sometime. We open here in a few weeks so once things settle down, we can connect! Talk soon!

[@RobPirieCedarOtaCoffee]

@@thehaveneventspace Looking forward to it buddy and can’t wait to see the opening! Vlog the heck out of it! Excited!

[@lmlakeandgolfretreat9503]

Thank you for this video series, you did such a nice job on your videos and information. I am starting a venue in Texas and wondered if you would share your on contract since it is 13 pages or where to find one I could start with? Thanks, look forward to more videos. Laura

[@jordanacord3896]

Btw love these videos!

[@user-qn7jc2vx4g]

Can you share a link or name brand of that photo booth? I've enjoyed and am inspired by your journey. Keep grinding and stay ambitious, thanks for the information and openness on your business journey.

[@ninetychannel]

Love your video. May I ask, if not already mentioned… starting from scratch to but a property, build, market, etc… how much was your business loan?

[@Alasinvisibles]

Awesome video! I am so grateful. We are in west of Florida, and our dream with my husband and my twin sister, is to build a Venue. I will like to email you. Have you thought of placing the deposits on CD of short terms so you earn some interest? Thank you again! I hope I can see your property one day! Best of luck

[@waynestoia3711]

Thanks for the great updates, great facility, here is my question .. it appears you use your main hall for both the ceremony seating, and then table seating for the meal. First is that true, and second how do you manage moving tables and chairs into the same space and keep the audience focused?

[@thehaveneventspace]

Hey Wayne! Thanks for watching! We do have “flips” sometimes if the clients want an indoor ceremony. In that case we either have guests go out to our party patio or the back 1/4 of the room and foyer for a cocktail hour while we flip! I usually staff no less that 5-6 people during a full flip event and it takes us about 20-25min to flip the room! It’s definitely a science, but once you master it, it’s flawless every time :)

[@gloh6055]

Congregants on your venue and thank you for your videos have definitely been very informative, just a quick question under what category would a venue be listed under to find the right zoning? County keeps changing my options

[@thehaveneventspace]

We are zoned as agricultural, but we have a "conditional use permit" allowing us to operate a commercial business on agricultural land. There was a community hearing, and vote by the county board to approve this type of permit, and there are lot of rules and regulations (times of operation, noise restrictions, etc) that we must follow. This was the best option for us! Normally, you would need to be on a commercially zones property though!

[@gloh6055]

@@thehaveneventspace thank you for replying we were actually very close to signing on a commercial land but the country didn't allow a rural event center and now are directing us to agriculture zoning which to me commercial land would make so much more sense

[@thehaveneventspace]

@@gloh6055 That is certainly odd, but county regulations and governments are WEIRD and they are NEVER going to make anything easy on you. Keep trying! It will all work out!

[@gloh6055]

Yes very odd! would you be able to maybe explain the process on obtaining a condition use permit in a video i would really appreciate and appreciate all your help 🙏 thank you thank you thank you! God bless you your family and your business 🙏

[@thehaveneventspace]

@@gloh6055 good idea!! I’ll keep it in mind for future videos! Thank you so much!

[@BuccarooRanch]

How accessible is your center for people or even Brides or Grooms in wheelchairs? I am only asking because I was at a venue where a person in a wheelchair can go anywhere except the bridal and Groom's suite The suits are upstairs I felt they should need an elevator to gain access to these two rooms. The venue we went to didn't allow any alcohol of any kind other than 1 small glass for a toast. They stated the liability was too much and they don't want someone suing them for someone driving drunk and killing themselves or someone else.

[@thehaveneventspace]

We are fully ADA compliant. The only room in our space upstairs is the brides lounge but in the event we had a disabled bride we have a main floor lounge she could use and the grooms could use the upstairs in that case. Our new space has an elevator to get between levels

[@mrawsomeman44]

It’s kind of a personal question. But how much all in are you guys?

[@ashwind06]

I’m currently striving to open my own venue within the next 2 years and working 2 jobs, the second income is going straight to savings for a down payment towards a business loan and purchasing property. Your videos have been absolutely amazing and so helpful and I thank you so much for them! I was curious how and when you tied your land to your company. From your videos, I’ve learned that you bought it from your personal finances early on, but it’s legally under “Haven Properties” now. How did you transition this from yourself to the business and when in your time line did you make this transition?

[@thehaveneventspace]

We setup our LLC before we bought the land, and it was purchased under the LLC name. I’d recommend doing that prior to buying anything just to make life easier. ;)

[@ashwind06]

@@thehaveneventspace Gotcha, thank you so much! I look forward to your next video!

[@wardley6010]

Thank you so much for this video I learned so much from the information that you provided I have two questions where did you get the Photo Booth from and how did you obtain the liquor license And one last thing for your grand opening I’m located in Miami Florida so I wanted to know is can anyone come to your grand opening I would love to see when everything is finally finished

[@thehaveneventspace]

Hi!!! Thank for the comment! - I got my photo booth here: fotomaster.com/. Ours is called the Mirror X Booth - Liquor licenses can be obtained from the ABC (Alcohol and Beverage Control) in your state. So just Google _____(state) Liquor License Application and its super simple! In KS, I was just able to call them and talk to them about my business and plans and they told me what to apply for. You pay the fee, and thats it! Super easy! - Our Grand Opening will be a public event! It will be October 29th, 2021 from 4pm-8pm CST! We would LOVE to meet you and show you around the property!!! Let me know if you have any other questions! Thanks, -Blake

[@wardley6010]

Thank you

[@sundaraaj]

Would you please explain about the FORUM that you setup for discussions. Where did you set and how did you include your vendors.

[@thehaveneventspace]

We have a wedding vendors Facebook page and I created a zoom meeting and invited everyone in that group! There are thousands of vendors in the KC area in the group. The meeting was a great success!

[@sundaraaj]

@@thehaveneventspace awesome

[@fotografiasromero]

Are you considering putting up another building in the property to hold more than one wedding?

[@thehaveneventspace]

No sir - a big part of our selling point is the privacy, which at our price point, our clients expect. We are in process on another location now though, so #2 coming soon 😎

[@Anna-pg8hw]

Hi can u review the photo booth? It looks really interesting!

[@thehaveneventspace]

Great Idea! This could be a fun episode idea! In the meantime, here is a link to a promo video for it! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qV7Ln3eHhsyiick

[@Anna-pg8hw]

@@thehaveneventspace Thanks looking forward to that video!

[@ian.ashworth]

Hey man! I am currently a full-time college student who has been recently reconsidering my future and what I feel is right for me and my future family in life. The biggest thing that I would love to accomplish is to be able to help people in some way, shape or form. Recently I have gained interest in Real Estate as well as event hosting such as your event venue. As someone who does not have a feasible current income due to being a college student what would you recommend me doing if I decided to try to get into a situation such as yours in terms of purchasing land, and creating this event space. I totally understand the reasoning behind loans but the question is do I have to be successful elsewhere before being able to be successful in a future like your event space? I have watched all of the videos and I remember you mentioning paying for your land(?) in cash from the start, I know that cannot be cheap and working at a local business making less than $16/hr is not going to be able to cut that. What do you recommend me dong in this position? Thank you in advanced!

[@thehaveneventspace]

Keep grinding man! Biggest thing I can tell you is building a venue is NOT a cheap endeavour, but it can/will be a rewarding one if you do it RIGHT!

[@sarahknight2586]

First I want to say yall are a beautiful couple, I would have loved to meet your wife. I am thinking about making an event barn out of my family tobacco barn. I love all of your videos, you are very smart and very informative. The first video I watched I cried listening to you talk about God and the third property was meant for you to buy. I am going to say something now you probably won't like, but the video where you talked about adding liquor to your packages you veered off of your focus on God and focused on the worldly things. You have so much going on in your venues you didn't have to add that to your packages, you had all you needed with God backing you, I don't think God will back a venue where you are promoting drunkenness but that is only my thought. I know it is just an option, I debated whether to say this or not but I believe God led me to say this to you. I'm sorry if this has made you feel uncomfortable. I guess I did say this for you to feel a little uncomfortable but in a good way. Believe me I wish you all the success in your venue, I am so excited for you and can't wait for more of your videos to come out. I am still a supporter and I liked and subscribed to your channel. I know you will be a big success and yall are so young to have accomplished so much. My barn is in Kentucky but it will be nothing as nice as yours. Please forgive me for my comment but it was meant in a good way . God Bless you two. Have a Blessed Day 🙌🙏

[@thehaveneventspace]

Sarah - First of all, NO apologies are needed!!! I am so honored to have this feedback from you following God and what you feel is right!!! There is no shame in that AT ALL!! This was a big decision for us as well, and as someone who doesn’t (and has never) drank, it was a tough one to make. Ultimately we built this venue to help fund our dreams of ministry and evangelism, not to BE our ministry. I think that was the ultimate reason we were comfortable with it. I believe in empowering people to make their own choices (free will, right?) so who am I to tell them they aren’t allowed to have alcohol at their event. By us doing the services in-house we can control consumption to avoid heavy intoxication and damage to our space! It has never been about the money for us! Thank you again for following your heart and I wish you ALL the success in your venue journey!!! Keep us posted! -Blake

[@sarahknight2586]

@@thehaveneventspace Thank you so much for not taking it the wrong way, God does work in mysterious ways. God Bless

[@jordanacord3896]

My fiancé and I are actually in the starting phase of opening our wedding/event business, we were wondering if we could pick you brain on some questions we had!?

[@thehaveneventspace]

Absolutely! Shoot me an email! [e-mail]

[@sundaraaj]

Any plans for more videos like this ?? I am sure you might be super busy in the Grand Opening ceremony.

[@sundaraaj]

especially on topics like marketing and sales..

[@tomramey9]

What is the protocol for the bar packages, as in do you have to hire a licensed bar tender?

[@thehaveneventspace]

Hey Tom! Kansas liquor laws do not require licensed bartenders, but this was a big learning curve for me. I had never drank or worked in a bar let alone ran one. I just did my homework, worked with the ABC in Kansas (alcohol and beverage control) and got my caterers liquor license in the state so I could legally sell and serve. This is a HUGE profit area for our venue, and obviously the majority of events have alcohol, so I’m very glad we set it up! Our website has a “bar packages” page under pricing that you can look into how we formed up our packages and pricing! Feel free to copy 😉

[@tomramey9]

@@thehaveneventspace thanks for responding, quick question though, so you act as the bartender?

[@thehaveneventspace]

Correct. I employ the bartenders as part of my staff and I frequently bartend too (mainly because I enjoy the interaction with all of the guests as the owner!)

[@tomramey9]

@@thehaveneventspace absolutely!! I would love to take on that roll!! I love to interact!! Thank you brother!!

[@diongalbreath9441]

what is the link to the photo machine?

[@thehaveneventspace]

Hey Dion! It’s from a company called fotomaster.com! I have the Mirror X booth and it’s AWESOME!

[@edithnamatovu839]

Do you stay on the property as well or you go there on a daily ?

[@thehaveneventspace]

I do not live onsite! I actually have two venues now and split my time between them!

[@edithnamatovu839]

@@thehaveneventspace congrats on the second venue , I visited it and when I saw that you named your son Lincoln I guessed where the venue name came from … looking forward to a virtual tour for that one for us on the other continents. And honestly watching your story you could see God’s goodness and faithfulness 🫶🏾

[@mariooliver4051]

whoever owns the land LLC owns the venue LLC. Very dangerous

[@thehaveneventspace]

They are owned by a trust not a person. It was very well established by a great business attorney. This is the ideal way to set it up!