The Elysium at CYG is a multi-function wedding & event facility, located inside Choose Your Gate Farm in Danville, Alabama. Elysium offers 6,500 sq. ft. of rustic elegant event space inside a 24,000 sq. ft. working Equine Barn! This is incredibly unique and for horse lovers, finding a space like this is not an easy task. Another great feature here is the air conditioning! Many couples want a barn wedding but finding one with ac is not always easy and cooling your barn down with a commercial rental unit can cost thousands of dollars! The upstairs balcony catwalk offers a beautiful overlook view of the magnificent horses that are stabled inside the barn. Additional exquisite surroundings include a Grand Staircase, the Grand Hall, custom made chandeliers, oversized fireplace, Ladies and Gentlemen private Dressing Suites, and an outside Chapel styled pavilion for use during your special event.
“Church Pews… I bought them, refinished them, used them for about 9 months, but they became so labor intensive to move in and out of the barn they became a huge pain. Plus all the special trim I added did not do well in our Alabama humidity. It started popping off, so I replaced them with built in benches, and kept the pews inside the big barn in storage and they can be used for a wedding of more than 200 guests by being placed at the end of the permanent benches.”
What are some challenges you have faced that you could share with other venue owners.?
“I am almost afraid to put it in writing, but I have had no issues here at all. We have had wonderful clients, I remain friends with them and stay in contact with most of them via FB. There are no neighbors as I built all of my barns in the center of my 128 acres. It is funny how many customers ask if the DJ, or bands, will keep the horses awake the night of their event.”
Wedding Reception, Wedding Catering, Catering, Reception, Farm Wedding, Elegant Barn, Barn, Rustic Wedding, Country Wedding, Danville Alabama
The Elysium at CYG Farm during a beautifully decorated wedding reception.
Do you have any tips you would like to share with other venue owners?
“I love Elysium. I am about to sell my house in the City and build my home on my farm so that I can be on the grounds every day. Love what you are doing, or do not do it. I hear so many brides say that they were so depressed when looking at other venues because of the mountains of rules they were bombed with. I have 3 simple rules at Elysium. I also tell my clients that I am always the first one there and the last one to leave on their wedding day and their Rehearsal night. I warn them that I can be as much help as they need, or I can be a wallflower, but I do warn them, I really suck at the wallflower role, as I am all up in whatever is going on. I do think that is one reason we have had absolutely no issues here and everyone has so much fun. During 2019 I began designing and assembling most of the flowers for each of the weddings, and this trend seems to be continuing into 2021, as well as many couples are also wanting me to be the Director for their events.”
The incredible grounds at The Elysium offers an unforgettable wedding walk over a bridge and ending at the wedding ceremony pavilion.
The incredible grounds at The Elysium offers an unforgettable wedding walk over a bridge and ending at the wedding ceremony pavilion.
Can you share some of your thoughts or solutions regarding Covid19?
“I had 10 brides I had to reschedule due to this virus. My personal feelings on the virus are not worth discussing, but I think a little caution goes a long way. I have dictated some guidelines for caterers and servers, but overall I have not allowed this virus to disrupt my brides special days as much as possible.”
Any advice to anyone thinking of starting a venue?
“The market was flooded. Now I read and hear some of the vendors are having great financial difficulties and some may not survive. Elysium will survive because it is not the sole source of revenue for my Farm. Others are not so lucky. I joke and tell folks that if people quit booking, I will simply move into Elysium as my personal residence… I have always wanted to live with my horses… can’t get much better than that!! ha!”
Thanks so much to Kelly Carter of Elysium at CYG for taking the time to share so much information with our wedding venue owners community.
Find more information about this wedding venue by visiting their website, www.elysiumcyg.com
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