Absolutely NOT in MY Venue!
Running a venue means wearing many hats: host, organizer, problem-solver, occasional therapist, and—yes—enforcer
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Running a venue means wearing many hats: host, organizer, problem-solver, occasional therapist, and—yes—enforcer. When people ask me what it's like to own an event venue, my answer isn’t simply about pretty spaces or table arrangements. It’s about making sure every single person who walks through the doors has the best experience possible. Sometimes, that means saying “Absolutely not—Not in my venue!”
Yes, there are moments that require stepping in with a firm hand or a quick fix to keep things smooth and beautiful. Here’s a peek behind the scenes at a few times I’ve had to say “Absolutely not” for the sake of my clients, their guests, or my team.
The Wrinkled Shirt Rescue
When you rent a venue, you’re not just paying for a building; you’re investing in a seamless experience
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
At a recent wedding, I overheard the mother of the bride sighing about the groom’s shirt. She spotted it on a hanger, all wrinkled up, and resignedly said, “Well, I guess that’s how he’ll wear it.” I could not let that go! Absolutely not—Not in my venue!
While she shrugged it off, imagining it would be covered by a jacket, I knew those wrinkles would peek out as soon as the jacket came off for the reception. Photos capture everything—dancing, cake-cutting, hugs, and laughter—and last forever. So I took that shirt, gave it a good steam, and handed it back, crisp and wedding-ready. The groom likely had no idea, but the mother of the bride was over the moon. I can’t always do this for every groom, but sometimes these little gestures are what it takes to make the day flawless.
No Confetti, No Outside Alcohol—No Exceptions!
In my venue, confetti is a hard no!
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
I get it; people love the idea of throwing confetti to celebrate or bringing in their own drinks. But in my venue, confetti is a hard no. Absolutely not—Not in my venue! That stuff might look charming on Instagram, but it’s a nightmare to clean up and a hazard for the wildlife around our outdoor spaces.
And while some guests may be disappointed, I simply can’t allow outside alcohol. My liquor license requires that all alcohol stays under my team’s supervision. Beyond the legal reasons, having control over the bar means I can ensure that guests drink responsibly. My bartenders are trained to monitor consumption, keeping everyone safe and happy throughout the night.
End of the Night Doesn’t Mean We’re Done Cleaning Up
One question I often hear: “Do you handle all the cleanup?” The answer is a bit of yes and no. It’s the clients' responsibility to clean the event space, including the outdoor areas, bridal and groom rooms, and kitchen if they used it. But my team and I do help with the little things. We’ll clear plates and glassware throughout the night, helping to tidy up as the event goes on, which makes end-of-night cleanup faster for everyone.
Still, when the event ends, it’s not unusual to have a few lingering guests who might need a gentle nudge. Like one time, when some guests didn’t realize they were the last ones left, long past closing. Instead of another beer, I politely let them know the bar was closed—and humorously offered them a bottle of bathroom cleaner if they wanted to keep the night going! They laughed, thanked us for a great evening, and left on a positive note.
That’s Not Part of the Package, but We’ll Help When We Can
Another common request is for us to handle décor setup or takedown. While it’s not included in the standard agreement, we might pitch in if time allows. We also have in-house décor available for rental, complete with setup and teardown services for an additional fee. Clients appreciate that we’re flexible, even if it means a few extra logistics on our end.
Keeping it Real While Keeping it Safe
Owning a venue isn’t about just opening the doors and letting people do as they please—it’s about creating a memorable experience that runs smoothly and safely from start to finish.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
All the rules and policies I put in place aren’t just there for the fun of it. They’re there for good reason, from keeping guests safe to making sure our historic space stays pristine for every event. Owning a venue isn’t about just opening the doors and letting people do as they please—it’s about creating a memorable experience that runs smoothly and safely from start to finish. And sometimes that means saying “Absolutely not—Not in my venue!”
If you’re thinking of hosting your next event with us, know that we’re here to support you, but we’ll also be honest about what we can (and can’t) accommodate. We’re proud to be a locally owned venue, part of this wonderful community, and we’ll be here for a long time to come—making memories, preventing disasters, and, when necessary, handing out bottles of bathroom cleaner to keep the night in check. I invite you to book a tour of the 1860 Schulhaus Venue or inquire about pricing. Let’s make your wedding day unforgettable, stress-free, and beautiful!
Did you know…when you choose a locally owned wedding venue you are helping to develop and improve the local economy? It’s true, your locally owned wedding venues are small business owners who not only create hundreds of jobs for the local wedding industry every year, we actively support our local economy. Please consider a locally owned venue, you can find locally owned wedding venues featured on this wedding venue map. Butler’s Courtyard, The Hidden Abby, The Ironwood Barn, Erich Ranch Blog, Lake Front Acres, Heartland Farms Event Center