Why We Sometimes Have Prime Dates Available

Sometimes it happens… I get the short notice call about a prime date.  Those dates are typically in October, November, March and April.  In Arizona, those are the months with predictably nice weather.  It would normally be unusual for us (or any venue for that matter) to have dates in these months open with short notice.

At Virginia’s House, we do things a little differently.  We allow you to move your event date without losing any deposits.  You are able to move your date to another date within a year of the original scheduled date.  There is no penalty for this and all of your payments and deposits will follow you to your new date.  From what I can gather – we’re the only venue in town that does this.  We just think it’s good business.  It’s even better karma.

We live in a real household with a real family with real life things that get in the way.  Our assumption is that our brides do, too.  We’ve had couples who lost their jobs, were in horrific car accidents or had family members with frightening and sometimes terminal illnesses.  The dates don’t always get pushed back, sometimes they get moved forward.

So… if you see that our venue is “dark” on a prime date – it’s because we exercise grace and opt to help our couples out.  And sometimes that comes at the expense of not rebooking that date.  It’s a risk I’m willing to take for those who love deeply.

When Venues Close

It’s happened yet again.  A wedding venue has closed right as the spring season is upon us.  I’m not sure why it affects me the way it does – less competition for me, right?  Sure, but there’s more…there are some very sweet brides and doting grooms that just had their worlds rocked.  And that’s not okay.

Because I’m the curious type, I searched the name of the venue that closed.  It’s beautiful.  Absolutely.  I’ve admired it since it opened about two years ago.  But looking at the reviews online, I’m wondering why people who clearly don’t like people get in the people business?  It seems counter-intuitive to me.  If I even had one bad review online, I wouldn’t be able to sleep until I got it right, then made it right for that reviewer.

The rule of starting your own business is “find something you love to do and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” The addendum to that is… do something you would do, even if you weren’t getting paid to do it.  That’s a reality.  A cold hard fact.  There were many years in the beginning that we put more money in that we got out.  But it was my dream and I loved it.  And that trumped the make-a-million-dollars-by-the-time-I’m-35-years-old-thing.  Every. Single. Day.  And nearly 15 years later – I’m still doing what I love.

I’ve been in business since 1998.  My paperwork says 1997, that’s when everything was filed, but the first bride I sent down the aisle was November 7, 1998.  We made some mistakes.  We had some kinks.  But we also did everything in our power to make that bride feel as special as we could.  And that’s something we’ve done every day since.

I had “wedding professionals” early on tell me that I would “fail quickly” because I refused to be like everyone else.  I didn’t want to charge too much, charge extra for every little thing, nickel and dime people to death, then tack on fees, taxes and gratuities.  To those who doubted me… I’m still here.  And I still don’t charge extra fees.  I even eat the tax.  The bookkeeping and awkward conversations are not worth it to me.  I’m flexible, I’m personal and I care.  Really.  Once again… I’m still here.

I’m not saying we’re perfect – we’re definitely not.  But I’ve met some of the most amazing couples and their families that have enriched my life more than I could ever put into words.  Thanks to social media, I’ve been able to watch my couples buy new homes, welcome new babies, graduate from college, welcome more babies and remain a part of their lives.  I’ve gotten a couple of very sad cards and calls from those who have lost their loved ones – and I’m flattered beyond belief that they thought to call/write so I would know of the loss.   After all, I’m just the wedding venue coordinator, right?

My venue just turned 100 years old.  It’s not the most perfect venue; it’s got 100 years of wear, tear and Arizona summers under its belt.  But it’s full of love.  And I mean full.  We named the business after Virginia Hook – the sweet elderly lady that we purchased her home from.  We kept in touch with her until her death just a few years ago.  In our early years, she wanted me to call before every wedding so she could talk to our brides – she told them loved lived here and they could take some with them.  Her family has been here and held events here.  They said, “I knew you would be here” when I showed up at her funeral.

We’ve touched every single corner of this historic house, we’ve lovingly restored every single corner of it, and because it’s 100 years old – that process never ends.  It’s also my home.  We live above “the shop” and we’ve raised our family here.  We’re not going anywhere.  It’s not just a job, it’s our life.  And we have saved this gem of a home from the wrecking ball.  It’s going to take a pretty big army of men to drag me away from here.  I’ve invested blood, sweat, tears and my family.  Who could walk away from that?  Not me.So… if you know someone who had their venue pull the rug out from under them – send them my way.  I won’t add insult to injury.  And I’ll love them like my own.