Hidden Solace in South Lake Tahoe

I get the opportunity to visit some of the event venues we have in this area pretty regularly.  Last week we went to a gorgeous location right on the banks of South Lake Tahoe.  You wouldn't know Lakeland Village was there just by driving by, it has a sign but is surrounded by trees and a fence to help keep the traffic noise to a minimum.  They offer beachside weddings and have an entire condominium complex for guests to stay.  They also have an outdoor patio on top of their clubhouse with phenomenal views of Lake Tahoe.   
I am partial to this little piece of heaven because I have had the luxury of staying here on a few occasions, for a wedding where we got to enjoy the gorgeous reception area overlooking the lake and also during Super Bowl weekend when a bunch of friends get together in #633 to watch the game and ski.  Well they ski, I am not crazy so I stay at the condo and get the food ready.  My buddies at the Victorian House are already planning vacations and even a retreat!  
Prices are reasonable and guest wanting to stay there for a wedding will get special pricing.  As far as the facilities manager told me, they do not have nearly the amount of weddings they should.  They have everything from one bedroom lofts with kitchenettes to 5 bedroom lakefront townhomes that will make you feel like P Diddy (or is it Puff Daddy this week?  I digress)

I just hope the people on charge of Lakeland don't get any crazy ideas and do something crazy, like raise their prices or close the pool in the winter. Oh, I didn't mention that? Yea, they keep the pool open All. YEAR. LONG. You're Welcome!

The Victorian House: Great Concept, Exceptional Professionals

Fate can sometimes throw you a screwball.  While working on my business plan for the upcoming year in December of 2010, one of the avenues of my business I wanted to expand was the wedding business.  I was contemplating joining some local business groups that focus on weddings and thinking of ways to expand our reach from just The Carson Valley to all of Northern Nevada and California.  About 2 weeks before Mother's Day (a horribly busy holiday for all of you non-florists,) I get a call from a great friend that thought of me when a spot opened up at The Victorian House in Reno for a florist.  Mind you, we were already planning a shop move but this was an oppurtunity to great to pass up.

The concept at The Victorian House is to have a place where couples can come and have reliable event professionals all in one place.  There is only one professional per category and we all have space in beautifully decorated space near Downtown Reno.  Now, the idea is not that we only refer to each other, we all work with a variety of vendors from every avenue of an event.  It is just to make a couple feel confident in the professionals they book and to save them some time.  We have all been vetted and not just anyone can become a part of the house.  An added benefit is that we work together well and can coordinate with each other without having to bother our brides and grooms. I for one would have loved a place like this when planning my wedding!  I am in the wedding business and had multiple vendors at my wedding that were not honest and did not produce what they had been contracted to do.  Every facet of your wedding is covered at The Victorian House: cake, catering, photography, event planning, invitations, hair and make up and of course, FLOWERS! 

So, I have been a member for six months and my wedding business has expanded but even better, I have a better understanding of the wedding business as a whole and have gained priceless knowledge and ideas to sustain my entire business.  I am excited to see what the new year brings and ready to jump in with both feet!