An Interview with Little River Farms, Alpharetta, Ga

Gloria Schulz Events conducted an Interview with the Team at Little River Farms in Alpharetta, GA to get insight into to venue search process for couples. Here are the questions we asked them to learn more about their venue and their booking process. Get ready to read some great information!

What is the first item couples should think about when looking for the Venue?

Budget, guest count, date/time of year and vision to name a few! Before coming to tour venues, couples should list their 3 top priorities for their wedding day; whether it’s the photos, the ceremony, the entertainment, the dress, etc. having a set list of what matters most to them is so helpful! Couples should also have a flexible date to expand their venue options – there are some wonderful incentives to a Friday or Sunday date!

How much of their overall wedding planning budget should they plan to spend on the venue? 

Typically, your venue will be 40% of your total budget. A venue featuring all-inclusive and in-house options can help $$ wise and for your stress sake! Little River Farms offers the options for both in-house coordination and in-house catering. Other vendors are at the choice of the client, however, we do have a list of recommend vendors we love partnering with! Linens along with other decorative items can be rented through us; we set it up, and take them down for you so you don’t have to think twice about it!

What should couples expect to see when they visit the venue? Will it be set for a wedding?

Little River Farms features both indoor and outdoor spaces that provide a scenic and elegant backdrop for your day! Our estate home is surrounded by over 80 acres of family owned farmland with mature and manicured landscapes that include our orchard, natural pond, and summer wildflower field and the Little River which borders our venue property. 

Come with your wedding day vision and creativity! We have options for both indoor and outdoor ceremony locations, indoor and outdoor cocktail hour options and a  5,000 square foot indoor reception pavilion space for dinner and dancing the night away! Our reception space easily accommodates up to 250 guests and is both neutral, modern and elegant with crystal chandeliers and floor to ceiling French style windows which is the perfect palate for any décor! Our pavilion also features a 360 degree view of our property and grounds including our romantic lit trees as the sunsets throughout your reception. Our estate home provides a seamless transition for cocktail hour immediately following the ceremony. We have a bridal suite and grooms den on property for getting ready that clients have access to beginning at 10:00am. Even as an outdoor venue, we have back up plans to ensure a perfect ceremony no matter the weather! 

Do you suggest that couples hire a wedding planner to help them with their wedding plans?

Yes! We love when a couple has a wedding planner! Each client is different, so some may only require day of coordinator and others may need/want a full time planner! At our venue, it is a requirement to have at minimum a day-of coordinator!

What is the most asked question you get from prospective couples? 

“What’s all included in your package?” 

“What happens if it rains on my wedding day and I was planning an outside ceremony?” 

“How long can my event last? What time does it have to end?”

“What hotels/guest accommodations are near you?” 

Is the venue exclusive to us for the full day? 

Yes! Our couples have access starting at 10 am to the getting ready suites so they have the full day of fun and relaxation! Your vendors have the full day for set up as well! We make sure our couples can spend the day getting ready onsite with their bridesmaids and groomsmen and even offer getting ready beverage packages!

 What all does your venue include?

Our facility fee includes all tables, chairs and its set up and breakdown. A 4-hour event time is included along with use of our beautiful grounds for photography! We do all of the bar packages for our events that range from our beer, wine and a specialty cocktail tier to our premium full bar! Additionally we have a great rental items list, can coordinate your linen rentals, In house wedding coordination package options, and can also include catering with our in house catering company Southern Charmed. Our preferred vendor list will also get you a head start for all the other vendors we recommend as you put together the team for your special day!

We hope you have found all of this information helpful as you search for your wedding venue. As you can see there is a lot to think about when choosing your venue. Thank You to the Staff at Little River Farms for answering our questions and giving engaged couples information regarding choosing their venue. And to make it easier for you, we suggest you hire a wedding planner or coordinator. You will have the guidance you need during the planning process and you will be glad to have a knowledgeable professional in your corner!