If you’re looking for a wedding venue that gives personal attention to each and every one of their clients, look no further than the Iron Horse. I’ve toured this lovely property and just loved it. The pond, the barn, the house, I could go on and on! Below, Poppy Belle Design, shares an interview with Shannon Fox, Owner.
Name: Iron Horse
Address: 501 McCullough Road in Cedar Grove
Website: www.ironhorseevents.com
Phone: 919-931-2256
Email: info@ironhorseevents.com
Style: Rustic
Ceremony/reception: Both
Indoor/outdoor: Both
Distance from:
Raleigh—56 minutes, 49.3 miles
Chapel Hill—34 minutes, 25.6 miles
Durham—32 minutes, 25.5 miles
Hillsborough—17 minutes, 12.1 miles
Burlington—26 minutes, 18.7 miles
Greensboro—51 minutes, 41.8 miles
Max capacity: 300
Cost: $2,000 for the site (not including rentals)
How long have you been in the wedding business?
We had our first wedding September of last year!
Describe your site.
Iron Horse is a 12-acre working farm. We grow herbs for the farm and local restaurants. We are also a sheep farm; though our herd is small at the moment, we are growing. The property used to be a tobacco farm, so there are many tobacco barns on-site that make a lovely back drop for a rustic wedding.
What kind of ambiance would you say it has?
It’s a relaxed atmosphere. You could spend quiet time by the pond or enjoy dancing under the market lights.
What options do you have for ceremonies?
Small ceremonies can be help inside the house. We also have the option of setting up underneath a beautiful large willow oak, but most people choose to exchange vows under the arbor by the pond.
For receptions?
For smaller receptions, 100 or fewer, we have the option of our heated barn. Most receptions, however, are held down by the event barn overlooking the pond.
What kind of packages do you offer?
We customize for each couple depending on their needs. Once we know the number of guests, how they’ll be seated, whether to include catering or not, etc., then we can pull together an all-inclusive quote.
When reserving your site, is it more of a full weekend type thing or for a set number of hours?
It can be either. We never host more than one event per weekend, and the house is available for rent in addition to the property. If they choose to only rent the property, then they will have access to the house prior to exchanging vows in order to get ready. But the house and it’s six bedrooms are available for rent for the weekend or longer.
What’s your stance on vendors? Do you have preferred or required lists?
We do have preferred vendors, but they are not required.
What is your parking situation like?
We have leased 4 acres next door specifically for parking.
What are some things that the price doesn’t include that you think couples will need?
A tent will be needed unless they choose to use the heated barn as a rain plan. Bathrooms are needed, but we have a preferred vendor that makes this a breeze. Chairs are also needed.
What can couples get here that they can’t get anywhere else?
We have a very unique setting and offer incredible flexibility. The couple could choose to be extremely all inclusive and spend their entire weekend here. We love the option of having the rehearsal dinner in the covered hall, spending the night here Friday, having the ceremony down by the event barn on Saturday, spending another night on the farm, and waking up to an amazing brunch on Sunday. We own two restaurants in town, so keeping all three of these menus interesting is easy!
What are some of the most fun, unique things you have seen couples do at your site?
We have a wedding booked this fall that I am so excited about! The couple plans to have three food trucks present, gaming tables and possibly the biggest dance floor Iron Horse will ever see!
What are the biggest benefits to your site?
I think weddings are stressful enough, so in hopes of relieving some of that stress we allow our couples to begin setting up anytime the week of. We have a refrigerated flower cottage that they can use to begin assembling flowers days in advance. We also hate to see couples have to stop having fun on their wedding night to clean up, so we allow clean up the next day. If you want lots of friends to help, we can bribe them with a yummy breakfast!
What would you say are the drawbacks or restrictions?
Tents and facilities can be expensive, so we keep our other costs down in order to offset these expenses.
Why should couples choose your site?
My goal is keep the weddings held at Iron Horse stress free. We try to be as flexible and helpful as possible, and I am here to help assist any way that our couples need! So if a stress-free wedding at a beautiful and peaceful location sounds good, then Iron Horse is your venue!