Cover Story
Welleswood Wedding And Event Venue: One Wonderful Year Later by Ali Elizabeth Turner
ical home which is owned by the Gilbert family. For many years, the venue been known as Madelyn’s, and is located at 1005 Elkton Street, on the north side of town. Lisa has Athens roots, and always told her family here that if the place ever became available, to please call her immediately. Well, they did; she came; and the rest is a marvelous bit of history that is unfolding right before us. Lisa will be quick to tell you that none of this could have happened without the blessing of God, the help of her husband, her sister Tammy, family members and friends, and the welcoming people of Athens. Everybody has been rooting for her, and it has all paid off. Lisa and Tammy are fast friends as well as “partners-in-non-crime,” and in addition to doing Welleswood, Tammy works with the team that manages the Gilbert family land holdings. Their joint venture has come together to become something quite splendid, and my hope is that it will continue on for years to come. By way of a bit of history, the stately home with its columns, deep wraparound porch, eight fireplaces, stained-glass and beveled windows, porticoes, parlors, grand view, and massive trees was originally built by Captain T.L. Wells, and sadly it burned down. The home that graces the property now was purchased 90 years ago by the Gilbert family, and it will stay with them as part of their legacy. In honor of Captain Wells, Lisa and Tammy chose to name the place Welleswood, and they have had a truly wonderful first year of making memories for Athenians. While still in Florida, Lisa worked for many years for a lawn and garden company,
June 15 - July 5, 2018
Brianna Collett Photography
Brianna Collett Photography
and on the side, she did events. Over time she collected a number of reception pieces that would fit beautifully in a place like Welleswood. They include, but are not limited to, Royal Albert China, sil-
ver service sets, linens, theme props, holiday decorations, and more. As the Welleswood business has built up, Lisa has been able to purchase more linens in navy blue, court rose, and sage, which are the current trending colors. They also now have a portable oak parquet dance floor; there are more chairs and tables; they built a pergola; and the landscaping has been brightened. However, there is a heartwarming feature that has be-
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come wildly popular that is simply referred to as “the doors.” In this era Flowers by Jeannie Pirtle of Nip and Tuck Florist of fondly re-purthe head table. posing all manner of items Lisa and I talked about what from the past, the Welleswood happens when the weather is team built a shabby-chic archiffy. Typically a large tent will way out of old paneled, woodbe rented as a Plan B, but for en doors, newel posts, and one wedding, they moved all bric-a-brac that were already of the furniture off the porch, there on the property, a tribute set the tables on it, and had to a bygone era before pressthe ceremony right at the board and vinyl were inventtop of the stairs. The bride ed. It has become a monster and groom had their first hit as a featured part of weddance under the charminglyding venue amenities. Some lit north side portico. There people have chosen to get have been some parents that married on the lawn in front have prayed, and the weather of it instead of the stairs and has cleared up. You are going columns of the house. It can to have to decide for yourself be moved and decorated, and if that is a miracle, but I am as grand as the house is, some a believer, and it sounds like brides have chosen to go with the Lord’s M.O. to me! EiWelleswood for their wedther way, the weddings have dings because of “the doors!” gone on without a hitch, and In keeping with combining elthe resulting word-of-mouth egant with rustic, one of Lisa’s is keeping them busy. favorite weddings this season One of the things I appreciate is featured as part of this arabout Lisa, Tammy, and their ticle’s illustrations. The bride family is their desire to make and groom covered the round the day special for not just tables with burlap, and then the bride and groom, but both layered old Battenberg-style wedding families as well as lace tablecloths on top. They the guests. They labor out of used several generations of love, and the thank you notes flower-filled family china tea they receive prove it. cups to place around the main Welleswood is not just for centerpieces, and used two weddings, and this past year distressed and painted chairs has seen Christmas and Easfor the bride and groom at ter events, bridal and baby showers, and I can also tell you that Welleswood’s prices are more than reasonable. During the interview, we sat on the front porch in the Amish rockers, gazing out into a perfect summer day kissed by breezes and full of fields and horses; and I had to hope that someday I will get a chance to come as a guest. If a stunning venue, versatile package options, and stellar customer service are what you are looking for, then Welleswood is waiting. Give them a call today. Brianna Collett Photography
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