Get to Know Colleen of Cedarmont Farm

Photo by Lindsey Brown Photography

Today on the blog we're sharing a little bit more about our venue manager, Colleen. Colleen grew up on Cedarmont Farm. Her parents purchased the property 27 years ago and helped restore the historic house and the forgotten fields around it. After graduating from the Savannah College of Art & Design, Colleen moved to Atlanta and worked in the film industry and as a planner before moving back to Franklin and opening Cedarmont Farm as a venue. Get to know a little bit more about Colleen in the Q&A Below...

What do you think makes you good at your job?
I'm a perfectionist and I have a crazy attention to detail. This is great for my clients but sometimes drives my family nuts haha. I am also fairly young. I used to be nervous that this would be seen as a flaw but I'm realizing that it's great because it puts me in my target market. It's easy to imagine what my typical client would want on their wedding day because I'm very similar to many of my clients. I'm not out here trying to help 60 year old men plan their ideal fishing vacations, I'm trying to help other 20-30 year olds plan an awesome party and their wedding to the love of their lives, so I actually think it's a big advantage. 
What’s one goal you would like to accomplish this year?
Finish this barn renovation and double our wedding bookings for 2020!  
Best Wedding Tips & Suggestions? I highly recommend a day-of planner. You will not regret getting to just sit back and enjoy your wedding day without worrying about any of the details or timelines. I also love assigned seating. You don't think about it until you don't do it, but you'll have weird spacing at all of your tables if you don't do it as people will leave seats in between the groups etc. I also think while planning you should take advantage of all the free resources online from seating chart software & Pinterest decor inspiration, to vendor reviews on The Knot and even sample wedding day timelines etc. The internet is a wealth of wedding knowledge. 
Favorite place at Cedarmont Farm? I love the balcony of the historic house that looks out over the field. Whether its stars or lightning bugs or a gorgeous sunset it's always breathtaking. I love getting to work here every day. 
Favorite part about being a venue manager?  I get to share this beautiful property with people celebrating some of the best days of their lives! It's truly a blessing to know that what I do will go down as a beautiful memory for people and it's very meaningful to me to be part of that. ​​​

Did you ever participate in a talent show? 
Yes, I was 6. I did a magic trick and I messed up and started crying and my mom came on stage and helped me finish. Moms are the best. 
Do you believe in ghosts? 
I grew up in a house built in 1815 with the old family cemetery out front. Yes. 
Do you have siblings? 
Two sisters. One runs a costume store in Nashville and one is an artist who lives in Wyoming and rock climbs. She's the coolest person I know. 
What city were you born in? 
Nashville! I've heard we're rare. 
What did you want to be when you were younger? A lawyer because I saw Legally Blonde and my parents told me I was good at arguing. 
How many countries have you been to?
14, Egypt was the most exciting. Cuba the most interesting and France, Cambodia and Mexico are tied for my favorite. 
What movie have you watched repeatedly? 
Divergent. I don't know why but I think it's really good and that Four guy is SO attractive. After the first one though it goes downhill. ​
Do you have pets? 
​I do! Gizmo, a 14 year old Coton de Tulear. He's deaf and blind in one eye but he's the absolute sweetest dog and we spoil him rotten. 

What’s your favorite book?
I just read "Where the Crawdad Sings" and really liked it. The writing was very pretty and it was a bit of a love story and a  bit of an adventure tale. 
Favorite local restaurant?
Wild Ginger. I worked there in high school and still love the Pink Lady roll. 
Play any sports?
I like to play tennis but I'm not very good. I wasn't ever into team sports really but like snow skiing and wakeboarding .
What are you currently watching on Netflix? 
Schitt's Creek, I needed a break from all of of the super dramatic super dark shows that seem to be super popular right now. Schitt's Creek is funny and surprisingly heartfelt. 
Pet peeves? 
When people flake. This annoys me for my brides to who pay for each guest at their wedding. It's OK if you can't come to something or aren't sure yet but make a commitment by the RSVP date and if it's still a maybe then turn it into a "no" to save your host time and effort when you might be a no show. 
Coffee or tea? 
Tea unless I need the caffeine and then I'll do a black coffee with however many sugars I can cram into it...the more the merrier. 
Cookies, cake or donuts? 
I'm equally in love with homemade chocolate chip cookies and Krispy Kreme Donuts so this one is a toss up.