When envisioning Carl House in the early stages….traveling to many venues all over Georgia, I knew for SURE that I needed to build a GORGEOUS garden and ceremony location. The first occupants on this property were the Durham family who owned and operated an ornamental plant nursery on the 4 acres where Carl House now sits. Theirs was a quiet time in the small town of Carl, Georgia.
Over the years I have LOVED meeting the great and great, great grandchildren of Mama Cora Durham and her daughters Elizabeth and Istalina who first moved onto the property in 1903, long, long before fax machines, space travel and the internet.  

When I came into ownership of Carl House, the grounds were overgrown and looked like a jungle needing a vision and tender, sweet, loving attention.  

With the savvy of my landscaping team, we created a design to highlight the gorgeous magnolias and my favorite, the Bald Atlas Cedar and coveted Japanese Maple which I literally circled while the bulldozers moved ground for creating our vision.

The Beautiful Bald Atlas Cedar Tree

Photo: Shari Zellers Photography

We created a ceremony location with a backdrop of Cherry Trees, surrounding weeping willows which wave in the breeze, making hot summer months seem cool, azaleas to highlight spring and rose bushes surrounding our gazebo with color and fragrance, colorful annuals and perhaps my favorite, the richly fragrant gardenias just outside the ballroom, wafting magically as our brides make their entrance to their eager grooms waiting at the far end of the bridal path.

On the grounds since, dozens of brides have left the property with enormous smiles, sparkling rings on their fingers, while holding tightly the arms of their honored husbands.

Photo: Eric Delaforce

Photo: Melissa Williamson

I’m excited to see these gorgeous gardens coming once again, as if with magic, in bloom. And how delighted I am that each bride who descends down the path to meet her beloved, will do so with the artistry of these gardens and a fragrance of what I consider must be the scent of heaven.

Oh, the love of a garden and honored am I to be its steward.

We hope you’ll come visit soon and often! And PLEASE, if you are planning on booking your wedding at Carl House, we encourage you to do so by the end of this month to be entered into our honeymoon giveaway listed in our earlier blog.

Best wishes,

BB Webb

I found myself drawn to the forest in the back acreage of my house, compelled in the warming, yet still cool air, to build a campfire at a special site I have there.  I needed to feel the forest, the plants around me, nature about to sprout forth with color, activity, growth, splendor.  With my varied four legged animals surrounding me, it was heaven in my own back yard.

And I began to consider the beauty of the Carl House grounds at this time of year.  I look forward to the azalea about to bloom and love watching the cherry trees behind our ceremony location burst into bloom.  Or, my favorite, the weeping willow trees so gorgeous as they dance in the breeze, a beautiful backdrop for any ceremony or event.

With this grand cerebration of spring, the Carl House team and I got together and considered how we might share our love of nature with all of YOU….and this is what we came up with a few weeks ago.  We found that many of us have a HUGE love for the ocean AND the beach.  We are delighted to team up with My Bella Weddings to share the following awesome opportunity!

We’ve decided to share our love of nature by creating an incentive for booking your event by March 31st!

Here’s the skinny on how you might win and feel the luxury of a Caribbean breeze upon our face!

Now through March 31^st….book your wedding at Carl House and you’ll be entered to win a 4 day- 3 night Honeymoon to St Thomas in the Virgin islands, courtesy of My Bella Weddings and Carl House.

Call Monika, our Bridal Advisor and Wedding Specialist!  She’ll help you on your way to both a great wedding and maybe, just maybe a trip to the oh so glorious Caribbean Seas!!

Happy Spring….as we share the love!

BB Webb

In the final of three parts of Monika’s story, we share the personal touching moments at the Carl House wedding of our very own Monika Williams, who all of our Carl House brides know as the person who helps them make the decision to book Carl House for their weddings. 

Wedding Memories Shared Every Day of the Week

Chapter Three: The Tearful Ceremony

Monika and Kenny were childhood sweethearts, growing up in Lawrenceville.

The Father of the Bride, walks his little girl Monika down the aisle

Kenny was in the military stationed overseas during the wedding planning, so while most of the decisions were left to Monika, he was very interested in the groom’s room.  And Carl House’s large groom’s room–complete with comfortable furniture and hidden TV—fit the bill, giving the groomsmen a great space for hanging out prior to the ceremony. 

The Bride in the Bridal Suite, While the Groom relaxed Nearby

“Having a place to relax with the guys prior to the ceremony really set him at ease, as did the wedding planner,” says Monika about the advantages of having an in-house person to help with the planning and with the bridal party on the day of the event. “The attention to detail by everyone at Carl House, the wedding planner, and the fact that virtually everything is included, ensured that there were no surprises.”

            Monika describes her husband Kenny as a “manly, military type of guy.” But all that changed during the beautiful Carl House garden ceremony.

“During the ceremony, he started tearing up,” she recalls with a smile.  “He had all of the bridesmaids crying.  It was such a sweet moment.”

My thanks to Monika for all of her hard work and for letting me share her story.   -BB

Share your thoughts about this story or your wedding memories :  monika@carlhouse.com or share them directly on our new facebook page. Facebook.com/CarlHouseFans

BB Webb’s Wedding Wisdom

So now you know that Monika is one of our little secrets.  Carl House is home to so many great weddings, and as we continue to share  our Carl House Wedding & Events Specialst, Monika Williams wonderful story.   Now you know that her sincerety in helping brides and grooms plan the best wedding for them at Carl House, comes from her very own wedding a few short years ago:

Wedding Memories Shared Every Day of the Week

Chapter Two:  Monika and Kenny’s Wedding Day

“The night before the wedding, there was hail—in June—but by the next day the weather was perfect,” Monika recalls.  “Our plan was to have the ceremony in the garden, but knowing that the grand ballroom, with its dramatic double staircase and fireplace was the backup plan and could accommodate all of my guests in one room, really gave me peace of mind.  I loved both options—inside and out.” 

Bride and her bridesmades in Carl House Gardens. photo: liana.tv

When couples ask about the Carl House North Georgia location, Monika shares her wedding experience, which combined the best aspects of a destination wedding with a convenient local affair.

“Hotels near the Mall of Georgia are just 9 miles away, and one even offers a free shuttle to Carl House,” she explains.  “So it works well for both Atlanta-based and out of town guests.”

Monika on her wedding day, relaxing in the Bridal Suite bathtub!

Another thing that Monika says influenced her decision to choose Carl House for her wedding was her desire for an environment with a traditional but neutral décor that wouldn’t conflict with her chosen colors—fuchsia and sage green.  She appreciated how the entire house was already decorated and that she didn’t have to spend unnecessary money to make it look like a wedding venue–she arrived and everything was taken care of for her.  She also loved the elegant bride’s room, and today she’ll often advise brides to have their hair and makeup done ahead of time, so that they can maximize their time having photos taken in the vintage, antique-filled suite.

Next Chapter: “He had all of the bridesmaids crying.

Follow @carlhouse and make sure you LIKE our new Facebook page so you don’t miss the rest of Monika’s story.

BB Webb’s Wedding Wisdom.

Monika Williams, Carl House Weddings & Events Specialist

There’s a little secret about what makes Carl House such a wonderful home for weddings, and the secret is that our team is very special.  None more special than Monika Williams, our Weddings & Events Specialist.  We consider her Carl House’s #1 Bride, and here’s the first of 3 parts of her story that explains why:

Wedding Memories Shared Every Day of the Week

When Monika Williams comes to work each morning, she can’t help but remember one of the happiest days of her life: her wedding day at Carl House. 

Monika, The Bride, In the Carl House Bridal Suite

The Lawrenceville native and her high school sweetheart Kenny Williams were married in June of 2008, and soon after the wedding, Monika joined the Carl House sales staff.

“When I talk to prospective couples who are considering Carl House for their weddings, they often ask me whether I am genuinely as enthusiastic as I seem,” says Monika.  “I assure them that I love this venue so much, and had such a positive experience with my own wedding, that I am really excited to share the possibilities with them.”

Monika recalls the many reasons that she selected Carl House: the feeling of being in an elegant, private, historic home, and the flexibility of being able to choose between the spectaculargardens and the spacious ballroom, which can accommodate up to 240 seated guests, for her ceremony and reception. Monika expressed that the attitude of the staff also played a part in her decision.   

“The staff is so friendly and really cared about what I wanted,” she said.  “I didn’t feel like just another bride.”

NEXT CHAPTER:  “The night before the wedding, there was hail…”

Follow @carlhouse and make sure you LIKE our new Facebook page so you don’t miss the rest of Monika’s story.

It was great to have such a diversity of vendors at our most recent Bridal showcase event at Carl House. Thanks especially to ALL the brides who brought their fiancees and wonderful families. What a great group of people! It’s such fun to have a full ballroom with laughter, music, fun people and great food.

We like to do these open house events four times every year. We think it is a great way for everyone to experience our venue, and so many of the wedding professionals and services that we recommend and many that we can include within our wedding packages.

If seeing is believing, then I hope everyone of our guests felt at home and cared for as your guests if you choose to allow us to host your wedding, special occasion party or professional gathering.

BB Webb and Kimberly Coates, Carl House Florals

The house may be what makes such an impressive grand statement, but we know inside that it’s really the people of Carl House that make our house such a wonderful home to so many weddings.

I want to thank the Carl House team for their lovely work … our new in-house florist, Kimberly Coates, our, as always and terrific chef, (I loved the sundried tomato, spinach and cheese stuffed chicken)! And a special thank you to Monika Williams, who knows brides because she WAS one….at Carl House!

Monika Williams, Carl House Bride

In my next Wedding Wisdom article, I am going to share more of Monika’s story and why she represents the best of Carl House and why we are the first choice of so many brides and grooms in North Georgia and Greater Atlanta for their wedding day.

- BB

Shari Zellers, our theme, 'Bloom Where You Are Planted'!

And wow, the designers were out at this show. A beautiful array of table decorations which frankly, blew us away! How delightful to have been in such incredible company.

Our Goddess of Abundance...Abunduntia!!

And more….

And more….

And glorious more….

And did I say more!!

Thank you one and all for inspiring us all!! Ooooh, the possibilities!

Stay tuned for our Carl House Bridal Event February 27th. RSVP by the 22nd please. Bride and guest attend at no cost with each additional guest just $15. Come meet our select event vendor partners and taste our executive chef’s extraordinary cuisine!!

For more information on how you and a friend can attend at no cost, email us at info@carlhouse.com

We encourage you to visit one of the upcoming below listed…

Georgia Bridal Shows to hear
Owner BB Webb
and
Former Carl House Bride, (now Carl House Bridal Sales person),
Monika Williams
talk about all things weddings, including…
*current trends in the industry
*how to save on cost without sacrificing quality
*planning the wedding you envision
*securing reliable, quality vendors for your event!

photo: liana.tv

Meet other members of the Carl House Team…
Who, what, where and when:

Sunday January 23, 12-5pm: GA Bridal Show: Duluth/Kandice and Monika will tend the booth, BB & Monika will speak at 3:25pm

Sunday January 30, 12:30-4pm: GA Bridal Show: Athens/Monika and BB will tend the booth and speak at 2:30pm

Sunday January 30, 12-5pm: Bridal Extravaganza/In-house Carl House Florist, Kimberly Coates and Wedding Director Kandice Dudding will tend the booth

Sunday February 20, 12-5pm: Perfect Wedding Guide/Kandice and Monika will tend the booth.

Sunday February 27, 1-3pm: Carl House Bridal Event! Meet the entire Carl House team, taste Executive Chef Derek Smith’s Culinary Delights and meet some of the BEST vendors in the industry!

Call 770-586-0095 or info@carlhouse.com for more details.

Photo: Artstar Photography

I must admit….we’ve been going at a furious pace at Carl House for well over a year….in quite a different way from the past. We’ve taken some broad steps and have been working in earnest to fill this vision I have been developing in my head for Carl House over the years…..of not just who we are as a company, (what we might do for the clientele we serve, the community where we live), but who we are BECOMING!!

And all that takes some mighty work and ferociously eats up healthy brain cells, in a GOOD way. And with that, I’m reminded that spring is just around the corner and the many, many weddings we are in the process of planning as the weather becomes again temperate and the flowers in my garden, beautiful beyond compare. (Grateful am I)!!

Spring is just around the corner!

So, our vision is manifest in our new Carl House website and within the team who now graces my lovely home. Today I completed some new video montages on YouTube, featuring my friend Lee Davis’ amazing music and some terrific photography by the many wonderful photographic artists who grace our halls weekend after weekend.

We’re putting the finishing touches on some terrific vendor packages which we’re now offering….our goal, to offer up some of the best vendor services and vendors,

…who I prefer to call ‘Event Partner’, the latter reminding me of the days when I performed children’s shows, juggled fire and told stories, in the company of folks like the fellow who was an organ grinder with a monkey….he referred to himself as a ‘vendor’. But I digress!

….connecting you with service providers in the industry through convenient and cost effective package for our brides and grooms. Kimberly Coates, our new General Manager and Debbie Rossiter, in Operations…

if you’ve not yet Debbie, you MUST, she had the BEST laugh I’ve ever, hands down, EVER heard!

they’re working with our team on our upcoming Bridal Event, (February 27th) where we’ll present our creme de la creme of event vendor partners and of course serve up Chef Derek’s fine, culinary delights.

But tonight….after what has been an intense heads down week (house office bound with the weather), it’s time to sit back, take a breath, look at the good work that has been accomplished and the fine people who join me in delivering up what we love, love, love to do….extraordinary memorable events to our clients.

I’m one lucky woman to get to do what I do.

And there is SO much more to come.

Frank Gibson Photography....quite a ring!!

Please share your thoughts regarding our new website, please….and remember that next Monday is our final RSVP date for our January 21st Wine Pairing Dinner and if you are interested in our Bridal Event on Feb. 27th, do let us know soon. Bride and guest attend at no cost, and friends thereafter join us for a mere $15 admission…..food, fun (always) and music….and did I mention…..friends.

We’re eager to meet you to hear the vision you have for your wedding, eager to share the ways we might assist you in realizing just that! Thanks for letting us be part of your solution for the wedding event of your dreams.

Love to all our Carl House Brides and Carl House ‘Brides (and Grooms) to Be’!

Warmly,

BB Webb

CARL HOUSE HAS A NEW WEBSITE!

OUR BABY IS HERE!

Photo Kristi Odom Photography.....come visit, virtually and in person, PLEASE!

Some things are WORTH the wait, and we feel our new website has been just that!  Just as our services are expanding and we are on the grow, we now have a new website to share our offerings and joy!  Special thanks to Julie Cropp Gareleck and her web team at Junction Creative Solutions for their fine work!

No need to send cigars to honor this new arrival, but a visit and your comments are sincerely welcome!

With over 125 GREAT photos from the many, many terrific photographers who grace our home and grounds, please, take time to visit our NEW WEBSITE as well as links to our social media sites listed on the left column of this page. You might browse our PROPERTY TOUR page on the site as well as our EVENT SERVICES which feature some new offerings. To learn more about our team, visit ABOUT US and to hear about upcoming events we hold for the public and our upcoming Bridal event on February 27th, please visit, UPCOMING EVENTS.

We have a plethora of things to share and lots and lots and lots of new photos to whet your appetite for all things Carl House!

We’d love your comments and hope you will visit us virtually often and in person, even more!

To all good things and grand events….

BB Webb and the Carl House Team!