Today we’d like to introduce you to Tami Gardner.
Hi Tami, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
The Place at Lake Whitney has been a dream of ours for over 25 years , No Kidding, one of out first dates over 38 years ago was to this lake and we both said then we would love to live here. We saw the property over 15 years ago and knew THIS WAS THE ONE!! Timing is everything and we were not ready to make the move until 2020 when it came back on the market. Because we had the vision in my head and knew exactly what we wanted we closed on the property in August of 2020 and hosted our first event Oct 2nd with live music and 100’s of folks on lawn chairs with fire pits enjoying our lake view. Fast forward 6 years and our staff is involved in community activities, fund raisers, school events, chamber of commerce events and wants to give back to the community as much as we can. We host weddings, anniversaries, birthday parties and family reunions all year long offering an extradentary lake view venue with accommodations in several individual airbnb style cottage homes within walking distance, or on site. The Wedding packages are moderately priced and we allow brides to bring in your own food, decorations, flowers, or anything they need to make their special day exactly what they want. WE are a certified TABC private club and do not allow outside alcohol. We do have a full stocked full bar and offer cash bar or pre-pay options including certified bar tenders. Our Catering is outstanding starting at only $18.00 to $35 per person depending on what menu options your choose. We also offer shuttle service if your wedding party is over 175 to accommodate adequate parking, Other services we offer include boat rentals on a beautiful 13 seater new pontoon, or spend the day in luxury on the 40 ft house boat. We offer a unique sound system for DJs and Karaoke entertainment along with a full stage for bands in the yard. Our staff is ready to serve and loves parties of any size.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Nothing is a smooth road when you own your own business. Struggles have included getting all the TABC licensing, filing DBS and registrations with the Secretary of State and Comptroller not to mention the large amounts of cash it takes to get started. Being located in a rural area along will have challenges. WE spend a tremendous amount of of budget on advertising. Tried Radio, billboards, community flyers, facebook, local print media and of course face to face networking and referrals. What works the best is to have big events our here to draw out 200 -300 hundred people and out of that someone will want to book a party. The Venue sells its self if folks will take to time to drive out of the Metroplex about and hour and come see this hidden gem of a venue. Challenges will always be a part of owning a business, just know the blessing, joy and serving people with a GREAT experience far out weighs to obstacles. Dreams do not come easy.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Place at Lake Whitney, is an event center specializing in whatever event YOU want to plan. Our staff works hard to deliver outstanding customer service from the time you walk onto the grounds until the last trash can is empties after your event. It is our job to take to work out of have YOUR party. Knowing we have to diversify and offer much more than just wedding in this market, we love community events, baby showers, birthday parties and offer 4 outreach events each year. These events off low and no cost family entertainment such as a Spring fling Easter and vendor event, and outstanding July 4th celebration with a professional fireworks show that is truly the biggest show in all of Hill or Bosque county. The Halloween spooktacular give kids a safe way to wear their costumes and compete for a cash prize in the age appropriate contest. The Place is here to serve the community as much as our paying clients, and that is what sets us apart from the competition. The Place is know for the inviting and sincere service the staff delivers at every party. Everyone that comes out here KNOWS how special they are to us and they had a lot of choices before booking and choosing The Place at Lake Whintey and we appreciate them.
What makes you happy?
The Joy on couples faces when they celebrate their love here, makes us VERY HAPPY!! Knowing The Place is a well respected and recognized event center in the community with the ability and attitude to share this amazing God given property with others makes us over the moon happy. Hearing people tell other what a beautiful place we have and thanking us for sharing it is worth it all
Pricing:
- full wedding packages $3500
- Housing $200 sleeps 6 to 8 we have 7 houses
- Luxury house boat $250 a night to spend the night $1000 per day to take on the water with a captain for 4 hours
- Family reunions, showers and birthday parties priced individually
- boat rentals $900 full day $600 1.2 day including delivery and gas
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theplaceatlakewhitney.com
- Facebook: theplaceatlakewhitney
