Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Mayfield.
Hi Erica, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When my children were young, I worked as a personal chef and with some fabulous caterers. Weekend work wasn’t the best fit for our family then, so I returned to education. Years later, after our kids were grown, my husband and I built a home on 54 acres in the country—what we thought would be our retirement oasis.
In 2020, I moved a little black cabin onto the property and turned it into a commercial kitchen, planning to cater a wedding here and there. After the pandemic, business exploded. Balancing two careers became impossible, so I left my role as a school counselor and launched Rose Hill Catering full-time.
After years of working at venues across East Texas and Dallas, I still longed for a true one-stop shop that put each bride’s needs first and created a fully custom experience for couples and their guests. Our land is conveniently just off I-20, and friends never wanted to leave our porch because of the view—so we knew it was the perfect place. In 2023, we built Briar Rose.
Today, we’re honored to host weddings most every weekend. It’s a lot of work and sometimes stressful—but incredibly rewarding. We love serving great food, sharing the view, and crafting memorable celebrations.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been easy. Convincing the bank that this was a sound business took time, and it was quite a challenge. Eventually, I found the right people who believed in me and in this dream. And even with years as a caterer and a nationally certified wedding coordinator—feeling like we were seasoned event planners—owning a venue came with a real learning curve. It requires a different mindset. You start to see vendors differently, learn their challenges, and figure out how to work with lots of people while doing your best to make everyone happy.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I love creating custom menus and custom experiences—not just for our couples, but for their guests. Our favorite thing is getting to know a bride and groom and designing something that feels uniquely theirs.
If a couple loves Dr. Pepper, we’ll set up a playful Dr. Pepper station—think cream, cherry, and vanilla add-ins, cute cups with curly straws, and a swirl of whipped cream on top. If the bride is obsessed with macaroni and cheese, we’ll roll out a mac-and-cheese station during cocktail hour with all the toppings.
We also design menus that honor family and culture. One favorite: a Filipino–East Texas celebration featuring an abundant charcuterie display with a suckling pig as the centerpiece—beautifully blending traditions so guests feel seen and delighted.
For cake, we’ve created a six-foot wedding cake with a different flavor every foot (guests pick their slice!), as well as timeless, traditional designs.
And yes—people ask about my Rose Hill mashed potatoes. I’m a true chef and rarely cook from a strict recipe, but my garlic-and-rosemary–infused mash has become a signature. No matter what other starch we serve, guests always come back for the potatoes.
Most of all, I’m proud of our customer service. Whether it’s catering, bar, or venue, we customize every detail so families feel relaxed, cared for, and absolutely thrilled they chose us. We end up feeling like part of the family—and our hope is that everyone leaves with their lives a little more enriched than when they arrived.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory is visiting Disney World for the first time when I was around eight. I was mesmerized—not just by the rides, but by the people quietly taking care of the details, like the team member who swept popcorn from the corner without anyone noticing. That was my first lesson in true customer service: the little things matter most.
As my children grew and we kept going back, I felt the same joy—smiling ear to ear every time. Even as things change, Disney’s essence still reminds me that great hospitality means caring for guests no matter what. Mickey has been a constant in my life because of that memory with my family and the feeling it created.
That’s the spirit behind Briar Rose. We focus on thoughtful details and warm service so couples and their guests feel genuinely cared for—and leave with a memory they’ll treasure.
Pricing:
- All-inclusive Saturday weddings start at $20,000
- Venue-only rental ranges from $3,500–$6,500 (date/season dependent).
Contact Info:
- Website: https://briarrosevenue.com
- Instagram: @BriarRoseVenue
- Facebook: BriarRoseVenue
Image Credits
Alyssa Marie Photography
Lauren Ashley Photography
Lindsey Steele Photography
Lizzie Hillard Photography
Paige Photography
