The Venue by Bloom Ridge Farm
The Venue by Bloom Ridge Farm: A Dream Wedding Destination in Southern Illinois
Tucked amidst the rolling hills of Southern Illinois' wine country, The Venue by Bloom Ridge Farm offers a serene and picturesque location for special events. Located in Alto Pass, this unique venue combines rustic charm with modern amenities, providing a climate-controlled event barn and a stunning outdoor wedding chapel surrounded by rows of lavender. Whether you're hosting a wedding or any other celebration, The Venue promises an unforgettable experience.
Amanda and Robert Roberts’ family has worked in the wedding industry for over 15 years. Amanda was a photographer for 10 years and is currently a flower farmer, growing and providing flowers for local weddings, from Bloom Ridge Farm. “It has always been a dream of ours to open a wedding/event venue. We finally decided to take a leap of faith and make our dreams a reality.”
Turning that dream into reality was a journey that began with a carefully crafted business plan. "We knew a little about creating a business plan but wanted a second opinion before presenting it to our lending officer," they shared. “This plan was essential for acquiring the loan needed to finance the construction of our wedding and event center."
“We came to the SBDC for assistance with our business plan. Michael Jessup was super helpful answering all our questions and addressing our concerns in the business plan and LLC process.” Roberts added, “We were able to better understand all the details that needed to be included in the plan to make it a success."
With the expert guidance provided, the owners were able to secure the financing needed to bring their vision to life.
After securing the necessary funding, construction began on the event barn and chapel, and in September 2024, The Venue by Bloom Ridge Farm hosted its first wedding. Reflecting on the milestone, the owners said, “Everything was amazing! After the wedding we received multiple 5-star reviews on google and we were super grateful that people took the time to review our business and share their experience with us.” They added, "we couldn’t have gotten here without the support we received in the beginning. Our first wedding was a dream come true."
This Southern Illinois gem is now open year-round, ready to welcome guests to celebrate life’s most cherished moments.
The Roberts’ advice for other entrepreneurs is, “Follow your dreams. You may miss out on a wonderful opportunity if you don’t . Make a strong plan and follow through with it. Hard work, dedication and a positive mindset will take you far.”