Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate And Adam Walton.
Hi Kate and Adam, 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?
We always knew we wanted to run a business together, we just weren’t sure what shape it would take. Neither of us grew up thinking, “One day we’ll own a wedding venue,” and we also didn’t come from the wedding world–at all! Kate was a high school English teacher, and Adam worked in finance. When the opportunity for building Hazelwood came along, it felt like the perfect mix of what we both cared about: creating something meaningful, working side by side, being in nature, and building community. (Timeline: we purchased the property in 2018, did market research and planning in 2019, started construction in 2020, and hosted our first wedding in 2021.)
In the beginning, it was just the two of us figuring it out as we went–years of market research before even breaking ground on the venue to teach ourselves as much as we could. Adam’s background in finance helped us with the loan/financial side, and Kate’s teaching and communication background helped with creating relationships with wedding vendors, social media, and sales.
There were a lot of late nights. A lot of learning on the fly. Definitely a few “what did we get ourselves into?!” moments. Designing, building, and owning/operating a venue is A LOT. Over time, we found our rhythm and have evolved into roles we each love today. Adam handles the backend of the business with contracts, accounting, our CRM. Kate handles all of the face-to-face components like tours and vendor relationships as well as marketing and sales.
I feel like it’s important to mention two key things we did early on which had a huge impact on our success. First, hands down, building relationships with amazing vendors (in all categories like planners, make up artists, photographers, caterers, florists, etc.) during our building phase. We had them out to our property so they could see Hazelwood being constructed, give us feedback to consider from a vendor perspective, and to just start building connections and networking. Second, we did a ton of market research so we knew what was already out there, we knew how we could solve a problem/fill a void, and how we could make Hazelwood be the answer. We incorporated this messaging into our brand from the beginning so people learned that Hazelwood was not just another new venue–it is an inclusive space that really made the wedding experience easy for everyone involved.
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?
Definitely not a smooth road! We actually broke ground in early 2020 literally weeks before the pandemic hit. Construction had to pause, and once things picked back up, we were giving “hard hat tours” in masks and trying to make it feel safe and welcoming at the same time. It wasn’t how we pictured launching a venue, but we figured it out.
Then came the 2022 wedding boom–and the slowdown that followed. We’ve stayed steady by always looking ahead: adjusting our pricing and offerings, paying attention to what couples really want, and being willing to change instead of getting stuck in our ways. The push for elopements and micro weddings is a great example–as soon as we got an inkling those were trending, we added those options so couples had even more flexibility.
Through all of it, our goal has been to make the experience as easy and stress-free as possible for our couples. We listen, we take feedback seriously, and we try to be leaders in what a modern venue experience looks like. It’s really about staying flexible with what the industry and couples actually need.
We’ve been impressed with Hazelwood Weddings, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Hazelwood is a modern wedding venue tucked in the Pennsylvania countryside, just outside Baltimore and within easy reach of Philadelphia. Many of our couples and guests use Gettysburg, only 20 minutes away, for hotels, transportation, and even sightseeing which makes travel simple and fun for out-of-town guests.
Our couples choose Hazelwood because we blend clean, modern design and architecture with the calm and privacy of the countryside. Our couples are looking for something other than barn venues or traditional ballrooms–they love Hazelwood’s light-filled spaces with an easy flow between indoors and outdoors. We’re truly a rain-or-shine venue, with two large covered patios and beautiful indoor options. We know that the number one worry is weather, and couples don’t have to stress about unpredictable rain or the summer heat here which gives them peace of mind knowing their vision won’t be compromised.
We also believe weddings should feel easy and inclusive. Everything couples need at the venue level is included: from our custom-made furniture to access to all areas of the property, with plenty of time for getting ready in our two on-site suites. We’ve designed Hazelwood with intention: gender-neutral getting ready spaces, thoughtful flow between ceremony and reception areas, and flexibility for couples to customize their day. We’ve seen couples turn our parlor into a retro arcade, rent a golf simulator for cocktail hour, bring food trucks in for late-night snacks, and basically incorporate any color palette or aesthetic you can imagine–it all works here!
What we’re most proud of is how couples, families, and vendors describe Hazelwood. Inviting, intentional, and family-like. We love being hands-on and approachable, and our partnerships with trusted caterers and a wedding coordinator means couples have a streamlined, transparent experience. Couples today don’t want to wait days for responses. Or feel like they are being misled about costs. Wedding planning is confusing for newly engaged couples. From the very first inquiry, couples hear back from us quickly with clear information on pricing, availability, and inclusions. Then, during their tour with Kate, they not only see the venue spaces but also explore their customization options and get personal recommendations on how to make the space their own. Our couples value transparency and really appreciate how open we are about budgets, planning realities, and recommendations.
We created Hazelwood as an alternative to barns and ballrooms–we created a modern, intentional space that thinks of everything while giving couples freedom, trust, and peace of mind.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Kate: I was always the kid who loved talking! So much so that I’d get in trouble for it at school. Looking back, that probably helped me learn how to adapt to different personalities and connect with all kinds of people, which is such a big part of working with couples and families now. I can literally talk to anyone (haha). I was curious and creative, always picking up new hobbies or rallying friends. I loved being hands-on and taking the lead. My absolute favorite thing to do was choreograph dances to film Spice Girls or Britney Spears videos with my friends. I think I’ve always been a natural planner, someone who loves pulling people together to create something fun.
Adam: I’ve always been drawn to nature and the outdoors. Growing up as the youngest in a big family, I learned to appreciate being quiet, listening, and observing. At the same time, I loved music—teaching myself guitar, piano, and drums without formal lessons. I grew up loving Nirvana, The Cure, and The Beatles. I’ve always had this instinct to figure things out on my own, which has carried over to Hazelwood in a big way. We didn’t have any background in wedding venues when we started, but that same curiosity and ability to self-teach helped me dive into market research and learn what it would take to build something successful.
Pricing:
- Peak and off-peak season rates for full-day weddings ranging from 5,500-9,200
- Micro weddings starting at 3,900
- Elopements starting at 750
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hazelwoodweddingvenue.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hazelwoodweddings/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hazelwoodweddings/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@hazelwoodweddings
Image Credits
Personal photo: Perigee Photo Co @perigeephotoco
Additional photos: Ashlee Zimmerman Photography @ashleezimmermanphotography
