Today, we’d like to introduce you to Leah Nadu.
Leah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In 2016, my younger brother got engaged to his high school sweetheart. We started to look at Venues in early 2017 and noticed a gap in the wedding venue market: they couldn’t find one venue that had every amenity they desired, thus, Ashland was born. My parents approached me about purchasing an old historic property and turning it into a wedding venue (I had just finished my MBA and was working full-time in corporate with no wedding experience).
We purchased the property in February 2017, renovated and opened for our first wedding in May 2018. The past five years have been a whirlwind; hard work combined with resilience and discipline have earned Ashland and me a myriad of industry awards, financial freedom, and making someone’s wedding dreams come true.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My journey has not been a smooth road. The toughest part of opening a business is putting your heart and soul into it and ensuring everything is perfect. Everyone is happy, exposing yourself and being vulnerable, yet there is always someone or something that won’t be happy or right. Accepting that you can’t and won’t make everyone happy, no matter how hard you try, took me a long time to realize. I knew and believed that what I (we) were doing at Ashland was good and meaningful, regardless of what anyone else had to say.
I also struggled with giving up control & allowing my team to take over and do their jobs. As a manager, and founder of the venue, it’s a mental struggle to give up control and trust that the team you built will do just fine. Once I got over that mental block, I noticed how empowered my staff was by being able to do their jobs proud and well.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Historic Ashland?
Historic Ashland is an award-winning luxury wedding Venue in Wrightsville, Pa. Ashland is known for its historic & refined buildings, personalized staff & all-inclusive wedding experience.
What sets Ashland apart from other venues?
-Totally private & exclusive.
-Access to the entire estate.
-All wedding day activities are done on-site across different event spaces/areas- Getting ready, first look/photos, ceremony, cocktail hour & reception
-Flexible staff.
-3 outdoor ceremony locations and three indoor ceremony locations.
I am super proud that it’s NOT another barn or Farm wedding venue – not another renovated barn. Ashland is a timeless & modern private estate with design aesthetics inspired by Southern estates and mansion gardens with refined & homey country vibes. Couples choose Ashland because it has a clean aesthetic that accommodates any wedding design or style. Couples love that the Venue is their “decor”- The beautiful, mature blooming gardens, 200+-year-old trees, the old-refined brick & stone, the Wood, string lights, etc. Couples appreciate that the Venue is beautiful on its own, thus not requiring much additional decor at their expense.
I want readers to know that when they choose Ashland for their wedding, they can always expect:
-Seamless experience for not only the couple/host but all of the guests as well.
-Peaceful & private experience in a country setting, but very close to nearby conveniences.
-Personalized service & easy communication.
-Beauty in all seasons (we have something blooming for year-round beauty!).
-Experience & Educated Staff = Stress-free wedding/event.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the COVID-19 crisis?
Yes, how you treat people matters. A business school teaches that the bottom line matters, and a business’s job is making money. COVID has taught me that how you treat people matters, and it isn’t always about the bottom line. Because of the shutdown & pandemic, we had about 25 compromised weddings that had to be canceled. Many wedding venues told couples that they could re-schedule at no cost to a particular day (Monday-Wednesday), or they could have their wedding, but it had to be outside, and they had to rent a tent at their expense.
I told couples that if they wanted to re-schedule, they could choose whatever day they wanted at no additional cost (ex, a Saturday in 2020 could move to a Saturday in 2021). It’s clear that I incurred lost revenue for Ashland as I was essentially “giving away” another date, but, to me, that wasn’t a factor in my decision to handle all affected couples this way. I respect the investment that couples make in Ashland for their wedding and want to do everything in my power to ensure that couples have their dream wedding safely.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.historicashlandevents.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historicashland/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HistoricAshland
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahcnadu/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@historicashland
Image Credits
Alyssa Bunton Photography and April & Mike
