These have been a hectic couple of weeks. I have two 52 weeks projects in the works, and I'm pretty excited by them. Just have to get them done and take some pictures.
Lately I've been working on a lot of Spotted Owl Weddings information, trying to get everything for that worked out and tied down. It's so hard to plan some things, even just working out prices I know I'm comfortable with is challenging...trying to figure out how much staffing we'll need, how many times we'll have to meet with the bride/photographer/caterer/crazy mothers, how much the utilities would go up for a wedding, how much hosting a reception would cost us in the terms of potential damages, where other sweet reception sites are located and how much they cost...super challenging. It's also hard because I'm the type of person who loves to save money where I can, and I really want to be reasonable without underselling ourselves. We won't really know until we do it, I guess. The actual B&B room rates and prices were so much easier for me to lock down for some reason. (Maybe because I researched them for a year before we moved forward, ha ha ha.) We initially thought that wedding hosting would be more of a side business, just something for fun and not our main source of income, but after a month of our website being up with no advertising whatsoever (aside from my shameless Facebook plugs, sorry friends!), I've received so many emails about it that I'm reconsidering how much it could impact our profits. It's definitely something to think about, I guess. I'm throwing around the idea of having a fake wedding party, or maybe a vow renewal for a really laid back couple, so we can kind of see how things go. We'll see. I have to get through the renovations first. Which is SO EXCITING!!! I can't wait to see it done.
I'm also really excited about some of the investor rewards we've come up with to raise money for the Spotted Owl. So here's a short list...
After months of thinking about it and a total lack of inspiration for them, I found a good way to get around the problem of naming the rooms...so that's now a reward for higher investors! Who doesn't want to buy the right to name a room after Great Aunt Myrtles favorite cat? Or for/in memory of someone you love, your favorite author or the book you wrote, your band, or just some random word that has a special meaning for you. I think it's awesome, and will make the rooms even more unique and special. We are making really cool permanent plaques that will be placed outside the rooms, with the name and explanation of who it's for and who named it. Plus you get a free stay in your room every year, and a 10% off card which applies to all regular rates and events. Super awesome, all for $5,000 investors. Only six available. Coolest gift ever.
If you're really generous and donate $10,000, you get to name the honeymoon suite. I think we could also do well pushing this to local businesses, because it's such a unique way to advertise. That name is going to be seen by so many happy people on romantic weekend getaways and will be seen in countless wedding photographs. I'm so pumped.
For those two people out there that think it would be really funny to name a public restroom after your spouse, you can name one of ours for $4,000.
We are also selling rights to name our pews (sweet vintage wooden pews with bright red upholstery! LOVE THEM!), and placing plaques on the side with the name of your choice and who donated them. $1,500 per side.
For the peeps that want to help out but don't have a lot to invest, don't be sad! We have a lot of lower dollar rewards, such as T-shirts, photography packages, vintage aprons, hayrides, and handmade goods.
As soon as I get my brochures done, get ready to see me peddling.
So that's basically what I've been doing for the past two weeks. Thinking, thinking, thinking. If anyone has any ideas for fundraisers, let me know. The more we raise, the more cool stuff we can do with the B&B!
And don't forget, go check out my buddy Emily over at teaandlaundry.net. That girl is hella productive with the 52 weeks project, photographing it and blogging it. I need to take some notes.
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