By Laura Ann Tipps/Staff Writer
A new wedding venue opened in Hokes Bluff this spring, bringing the increasingly popular barn wedding to Etowah County.
Cheryl and George Wright have transformed a 12,000 square foot barn on the picturesque Cove Acre Farms into a peaceful, charming space that can accommodate up to an approximately 225-person wedding.
The venue is also available for many other types of events.
“It still looks like a barn, but we’ve restored the whole thing and added balconies, so it’s beautiful,” said Cheryl Wright.
The Wrights’ inspiration to turn Cove Acre Farms into a wedding venue came from their daughter, Megan Wright Perman, who worked part-time in the wedding chapel business throughout high school and college.
“She always loved doing this type of thing, so when the barn weddings started getting popular, she told her dad we should start using ours,” said mom Cheryl.
Perman knew that such an undertaking would entail months of hard work, but she also recognized the beauty of the raw material, so the whole family pitched in to make the project come to life.
“It already possessed so much charm and character, and it just needed a little tender, loving care,” said Perman.
Her dad, George, has certainly put his heart and soul into the barn’s restoration, spending hours developing various lighting schemes that will be conducive to glare-free photography, and seating that will be comfortable for each and every guest.
Much of the wood used in the restoration, particularly in the construction of benches, is live edge wood straight from a nearby forest.
“George has thought this whole thing out, and everyone’s who’s seen it so far has been very impressed,” said Cheryl, humble about her own design capability and effort.
To decorate the bride’s and groom’s rooms, which are equipped with their own restrooms, full size mirrors, and make-up lights for the ladies, Cheryl has used rustic, antique items to coordinate with the barn theme.
“The detail is just incredible,” she said.
In addition to the barn’s large floor space, it has 950 extra square feet in its two balconies, a wooden dance floor on the second story, and a span of windows overlooking the scenic grounds.
The inside of the barn has also been restructured to accommodate more private ceremonies in smaller spaces that can be enclosed while maintaining the feel of a barn wedding.
Other parts of Cove Acre Farms needed very little primping in order to be wedding-ready.
There are lakes and a creek bank on the property that are ideal for outdoor events of almost any size.
Cove Acre Farms has bookings beginning at the end of May, and the Wrights are welcoming guests for tours of the barn and surrounding farm.
“It is such an elegant barn, and we are looking forward to working with couples and making their wedding dreams come true,” said Perman.