Wildwood, Georgia’s The Valley Venues is what wedding dreams are made of. The newly established venue takes inspiration from an iconic romance film, The Notebook, to allow brides and grooms to live their movie-worthy fantasies on their wedding day.
The rolling hills of the 74-acre property converge on a historic home and barn, which provides a striking backdrop for photography and sets the mood when guests arrive on-site for the ceremony and reception.
The Valley Venues has had more than one life. Let’s take a look at the property’s storied past, present, and future.
The Valley Venues is anchored by the historic home on the property, known fondly as The Magnolia House, which was built in 1896.
Originally serving as a private residence, the Magnolia House is a 5,562-square-foot home featuring six bedrooms and four bathrooms. This Greek Revival-style residence sits on an impressive 74 acres of breathtaking property along Lookout Creek, with scenic views of rural Dade County and Lookout Mountain.
While The Valley Venues was only founded in 2023, the property has been a part of the Cumming family’s story for much longer. Kobi's mother had grown up in the vicinity and had always admired the house. She was thrilled when it came up for sale in 1995, and when she and Paul visited the property, they immediately fell in love with it. They were aware that it would require considerable effort and maintenance, but they were convinced that it had the potential to become something extraordinary.
The modern era of the Magnolia House began in 1995 when Paul Cummings purchased the property. For the next 20 years, the house and property served as Paul’s headquarters for his motivational speaking business. He gave thousands of speeches on the property to listeners worldwide.
In 2018, a stroke left Paul with Aphasia, a language disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate, putting an end to his speaking career. After Paul’s diagnosis, while the family focused on his recovery, the property fell into disrepair. However, Paul made a miraculous recovery and returned his attention to the historic home that had given him so much over the years.
Although Paul considered selling the property, the idea felt wrong. After revisiting the property with her father in 2022, Kobi was struck by the idea of transforming the space to bring happiness to others through events and weddings although at the time, she was working comfortably as a designer. However, after all that Paul went through, Kobi wanted to build something that could help sustain him financially as well as something he could be proud of.
Restoring the property became a shared dream between the two, and once the idea was spoken aloud, there was no turning back.
Like the core narrative in The Notebook, rebuilding has been a theme for the Cumming family. Not only did they tackle a historic restoration of this home and property, but they had the resilience to rebuild their lives after a medical tragedy. The Valley Venues’ current state is a beautiful metaphor for the family’s story.
Today, The Valley Venues boasts seven distinct event spaces with unique character and ambiance. From the enchanting valleys to the grand halls and the ethereal greenhouses to the rustic barns, guests can immerse themselves in numerous captivating settings that cater to diverse preferences and event styles. The on-site accommodations include a charming lodge thoughtfully designed to comfortably sleep up to 14 guests and four delightful one- and two-bedroom cabins. With a total capacity of up to 22 guests across all dwelling options, the venue ensures that clients can easily celebrate their special day while their guests revel in the convenience and comfort of on-site lodging. The newly built Davis Hall is equally impressive, a 9,500-square-foot event space with a 15,000-square-foot wraparound porch and magnificent scenic views.
What truly sets The Valley Venues apart, though, is the team’s commitment to offering unparalleled personalization and service. Kobi and Paul curated an extensive decor library featuring various backdrops, signage, arches, and more, empowering clients to select elements that resonate with their style and vision.
From its humble beginnings in the late 1800s to now, The Valley Venues has been a haven for many. Under the guidance of Kobi and Paul, as well as their passionate and dedicated team, Its future is as bright as its dove-white exterior. Follow along with The Valley Venues on Instagram or online.
Photo Credit: The Valley Venues
