Meet the CR Team
Built for Beautiful Days. Led by People Who Care.
Hospitality That Feels Like Home
Behind every seamless celebration at Chestnut Ridge is a team who lives and breathes hospitality. We’re planners, designers, builders, and caretakers united by a shared belief that ease is something you create, not something that just happens.
Our approach mirrors the land we work on: steady, intentional, and rooted in care. Every wedding, every gathering, every detail begins with people, those who pour their craft, time, and heart into making this place feel effortless.
raising the bar…
“My wedding day was the best day of my life and I am so happy it happened at Chestnut Ridge. The venue is stunning and guests absolutely loved it. The location makes for wonderful photographs.
I also can’t say enough about the staff. I mostly communicated with Taylor (the owner) leading up to the wedding. She was amazing. I don’t know how she responds as quickly as she does. Every time I met her, she was so warm and welcoming.
The day of our wedding, every single member of the CR staff was friendly and helpful. We even got compliments on how nice the bartenders were. We really could not say enough great things about this venue.”
– Stephanie, Google
Taylor & Preston
Meet the Founders
College sweethearts turned visionaries, Taylor and Preston were married here long before Chestnut Ridge became a venue. The land where they exchanged vows became the foundation for something larger — a place built to hold stories like their own, rooted in faith, family, and the quiet beauty of the mountains.
Together, they transformed raw farmland into a space of gathering and grace. Preston brings the precision of a builder and the grounding presence of a father. Taylor leads the creative vision, a designer at heart with years of experience planning and styling weddings across North Carolina. Her eye for beauty and instinct for hospitality guide everything that happens here, from the flow of a ceremony to the texture of the light inside the hall.
They live in the valley with their three boys and two dogs, raising their family on the same land where it all began. What started as a personal promise has become a legacy. A home built to share.
college sweethearts
parents to three boys
dog people
married at Chestnut Ridge
Planner + Designer
meet emily
Born and raised in Black Mountain, Emily brings local knowledge and a calm, organized presence to every celebration. She studied at Presbyterian College, where leadership and planning came naturally, and she has been shaping thoughtful events ever since.
Her style is refined and personal. She listens closely, communicates clearly, and moves the day forward with ease. Couples feel seen. Guests feel cared for. You may catch her misting up during the vows, then blending right back into the rhythm of the room.
Venue + Bar Manager
meet Alexa
Alexa has been part of the Chestnut Ridge team for more than three years, growing through nearly every role on site, from venue associate to bartender to the person who quietly keeps everything running. Her knowledge of the property is unmatched, and her approach is clear, calm, and efficient.
Originally from Canton, North Carolina, Alexa brings both precision and humor to her work. She manages our bar program and oversees event logistics with a steady hand, ensuring every detail flows seamlessly. If something needs doing, Alexa’s already on it. The kind of behind-the-scenes presence that makes the entire experience feel effortless.
Planner + Venue Associate
meet Mia
Mia first experienced Chestnut Ridge as a bride. The calm, the care, the way the day unfolded — it stayed with her. Not long after, she joined the team that made it happen, bringing that same warmth and attention to every couple she serves.
Originally from California, Mia has made Western NC home with her husband. She’s organized, intuitive, and steady under pressure. The kind of person who always seems to be exactly where she’s needed. Her background in both hospitality and event management gives her a rare balance of professionalism and heart.
Every detail she touches feels considered. Every couple she works with feels cared for.
Kind Words
It is our absolute honor to bring our clients’ dream day to life with passion and professionalism. And nothing makes us happier than hearing we’ve exceeded expectations.
Chestnut Ridge is incredible! Absolutely gorgeous and the staff is also incredible; they make the day run so smoothly.
We had multiple tours set up, this was the first one we went to, and instantly fell in love. I didn’t want to get married anywhere else.
These girls have everything down to a science. They handled absolutely everything, and there is nothing I would change about the day.
