Meet Jennifer Wilson

We were lucky to catch up with Jennifer Wilson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jennifer, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

I’ve struggled with my self-esteem from a very young age. Even when I knew deep down that I had the power within myself to become anything I wanted to be, there were always little doubts that would hold me back from going after things. I had that voice in the back of my mind whispering what if?

“What if I fail? What if people laugh at me? What if I’m just not good enough? What if I’m not worthy of the success I so desperately seek?”

But underneath all that self-doubt, I also had the belief that if I wanted something out of this life badly enough, I could achieve it with hard work and dedication. That inner strength came from two places.

First, from the love that I’ve been surrounded with my entire life. As a child I had a strong support system in my mom, my dad, step-dad, and my grandma. And as an adult, my husband, my two beautiful daughters and my best friends. That kind of love and support gave me something to hold on to, something to fight for.

The second place I’ve developed inner strength may surprise people or even seem contradictory. That second place is all the times I’ve been knocked down. All of the challenges I’ve faced throughout this crazy life. My childhood wasn’t always easy. I fought battles no child should ever have to face. But those battles taught me how to survive. How to pick myself up and keep going. How to fight. Although I have a soft heart, I became a fighter. I got so used to getting knocked down but each time I learned to stand up a little quicker, a little stronger.

Starting Celestial Farms was absolutely terrifying. It was the scariest leap I’ve ever taken professionally. I began with nothing but a vision, a Facebook page and some photos on my phone. I had no roadmap, just a dream to create something unique and meaningful. Those first few venue tours just a few short years ago were incredibly awkward. But the more I pushed myself the more I learned what works best for me. I didn’t mirror other wedding venues, coordinators or business owners. I didn’t go on tours or make phone calls pretending to be engaged. I didn’t want to be swayed in one direction or another because I wanted to create something beautifully unique. So I just started showing up as myself, and that’s when my passion came through—and people responded to that.

Hearing couples say they chose Celestial Farms because they could feel my passion and authenticity gave me the validation I didn’t even know I needed. Their words reminded me that being genuine- not perfect but genuine- is a strength. And it’s a strength that can’t be replicated. Because no other wedding venue owner has my story. No other wedding venue owner can be me. Every kind review, every happy tear at the end of a perfect wedding day, and every heartfelt review from a bride, a groom, a parent or a guest has built my confidence, brick by brick.

Today, I’m more confident than I’ve ever been—not just as a wedding venue owner, but also a coordinator, a team leader ad team player, and a woman. But I’m constantly learning, growing and climbing. I know I’m right where I’m supposed to be, and that makes all the difference.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m Jennifer Wilson- owner and coordinator for Celestial Farms Wedding Venue at 3116 E. Vienna Rd. Clio, Michigan 48420. This dream of mine started with a vision to create a space for couples to have a fun, memorable, unique and completely stress-free wedding experience. That’s still my biggest passion and my greatest professional focus—giving every couple that walks through our doors a wedding experience that is as beautiful and unique as their love story. A wedding experience that flows effortlessly and feels like magic from start to finish. From helping our couples line up their wedding vendors and creating the perfect timeline, to perfectly executing the day and exceeding all of their expectations.

In the beginning of this journey to creating the perfect wedding experience I brought in an outside coordination team because I wanted my couples to have a professional support system and a seamless smooth flowing timeline. But it didn’t take long to realize that no one understood the flow of this place like I did. It became very clear for me that I could lead coordination in-house much more effectively—because I knew every corner of this wedding venue and every challenge it could present. And I also have a very high standard for every single detail of my clients wedding day.

So, I leaned in. I built a tight-knit team that saw my passion and mirrored it. My team feeds off the energy I bring, and together, we’ve built something extremely special. Coordination is now at the heart of what we do here at Celestial Farms—because it’s where the relationships begin early in the planning process. When couples book with us, I’m with them every step of the way, helping shape timelines, answering questions, and learning what their “dream wedding” vision looks like. By the time the big day arrives, I know how my couples tick. I know when to step in, when to hang back, and how to help them fully enjoy their wedding day.

In just two short years, (we’re in season three) we’ve given nearly 80 couples their dream wedding. And we’re just getting started. Since our first wedding in 2023 we’ve made so many major investments—both in structure and soul. We added a pavilion as a Plan B ceremony option. And just recently we had a custom enclosure built for the pavilion so that we can offer outdoor heated winter ceremonies. We’ve created a designated food room to improve the overall guest dining experience. And we’ve added sidewalks from one end of venue to another.

Professionally, I’ve also invested in wedding venue education from other locally owned wedding venues near me and across the country. From learning SEO and blogging, to my latest working vacation in Nashville, TN, I’ve learned from some of the most successful wedding venue owners in the industry. Dedication to constantly learning, improving and adapting is the key to any successful business.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Multitasking and being detail oriented with the ability to execute.

One of the skills I’ve always had that has been most impactful at helping me become a great wedding venue owner and coordinator is my ability to multitask while paying attention to the smallest but very important details. As a wedding venue owner I’m constantly juggling multiple things at once throughout an extremely long work day. On wedding day I’m handling all vendor communication and guiding them as needed, making small floor plan tweaks that make big differences in efficiency, managing timeline adjustments on the spot when something just makes more sense, managing staff and catering to guest and clients needs-all at once. I have a natural ability to to anticipate what needs to be done to ensure an event flows seamlessly. I know how to read a space and read a crowd, make adjustments so everything feels efficient and comfortable and appears effortless.

Advice I’d give to a new wedding venue owner on how to improve these skills: Observe everything. Walk through your venue with the perspective of a client, a guest, a vendor or even a mother of the bride. Pay attention to what makes guests appear happy and what might make them seem a little unhappy.

2. Leadership While Staying Humble.

Guests are usually surprised when they discover I’m the venue owner because I’m running around doing a million things and I don’t act as if any task is beneath me. And I’ve trained my team to be able to step into any particular role throughout the event just as I do. If the bartender needs help, we’re lending a hand. If catering is running behind, we’re helping them set up. If the DJ needs a hand, we’re there. Yes, I’m the owner but my humility builds trust not only with the client but with our staff, our team. I wanted to create a space here at Celestial Farms where everyone feels cared for and catered to from our clients to their guests, and that starts with leading by example. If your the first person to see a guest walk up-greet them. If your nearest a drink spill- grab a rag and a mop. There’s no time for hesitation on a wedding day. And you don’t get a redo. We have one shot to nail this couples ‘dream’ wedding vision.

Advice to new wedding venue owners on how to improve their leadership while staying humble: roll up your sleeves and do every task you expect your staff to do like cleaning a restroom, carrying out garbage, help a guest find their seat at the reception. Staying humble will build trust with your team. They’ll observe you and mirror you, creating a strong sense of team.

Educate yourself. Never stop learning and adapting. Find mentors, take classes, join a group- step outside of your comfort zone and learn ways to constantly improve. As soon as you think you’ve gotten something figured out- it changes. Don’t get comfortable with doing things only one way. Learn and practice new approaches to solving your problems and you’ll constantly find ways to be more efficient.

Also, Allow yourself to make mistakes. It sounds cliche but allowing yourself to make mistakes is the only way to grow. And when you do make a mistake, forgive yourself and quickly move forward.

3. Understanding of Event Flow

While I may not have had experience in bartending or catering, DJ-ing or even coordinating events, I do have a natural instinct on what a well planned event should feel like. I didn’t know how I understood, but I just understood the rhythm of a good event. Reading the energy in a room, timing key moments to make an everlasting impression- I know how to keep a good event flowing efficiently. I’m not sure how I developed the skill, but I just have an overall mindset for curating great events that flow smoothly.

My advice for new owners or event coordinators starting in the industry: go to every wedding you get the chance to visit. Study the flow of the event. Ask vendors if you can shadow them for a day so you can get just enough of an understanding on how things flow in their industry. vendors and observe them. shadow other owners or coordinators. The more frequent and more diverse events you go to the more deep of an understanding you’ll have for wedding venue and event management.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

I do think it’s crucial to constantly learn and grow in all areas of business so that we are a well-rounded and maintain sound business practices-especially when it comes to marketing and advertising, but I’ve learned that the true heart of my business lies in doubling down on what I’m passionate about and naturally talented at. For me, thats giving our couples a once-in-a-lifetime, memorable, dream wedding experience. I thrive when I’m working one on one with my couples to bring their vision to life. My passion comes across at my venue tours and during the planning process. Therefore hiring outside coordination was not beneficial for my brand. Couples like to see the passion I have for giving them their dream wedding at Celestial Farms. From timelines that flow smoothly and effortlessly to curating entertainment that brings energy and emotion to every size wedding- I make sure every clients wedding day and wedding experience feels uniquely their own and absolutely perfect for them.

Of course, a successful entrepreneur doesn’t ignore their weaker areas-they know how to build a strong well-rounded team of professionals to support the areas they can’t solely focus on. For example, book-keeping and accounting was never my strong suit so I am extremely thankful to have the help of my accounting assistant Sue B, who ensures everything is financially sound and organized. My coordination assistant Yolanda has many roles but she’s great at organization and keeps track of inventory, scheduled inspections, billing for add-on services, and manages many behind-the-scenes logistics that keep Celestial Farms running smoothly.

My daughter Kylee, a UM-Flint student has been an amazing social media manager and candid content creator which has changed the game for our social media platforms. She has an eye for candid moments and understands what will allow our story to shine online-and I wouldn’t have the following I have today without her. And of course my husband Kyle who helped me design and build this beautiful wedding venue plays a crucial role in the behind the scenes maintenance and property management. He is the mechanical mind and muscle that keeps us running, from managing drainage systems to making sure the landscaping and venue equipment are always in top shape.

And we wouldn’t be where we are today without talented professionals like Angie from Angela’s Angles Photography. Her creative work has helped us elevate our brand in ways I could never have done alone. She listens to what my vision is for Celestial Farms and brings it to life in her photography.

So, while I believe in being well-rounded and understand how crucial it is to continuously educate myself in all areas of business, I’m a big believer in going all in on your strengths and passions. That is what our clients want to see, my passion for creating a memorable, unique, fun and once in a lifetime wedding experience. Having a team of professionals that can support you and compliment you in the areas you’re less strong is how real growth and success happen. That’s how Celestial Farms was built, with passion purpose and a powerful team of people from all different backgrounds that each bring something different to the table.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.celestialfarms22.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celestialfarms22/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/celestialfarms22
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@celestialfarms22
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@celestialfarmsweddings?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Image Credits

Angela’s Angles Photography, LLC