Since opening her interior design shop, Blue Fern Design Community, in downtown Newnan, seven years ago, Lori Duncan has become known for her unique and imaginative flair that makes a big statement in the homes that she and her team design for her clients. Lori loves to “color outside the lines” and add a sense of the unexpected, while still creating a sense of “home.”
Blue Fern Design Community features an eclectic mix of custom home furnishings – everything you need for a comfortable living space. In addition, Lori uses her magic touch to repurpose the store into a magical event space for small weddings, rehearsal dinners, bridal and baby showers, holiday parties, business meetings and social events. The transformed space has an old-world, vintage charm, with a dash of Lori’s signature modern flair.
Lori is excited to announce she and husband, Jay Duncan, are expanding her event planning business with the grand opening in early May of Willow Rock Ranch. For the last 20 years, Lori and Jay have owned the 80-acre working cattle ranch, located between Greenville and Woodbury, with Jay’s parents. Recently, Lori and Jay have taken full ownership of the ranch and are busy renovating the ranch house as a wedding accommodation, Airbnb, and for use with corporate events. Lori’s vision is to create something different and unexpected – a destination and experience her guests will never forget!
At Willow Rock Ranch, God’s scenery is your backdrop! It is 80 acres of rolling hills, green pastures dotted with a few grazing cows, large pecan and oak trees and a flute-columned pergola, overlooking a tranquil pond. The pergola is one of several signature options for a picturesque wedding ceremony site. Wedding receptions and parties can be held outside under the stars or under large tents -all with ambient lighting and large chandeliers.
Lori has an event planner on site and a preferred list of caterers, florists, musicians and so much more! Willow Rock Ranch can host weddings or corporate events with up to 300 guests. Hunting and skeet shooting adventures will also be featured at the ranch.
Beautifully renovated in Lori’s vintage but classic style, the ranch house (which can sleep up to eight) features four bedrooms, three full baths, a fully-equipped kitchen, a screened back porch overlooking the pastures, with a 12 foot table for entertaining, and a large front porch with eclectic seating and an unexpected feature – carved floral totem pole columns. The ranch house is available for the bridal party to stay the night before the wedding, all day of the event to get ready in the bridal and groom suites and for the bride and groom to relax and stay after the wedding before they leave on their honeymoon.
Couples planning to wed at Willow Rock Ranch will take part in Whiskey under the Willow, a complimentary and unique experience, soon to become a new southern tradition. A few weeks before the wedding day, the couple will place a bottle of whiskey in a box under the willow tree. On the night of the rehearsal, the box is opened and a toast is made, in honor of the couple, with family and friends, to ensure a beautiful and fabulous wedding day!
According to Lori, Willow Rock Ranch is certain to become one of South Atlanta’s premiere wedding destinations, and she and her team want to create the perfect experience for the bride and groom by making their fairy tale wedding come true.
Willow Rock Ranch is a destination venue, located just ten miles from Callaway Gardens and Warm Springs. For more information about Willow Rock Ranch, contact Lori Duncan at 678-633-0080 or check out her website at bluefernmerchant.com.