Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsey Quast.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
The Barn at Ballard Creek wedding venue truly started as an accident, but our family of 7 has fallen in love with our barn (again!) and hosting weddings! The long story short (ish) is that my husband’s only wish was to have a big, red barn when we were house hunting years ago. We found this quaint country property, just minutes from Mankato, with the most beautiful barn, and we knew it was the one! As the years passed and we slowly renovated the barn, I told my husband that I thought the barn was too beautiful for animals and we should host weddings in it! He finally agreed, and although many people thought we could never do it, we worked endless hours, days, months, and years to get the barn ready and to be as beautifully restored as ever! While we no longer have animals in the barn, we have party animals!
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Running a wedding venue on our home property has been a wonderful, life-changing experience for our 5 children and us. It is not easy, and each season, we learn more and more about what works well here and what doesn’t. We are constantly trying to make the best experience for our couples and their guests while enjoying living here, too! The biggest struggle we face here is the Minnesota weather! Our barn is not climate-controlled, but we utilize windows, doors, and cooling fans to enjoy the gorgeous outdoor spaces on extra hot days!
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am considered the Founder and Event Coordinator at the Barn at Ballard Creek. I specialize in all aspects of the venue here, including communication, social media, marketing, planning events, and ensuring our couples have everything they need on their big day! People know me for my big smile, willingness to help in any way I can, running around all day setting up chairs and tables, and always having an extra stash of bobby pins around! My husband and four boys also help around the venue and farm. Tim does lots of heavy lifting, moving tables and chairs and keeping the grounds looking beautiful! The four boys help us clean chairs and tidy things up before every wedding! Our newest baby girl will soon help, I’m sure! I am so proud of our commitment to our couples to be available for them throughout the entire engagement and wedding process and truly give it our all to make their experience as stress-free as possible. We make such great relationships with our couples, and hosting their big day is truly an honor! What sets us apart is our dedication to our couple’s happiness and providing a unique space so close to Mankato filled with history and modern elements, too! People experience the country life, chickens, pigs, and the biggest crowd-pleaser – the cows while celebrating their marriage with their loved ones!
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Throughout creating our venue, I have been extremely fortunate to have wonderful mentors and other barn venue owners who have guided and supposed us! I believe in supporting each other, whether simply by following and liking their posts on social media or connecting and giving each other support! Every venue and every business is unique, and helping one another builds a stronger Southern Minnesota Wedding community and experience! I have connected with many wonderful venue owners via social media, sometimes asking for simple advice and showing them my appreciation! I also love collaborating with others in the wedding industry to help all our businesses get exposure and thrive!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thebarnatballardcreek.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebarnatballardcreek/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnatballardcreek/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebarnatballardcreek
Image Credits
Personal Photo: Sara Wescott Photography, Venue Photos: Hailey Nelson Photography
