Romaine Valley Weddings & Events Opens in Jefferson County

A new wedding and event venue is officially open in Jefferson County, and its owners say the vision behind it was shaped by both experience and a desire to give local families more options for celebrating life’s biggest moments.

Romaine Valley Weddings & Events recently marked its opening with a ribbon cutting that drew strong community support, giving guests a first look at a venue designed to host weddings, reunions, showers, fundraisers, corporate gatherings, and more.

A Vision Built From Experience

Owners Rob and Michelle McManus said the project grew out of their backgrounds and a sense that the area needed something more.

Michelle McManus spent 22 years in the photography industry, while Rob McManus has worked as a builder for 39 years. Together, they said, those experiences helped shape both the look and the function of the new venue.

“We saw a need in the area and the community,” Rob McManus said.

The property itself did not begin as a wedding venue. Rob McManus said the land had been a farm field, and the couple originally purchased it with plans to move McManus Construction and Snow Pro there. Over time, that vision changed, and the idea for a wedding and event space took shape.

Turning that idea into reality was not quick. The McManuses said the planning and zoning process, along with architectural plans and approvals, took about nine months before they received the green light to build.

Designed for the Full Wedding Day

Even with the long approval process, the result is a venue that clearly reflects careful thought. Romaine Valley offers a large reception hall, an on-site chapel, cottages, bridal and groom spaces, and outdoor areas that allow couples and guests to stay on one property for the full experience.

That all-in-one approach is part of what the owners say sets Romaine Valley apart.

“We also have the cottages, which sets us apart from any other venue around,” Rob McManus said.

Michelle McManus added that couples also appreciate the flexibility they are given in planning their events.

“I feel like the brides are loving the fact that we give them options,” she said. “They get to choose pretty much everything.”

She said that freedom, along with a strong preferred vendor list, helps couples create a day that feels personal rather than packaged. The venue also works with local businesses and vets recommended vendors before adding them to its preferred list.

A Chapel With a Local Connection

That local focus shows up throughout the property.

The McManuses said they made a point to buy local whenever possible, from patio furniture to plumbing and lighting, and to work with local subcontractors during construction. Even some of the details inside the chapel carry a local connection, including pews repurposed from a local church.

The venue’s design was also intentional. Michelle McManus said she and her husband spent time gathering ideas, blending features they loved, and thinking through the practical details that would matter to couples and guests.

One example came late in the planning process, when the couple decided to add a drive-through canopy after realizing how helpful it would be for guest drop-off in bad weather.

Other features were designed with specific needs in mind. Michelle McManus said she wanted the groom’s quarters to be larger than what is often found at similar venues, while the bridal suite was built with eight stations, mirrors, and makeup space to better serve wedding parties.

Built for More Than Weddings

Romaine Valley’s size also allows it to host a broad range of gatherings. According to the owners, the chapel seats about 200 guests, while the reception hall can accommodate more than 300.

So far, the venue has already hosted events ranging from a small wedding of about 80 guests to a wedding of 240, along with showers and other gatherings. The McManuses said they have also booked galas, reunions, school dances, birthday parties, anniversary parties, Christmas parties, and corporate events.

They said nonprofit groups have also shown interest in the space for fundraisers and other events, while future possibilities could include line dancing classes, themed dinners, and other community-focused programming.

In fact, Michelle McManus said the venue already has about 60 events on the books, with roughly 50 of them being weddings.

Community Support and a Clear Mission

For the McManuses, the recent ribbon cutting was more than a business milestone. They said it was a reminder of how much community support stands behind the project.

“The support of the whole community and the chambers was incredible,” Michelle McManus said.

That support, she said, helped introduce Romaine Valley to more people and confirmed that the venue is filling a real need.

The couple also said they want people to know that the business is rooted in more than hospitality and event planning. Michelle McManus said she hopes Romaine Valley will be known as a Christian-based business and as a place with a clear mission behind it.

“Even if we lead one person to Christ, it’s worth it,” she said.

With its mix of thoughtful design, local partnerships, and room for everything from weddings to community gatherings, Romaine Valley is stepping into Jefferson County as more than just a new venue. It is positioning itself as a new place for people to come together and celebrate life’s most meaningful moments.

Planning a wedding, reception, shower, reunion, corporate gathering, or another special event? Take a closer look at Romaine Valley Weddings & Events and see what the venue could offer for your celebration.

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