Sacred Clay Inn is a stunning Southern Minnesota wedding venue with a renovated barn for ceremonies and receptions. Susan Kelly, the owner of the venue, tells us how she renovated this former B & B locale into a charming inn and barn wedding site.
Q: Let’s get to it, what’s your business’ specialty?
A: Planning and executing “manor home” wedding weekends.
Q: Where can we find you?
A: Lanesboro, MN, and on our website!
Q: Tell us when and how Sacred Clay Inn began.
A: I owned a Minnesota harvest apple orchard and hosted barn weddings for 8 years.
Q: What makes your company unique from others?
A: At Sacred Clay Inn & Wedding Barn, we can offer the guest room lodge for families and the wedding party to stay together. We book only one wedding per weekend, so your wedding event is three great “manor home” days
Q: How long have you been in the industry? What do you think has changed the most since then?
A: About 10 years. When I started, barn weddings in rural settings were just starting to be popular. I believe they are here to stay!
Q: Walk us through your average workday.
A: After all wedding guests have finished a generous breakfast, we focus on completing ceremony site and barn setups including table settings. We make sure the horse team and wagons are ready to pick up guests at parking. Then, head to the ceremony and then back to the wedding barn. We monitor all the events of the day topped off with clean up.
Q: What would you want couples searching for their wedding venue to know?
A: Their needs will be well taken care of all three days, so they are free to enjoy every minute of the wedding weekend.
Q: How far in advance should a couple book with Sacred Clay Inn?
A: Since this is our second year, we have enough open weekends that 6 months lead time can work.
Q: What is the biggest crowd-pleaser at your venue?
A: The setting is stunning. We are set on 100 acres of Southern Minnesota bluff country, with towering stone bluffs and a river. Our Amish horse-drawn “limo” is a delightful surprise for all your events.
Q: What are your other hobbies and passions besides creating beautiful wedding days?
A: I have had an interior design business for 30 years and love transforming people’s homes — which is what I did with the Sacred Clay barn. I’ve also been playing piano for 6 decades!
Q: What is the history behind your venue?
A: Sacred Clay Inn was built in 2001 and opened as a bed & breakfast in 2005. This timber-frame structure is constructed of 412 pieces of (whole beams) all put together with wooden pegs and Amish built. We opened in 2019 for weddings after upgrading the barn.
LIGHTNING ROUND!
Q: What show are you binging right now?
A: Hallmark Channel. They are big on weddings!
Q: You’re in charge of the lineup for your dream concert. Who are your headliners?
A: Whoever is still alive from Mo-town days.
Q: Gold or Silver?
A: Silver
Q: Black Tie or Casual?
A: Black Tie — even in a barn!
Q: You’re at brunch. Are you going for something sweet or savory?
A: Sweet, always.
Q: Favorite board game?
A: Scrabble
Q: Do you have any favorite podcasts?
A: Not yet!
Q: Mountains or Beach?
A: Mountains
Q: If you could choose any celebrity to sit next to on a plane, who would it be?
A: Melania Trump or Michelle Obama
Thanks so much for chatting with us, Susan! Meet the Sacred Clay team at Unveiled Rochester on February 7th and book your tour on-site.
