A Place To Come Back To

For Deliska Lee and Bree Smith, a family vision becomes reality at Windgate Farms

Words by Suzie Walton |

Even though Bree Smith lives in Birmingham, she, her husband Jason, and their two children often trek to Jasper on Fridays to spend the weekend at her parents’ home just off Walston Bridge Road. The frequency of their trips depends on the time of year it is—wedding season determines the visits that her children anticipate.

 The mile-long driveway leading to the home winds through oaks and pines as it meanders past white fences and flower-filled meadows. Once the car pulls under the canopy of Bradford Pear trees lining the drive, Bree and her family arrive at Windgate Farms, sitting majestically at the top of the climb overlooking Blackwater Creek. Her parents, Deliska and Sammy Lee, bought the 220-acre property 20 years ago.

 Bree never imagined cakes and flowers in her career future, much less bridal gowns and grooms. After graduating from Walker High School and Samford University, Bree pursued a career in the financial industry in asset management.

 “When my parents bought the property, my mom always said it would be the perfect place for a beautiful wedding,” Bree laughs. “At first we just joked about it; I never planned to leave my career and partner with my mom planning and managing weddings.” 

 As her mom began envisioning the aesthetics of the venue and her dad decided to finance much of the business in the early years, Bree decided to change careers after 15 years and join the family business. As she says Jason took the joking seriously and “ran with the ideas.”

 “He is a builder,” Bree says. “We all began to brainstorm ways to turn the wooded area into the perfect place for a celebration. At first, we thought we would create a space for a small wedding, but then the building began.”

 Many years earlier, Jason and Bree had considered having their own wedding on the property, but there was too much work to do. Instead, they said their vows in Birmingham. The idea of a venue still lingered in the conversations of her husband and mom, however. “Once my mom envisioned the amphitheater, Jason began researching ways to improve the property,” Bree recalls. “He dug up an area and built a 500-person amphitheater. Then he built the stage. My mom landscaped the whole property and the dream became a reality. I think my dad works just as hard for Windgate Farms as he does for his own insurance business. We couldn’t function without my dad.”

 Once the building began, the brides came, and the family business soared. Bree’s children now look forward to each visit. “My two-year-old doesn’t want to leave,” she laughs. “We stay at my parents’ house, so we are all involved in the event. The kids love it.”

 The whole family dove right into the wedding business. Since parking is a short distance away from the house, the family utilizes golf carts to transport the guests from their cars. Bree’s children usually ride with her parents and help keep things running smoothly. “The kids get to hang out with their grandparents while they work, and they love it,” Bree says.

 As enjoyable as each wedding is for the family, Bree feels the most special part of the day is then moments before the wedding begins when only the bride and mother remain in the bridal suite. “Before the bride walks down the aisle, my mom and I pray with her and her mom,” she says. “My mother has always said that we don’t look at this as work because we get to witness a miracle each wedding. Two people becoming one is a miracle and we get to play a small role in that. Knowing this, we have always made it a priority to spend this time praying God’s blessings over the new couples.”

 One of the most rewarding parts is the feedback. Bree says she feels like she has done her job whenever couples and their families tell her what a special day it was and how they were just able to relax and enjoy the process.

 At Windgate Farms, the Lee family has come together to create a beautiful place for couples to say their “I do’s.” It’s a place to first witness the beginning of a couple’s wonderful journey together. And it’s a place you always want to come back to. 78

Cover photo by Al Blanton

Other photos by Janet Nunnally Wilson, Rylo Creative, and courtesy of Windgate Farms