Nestled deep in rural Birchwood, TN is an enchanting twenty-acre botanical haven where locals can host gatherings straight out of a fantasy. In the center of greenhouse filled with lush plants and surrounded by trees and greenery hangs a stunning crystal chandelier. A long table runs the length of the room and it is set for the tea party you'd only imagined as a child.
This isn’t the set of Alice in Wonderland. This is The Greenhouse in Birchwood. Cindy Franklin, the owner of the venue, says that the vision hit her the first time she walked through the once run-down building. “It was all rusted,” she told us. A former interior designer, originally from California, Franklin explained that despite the location's run-down appearance, she envisioned in vivid detail how beautiful the space could become. So, along with her husband and her daughter, she rolled up her sleeves and got to work. After hand scraping windows, contracting a company to lay new concrete, fixing the siding, and adding a beautiful chandelier, the space really began to come together.
After opening in January, the farm suffered a major setback when a tornado tore through the property. Rather than letting the misfortune hold them back, however, The Greenhouse came back better than ever adding air conditioning and a renovated powder room with plans for a commercial kitchen on the horizon. These new additions allow The Greenhouse to be used year-round—providing an immersive all-inclusive experience.
“We just want people to gather and have an experience they will all remember. When you sit at a long table, it just encourages everyone to talk and visit. We don’t do those kinds of things anymore,” says Cindy.
One of the most magical elements of The Greenhouse is the details. The venue and their staff provide every aspect of each event from decor and place settings to catering. The results are stunning. Guests rave over the seemingly small details and the fine china.
While the venue is very popular with guests of all ages, growing numbers of younger clients are beginning to be drawn into the enchantment of The Greenhouse. “A big thing right now is Sweet Sixteen birthday parties!” says Cindy. “The teen girls just love it—we even had girls come as a group before their prom. It was perfect, they were already all dressed up. They just loved it.”
You can experience the magic of The Greenhouse in Birchwood yourself by booking a party or attending one of their community events. Katie Goodwin, Cindy’s daughter, is one of the coordinators of the venue and also teaches art classes on site. Cindy also plans on hosting etiquette classes for homeschool groups at the space this Fall. With their focus on all-inclusive experiences, bookings at The Greenhouse are also very affordable, which is one reason they’ve also become popular with bridal parties and microweddings, a new trend on the wedding scene.
This secret garden won’t stay hidden forever, so be sure to book your next gathering soon. Find out more about the Greenhouse in Birchwood online at: thegreenhouseinbirchwood.com and on Instagram at: @thegreenhouseinbirchwood.