Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Felia Georges. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Felia, thanks for joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?
From Dream to Reality: The Story of Chandelier Oaks
It all began with a dream — a vision of transforming a forgotten property into something truly magical. My husband, Rob, and I have always been drawn to spaces with history, and when we found the land that would become Chandelier Oaks, it was love at first sight. The towering live oaks, the quiet breeze, and the sense of possibility whispered to us: this could be a place where love stories begin.
At first, it was just an idea — a “what if?” moment shared over dinner. What if we could take this old summer camp and breathe new life into it? What if couples could spend their wedding weekends here, surrounded by family and friends, instead of rushing in and out in one day? That thought became our starting point: a classic Southern wedding venue that felt like a private resort getaway.
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The First Steps
Over the next few weeks, we started sketching out what that dream could look like. As soon as he could, Rob began walking the property with a builder’s eye, while I imagined design details — chandeliers hanging from the oaks, wooden benches, floral gardens, and cozy cottages and houses filled with charm. We created a list of everything we’d need to do: permits, renovations, landscaping, naming each building, and crafting a guest experience that felt both luxurious and welcoming.
Those first few months were a whirlwind of research and renovation — made even more challenging by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic shortly after we purchased the property. We navigated zoning meetings, septic inspections, and sourcing chandeliers and antiques, all while wearing masks and facing the uncertainty of the times. During quarantine, Rob built benches, arches, and pathways by hand, while I focused on the aesthetics — every flower, every fixture, every story told through design.
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Building the Experience
As the property transformed, so did our vision. The Camellia Cottage became our dreamy bridal suite; the Birchwood Bunkhouse and Laurel Loft evolved into rustic, masculine spaces for the groomsmen. We added lighting, built ceremony spaces under the oaks, and eventually created The Blooming Barn, our in-house floral design team, to make every event even more personal.
We also worked hard on the operational side — writing contracts, creating checklists, setting up social media, designing the website, and developing package options that made sense for different couples. Every form, every photo, every post became another piece of the foundation that turned Chandelier Oaks from a dream into a business.
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The First Wedding
Then, nearly five years later, came the moment it all felt real — our very first wedding. Cassidy and Dalton, our first bride and groom, trusted us with their day before the paint had even fully dried. Seeing their joy and hearing guests say, “This place is magical,” reminded us why we started. Every challenge, every late night, every nail hammered into place had been worth it.
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Where We Are Now
From that first idea to today, Chandelier Oaks has grown into something far bigger than we ever imagined. We’ve hosted dozens of weddings, added new ceremony spots like the hilltop gazebo, and built a reputation as a fairytale destination-style wedding venue on the Mississippi Gulf Coast — a place where couples can stay, celebrate, and make memories that last a lifetime.
What started as a simple idea — to create a space where love could shine beneath the oaks — has become a legacy of beauty, family, and faith. And we’re still growing, still dreaming, and still just as in love with this place as the day we started.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
About Chandelier Oaks & Our Story
I’m Felia Georges, co-owner and creative lead of Chandelier Oaks Wedding Venue in Kiln, Mississippi — a family-run, classic Southern destination where love stories unfold beneath centuries-old live oaks draped in chandeliers. My husband, Rob, and I founded Chandelier Oaks with the vision of creating a place that felt more like a romantic weekend retreat than a one-day event space — a venue where couples could slow down, stay a while, and celebrate surrounded by the people they love most.
My background is in floral and event design (with a 25 year full time nursing career to boot). I spent over two decades coordinating and creating for clients, with my floral roots beginning at the Beau Rivage and Gallimaufry by Grace. I’ve always been passionate about turning spaces into experiences and moments into memories. That passion evolved into The Blooming Barn, our in-house floral design studio at Chandelier Oaks, where we create both fresh and silk designs tailored specifically for each couple’s style and vision.
Rob, with his carpentry skills and mechanical know how brought the physical side of the dream to life. Together, we’ve built nearly every element you see on the property — from handcrafted benches and arbors to the romantic walkways and ceremony backdrops scattered beneath the trees. Our property includes multiple cottages, a dreamy bridal suite, a rustic groom’s loft, and outdoor spaces designed to transition seamlessly from ceremony to celebration.
What sets us apart is the experience we offer. We’re not just a venue — we’re a full weekend destination. Our couples and their wedding parties can stay overnight, host their rehearsal dinner, get ready onsite, and celebrate without the stress of leaving the property. Every detail, from floral design to décor rentals, has been thoughtfully curated to make the process as seamless and beautiful as possible.
We take great pride in being hands-on owners. Every couple who visits Chandelier Oaks meets us — not a corporate sales team. We walk the property with them, brainstorm ideas, and help them craft their vision down to the smallest detail. Our goal is for every guest to feel at home the moment they drive through our gates and to leave with memories they’ll treasure forever.
More than anything, we want people to know that Chandelier Oaks was built with heart. It’s a place of family, faith, and creativity — where timeless Southern charm meets personalized, heartfelt hospitality. We’re most proud of the moments when couples tell us their wedding felt “magical” or “like a fairytale,” because that’s exactly what we dreamed this place would be.
At Chandelier Oaks, we don’t just host weddings — we create experiences that reflect love, legacy, and the beauty of beginnings.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
A Story of Resilience
Our journey with Chandelier Oaks wasn’t easy — it was a true test of faith, perseverance, and determination. Shortly after purchasing the property, the world shut down. The COVID-19 pandemic changed everything overnight. Rob, who worked as a captain overseas, suddenly couldn’t travel for work, and I was called back into nursing during one of the scariest and most uncertain times of our lives.
At the same time, the property we had just invested in began revealing hidden challenges. What we thought would be a quick renovation turned into years of hard labor. We uncovered termite damage, rotten floor joists, leaking roofs, and problem after problem that we could never have anticipated.
With limited income and no outside crews available, we did nearly everything ourselves. Rob not only built the benches, arbors, and props for the venue — he rebuilt walls, replaced floors, repaired roofs, and restored the spaces one board at a time. I worked beside him every step of the way, often finishing nursing shifts only to come home and help sand, paint, or clean. I even learned to drive a tractor to bush hog the fields and a zero-turn mower to maintain the acres of lawns, preparing for the days when Rob would have to return to work and I’d be caring for the property alone.
There were moments we thought we might lose it all. The loss of Rob’s income was devastating, and we had to take out a forbearance on our loan just to hang on. Every step forward came with sacrifice. What was supposed to take months stretched into years, as we paid for every repair out of pocket — little by little, paycheck by paycheck.
But through it all, we refused to give up. We held onto our vision and to each other. Slowly, the property began to change — the light returned to the spaces, the oaks seemed to stand taller, and hope started to take root again.
Looking back now, I realize that Chandelier Oaks isn’t just a wedding venue — it’s a story of resilience, love, and faith. Every beam, every flower, every glowing chandelier is a reminder of what can happen when you keep believing, even when the world seems to fall apart around you.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I believe our reputation was built through a combination of authentic connection, consistency, and care — the kind of values that can’t be manufactured, only lived out day by day. From the very beginning, Rob and I decided that Chandelier Oaks wouldn’t just be a venue — it would be an experience, a place where every couple felt seen, valued, and celebrated.
We built our business the same way we built the property — by hand and from the heart. Every bride and groom who visits meets us personally. We walk the grounds with them, dream with them, and help them envision how their story fits into the landscape. That personal involvement, paired with our attention to detail, has helped us earn trust and word-of-mouth referrals faster than any ad campaign ever could.
Our reputation also grew from how we treat each wedding as if it’s the only one that matters — because, to that couple, it is. We’re hands-on owners who are present for every milestone: the tours, the planning, the set-up, and even the quiet moments before the ceremony begins. That genuine investment in our clients’ happiness has created relationships that extend far beyond the wedding day.
In addition, I think our transparency and storytelling have played a big role. We share our journey — the hard work, the setbacks, the beauty, and the transformation — so people feel connected not just to the property but to the heart behind it. That authenticity resonates deeply with couples looking for something real, something with soul.
And finally, we’ve surrounded ourselves with an incredible community — from local vendors we trust to families who cheer us on and guests who share their experiences online. Every review, every photo, every “this place is magical” moment has helped solidify Chandelier Oaks’ reputation as more than a venue. It’s become known as a place built on faith, family, and the belief that love stories deserve to unfold somewhere truly unforgettable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chandelieroaks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chandelieroaksvenue?igsh=MTI5czdudnhrNG14ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chandelieroaks?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chandelier.oaks?_t=ZT-90MmehDORWn&_r=1
Wedding Wire: https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/chandelier-oaks-llc/48274be598814f5f.html
The knot: https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/chandelier-oaks-llc-kiln-ms-2085561
Image Credits
Jennifer Spence Photography, Holdings Still Photography, Julia Pearl Photography, Coastal Magnolia Photography, Larkin Wilson Photography