We were lucky to catch up with Ginger Lundell recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ginger, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

When my partner and I first took over the venue; 7F Lodge & Events, it was very much the “wild west” of weddings—every couple was completely on their own. They brought in every vendor, every detail, every piece of the puzzle themselves. We saw how overwhelming that felt for them, and one day we looked at each other and said, “What if we made this easier? What if we changed the way this venue operates—completely?”

That was the moment the idea for our all-inclusive package was born. No venue in the Bryan–College Station area—especially not one as historic as ours—had ever offered anything like it. We knew it was a big shift, but we also knew it was exactly what our couples needed.

The next step was dreaming it out on paper. We listed every single thing a couple stresses over: catering, bar service, linens, décor, cake, planning, coordination, china service, lodging—you name it. Then we asked ourselves, “If we could take all of this off their plate, what would that look like?” That list became the foundation of our package.

From there, it became all about relationships. We started meeting with local vendors whose quality, professionalism, and heart aligned with ours. We weren’t just looking for vendors; we were building a team. Caterers, planners, coordinators, bakers, DJs, bar service—everyone who plays a role in a wedding day had to feel right. We negotiated pricing, created workflows, and built partnerships that made it possible to wrap all of these services into one seamless experience for our couples.

Behind the scenes, we were breaking down cost structures, creating systems, and designing a process that felt effortless for our clients—even though it took months of calculation, planning, and reworking on our end. Every detail had to be streamlined: booking, timelines, menus, tastings, lodging, communication, payments. We wanted it to feel simple for them, even if it took a lot of complexity from us.

Once everything was in place, we launched our all-inclusive package—the first of its kind at the oldest venue of its kind in the region. And overnight, everything changed. Couples weren’t overwhelmed anymore; they were relieved. Excited. Confident. They could actually enjoy being engaged, because we had already connected the dots for them.

Looking back, it took vision, creativity, spreadsheets, vendor meetings, wine and a whole lot of heart—but it was worth every step. Creating this package didn’t just transform our business. It transformed the way people experience their wedding day here. And that has been the most rewarding part of all.

Ginger, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

For those who haven’t met me yet, my name is Ginger Lundell, and I’m just one of the owners at 7F Lodge & Events—one of the oldest and most beloved wedding venues in the Bryan–College Station area. My path into the wedding and hospitality world wasn’t traditional, but every step of my story prepared me for the work I do now.

Before owning the venue, I was a special education teacher. That experience shaped the backbone of how we run 7F today. Teaching taught me organization, patience, communication, and how to build systems that truly support people. When I stepped into this industry, those skills allowed us to modernize the venue, bring in new technology, streamline communication, and create workflows that make planning simple and stress-free for our clients.

My connection to weddings started long before 7F, though. My Mother and Grandmother owned flower shops in town, so I grew up around the rhythm of wedding weekends—the early mornings, the attention to detail, the way small touches create big memories. That gave me a foundation and an understanding of how all the moving parts come together.

My mother, who is also my business partner, became one of the founding members of our local wedding association. Her role connected us with vendors and professionals who have now become lifelong partners in our business. One of those founding members was Carol Frierson—the original owner of 7F Lodge. When the opportunity arose for us to purchase the venue in 2017, it felt like everything had come full circle.

Today, 7F Lodge offers something truly unique: an all-inclusive wedding experience that brings bar service, catering, linens, décor, cake, planning, coordination, china service, and lodging under one seamless process. Our goal is simple—to take the stress out of wedding planning so couples can focus on what actually matters: getting married and enjoying their day.

What sets us apart isn’t just the package—it’s the heart behind it. We care deeply about creating a warm, personal, intentional experience. Our couples feel seen and supported from the moment they inquire all the way through their wedding night. And because of our long-standing relationships with top vendors, we’re able to provide quality, consistency, and reliability that couples can trust.

I’m most proud of how far the venue has come since 2017. We took a beautiful and established property and ushered it into its next era while preserving its charm. Seeing couples relax, breathe easier, and actually enjoy getting married—that’s what makes this work meaningful.

For anyone considering 7F Lodge, here’s what I want you to know: we’re more than a venue. We’re a team that believes your wedding should be as joyful in the planning phase as it is on the dance floor. We’ve built a system that supports you, vendors who elevate your day, and a place that feels like home the minute you step onto the property.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One of the clearest examples of resilience in my journey came during COVID. Like so many small businesses, our entire livelihood was suddenly at risk. Overnight, weddings stopped. Our bed and breakfast closed. And with no events and no guests, there was no income coming in. It was one of the most frightening moments we’ve ever faced as business owners.

When things slowly began to reopen, gatherings were limited to very small weddings—which, thankfully, fit our venue size perfectly. But our staff was still required to stay home, leaving just my mother, Lisa, and me to run every single part of the operation ourselves.

We went from managing and overseeing the venue to literally doing it all—cleaning cabins before check-ins, resetting the property between guests, prepping the venue for weddings, and handling the full cleanup and teardown afterwards. It was exhausting, but it also reminded us of something important: when push comes to shove, we can run this venue from the ground up. We know every corner, every detail, every task—because we’ve done it all with our own hands.

That season wasn’t ideal, and it certainly wasn’t easy, but it taught us that resilience isn’t just about surviving difficult times—it’s about showing up, doing the work, and proving to yourself what you’re capable of. COVID reinforced that no matter the challenge, we can adapt, we can push through, and we can continue serving our couples with heart and dedication.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

When we purchased the venue in 2017, social media was already a major force, but many small businesses were still learning how to use it strategically. For us, it became one of the most powerful tools for connecting with couples, showcasing the property, and building a community around 7F Lodge.

In the beginning, our audience grew slowly but steadily. There was nothing overnight about it—we earned it through consistency. We posted often, stayed visible, and made sure our content wasn’t just pretty photos with random captions. We shared real information, behind-the-scenes glimpses, helpful tips, and resources that actually served our couples. We treated our audience like a community, not a number.

Engagement was—and still is—the key. When followers commented, we responded with intention. Not just emojis, but real conversation. We asked questions, started dialogues, and made sure people felt like they were interacting with an actual human being, not an automated business page.

One of the biggest shifts came when we started sharing ourselves. None of us love being in front of the camera, but the moment we began showing the people behind the brand—myself, my mom, our staff—the engagement increased dramatically. People connect with people. They want to know who they’re working with, who’s running the weddings, and who’s walking the property with them on their big day.

My biggest advice for anyone starting to build a social media presence is simple:

Be consistent. Daily posting is ideal, but whatever schedule you choose, stick to it.

Show up as a resource. Share information, not just photos.

Talk to your audience. Real engagement builds real trust.

Tell your story. People want to see you.

Create blogs or longer-form content. This drives people back to your page and positions you as an expert.

Audience growth isn’t about going viral—it’s about showing up, building trust, and giving people a reason to stay connected. That’s how we built our community, and it’s still how we approach social media today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://7flodge.com/
• Instagram: @7f.lodge.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/7Flodge/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@7flodgeandevents793
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/7f-lodge-college-station-2

Image Credits

Beth Symons Photography
Rachel Driskell Photography
San Angel Photo
Jamie Hardin Photography