We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shanna McDavid-Stamm. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shanna below.
Shanna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. 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?
I went through your story and changed it somewhat then run it through Chat and changed it some from that here it is :
My journey actually began back in 2004, when I was in college and planning my own wedding. I attended a wedding exposition in Louisville, KY, and was instantly drawn in. I met venue owners, planners, and coordinators—and I loved everything about the business. I even thought, “I would love to be a wedding planner,” (fitting, since The Wedding Planner is one of my favorite movies). But at the time, I convinced myself it wasn’t realistic in my area—too much travel, not enough clients.
Fast forward 18 years. I started volunteering to decorate for my cousins’ weddings, and eventually for my brother’s. After his wedding, the venue owner told me I had a real gift for decorating and encouraged me to pursue it. That planted the seed. I bought a little she-shed, filled it with wedding décor, and gave it a try. After two weddings, I realized it wasn’t sustainable—too much work for too little pay, and every bride wanted something different.
That’s when the idea of owning a venue took root. I pitched it to my husband, and he believed I could do it. We started looking for land or barns to renovate, even put in an offer that fell through. Then, out of the blue, my best friend’s mom—who owns a bridal shop—told me about a property by the lake that might go up for sale. At first I said, “I can’t just walk up to someone’s house and ask if they’ll sell!” But with my best friend by my side, that’s exactly what I did. To my surprise, the owner didn’t hesitate—he invited us to look around and said yes.
We sold our home and moved onto the new property the following February. It was a dream location—inside city limits, with hilltop views and a lake that photographers adore. The only downside? Red tape. Permits, surveys, and hiring an architect set us back $15,000 before we even started construction.
Finally, in 2023—about a year and a half later—construction began. My family pitched in on everything: pouring sidewalks, creating dressing rooms, bathrooms, a kitchen, and transforming what used to be a heavy machinery garage into a reception hall . We also built a beautiful open air chapel. The before-and-after pictures are incredible—it could have been a TV show.
We finished just one week before our grand opening on April 20, 2024. That first year was tough—only 10 weddings and a few small events. Since most brides book a year in advance, the bills weighed heavy, and I prayed constantly about whether we’d make it. But by January 2025, the tide turned. Tours picked up, bookings increased, and word spread throughout the Tri-State area. Now, in our second fall season, we’re hosting two weddings every weekend from August through November.
This journey hasn’t been easy, and I wear many hats: I give tours, manage décor inventory, clean, handle landscaping, design florals, create social media content, and oversee marketing—just to name a few. But compared to my 21 years as a respiratory therapist, where I met people at their worst moments, weddings are such a joy. Here, I get to meet people at their very best, surrounded by love and celebration.
I couldn’t have done this without my village—my husband, kids, parents, in-laws, grandmother, siblings, cousins, and best friends. They’ve all poured time and energy into making this possible.
Most importantly, God has blessed this journey beyond anything I imagined. Through this venue, I’ve met so many couples and families, listened to their stories, and carried their needs into prayer. It has become more than a business—it’s truly a ministry. And what a blessing it has been.
Shanna, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My business name is 4-Ever After Weddings & Events, LLC . Opened April 20, 2024.
I own an Open Air Chapel for wedding ceremonies. A reception area that’s holds wedding receptions, birthday parties, baby showers, bridal parties and much more.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://its4everafter.com
- Instagram: @4everafterweddings
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19h9E7dF7q/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/4-ever-after-weddings-and-events-grayson
Image Credits
Shane W Day Photography
Ginger Snaps Photography