Today we’d like to introduce you to Carley Hyden Groseclose.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In 2010, I left my corporate career to pursue a Master’s in Counseling. I did not have a clear path, but I knew two things 1) I wanted to do something that I felt passionate about and 2) that I loved helping people. I was ready for a change and day dreamed of a life that felt full, purposeful and fun.
While in graduate school, I began living on the property of a Bed & Breakfast and soon after, started helping with their wedding caterings on weekends. Although I grew up in a family owned restaurant and helped my Dad often, this was my first introduction to the world of weddings. I loved celebrating people, felt honored to be a part of such joyous occasions & found a sense of pride in a seamlessly executed event (I definitely got that part from my Dad!). Through this experience, I became connected with another property and in 2016, was given the opportunity to start my own venue there. I was headed into my internships, but I decided that the universe had something else in store, so seized the opportunity & started a new chapter. I moved onsite, was married on the property shortly after and with my husband (and the help from our amazing friends and family) we started The Wildflower Country Event Center (between Wimberley & San Marcos). When the pandemic hit, we thought that was the end of our story. We had spent years building the business and finally had a booked calendar for the Spring season, so the cancellations were devastating. Instead of closing up shop though, we found that there were still couples who wanted to move forward with their original dates, even if they could not have the big party they had hoped for. We wanted to help and in that pivot, I found my love for elopements and more intimate events. This is when Feverfew & Co. was born. Feverfew is a type of flower I use often in my whimsical, wildflower designs (many people ask!). Through Feverfew & Co., my destination and adventure elopement company, I have had the opportunity to travel to places like Big Bend National Park, Costa Rica, Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest, celebrating love.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have been many struggles along the way, but I have come to a place where I understand that they are just opportunities to get closer to what you should really be doing. When I started, I thought things needed to look a certain way and really struggled when my plan wasn’t going the way I envisioned. When the pandemic came, I thought it was all over, but instead it lead to a discovery of a new passion and a new business. It can also be difficult to stay true to what you want. I have often felt that maybe I am doing too much, or not enough, but I want what I offer to be as unique as the experiences I am creating. In the past 10 years I have learned that I cannot see the future, but I can try and enjoy the ride!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am most known for is creating experiences that are approachable, thoughtful and fun. I wear a lot of hats (I am the planner, the officiant, the florist and the venue owner for many our couples) but I also leave room to customize each wedding so that it can meet each couple’s unique needs and vision. My style is to keep things simple, yet unique; fluid, yet perfectly planned. I believe that our couples should get more with an intimate celebration and not less, so we are the opposite of a “courthouse” style elopement. Even with our smallest packages, I want things to feel unique, special and a true celebration of this important moment in their life! I offer our “Texas” elopement packages anywhere from San Antonio to Austin, have two private venues in the Hill Country for a complete experience and we are ready to wander across the globe with our adventure and destination offerings.
What’s next?
This year I will be officially launching Fox Bird Grove, an intimate guest property in Canyon Lake. Fox Bird Grove was created with our elopement couples in mind and we are excited to share this space with others! This is my opportunity to host couples for elopements, honeymoons, anniversaries, proposals and more.
Pricing:
- Feverfew & Co Texas elopement packages starting at $1,000
- Feverfew & Co. micro wedding planning services starting at $2,000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.feverfewandco.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feverfewandco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Feverfewandco/
