Destination weddings are fun but not in every girl’s budget! Brett and Lisa Riihimaa, owners of Taivas Farm, are attempting to change that by bringing Gatlinburg Tennessee to Gadsden, Alabama.

Brett and Lisa, both of Finnish descent, selected the name Taivas because in Finnish it means “ heaven.” And… that is just what Brett set out to build on his 87 acre lot. It was always Brett’s intention to clear his land, build a cabin, and turn it into a weekend getaway for his family to enjoy feeling secluded without going too far from home. He hadn’t quite got around to it when his daughter, Allison, got engaged and started looking for a wedding venue. She wanted a picturesque mountainside, much like what you would see in Gatlinburg, to serve as a backdrop but she also wanted a touch of rustic farm. Once they started looking for locations, they realized they had everything they needed, in their own back yard! 

Brett wanted his daughter to have the wedding she had always dreamed of having, so he quickly started to work building their own destination wedding venue. He built a charming barn with reclaimed wood from the Jacksonville tornado that had just come through earlier that year. As they started building and plans came together, Brett decided that he wanted to offer his own piece of heaven to all brides, so that every bride- no matter their budget could have a dream wedding! 

Allison had the wedding of her dreams inside that beautiful barn on May 4, 2019 with her proud dad by her side. Soon after they were booking other weddings and events. 

Taivas Farm offers both indoor and outdoor space. The barn serves as their indoor venue, reception area, and upstairs is the bridal suite. The barn is perfectly suited for parties up to 150, with a built in bar area. On-site is also two groom’s cabin. For the outdoor space, you can choose to say your vows on a manicured lawn underneath a wooden arch or beside a peaceful pond with nature’s beauty all around you. Their website’s 360 virtual tour feature makes it real easy to get a feel of the place. 

Because of the neutral design, Taivas Farm can easily go from rustic to elegant, depending on the brides’ style. They offer a wide range of decor and if you have a specific request, Brett just might build it for you! He is always thinking of things to add. He is currently working on a seven acre lake to serve as the backdrop for a waterside service! Venue manager (Brett’s daughter), Rebecca will be there to help plan your perfect wedding. On your wedding day, you can rest assured knowing that Brett and his team are going to make sure that Taivas Farm feels like heaven to you! 

Conveniently, located off of HWY 431 in Glencoe, Alabama, Taivas Farms is just a short drive from Gadsden, Anniston, Oxford, and Birmingham. Offering several wedding packages, they try to accommodate every budget. They are still booking for 2019 and out.