Legacy at Oak Meadows: Wedding Venue Spotlight

It’s Spotlight Day! Where we introduce you to incredible Orlando wedding venues and vendors,  and the stories behind their companies who help Wedding Venue Map couples have their best wedding day. 

It gives us great pleasure to introduce Tera McNaughton from Legacy at Oak Meadows.

What motivates you to do this every day?

Knowing that we may play a part in a couple beginning their legacy and helping them create and develop their legacy through possible future relationships and events! Knowing that we can help to enrich other’s lives, excites me!

What is the best compliment you have received from your clients?

“Legacy at Oak Meadows is absolute perfection! The moment I stepped out of the car for my first visit, I knew instantly that it was where I wanted to marry the love of my life. There are no words to adequately describe the beauty of the land at Legacy. From the outdoor ceremony space encompassed in mature trees to the gorgeous pond and spacious outdoor open-air Sawgrass Barn to the perfect Magnolia grove to the amazing luxurious yet rustic White Barn, every square inch of this property is perfect. Combine that with gracious, professional, and dedicated owners, Tera and Chad McNaughton, and you have the right mix for your dream day. I cannot begin to describe how wonderful the wedding planning experience was because of Tera and Chad. They are the salt of the earth. Not only did we get to host our dream wedding at Legacy, but we also made new friends.

Whether you are hosting an extravagant affair (I think Tera said the White Barn holds more than 250 people) or an intimate get-together (we had about 50 guests), Legacy at Oak Meadows is the only choice.

Oh! And this location is awesome for your vendor teams. Lots of space, connectivity, a gorgeous bridal bungalow to get pampered in and so much more!”  -Beverly Crawford

Share the details of your most memorable event and why?

We had been creating and “building” our property for a couple of years, keeping our vision and goals at the forefront of our minds. A vision, that was not only comprised of tangible structures and amenities, but one that goes further and deeper…..one that’s foundation is that of relationships and family enrichment. We were working long hours in order to complete our barn in time for our first “White Barn Wedding”. It was the Fall of 2020. The world was dealing with Covid 19 and everything that came with it. Even shortages. As we were getting down to the final weeks, we knew we would be cutting it close, but failure was NOT an option, especially for this couple. We have known them since they were in diapers. The parents of the bride were at our wedding. As we counted down, the months turned into weeks. And just weeks before the wedding, within one month, the groom lost both of his parents, in separate incidences. The family was devastated and so was our small community. Tears were shed over the details….over the loss of the two individuals….over the family’s heartache…..and over this couple and what they were enduring. After the shock wore off, Chad and I talked about the fact we couldn’t imagine how two people, who had dated for so many years, who had been so excited and looking forward to their special day for so long….how they felt or could even navigate the days to come. We had several conversations with family members, and even in their grief, they were looking forward to celebrating the joining of these two lives! There were even more obstacles I won’t mention, that if I told you, you probably wouldn’t believe. But when it came time for their wedding ceremony and reception, you never would have known! We watched as friends and family members stepped in to fill and help to fill roles where challenges arose. Challenges that were outside the scope of our venue. Watching as so many worked to bring this day together was a blessing and something etched into our memories forever. We will never forget all the energy, effort, and love that went into making this couple’s special day, perfect! And we will never forget how in one day, in such a time of grief, the couple, their family, and loved ones honored those who couldn’t be there due to their passing AND celebrated with joy, the joining of two lives in covenant with God! In spite of the rollercoaster of events, obstacles, and emotions, LOVE superseded it all. Life can bring a lot of pain, but also many opportunities to LOVE. And LOVE is action.

What fun fact would people be surprised to learn about you?

When I was in High School, I was on the Florida High School Rodeo Circuit, competing mainly in Breakaway Roping and Goat Tying. I did well in these sports, placing and winning the FL State Goat Tying Championship and the Saddle my Senior year. I went on to compete in the National Finals Rodeo in Wyoming, where I finished in the top 10 in both events.

What gets you most excited about the wedding day?

Knowing that two hearts are becoming one in the covenant. Physically speaking, I love to see the look on the Groom’s face as he lays eyes on his Bride as she is about to walk down the aisle.

What is your favorite wedding tradition?

The Salt Covenant!

How do you spend your time away from work?

Doing recreational things like hunting, fishing, or 4 -wheeling with my husband and two children.

How did they come up with the name of your venue?

The land that our venue is on was called “Oak Meadows” before we purchased it. Our farm name is Legacy Farms. My husband and I are passionate about families and the legacy they begin and set in motion. It made sense to us to name it Legacy at Oak Meadows.

Use three words to describe your business?

Authentic, Intentional, Excellence

What types of events do you specialize in?

Weddings, Family Reunions, Corp Gatherings, Milestone celebrations such as 50th Anniversaries and 50th birthdays!

Tell us about your favorite type of engaged couple.

Couples who understand the importance of covenant and care about their legacy, want to live it out and leave through their children.

What is one of the features of why couples choose your venue?

Couples love that our venue has a beautiful and functional layout with plenty of space for the flow of their day!

What does your most popular package include?

Our White Barn Package is our most popular. It includes:
A 12-hour rental
An air-conditioned bridal bungalow for the bridal party to get ready
Ceremony site with seating for up to 200
A fully equipped summer kitchen with a commercial over, sink, refrigerator/freezer, t.v./sat., two full restrooms w/showers, a seating area, and a fire pit with Adirondack chairs and hanging daybed close by.
An “Ice House” with an ice machine that offers 450 lbs. of ice/day. This structure has two huge double windows that swing open and can be used for cocktail hour.
Sawgrass Barn, an open-air barn on the water with chandeliers and market lighting. This barn offers 1,800 sq. ft. under the roof and a 1,800 open gravel courtyard. This area can be used as an alternative ceremony site. This barn can also be booked for rehearsal dinner for an additional fee. (Absolutely stunning atmosphere!)
The spring-fed clear pond the Sawgrass Barn sits on has a dock with blue lights dropped underwater so that after dark, the water under and around the dock glows blue. It attracts a lot of fish to view.
Out from the Sawgrass Barn is an old oak tree with a vintage International truck, adorned with a chandelier dangling above, ready for photos!
Our property has tons of gorgeous photo ops, including our field of magnolia trees, canopies of oaks, fields of fern, broom sage, our cute little vintage shed with vines and fern naturally caressing its roof and sides, and more!
An enclosed air-conditioned (and heated) farmhouse/industrial white barn offering over 7,000 sq. ft. It also has an air-conditioned rustic Groom’s Loft for the guys to get ready (very masculine), as well as two restrooms, a vintage truck bar with a pallet wood backdrop, a brick wall photo op area, a caterer’s room with sink, cooler and stainless steel tables, 23 handcrafted farm tables and cross-back wooden chairs to seat up to 200 (options for additional seating up to 260), two projectors to project slideshows, pics or videos on the wall, a sound system with a wireless mic, five spectacular grand chandeliers, a generous dance floor, vintage lighting throughout, three industrial and very unique high tops, 5 additional cedar high tops for cocktail hour, a vintage white cake buffet, additional props and lanterns for decor, and lawn games such as Light-up Cornhole, Giant Jenga, and Yardzee.
Eight-seater golf cart transportation service.
PLENTY OF PARKING
Complete spraying of the ground’s perimeter for mosquitos and bugs.
And the cutest little miniature donkey herd in the pasture.
Venue staff member
Two hours of scheduled property access for engagement photos.
An hour and a half access for rehearsal.

What is the most unique services/product you offer?

(Soon to be lodging with recreational excursions.) We allow catch and release fishing!

Our property is unique, secluded, and peaceful. Many have commented how peaceful they feel at our venue and how it feels like “home”.

What is your best piece of advice for someone who just recently got engaged?

Invest in marriage counseling AND a wedding planner!!!!

What are the most common questions you get asked by engaged couples?

What packages do we offer?
If we book the outdoor Sawgrass Barn Package and it rains the day of our wedding, can we upgrade to the white barn the same day?

What current trends have you seen at weddings that you personally like the most?

After the ceremony and pics, the bride and groom have their first dance together, alone in the white barn before the guests are allowed inside.

The best piece of advice to reduce stress in the planning process.

HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER!!!

What is the biggest mistake that people make when venue searching?

They shop based on online info., without making a site visit to view the venue, its grounds, and all we have to offer. The pictures do NOT do our venue justice and many have stated that!

What’s a tip for couples as they are navigating the planning process?

After hiring a wedding planner, set a budget and then set a “perks budget” (that maximum additional money you are willing to spend) and stick to it. If there is something you want and it’s not in your budget, you may be able to make adjustments in other areas to free up money!

What can couples do to combat nerves on the wedding day?

All jokes aside, prayer changes things! Just ask us <3
Hiring a wedding planner that also serves as your “day of” coordinator, and PREPARATION is your solution to having a virtually stress-free day! Don’t stay up the night before partying! Get a good night’s rest!