Tucked away in the Carthage countryside, Magnolia Cottage of Bell Ridge Farm offers Moore County a down-to-earth, charming venue for weddings, baby showers, birthdays, and other planned events.
Owners Crystal Smith-Ross and Dennis Ross have been hard at work for over a year and are still making progress every day.
Based on over two decades of event planning experience, Crystal saw an opportunity to revitalize the family farm when tobacco farming ceased. “I’ve been dreaming about it for around five years now,” she explained. “I realized we had this building sitting here, and we were doing nothing with it, and on top of that, I’ve got I know how to do events. I talked Dennis into refurbishing the building and then built the pavilions.”
So far, in addition to the cottage itself, the venue also offers a small pavilion and lots of open space, and a larger pavilion is nearing completion. The cottage is equipped with a catering kitchen, a bridal suite, and a groom’s suite. Crystal also noted the groom’s suite is fitted with entertainment amenities, including a game table and TV, which are perfect for other celebrations such as birthday parties.
Entertainment amenities
Crystal admitted that her favorite part so far has been meeting their potential clients and joining in on the excitement. “I’ve enjoyed getting to meet more people in Moore County because I grew up in Deep River, and my husband has lived here all his life,” she said, laughing. “It’s exciting to see what happens here.”
Crystal described the overall atmosphere as having a farm feeling and a French cottage vibe. She noted that the buildings are painted white, and the large pavilion is “nestled into pine trees,” making the whole property very scenic. Clients are welcome to use both the Magnolia Cottage of Bell Ridge Farm venue and the family’s larger farm — which includes silos, tractors, barns, and ponds — for professional photography sessions.
Parties of nearly any size are welcome. Crystal noted small elopements of just two people are welcome, as are large crowds. The property can accommodate up to 300 people, allowing for hosting large gatherings.
Bridal suite
Clients are welcome to bring in their own vendors and caterers, or they can work with Crystal, and she can put her 20+ years of experience to good use, assisting them with the planning process using a selection of vendors that frequently work with the venue.
Looking ahead, Crystal and Dennis hope to keep improving and expanding Magnolia Cottage.
For more information on bookings and events, visit www.magnoliacottageeventsandvenue.com or call Crystal at 919-770-5614.
Photos by Taylor Danielle Photography.
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Abegail Murphy.
