Lavender Oaks Farm

What Lavender Oaks Farm does

Lavender Oaks Farm is a 60-acre private agritourism estate and luxury wedding venue located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, founded in November 2015 by Robert and Karen Macdonald. The company cultivates nine varieties of lavender (Lavandula X Intermedia and Lavandula Angustifolia) using a proprietary methodology adapted for North Carolina clay soil, including pH management (6.5-7), crimson clover cover cropping, raised mound planting rows with 3-foot plant spacing, drip irrigation with water meters, and white weed fabric. The farm features two circa-1900 timber-frame barns totaling 7,000 square feet plus a 3,500 square foot outdoor terrace and pavilion barn. The first 4,000 lavender cuttings were planted on April 27, 2017; the farm is currently replanting over 2,000 additional cuttings after storm damage forced suspension of U-Pick operations for 2025.

The business operates across four revenue streams: (1) wedding and special event venue rentals at $14,500 per event, including all-inclusive wedding planning, event management, decor, in-house linens, furniture, bars, cocktail tables, and stationery design and printing, with add-ons such as in-house bar services from $18/person and floral packages from $3,000; (2) a year-round Lavender Boutique selling handmade culinary products (syrups, teas, spice blends, BBQ rubs, honey, jams) and apothecary products (soaps, lotions, serums, salves, sachets, mist sprays, roll-ons, bath salts), open Tuesdays through Thursdays 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM; (3) ticketed culinary lavender lunch tours at $65 per person and private group tours for 25+ guests; and (4) photography session access with log cabin rental at $75 per hour. The primary customer segment is luxury wedding couples with average event budgets of $35,000-$40,000 for 100-125 guests, supplemented by farm visitors, group tour clients (garden clubs, senior groups, corporate events), lavender product consumers, and photographers.

Lavender Oaks Farm is structured as Lavender Oaks Farm, LLC, a privately held North Carolina entity owned and operated by the Macdonald family with no external institutional investment. The go-to-market motion is direct-to-consumer combined with event-driven commerce, supported by social media presence (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, X), an email newsletter with 796 subscribers, listings on The Knot and WeddingWire wedding marketplaces, and direct outreach handled by Karen Macdonald. The company employs the two founders plus two seasonal Spring/Summer Event Interns.

Name

Lavender Oaks Farm

Legal name

Lavender Oaks Farm, LLC

Website

https://lavenderoaks.farm

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Lavender Oaks Farm is a 60-acre private agritourism estate and luxury wedding venue in Chapel Hill, NC, cultivating nine lavender varieties and operating an all-inclusive wedding venue, a year-round lavender boutique, culinary tours, and farm events for wedding couples, group tour clients, and product consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agritourism & Event Venue Services

NAICS

Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture Production (1114), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Nursery, Garden Center, and Farm Supply Retailers (44424)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Agritourism Eco-Lodges & Farm Nature Stays (THAAAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Farm-to-Table & Agritourism Dining Experiences (Farm Visits, Harvest Meals) (THAJAGAK), Farm Stays & Agritourism Lodges (THAMADAH), Farmstead & Local Artisan Food Markets (Retail Shops) (CRAHAGAO), Herb Farming (Basil, Parsley, Cilantro, Mint, Dill) (AFAGADAK), Wedding & Bridal Floral (Bouquets, Boutonnieres, Corsages) (HSACAOAJ)

Keywords

• Lavender farm operations
• Wedding venue rental
• Agritourism experiences
• Culinary lavender tours
• Artisanal lavender products

Headquarters

HQ city

Chapel Hill

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Wedding Venue Rental: Premium wedding venue rental at $14,500 per event including full wedding planning, event management, decor, design and printing of stationery, in-house linens, outdoor furniture, lounge sets, bars, cocktail tables, and extensive decor collection. Average wedding budget of couples is $35,000-$40,000 for 100-125 guests.
2. Lavender Boutique Retail Sales: Year-round retail sales of handmade culinary lavender products (syrups, teas, spice blends, rubs, honey, jams) and apothecary products (soaps, lotions, serums, rubs, sachets, salves, sprays, roll-ons, bath salts). Also sells dried lavender bundles year-round and fresh lavender in June and early July.
3. Culinary Lavender Events: Ticketed culinary lavender lunch tours at $65 per person. Group tours (25+ people) available year-round with private field tours, presentations, and buffet lunch. Individual lunch dates offered multiple times per season.
4. Farm Events: Seasonal farm events including artisan workshops, culinary lavender events, candle making, and other farm experiences offered throughout fall and winter seasons.
5. Additional Wedding Services: Add-on services including in-house bar services starting at $18 per person, floral packages starting at $3,000, rehearsal dinners and bridal luncheons for booked couples.
6. Photography Sessions: Photography session fees including log cabin rental at $75 per hour for wardrobe changes during professional photography sessions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Lavender Oaks Farm operates a 60-acre private agritourism estate in Chapel Hill, NC that serves as a luxury all-inclusive wedding venue with two historic circa-1900 timber-frame barns, a year-round retail Lavender Boutique selling handmade culinary and apothecary lavender products, and ticketed agritourism experiences including culinary lavender lunch tours, farm-to-fork dinners, artisan workshops, and professional photography sessions. Revenue is generated primarily from wedding venue rentals at $14,500 per event, ticketed culinary tours at $65 per person, and on-site retail sales of products made from the farm's nine lavender varieties.

Product overview

Lavender Oaks Farm is a 60-acre agritourism farm and luxury wedding venue in Chapel Hill, NC. The core offering consists of: (1) a Lavender Boutique selling handmade culinary products (syrups, teas, spice blends, jams, honey) and apothecary products (soaps, lotions, salves, sachets, bath salts) all made from the farm's own lavender; (2) a Wedding Venue Rental service featuring two historic barns with all-inclusive planning, decor, and design services; (3) Farm Events including workshops, culinary events, and farm tours; and (4) Culinary Lavender Lunch Tours providing educational and dining experiences. The farm cultivates nine lavender varieties across its fields.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wedding Venue Rental All-inclusive luxury wedding and special event venue rental on a 60-acre private estate featuring two historic timber-frame barns, outdoor terrace, and pavilion barn. Includes in-house wedding planning, event management, decor, graphic design, and printing services, with capacity for 100-250 guests. Add-on services include in-house bar starting at $18 per person and floral packages starting at $3,000.
• Lavender Boutique Retail Retail shop selling handmade culinary and apothecary lavender products made from the farm's own lavender oil, dried buds, and fresh flowers. Accepts credit cards, Apple Pay, Venmo, and cash. Open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM in a building adjacent to the Pavilion Barn.
• Culinary Lavender Lunch Tour Guided culinary lavender tour experience including a private tour of lavender fields, presentation on growing lavender in North Carolina, and a culinary lavender buffet lunch. Public individual tour dates offered multiple times per season at $65 per person.
• Private Group Lunch & Learn Tour Private group tour for 25 or more guests featuring a private lavender field tour, educational presentation on growing lavender in North Carolina, and a culinary lavender buffet lunch. Booked directly via email and available year-round for garden clubs, senior groups, corporate events, and sports teams.
• Farm Events and Artisan Workshops Seasonal agritourism events including artisan workshops, culinary lavender events, and candle-making workshops held on the farm throughout fall and winter seasons. Ticketed through Square payment links.
• Professional Photography Sessions Professional and amateur photography sessions on the farm during lavender season, with designated shooting areas and optional log cabin rental for wardrobe changes at $75 per hour (includes full restrooms, covered porch, and temperature-controlled space). Welcomes individuals, couples, and families of six or fewer during open hours.
• Lavender Farm-to-Fork Dinners Dinner events featuring lavender-inspired and lavender-infused menus using the farm's own lavender, hosted at the farm as special culinary experiences.

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Blondell Properties (Colleen Blondell)minorOthersReal estate agent who helped Robert and Karen Macdonald find and purchase the 45 acres of forest land that became Lavender Oaks Farm in 2015. Assisted with the adjacent 14.5 acres purchase in 2017 to complete the 60-acre property.
• The KnotcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWedding marketplace platform where Lavender Oaks Farm maintains a professional vendor profile, enabling wedding couples to discover and book the venue.
• WeddingWirecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWedding marketplace platform where Lavender Oaks Farm maintains a vendor storefront, enabling couples to find, review, and inquire about booking the venue.
• Wedding Vendors (Caterers, Bartenders, Florists)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecommended vendor list provided to booked couples including caterers, bartenders, florists, and other wedding service providers. In-house bar services also available starting at $18/person.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Blackberry Farm: Walland, TN luxury agritourism resort with farm-to-table dining, gardens, event venue, and artisanal product retail. Larger and broader-scope comparable illustrating the upscale end of the lavender/farm-wedding-retail concept Lavender Oaks is pursuing.
• Old Edwards Inn and Spa: Highlands, NC luxury resort with wedding venues, restaurants, and event spaces. Comparable as a Southeastern luxury wedding venue with comparable per-event pricing and similar reliance on destination-style bookings.

Direct peers

• Pelindaba Lavender Farm: San Juan Islands, WA lavender farm with on-site retail shop selling culinary and apothecary lavender products plus tours and events. Directly comparable as a lavender-cultivation-plus-boutique-plus-agritourism operation with similar product mix.
• Lavender Hill Farm: Michigan lavender farm offering U-Pick, tours, weddings, and on-site retail. Closely comparable in combining lavender cultivation, agritourism experiences, wedding venue use, and a handmade product boutique on a single farm property.
• The Barn at Valhalla: NC-based rustic wedding/event barn venue. Comparable in target customer (wedding couples seeking all-inclusive estate venue) and use of historic timber-frame barn structures on private rural land.
• 1870 Farm: Agri-tourism farm and wedding venue outside Austin, TX with on-site lodging, culinary events, and farm experiences. Comparable as a multi-revenue-stream agritourism property combining weddings, dining, and farm-stay experiences on rural land.
• Fearrington Village: Chatham County, NC luxury wedding and event venue with restaurants, inn, and gardens. Closest geographic comparable in the North Carolina Triangle area for premium wedding venue operations and on-property hospitality experiences.

Regional players

• Merrimon-Wynne House: Historic Raleigh, NC wedding and event venue. Comparable as a Triangle-area premium wedding venue competing for the same couples and wedding marketplace visibility, though operating in an urban rather than farm setting.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lavenderoaksnc
• Facebookfacebook.com/lavenderoaksfarmnc
• Instagraminstagram.com/lavenderoaks
• Pinterestpinterest.com/lavenderoaksnc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lavender-oaks-farm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lavender Oaks Farm