Kobi Cummings and the Magical Transformation of The Valley Venues

The Valley Venues, a newly established wedding and event venue in Wildwood, Georgia, is the stuff of fairytales. Nestled in lush woods just 10 miles outside Chattanooga, Tennessee., the historic home, barn, and property strike remarkable similarity to one dream home in everyone’s favorite love story, The Notebook. Co-owner and former Disney Imagineer Kobi Cummings dreamt up the entire concept and hopes every guest who arrives on the property feels that they’ve stepped into a movie-magic moment, too.

The Venue

The Valley Venues has a remarkable history rooted in the Cummings family. Initially purchased by Paul Cummings, an acclaimed motivational speaker, and Kobi’s father, the property served as the company headquarters, where Paul hosted countless events over the span of two decades. However, in 2018, a stroke left Paul with aphasia, a language disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate, putting an end to his speaking career.

This life-altering event could have led to despair, but instead, it became the catalyst for an inspiring new chapter in the Cummings family’s journey. Kobi proposed transforming the property into a wedding and event venue, combining her talents for visual design and world-building with Paul’s love of hosting events to create an unforgettable destination. 

Together, with Kobi’s eye for design and Paul’s valuable insights, the father-daughter duo set out to create a one-of-a-kind property. Now, The Valley Venues is a warm and welcoming sanctuary and an inclusive space for celebrating life’s most memorable moments. 

The Visionary

Kobi is an inspired, creative mind passionate about bringing fantasy worlds to life. In 2019, she graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Production Design and a minor in Themed Entertainment, which laid the foundation for her early career. 

Kobi’s journey led her to Disney Live Entertainment, where she found success as an Arts Specialist, designing enchanting props for live shows and parades at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. She spent her days dreaming and creating right beside the iconic Cinderella Castle. 

Kobi’s deep desire to curate magical experiences led her to the idea of basing The Valley Venues’ theme on The Notebook, one of her favorite love stories. When guests arrive at The Valley Venues, Kobi works tirelessly to ensure they feel an immediate sense of comfort, romance, and awe at the ethereal beauty of the property. 

A Stroke of Genius

While The Valley Venues was founded in 2023, the property has been in the Cummings family for much longer. Paul purchased the property in 1995, and over the years, he gave thousands of speeches on the property to listeners from around the world. 

After Paul’s diagnosis, with the family focused solely on his recovery, the property fell into disrepair. However, Paul made a miraculous recovery thanks to a lot of hard work, support from the entire family, and a great medical team. He then turned his attention back to the historic home that had given him so much over the years.

Although Paul considered selling the property, the idea never felt right. After revisiting the property with her father just last year, Kobi was struck by the idea of transforming the space to bring happiness to others through events and weddings. Restoring the property had been a shared dream between the two, and once the idea was spoken aloud, there was no turning back.

In 2022, Kobi began drafting designs for the various event spaces that would soon become The Valley Venues. 

Spanning over an impressive 74 acres of breathtaking property, The Valley Venues boasts seven distinct event spaces with unique character and ambiance. From the enchanting valleys to the grand halls and the ethereal greenhouses to the rustic barns, guests can immerse themselves in various captivating settings that cater to diverse preferences and event styles. The accommodations include a charming lodge thoughtfully designed to comfortably sleep up to 14 guests and four delightful one- and two-bedroom cabins. With a total capacity of up to 22 guests across all dwelling options, the venue ensures that clients can easily celebrate their special day while their guests revel in the convenience and comfort of on-site lodging.

What truly sets The Valley Venues apart is an unyielding commitment to offering unparalleled personalization and service. Kobi and her father curated an extensive decor library featuring various backdrops, signage, arches, and more, empowering clients to select elements that resonate with their style and vision. 

With Paul’s guidance, Kobi meticulously crafted every detail at The Valley Venues to ensure excellence in all aspects of the experience. The team takes great pride in going above and beyond to create unforgettable moments that exceed expectations. Whether it’s a wedding, a corporate event, or any other celebration, The Valley Venues is devoted to making every occasion just as remarkable as the team behind it.