Madalyn Edwards
Author
Nestled in rural Surry County in Westfield is an event venue with sprawling meadows, hiking trails, and a strong sense of togetherness guests can experience with their loved ones.
Daniel and Ann Wilson are the owners of Big Creek Lodge. They acquired the property for the lodge ten years ago. At the time, they were already operating the Luna’s Trail Farm and Event Center, named after their dog, who loved to roam the surrounding trails and meadows. The new acquisition meant they could expand the business, taking full advantage of the now 350-acre property.
On the far side of the property from the Luna’s Trail Venue, they built Big Creek Lodge as a more intimate event space with nine rooms for guest. This brought the total occupancy of the property up to 46 people when combined with the three previously existing cabins. They also added a full-service restaurant for guests and the general public to enjoy.
Daniel Wilson said he was excited to use the new space, and already had numerous weddings booked at the Lodge. But there was one problem:
“We open up, and two weeks later, there’s a global pandemic and we’re canceling almost every wedding we have on the book,” he said. Both Big Creek Lodge and the Luna’s Trail Venue had to be completely shut down.
The brand new restaurant they had just built was suddenly empty too. Guests were not allowed inside or even on the front porch.
Daniel and Ann Wilson were faced with a difficult decision: should they completely close the restaurant or switch to takeout services? Together, the Wilsons and the recently hired chef decided to offer takeout.
“My wife and I were in there washing dishes,” Wilson said. “We were being the expeditors.”
The many months of delay and upheaval were not what they had hoped for the grand opening of their new space. “It was challenging, for sure,” Wilson said.
Eventually, they were able to transition to counter services, but they waited to book weddings until it seemed safer to do so.
Today, the restaurant is open from Thursday afternoon through Sunday brunch, on a reservation basis. The menu offers a variety of dishes including steak, salmon, pasta, chicken marsala, pizza, and burgers. A new menu update will offer old favorites as well as a broader variety of southern-inspired cuisine.
Weddings and other events are also back on the books. Between the Luna’s Trail Venue and Big Creek Lodge, the property hosts around 60 weddings per year, but they are capable of hosting upwards of 80 per year if they choose to.
Wilson says there are several reasons why guests choose the Luna’s Trail Farm and Event Center to host their weddings and events.
First, the lodge allows guests to “relax, spend time, and celebrate.” The Wilsons offer packages where guests can stay on-site with their family and friends prior to the wedding. This helps minimize stress for the happy couple on their wedding day. Emphasizing togetherness throughout the stay means guests don’t have to worry about cramming in quality time during the reception.
Another advantage is that guests don’t have to worry about being in a rush to set up the decorations or take photos. With plenty of time and space at Big Creek Lodge, guests are able to enjoy their setting and take plenty of pictures.
One final plus of the venues is the scenery. Big Creek Lodge offers “incredible” views of Hanging Rock, the Sauratown Mountains, and Pilot Mountain. The Luna Trail Venue is surrounded by meadows which allow guests to feel like they’re “in their own little world out there.”
Wilson said availability for the venues can vary, but in some cases weekend dates can become available throughout the year due to cancellations. The general public can stay as well, though non-wedding bookings only open up three months in advance to accommodate for wedding guests.
Some guests return year after year, and many couples who held their wedding at the venues return to celebrate occasions such as their anniversary. Wilson loves receiving feedback from guests, hearing heartwarming messages about their stay and special day.
“I hear from people that they really enjoyed their time and they say that our staff was happy and helpful,” he said. “I think those are the most rewarding times of the job.”
Despite the disruption of pandemic shutdowns, the Wilsons continue to update and expand amenities to better serve their guests. They’re adding a ropes course, swimming pool, and fourth cabin. Daniel Wilson hopes the ropes course in particular will attracted companies that want to engage in team-building activities.
For information about booking a stay or wedding, contact Daniel Wilson at office@lunatrails.com or call at (336) 351-2052. Dining reservations may be made on their website at lunastrail.com. The owners also offer tours for wedding guests.
