The Independence Hotel loves to host big groups and larger scale events, but depending on your itinerary, you may also be looking for event spaces before spending the night with us. If so, you’re in luck, because we recently chatted with Ginger Lushenko of Green Villa Barn. If you’re planning a wedding or a big birthday bash, prom, or epic family reunion, Green Villa is an incredible event space with fascinating history that will check off all of your boxes for sophisticated and fun while still feeling rustic in Oregon’s expansive Willamette Valley. Read below to learn all about the space from Ginger herself, and don’t forget to book your rooms us here at The Independence Hotel!
Green Villa Barn is a historical building built in 1928. Used as a dance hall during Prohibition, this timeless venue gives a rustic charm that is felt the moment you step on the property.
Questions for Ginger:
Independence Hotel (IH): Can you tell me a little bit about your background and how it led to Green Villa?
Ginger Lushenko (GL): So my family started farming in Independence in 1978 at Green Villa Farms. My dad, Joost, farmed primarily row crops and grass seed. We had Strawberry fields that kids would come out and pick berries every summer. My parents, Joost and Charlotte Vander, made it fun for kids to come out and learn to work. […] When my sister Samantha and I were in middle school our parents helped us start a fruit stand. We would pick fruit and vegetables and sell out by our house. This was how we learned customer service. The barn at the time was an old storage barn. Growing up my parents kept their sheep in there with a dirt floor, and no walls or electricity. (It was actually a bit creepy.) Eventually, the roof was falling in and my dad was ready to bulldoze it. My mom and I stopped him and said, “What if? What if we could bring it back to what is was meant to be?” You see this barn was built in 1928 during prohibition. They had parties in here until the mid 1940’s. This building was built for events. So we started the process of what it would look like to open an event space. I was currently working as a massage therapist and my parents were still farming full time. We created our outdoor garden across the street first. Mom put a sign out – “If we build it will you come?” We researched it and talked with friends in the industry. Having no background in the wedding business we just took it one step at a time. Our family is not afraid to get dirty and work hard. We are also a family of dreamers and doers. So we are constantly working to improve our property for others to enjoy. The rest is history.
Filled with charm, elegance, and grace, this venue is the perfect spot for a beautiful, low-fuss wine country wedding.
The landscaped garden is available for both your ceremony and reception.
IH: What about your work at Green Villa brings you the most joy?
GL: For sure working with my family. Family is everything. Also, creating a space that other families could come to and make memories of their own. It’s pretty amazing to see families and friends come together for events. To be able to provide space for that is very special.
IH: What makes Green Villa the ideal spot for a wedding?
GL: We are very flexible. From the beginning, 21 years ago, we wanted to create a space that families could come to and have what they want: the
food they want, the flowers they want, the decor they want. We can do as little or as much as the renter asks for. I think most people want a choice to
make their event special. We can give that to them.
IH: It feels as if Green Villa has lived many lives. (It was once a dance hall during 1920s prohibition?! How cool!) Do you feel that this history adds
charm and timelessness to the space?
GL: Yes! I feel like if these walls could talk they would have some stories!! And they don’t build buildings like this anymore. The structure is unique to the time and we really wanted to preserve that when we updated it.
IH: If you book Green Villa for your wedding, what is included in that package?
GL: We book our events for the day. The garden is rented from 10am to 10pm and the barn is rented 10am to midnight. We also include set up and
take down of the tables and chairs for 200 guests. We include a scheduled rehearsal for our weekend rates, and a kitchen so renters can bring in their
own food or use any caterer of their choice. We also have different rates on weekdays so couples can see what fits best in their budget. Weddings are not just on Saturdays anymore:)
IH: Are the garden and barn booked separately?
GL: So the barn comes with an outdoor space, which is great for a ceremony or extension of the reception. It also has lots of great outdoor photo spots. We also have our all-outdoor garden across the street from the barn, which is open June-mid September. It is a stunning outdoor space that is completely separate from the barn. They can rent separately or together.
IH: What is one of your favorite, and/or, one of the strangest things you’ve experienced at a wedding at Green Villa? Do you have a favorite wedding tradition?
GL: Every wedding is unique! Over the years I have seen family dynamics and it can be stressful for a couple trying to create a special day. I think when families can set aside any differences and come together to support a couple who is choosing to share their life together, that is magical. I love seeing new husbands or wives welcome their stepchildren into the family during the ceremony. I also love seeing a couple do private vows after or before the ceremony. I think it’s important to remember weddings are about a commitment to one another and not just a party:) BUUTTT the parties are fun:) We have had some fun themed weddings like Alice in Wonderland and Star Wars, Twilight, Disney, Lord of the Rings, and Legend of Zelda, but also more on trend weddings like boho chic, vintage, and country. It’s really fun to see everyone’s imagination come to life!
IH: Do you have a top recommended “do or don’t” for someone who is planning a wedding right now (especially concerning the space/venue)?
GL: Do – have what you like! We always recommend for the couple to have their favorites!! Don’t like cake? Have ice cream! Don’t like alcohol? OK, have a coffee bar! There are so many fun ways to create a unique event. If you like breakfast food have that for your food! Guests will remember it and have fun at events that are relaxed, and when the couple is relaxed in their choices then everyone has a great time!! Don’t–I would say don’t get caught up in others expectations. Remember what this day is about.
Green Villa Barn can set you up with an event coordinator so you can focus on what matters most to you.
IH: Green Villa, of course, is not only available for weddings! What are some of the other events for which you can book this space?
GL: We have proms, anniversary parties, and some celebrations of life. We also do fundraisers and open our doors to churches to use on Wednesdays at no charge if they are doing an outreach or not charging for others to get in.
IH: Can you share with us some of the pros and cons (if any) of being a family-run business?
GL: Well there are pros and cons to any business, but the pros of our family business definitely out weight the cons. I think for us we value each
opinion that is brought to the table. We also all have our roles and we work hard to respect each other in what we do. There are and will be times we don’t always agree but in the long run we all want was is best for the business and our family. It’s easy to get your feelings hurt but we all know we would never do anything intentional to hurt one another. That mindset makes all the difference. We choose to live a life that is integrated. That means it can be challenging to not always talk about work – but being able to bring my kids to work while they were little and have my mom and dad here to work with everyday is priceless.
IH: Is there anything I haven’t asked about that you’d like to share with our readers?
GL: Green Villa is family. We could not do this without each other as well as the amazing people who work for and with us. We really try to provide
amazing customer service and value to everyone who chooses to have an event at Green Villa.
* Photos from this post taken from Green Villa Farm’s Instagram
