Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Flaherty.
Hi Kristin , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Some of the best stories begin unexpectedly, and ours started at Keowee Key Country Club, where a chance meeting quickly revealed a shared love for hard work, family, and creating meaningful experiences—setting us on a path that would shape not only our future together, but everything we would go on to build.
Not long after, we were married and took on our first adventure together — purchasing a restaurant in Peachtree City, Georgia. My husband, a talented chef with a passion for hospitality and bringing people together around a table, poured himself into the business while we built our life together.
Along the way, we welcomed two beautiful children into our family and eventually felt the pull to return home to the Upstate of South Carolina to help run a family business. Family has always been at the center of everything we do, and coming back felt like the right decision for both our family and our future.
Life, however, has a way of opening doors we never expect.
When the family business eventually closed, we found ourselves standing at a crossroads. Rather than looking backward, we chose to build something new — something that reflected who we were and what we loved.
That decision led to the creation of Saluda River Archery, a business built around my husband’s lifelong passion for archery, hunting, and the outdoors. Watching that dream come to life was incredibly rewarding, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was still missing.
I wanted to create a place where people could celebrate life’s biggest moments.
So we took another leap of faith.
We purchased land in Marietta and began building what would become Charlyn Farms — a wedding venue designed to blend both of our passions into one unforgettable experience. It became more than just a venue; it became a place where hospitality, family, the outdoors, and celebration could all come together.
What started as an idea has grown into a destination where countless couples have said “I do,” families have gathered, and memories have been made.
Since opening our doors in 2016, the journey has been nothing short of amazing.
There have been long days, challenges, and moments of uncertainty, but there have also been incredible friendships, unforgettable celebrations, and the privilege of being part of some of life’s most meaningful milestones.
Looking back, it’s remarkable to see how each chapter — from a country club kitchen to a restaurant in Georgia, from a family business to an archery range, and finally to a wedding venue in the foothills of the Upstate — prepared us for the next.
Today, Saluda River Archery and Charlyn Farms stand as a reflection of our family’s story: a story of passion, perseverance, faith, and the willingness to take chances on dreams worth building.
And if the past has taught us anything, it’s that sometimes the most beautiful destinations are the ones you never planned to reach.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
While building businesses from passion has been incredibly rewarding, the greatest challenge hasn’t been the long hours, the construction projects, or even the uncertainty that comes with entrepreneurship.
Our biggest struggle has been finding balance.
Both Saluda River Archery and Charlyn Farms are deeply personal businesses built around experiences and relationships. At Charlyn Farms especially, we pour so much of ourselves into each couple’s wedding day, investing countless hours helping them bring one of the most important moments of their lives to fruition.
At the same time, our greatest priority has always been our own family.
Balancing the demands of serving our couples while still being present for our children and for each other is a challenge we continue to navigate every season. Entrepreneurship doesn’t always fit neatly into business hours, and weddings, events, and weekends often overlap with family time.
But we’ve learned that the same passion that drives us to create unforgettable experiences for others is rooted in the values we hold most dear at home — family, connection, and celebrating life’s milestones together.
It’s not always easy, but it’s a balance worth striving for, and one that continues to shape both our businesses and our lives.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
In an industry where many venues operate as large-scale event spaces, one of the things that sets Charlyn Farms apart is that we are still very much a hands-on, family-run business.
We aren’t simply owners behind the scenes — we are the ones meeting with couples, answering questions, solving problems, and working alongside them throughout their planning journey and on their wedding day. Every celebration that takes place here carries a personal investment from our family because we understand the significance of the moments being created.
We believe that exceptional experiences are built in the details.
That’s why we dedicate an extraordinary amount of time and attention to each couple, getting to know their vision and finding ways to make their wedding feel uniquely theirs. Whether it’s offering guidance, sharing ideas, or helping navigate unexpected challenges, we strive to be more than a venue — we strive to be partners in the experience.
One of our core values is that there is always room to improve. We are constantly asking ourselves how we can serve our couples better, what we can add to enhance their experience, and how we can continue raising the standard for what a wedding day can feel like.
That commitment to continual growth, personal involvement, and genuine care is what transforms Charlyn Farms from simply a venue into a place where couples become part of our story long after their wedding day has ended.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.charlynfarms.com
- Instagram: @charlynfarmsevents
- Facebook: @eventsatcharlynfarms
