Today we’d like to introduce you to Ginger Lundell.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Our little antique chapel in the woods was built to be the backdrop to one very specific wedding–that of our founder, Carol and her husband Craig. The property at 7F was originally owned by Carol’s father, a WWII veteran. He and his fellow Aggies would frequently come to the property to hunt and to remember the war. Carol strongly believes that this time spent bonding helped to heal those men of the terrors they saw in WWII, and brought love and laughter back into their lives.
After a 25-year absence from College Station, TX Carol heard a voice telling her it was time to go home. She flew back from Peru, where she had been studying and returned to College Station. Seeing the property, which had been abandoned most of the time she had been gone, she remembered the love that had existed there and decided to restore it. In the process of moving back to town and fixing up the existing cabin, she met Craig at an estate sale. He came out to see her property and immediately began to help. They were married 14 months later in the little antique chapel.
Craig built the chapel so that they could get married on the land that Carol loved so much. As time went on, they slowly turned the property into the bed and breakfast we know today. We have 8 uniquely themed cabins scattered throughout the 14 acre property; Mexico, Spain, France, The Barn and Hill Country Lodge just to name a few.
Carol inherited the 7F brand upon her father’s death, and decided to carry on the legacy of love that was started here by her father and his fellow Aggie veterans. Now that love manifests differently, in the form of marriages and weekend getaways rather than in the gradual recovery of war veterans, but in the end, love is love and LOVE SAVES LIVES.
Now the property is owned by my family. We live here on property with my parents and 3 children. And very much enjoy carrying on the MANY love stories created here and can’t wait to celebrate 25 YEARS of 7F Lodge this year!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
While the business has been in operation for 25 years, we have only owned 7F for 4 years now. I grew up in the wedding industry. My Mother and Grandmother owned 2 flower shops here in Bryan/College Station. So weddings weren’t new to me. However, hospitality and wedding planning definitely was. My Mother Lisa, has years of experience from the flower shops and being the Wedding Associations business manager. So there were lots to teach and share with me. We are a mother/daughter team and it works seamlessly! However, we were drowning in the beginning! Not really knowing where to start or how we wanted to make changes for the better. But once, we muddled through we were able to start implementing our own ideas. First up, was creating an All-Inclusive package to help take the stress off of our couples planning their weddings and of course we are always adding additional romantic packages to our cabin stays.
As you know, we’re big fans of 7F Lodge & Events. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We are a family-owned and operated business in Aggieland. We specialize in LOVE! Mostly weddings in front of our beautiful little white chapel and in romantic getaways. We have 8 uniquely themed cabins, themed down to the decor and the music when you walk in. There is no TV or WIFI in any of the cabins. Our goal is for you to disconnect from the chaos and connect with the one you are with.
While we are a bed and breakfast, we are not a traditional one. When you arrive, your cabin is already stocked with breakfast and snack items. Along with the famous Brazos Muffin, a breaded muffin with cheese, sausage and jalapenos. A secret recipe formulated by the original owner Craig. Our guests often ask for more to take home with them!
We have guests that come from all over! And while they are coming back to the same property they have a different experience each time! They get to travel around the world at 7F and they don’t usually have to get on an airplane to do it. We even have a passport program! For each cabin stay our guests receive a stamp specific to that cabin. Once their passport is full they receive a FREE night’s stay in any cabin!
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
COVID has changed the way we all think and feel. Specific to travel! We have always done a contactless check in and check out system for our guests. Our cabins are secluded and tucked into the trees. Our guests tend to forget they might not be the only ones on the property. We hope to see more of the younger generation giving the B&B’s a try! As for the wedding industry, I see more and more couples downsizing their guest list. Going smaller and more intimate. Something we specialize in! And with us primarily being an outdoor venue, I think that gives our couples and their guests a sense of safety.
Contact Info:
- Email: stay@7flodge.com
- Website: www.7flodge.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/7f.lodge/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/7Flodge
Image Credits:
All Heart Photography
Thomas Ross Photography
Alder House Media
