Some people stumble into the wedding industry. Others feel called to it from the very beginning. For Jen Shaefer, owner of The Skyroom NC, that calling started before she was even ten years old. Long before she dreamed of hosting weddings, she dreamed of owning a space. While other kids were playing outside, Jen was fascinated by cash registers at Office Depot, volunteered to run the concession stand at baseball games just so she could “work the register,” and even asked for her own cash register for Christmas when she was eight years old. Nearby abandoned buildings sparked her imagination, and she often envisioned renovating one into a business of her own—even if she didn’t yet know what that business would be. That entrepreneurial spirit eventually collided with another passion: creating unforgettable celebrations.

At sixteen, Jen planned her own Halloween-themed Sweet Sixteen birthday party. After seeing the event come together, her older brothers told her she should consider planning events professionally. Their encouragement planted a seed that would shape the rest of her career. Taking her parents’ advice, Jen entered the hospitality industry from the ground up…literally. She began as a dishwasher in catering before working her way onto event teams, where she discovered what she loved most wasn’t just the celebration itself, but everything leading up to it.

“I loved setting the room and seeing it all come together,” she shares. “That calm before the storm always felt magical.”

While catering was demanding and often behind the scenes, it gave her an invaluable understanding of how successful events are built—from thoughtful timelines to seamless vendor collaboration.

Jen’s education would become just as important as her hands-on experience. After beginning college at UNC Wilmington, she ultimately transferred to South Dakota on a soccer scholarship, where she pursued a degree in Communication Studies. Her coursework explored leadership communication, non-verbal communication, gender differences in communication, and how to adapt conversations to help others feel calm, confident, and understood. Those lessons continue to shape every interaction she has with couples today.

Planning a wedding naturally comes with excitement, anticipation, stress, and plenty of emotions along the way. Jen’s ability to communicate with empathy has become one of her greatest strengths, allowing couples to feel supported throughout every stage of the planning process. Although Jen spent years planning weddings and events, the dream was always bigger than planning.

She envisioned creating a venue where talented vendors could bring their creativity to life, where every wedding would look different, and where couples could make the space entirely their own. Rather than designing a venue in isolation, Jen leaned on the people she respected most in the industry. Experienced professionals—including Kevin from Rocky Top Catering, Nina from Wedded Kiss, Jason from Stylus Events, Alyssa from Curated Events, and countless other wedding experts—shared what they loved about existing venues and the challenges they encountered. Jen listened carefully, taking notes on everything from vendor workflow to guest experience. Even her own family became part of the project.

Her aunt, Mary Kay, a photographer and specialty lighting expert in California, personally helped select every light fixture throughout the building to ensure the venue photographs beautifully.

“When we say it’s a family business,” Jen says, “that’s what we mean.”After an incredible first year, Jen and her team are already dreaming about what’s next while continuing to refine and improve The Skyroom NC.

When it comes to the weddings themselves, Jen couldn’t be happier to see couples shifting their focus away from simply recreating Pinterest-worthy weddings and instead investing in meaningful experiences. Whether it’s serving gelato because the couple shared their first date walking along a river in Italy or incorporating personal traditions that reflect their love story, these intentional moments create memories that last far beyond the wedding day.

“Those personal touches never go out of style,” she says.

If Jen could give every engaged couple one piece of advice, it would be simple: trust the professionals you’ve chosen. She believes the couples who enjoy the planning process the most are the ones who allow their vendor team to guide them, resulting in less stress and a far more enjoyable wedding day.

Jen is equally passionate about supporting fellow wedding professionals. In fact, if she could change one thing about the industry, she’d create a vendor trade program where professionals could experience each other’s jobs firsthand. Helping another vendor, she says, always gives her a greater appreciation for the challenges they face and ultimately strengthens the teamwork that makes weddings successful. Because at the end of the day, no single vendor creates an unforgettable wedding. It’s the entire team.

“I think what transforms a beautiful venue into an unforgettable experience is the team behind it. Care, dedication, understanding, and people who genuinely want to do right by their couples—that’s what makes all the difference.”

When asked about her favorite part of a wedding day, Jen admits it’s impossible to pick just one. Father-daughter first looks will always have her heart. Watching that unique bond unfold before guests arrive is a moment she never tires of witnessing.

Another favorite? When children see their parent in wedding attire for the first time during a blended family celebration.

“It’s beyond sweet,” she says. “My heart melts every time.”

And when the reception begins, you’ll often find Jen quietly listening to the speeches. After spending months getting to know her couples, hearing stories from the people who love them most adds another layer to every celebration.

One wedding continues to stand out among the hundreds Jen has been part of. While planning a blended-family wedding, one of the groom’s teenage sons secretly learned the bride’s favorite song—“No One” by Alicia Keys—on the keyboard and performed it live as she walked down the aisle. The performance was so moving that even the catering staff stepped out of the kitchen to watch. Later that evening, during the first dance, the groom shared the deeply personal story behind their song selection. As military members, restful sleep rarely came easily. Early in their relationship, the couple fell asleep together while watching a movie. When he woke up, he realized he had never felt so peaceful around another person. The song playing during the movie’s closing credits became their first dance—a quiet reminder of the moment he knew she was the one. It’s stories like these that remind us every wedding is beautifully unique.

One of The Skyroom NC’s greatest accomplishments has been welcoming celebrations from many different cultures and traditions. From Vietnamese and South Asian weddings to Muslim and Nigerian celebrations, each event has filled the venue with new customs, vibrant traditions, and unforgettable moments. That inclusivity is something Jen treasures deeply, and it’s a reflection of the welcoming environment she’s worked so hard to create.

Shifting to some more fun, lighthearted questions. We asked Jen if The Skyroom were to have a signature cocktail, without hesitation she said: “A frozen margarita”. 

“It’s celebratory without feeling pretentious. It feels like an escape, complements our modern garden atmosphere, and can become a signature experience with fun flavors like lavender blueberry, pineapple sage, or blackberry basil.”

Much like The Skyroom itself, it’s refreshing, elevated, and effortlessly inviting.

If you find yourself searching for a North Carolina wedding venue that values thoughtful design, genuine hospitality, and creating unforgettable experiences, The Skyroom NC deserves a spot on your venue tour list.

Follow along with their latest weddings and events on Instagram: @theskyroomnc.