Lisa Shumski: Proprietress of LaBelle Bridal Cottage

When did you start LaBelle Bridal Cottage?

We moved here from Mill Creek in 2007, and then my mom Marlene came a year later and that’s when we put her house here on our property. After my mom passed away, we really weren’t sure what we wanted to do as far as renting the house out, but it didn’t really appeal to us to rent it full time or to do an Airbnb. So my girlfriend, who lives just up the road, one of her daughters was getting married, and she made the comment, “I hope they get married on our farm.” And then I thought, I should tell her that if the girls needed somewhere to get ready, that they could use my mom’s house, as a bridal suite. So that’s how that idea got started in 2023.

What inspired the decor?

I get a lot of Bridgerton comments. Most of the stuff in the house is my mom’s. She was a huge collector and she had tons of art, glass and porcelain things. I always say that it’s a true reflection of her timeless elegance and love of Victorian-inspired decor. Other pieces are also from our family, like the piano. My grandpa bought the piano in 1937 as a Christmas gift for the family. I’m very traditional as well in the way I decorate, but I’m a little bit more eclectic, so I have added more modern touches, too.

This is my farm. So it’ll never be Lairmont Manor — it’s Lisa’s farm. But it looks very pretty during the summer and there’s tons of flowers.

What other services do you offer?

I also offer the cottage for small gatherings. I allow up to 15 people. And I’m open to ideas, like birthday parties, bridal showers, or bridal teas and that sort of thing. And then I also offer it as a photo studio. And photographers are really loving it. They really love the decor, because it gives a certain vibe to things. I’ve been working on a tea party theme for Mother’s Day. So hopefully we’re going to get some little mommy-and-me tea sessions going. 

We can also host elopements. I think it’s cool that you could get married here and then go on a camping adventure with your friends at the [Birch Bay] State Park, or head up to Canada, or go to Silver Reef [Casino Resort] or Semiahmoo. We’re five minutes from the beach.

What's your favorite part of hosting gatherings?

I’ve loved really meeting all the people and seeing the joy. It’s been really well received, and people are so sweet. And it’s intentional, like with the elopements — that’s the way people want it to be, and just have their closest people with them. Or, with a lot of elopements, it’s just the couple, and the photographer is one of the witnesses. And our witnesses here are geese and goats.

I really like that it’s only for intimate gatherings. It’s about gathering well and gathering better. I always say bigger isn’t better, only better is better. 

Learn more at Shumski’s Instagram @labellebridalcottage. The cottage is available to rent through Peerspace.