Walters Wedding Estates buys Hadden Estate blueberry farm venue in Georgia

Walters Wedding Estates has acquired Hadden Estate, a 25-acre blueberry farm venue near Athens, Georgia, expanding its footprint in the state and marking its third venue purchase of 2026. The deal adds a distinctive outdoor wedding property with weekend rental capabilities, event spaces and onsite lodging to the company’s growing Southeast portfolio.

Why it matters: - The acquisition gives Walters Wedding Estates a second Georgia venue and deepens its presence in the Southeast. - Hadden Estate adds a differentiated property to the Walters portfolio, with blueberry fields, multiple event spaces and onsite lodging. - The venue can host full weekend weddings and corporate retreats, broadening Walters Wedding Estates’ event mix beyond standard ceremony-and-reception bookings.

What happened: - Walters Wedding Estates announced the acquisition of Hadden Estate on Aug. 26, 2026. - Hadden Estate is in Watkinsville, about 10 minutes from Athens, Georgia. - The property sits on 25 acres of blueberry fields. - The venue is Walters Wedding Estates’ second property in Georgia. - The purchase is Walters Wedding Estates’ third venue acquisition in 2026. - Walters Wedding Estates most recently acquired Firefly Lane in June, its first move into Tennessee.

The details: - Jennifer and John Hadden founded Hadden Estate in 2017 as a working blueberry farm. - The Haddens planted about 2,600 blueberry plants on the property. - The site started as DGD Farms and offered an annual U-pick blueberry season. - The property expanded into an event venue in 2021, when it hosted its first wedding. - Hadden Estate includes The Estate Room reception hall, an outdoor ceremony lawn, a covered pavilion, The Courtyard garden terrace, The Oak Room and The Lodge. - The Lodge can accommodate up to 22 guests onsite. - The ceremony sites and reception hall can seat up to 200 guests. - The land adjoining the Blueberry Field can be used for photo backdrops. - The Oak Room is used for welcome parties and rehearsal dinners. - The venue and its accommodations can be rented for entire weekends. - Walters Wedding Estates also owns luxury venues including The Olana in Hickory Creek, Texas, and The Laiken on Lake Travis in Lago Vista, Texas.

Between the lines: - Hadden Estate gives Walters Wedding Estates a venue with a built-in story and landscape that differs from more traditional wedding properties. - John Hadden said the handoff felt right because Walters Wedding Estates understood the property before considering how to expand it. - The company’s acquisition pace suggests Walters Wedding Estates is using 2026 to push into new markets while adding distinctive destination-style venues.

What's next: - Walters Wedding Estates is expected to fold Hadden Estate into its larger portfolio and continue operating it as a wedding and event venue. - The company now has more than 40 venues across Texas, Georgia and Tennessee. - Walters Wedding Estates has won more than 150 industry awards for hospitality in the wedding and events industry. - More information is available through the company’s LinkedIn page, Instagram account, Facebook page, YouTube channel and TikTok account.

The bottom line: - Walters Wedding Estates is betting that a blueberry farm-turned-venue near Athens can strengthen its Georgia presence and widen its appeal in the wedding market.