Owner: Rachel Fortune, Owner & Lead Concierge
By Ann Marie Byrd, Feature Writer
The Gardens at Isaac Taylor is a newly opened, full-service wedding and event venue, located at 228 Craven Street in downtown New Bern.
This famous home has recently undergone a grand beautification project during the Spring of 2021, and the historic gardens and interior of the home have been restored to reflect their vibrant past.
Most New Bern residents are familiar with the location of the famous home from the street view, but the gardens on the rear side of the building have now been thoroughly refreshed to become an oasis—a plush natural environment with Edison lighting, exposed brick, and terraced gardens shaded by an abundant canopy of trees.
Owner Rachel Fortune says, “I have always wanted to own a wedding venue, and after being in the wedding industry for over 25 years, my dream has finally come to fruition. The charm and historic beauty of the Isaac Taylor house is simply stunning. I could not think of a better gift then to be able to share one of New Bern’s most treasured downtown homes with wedding couples and the whole community for special events. And the location is ideal: nestled in the heart of downtown but still secluded, the Gardens at Isaac Taylor are no more than an eight-minute walk from our most charming downtown restaurants, hotels, and bed and breakfasts. We are proud to continue the abundant hospitality and heritage that the home has always offered.”
Rachel, who also owns Tildy Floral, is passionate about creating unique floral designs (you can see her work frequently on the tables at Cypress Hall Kitchen + Bar), but also unique events for bridal couples and other events that are truly customized during every step of the planning process.
“Through our experienced and award-winning staff, we exceed all expectations by transforming visions into reality. We present every client with creative versatility for their special event, from an intimate gathering to a lush celebration,” says Rachel. “We customize each event to meet the needs of our couples and clients, with special touches all along the way, from our personalized greetings, bubbly amenities, to our final cheerful send-offs.”