Meet Felicia Baker Jessica Sander-Cederlof | Owners of Grand Junction Wedding Manor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Felicia Baker Jessica Sander-Cederlof and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Felicia Baker, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Starting our own business was never a single “big decision” — it’s something that’s always been part of who we are. We grew up watching our parents run their own business, so that entrepreneurial spirit was just normal to us. We always knew we wanted to build something of our own rather than work for someone else.

At the core, it comes down to freedom, purpose, and legacy. We want to create something meaningful, not just for ourselves, but for our families. We want our kids to grow up seeing firsthand that they can build a life they love, take risks, and go after big goals.

As for the venue specifically, owning a wedding venue had been on our dream list for a long time. It felt like one of those “someday” ideas — until we decided to actually make it happen. And while the reality of it has definitely been more challenging than we expected, it’s also been incredibly rewarding.

We also saw a real opportunity in Grand Junction. There’s a growing wedding market here, and we felt like there was space for something elevated — not just another venue, but an experience. Part of our mission now is to help strengthen the local wedding community, build relationships with other vendors, and contribute to raising the standard of what couples can expect here.

Looking back, we probably didn’t fully understand everything we were stepping into — but in a way, that’s part of what allowed us to start. If we had known how hard it would be, we might have hesitated. Instead, we jumped in, figured it out as we went, and committed to growing through it.

What should our readers know about your business?
Our business is more than just a venue — it’s something we are intentionally building into an experience.

While we provide the physical space for weddings, our goal has always been to offer something that feels different from the moment couples step onto the property. We want it to feel thoughtful, elevated, and meaningful — not just another place to host an event, but a place where people can create memories that actually matter.

What sets us apart is the level of care and vision we put into every detail. This property has truly been a labor of love. We are constantly investing back into it — whether that’s remodeling our reception hall, enhancing the landscape, or creating new features like our lavender field and grapevines that will continue to grow and evolve over time. We’re especially excited right now about the transformation of our reception space and opening up the views to showcase the natural beauty of the property in a way that feels cohesive and intentional.

Getting to where we are today has definitely not been easy. In fact, almost everything we’ve done has come with challenges. There have been moments where things didn’t go as planned, where progress felt slow, or where we questioned what we were doing. But we’ve learned that building something meaningful rarely comes easy.

One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is to keep going — even when it’s hard, even when things don’t look the way you expected. Growth happens in those moments. We’ve also learned the importance of adaptability, problem-solving, and surrounding ourselves with a strong community of people in the industry.

At the heart of it all, our brand is built on who we are as people. We genuinely care about others, we value relationships, and we want to create something that positively impacts the people who walk through our doors — whether that’s our couples, their families, or the vendors we work alongside.

We may still be growing and evolving, but that’s part of what makes this so meaningful to us. This isn’t just a business — it’s something we’re building with intention, for the long term.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were coming to visit, I’d plan a week that mixes a little bit of everything — adventure, good food, local experiences, and time to just slow down and enjoy where we live.

We would definitely start with the Colorado National Monument. It’s one of those places that never gets old, no matter how many times you’ve been. Whether you’re driving through or stopping at a few overlooks, it’s one of the most beautiful parts of our area.

From there, we’d spend a day exploring Palisade and the wineries. A couple of our favorites are Mafia Princess Winery and Carlson Vineyards — both have such a fun, relaxed atmosphere. If we wanted to make it extra special, we’d look into doing a carriage tour through the vineyards, which is such a unique way to experience it.

Another must-do would be biking or walking part of the Riverfront Trail. It runs through so much of the area and gives you a really peaceful way to take in the scenery. We’d also spend some time walking Main Street in downtown Grand Junction — grabbing coffee, popping into local shops, and just enjoying the slower pace.

For something a little more unique and fun, we’d stop by Pinspiration and do a splatter paint session — it’s not something you do every day, but it’s always a good time.

If they’re up for it, I’d also suggest hiking Mt. Garfield. It’s definitely more on the challenging side, but the views at the top are worth it.

Food-wise, we’d keep it local. Some of our go-to spots are Junction Square Pizza, Las Marias, Goat & Clover, Ale House, and Rib City — all places we’ve been to over and over again.

What I love most about this area is that it may not be a big city, but that’s part of its charm. It’s a place where you can slow down, enjoy the views, support local businesses, and still find plenty to do if you’re willing to explore a little. It’s simple in the best way — and for us, it’s home.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Our parents – Leonard & Michelle Selby. Without them we would not be who or where we are. They are very supportive in helping us chase our dreams. They are also our business partners in this venture.

Our husbands – James Baker & Eric Sander-Cederlof – Also our business partners and our partners in life. – James has been a big visionary in this business process. Eric has been a help with construction when we need him. Their love and support has helped up in getting to where we are.

Website: https://gjweddingmanor.com

Instagram: gjweddingmanor

Facebook: Grand Junction Wedding Manor

Image Credits
Claire Codling
Captured in the Rockies