Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Hickok.
Hi Anna, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Back in the 1980s, my grandfather built a small chapel on the grounds of our apartment complex, Pinegate West. His goal was to make the property feel like a true small town in Western Kansas, with spaces that encouraged people to gather and feel at home.
When I joined our family business in 2020, I kept coming back to the chapel. It was so charming, and it made me sad to see such a special space sitting unused. I started thinking about what it could become. As I did more research, I realized there was a real gap in the market for couples looking for a wedding venue that was intimate, affordable, and still visually beautiful. Something thoughtfully designed, but without the scale or cost of a traditional venue. That realization became the starting point for what Little Shawnee Chapel is today.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In the early years of building Little Shawnee Chapel, gaining traction in a saturated wedding market took time. Reviews and referrals are everything in this industry, and our first Google review was a one-star rating after an inquiry through Facebook went unanswered. It was a simple but important lesson.
We made communication a non-negotiable part of the experience. Little Shawnee Chapel is easy to reach by phone, text, email, or direct message, because a seamless process matters just as much as a beautiful setting. Over time, we have hosted more than 100 weddings, receptions, and elopements and built a reputation grounded in trust and word-of-mouth. Today, our overwhelmingly positive reviews serve as real testimonials, and the trust they create is a leading reason couples choose Little Shawnee Chapel.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Little Shawnee Chapel?
Little Shawnee Chapel is an intimate wedding venue designed for couples who want something meaningful, beautiful, and refreshingly uncomplicated. We specialize in small weddings, receptions, and thoughtfully curated elopements, offering both a stunning space and officiating services in one seamless experience. From quiet ceremonies with just a handful of guests to full weddings of up to 45 people, our focus is on creating a warm, visually striking setting that feels special without feeling overwhelming. What sets us apart is our belief that a beautiful wedding doesn’t have to come with an extravagant price tag—our goal is to provide an affordable, elegant space where couples can celebrate their day with intention, ease, and understated elegance.
What were you like growing up?
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial streak. As a child, I started a handmade jewelry business called Diabeads, where I designed and sold pieces and donated a portion of the proceeds to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Even then, I was drawn not just to creating things, but to building something with purpose—combining creativity, business, and impact. Growing up, I was curious, self-motivated, and always looking for ways to turn ideas into something tangible, especially when it meant helping others or bringing people together.
Pricing:
- Elopement (30 minutes, 5 guests): $250
- Ceremony: $475-$675
- Ceremony and reception: $1000-$1200
- Officiating: $195 – $295
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.littleshawneechapel.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littleshawneechapel
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littleshawneechapel
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/2b8_BgdoeQ
