The Home Place at Valley View

We had the BEST experience at The Home Place at Valley View for our daughter's wedding. The venue is beautiful and the owners and staff are top notch! Christie was amazing and helpful throughout the planning process as well as during the wedding weekend. It was wonderful to have the venue for the entire weekend to hold the rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, the wedding, and even time to clean up on Sunday! We had so many compliments from guests about the rustic beauty of the outdoor ceremony area and the elegant reception in the beautiful barn. We highly recommend The Home Place at Valley View! We could not have asked for a better experience. The owners, staff, and venue are truly amazing!

This venue was so helpful and made all my wedding perfect!

Everything about The Home Place is beautiful and wonderful. Christie does a great job to make sure everything is set up and organized to be perfect on your special day

The home place at valley view is the BEST! They were always just a call away if you ever needed anything. All the workers were very nice and helpful. Everything about my wedding day was amazing thanks to them!

The venue is absolutely stunning inside and out. Christie and her husband make sure to do everything possible to ensure your day goes as smoothly as possibly. They were so kind and continued to check in on me during the wedding planning process as well as post wedding. During my wedding day it was raining and I was so discouraged about it and they came in to talk to me and asked me what I wanted to do and made sure to remind this was my day and that if I wanted to do it outside they would make it happen. I am so grateful to have found them and their wonderful venue. 1000% recommend to anyone!

Christie and Art were amazing. Any time we needed something we reached out and got an answer within hours. Any time we needed something at the venue Christie was quick to schedule something so that we could go out there. The staff that was present for our rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, and wedding were incredibly helpful and supportive. We truly did not have to worry about anything on our wedding day.

Kristie and Art are the most caring and wonderful people. They have painstakingly renovated and updated the space to make it feel luxe, relaxed and homey. 10/10 HIGHLY recommend The Home Place to any and all.

We’re so thankful we chose The Home Place. The owners are so sweet and strive to make sure your day is stress free!

There so no other place I would’ve rather been married at. The owners, Art and Christie, go way above and beyond for their clients. Not only is it a beautiful venue, but has decorations that can be used, and makes everything easy for wedding planning, tables, set up. We had the most perfect weekend at The Home Place at Valley View! Art and Christie, I can’t thank you enough for being the sweetest, kindest people, and giving us our dream wedding! 1000/10!

This is the best venue! We had such a great experience and they are so amazing and genuinely care about you and what you want for your wedding. It is absolutely stunning and we got so many compliments! This venue offers so much that other venues do not. You have access to the venue from noon on Friday to noon on Sunday. It made rehearsal and clean up so stress free!

The Home Place at Valley View absolutely exceeded any and all of my Wedding day expectations! The entire process was so seamless and perfect. Christie and Art are wonderful, authentic, honest people who helped us tremendously for our Wedding day. I am so glad we chose the Home Place for our big day for so many reasons! They were so helpful with all the details, provided anything they had at the venue for us to use, (which was AMAZING, they had everything I needed for centerpieces and plenty of other decorations), and helped make sure everything flowed smoothly the day of. We got TONS of compliments on how beautiful the venue was inside and out. The cute bridal and grooms suites made the getting ready process sooo easy and fun. They also helped with vendor recommendations and every single person they recommended and we used, was phenomenal. The venue was COMPLETELY set up with tablecloths and centerpieces and any other items that I borrowed from them the Friday before the wedding so we could just come in and put decorations up before rehearsal dinner. They went above and beyond on anything I requested. Had pretty flowers planted and the yard was freshly mowed. If I could do it over I would 100% choose The Home Place. my wedding was absolute perfection, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Best Venue Ever! From the pictures we were really interested in The Home Place, but the moment we stepped on the property not only did the beauty of the venue speak for itself, Art and Christie welcomed us in with open arms. They truly care about every bride and groom and treat you like family. Christie has decorations already to be used and the place is so beautiful minimal is needed anyways. They made the whole process so easy and stress free. They are always available to answer any questions and provide you with as many visits, texts, and calls you need! They truly do everything they can to make your day perfect and special. The Home Place truly felt like a home and we would choose to get married at this venue over and over again!

We chose The Home Place at Valley View for our daughter’s wedding for several reasons: 1) location (sentimental & convenient for us), 2) flexibility (she wanted an outdoor wedding, but Christie assured us that an indoor wedding, if it rained, would still be perfectly executed & beautiful & they could wait as long as possible to make a decision re: moving the wedding inside). (It didn’t rain, but it was hot so our guests relaxed inside the very cool, comfortable, & gorgeous venue until just before the ceremony). We also could choose our vendors. They don’t restrict vendors to a list, but they do have some great relationships with some local vendors that also do amazing jobs & don’t charge travel fees to come to this country-side venue. 3) Value: I have to admit that the bar was set high because we visited The Home Place before touring other wedding venues, but Christie educated us on questions to ask as we visited other places & none of them offered anything comparable for the price. We were able to choose from an assortment of things to decorate for the wedding (items for centerpieces, whiskey barrels, whiskey barrel rings, easels, rustic ladder, etc ) with no up charge. (Honestly, the venue looks AMAZING without adding any additional decorations.) All tables, chairs & tablecloths for the buffet table are also included so no need to worry about renting those items for additional expenses. We also had access to all the ice that we needed, at no cost. 4) Beauty: The Home Place is gorgeous inside & out! The view from the outdoor ceremony site is spectacular! The altar area is large & well-built & there are ceiling fans that help cool the bridal party a little during a hot day. The pews are rustic, but they’re solid & sealed so no concern about splinters or damp rears & there is ample seating. Transportation to/from the ceremony site is available for anyone that needs since there are some stairs to get up to the outdoor ceremony site. There are gorgeous potted plants (mixed flowering plants and ferns) strategically placed around the venue. And the barn is AMAZING! It’s spacious and gorgeous. The rustic charm was exactly what my daughter dreamed of for her wedding celebration. 5) Comfort: The groom’s quarters and bride’s suite are AWESOME. The guys were able to relax and play pool & watch TV in their air-conditioned space or go outside and play corm hole & relax under the shaded patio as they waited. The bride’s suite was spacious with 3 beauty shop chairs, large mirror, & great lighting. Hooks are strategically attached on one wall for showcasing the dresses for awesome photos and there were other special touches for the bride and bridesmaids. Both spaces have comfortable seating & are tastefully decorated to fit with the style of the venue. The barn is quite large & it was a very hot day (90+ degrees and humid), but the inside temperature was cool & comfortable even when full with lots of dancing. And finally, 6) The Owners: Art & Christie are great people. Christie was supportive & always willing to schedule a time for me to drop by to look at something or to answer my seemingly endless texts. She was available to help if we needed her while prepping for the big day, but didn’t hover. Art & Christie definitely have this whole wedding thing figured out! It was nice not to have to worry about all the little things that day. If you are looking for a wedding venue for your special day, we HIGHLY recommend The Home Place at Valley View!

Art and Christie are fairy god parents when it comes to making your wedding day special! The Home Place is a great value - we did the weekend package and it made my wedding day go so smooth! I did not have to worry about setting up the day of and could clean up the day after. My wedding was a DREAM and I could not have asked for a better venue - they made sure that I was taken care of and that if I needed anything they would do their best to help. Christie and her daughter Madison made sure that all my needs were met! I seriously cannot recommend this place highly enough. When I had to move my ceremony inside due to weather - they were ON it and helped me navigate what to do! Love love love The Home Place.

GORGEOUS venue! The Home Place at Valley View was the first venue we toured and we immediately knew that it was the perfect venue. It was everything we wanted and so much more! Every piece of the property is stunning! Art and Christie are the sweetest, most down to earth people who will do everything they can to make your day absolutely incredible. Throughout the planning process, Christie helped guide us and made us feel comfortable. We couldn't have imagined getting married anywhere else! We highly recommend The Home Place to every couple looking to get married!

To say this venue is amazing is an understatement. The owner's Christie & Art, are phenomenal people who go out of their way to make sure that everything is how you want it for your special day. Everything about this venue is beautiful. From the breathtaking view for the ceremony to the reception barn that is gorgeous without added decorations. The bridal suite is private and spacious for any bridal party and our hair stylist kept raving about the lighting and the salon chairs that made her job so easy. The grooms suite is by far the one of the best added touches in that it gives the groom and his groomsmen a great place to relax and keep them occupied away from all the hustle of set up. I think from looking at other venues, some things that set this venue apart from those is that decorations that they have on site, chairs, tables, and table cloths are all included in your pricing and you can use your choice of vendors. But if I had to pick one thing that made this venue the best it would have to be Christie and Art and their staff. They made sure that my daughter's wedding was everything she dreamed it would be. She even had her engagement photos done at the venue using several of the buildings for backdrops and those photos are amazing. If you are looking for that down home rustic or not so rustic beautiful scenic venue you won't find it any where else. There are not enough words to describe how wonderful this venue truly is. You will fall in love with it.

The Home Place at Valley View is an excellent place to get married! Art and Christie are incredibly accommodating and are so easy to work with. The day my husband and I got married, we planned on using their outdoor facility for the ceremony but it poured right before we were planned to start. The Home Place team turned the reception area into a beautiful makeshift alter and it couldn’t have been more perfect. I wouldn’t have changed a thing about it. The Home Place is truly a brides dream come true. I highly recommend them!

The Home Place at Valley View could not have been more of a dream for my husband and I! We knew immediately after visiting the venue and meeting both Christie and Art that no other venue would be able to top it. The venue is absolutely breathtaking, spacious, and has so many options to make your own day unique both indoors and outdoors. Christie and Art have poured their hearts into The Home Place and do the same with each person that sets foot on the venue. They provided us with amazing recommendations for other vendors, answered about a hundred questions for me up until the event, and helped calm our nerves during the chances of bad weather. Our wedding day was an absolute fairytale for us and wouldn’t have been the same without Christie, Art, and their amazing team. We are so grateful to have started our journey as Husband and Wife at The Home Place at Valley View!

The Home Place and its owners Christie and Art are amazing! We had our ceremony outside on a hill overlooking their property and the reception was held in their exquisite barn. Everything turned out better than we could have ever imagined. We booked the venue for the entire weekend and it was worth it, we did not feel rushed at all to get everything set up. Christie and her crew at the tables and everything set up for the reception, we just had to decorate. It was nice at the end of the night for the two of us to just walk across the drive to their very homey honeymoon suite. We could not have picked a better place to celebrate our special day!!

The Home Place at Valley View is hands down the best wedding venue in the KC and surrounding areas! Not only is it beautiful and has a WOW factor, Art and Christie are also more than accommodating and go above and beyond to make your day that much more easy and special. They saved us a bunch of time between them helping setup for the rehearsal, to helping setup the tables and linens the day of the wedding and the ceremony area and helping everyone get to the ceremony location if needed. We cannot thank them enough for making our wedding day better than we could have imagined!

The Home Place at Valley View is such an amazing and beautiful venue. We had our rehearsal dinner at the pool which was perfect and the wedding reception in the barn. It was absolutely stunning. Every detail of venue is perfect, we felt like we hardly had to decorate! Art and Christie provided great support throughout our entire planning process and throughout the weekend.

Christie and Art were beyond wonderful to work with! This venue had everything we could hope for in a ceremony/reception site and more. The willingness of their team to make every wedding vision come to life is astounding. My husband and I felt so much comfort in knowing that we would be taken care of on our special day. If you are looking for a venue that offers more than just a “site” look no further than The Home Place!

Besides saying this is by far the best venue in Kansas City, words simply cannot describe how great this place is! My wife and I got married at The Home Place on 9/7/19 and it was perfect. Art and Christie are some of the most amazing people I have ever met. They do everything in their power to make this YOUR DAY. The way you want it and the with all the vendors you chose. Their venue is set up perfectly! A nice country scenic ceremony site, spacious and relaxing rehearsal dinner area by the pool, the groom suite is the perfect man cave to hang out and get ready in, the bridal suite is every brides/hair dresser/makeup artists dream, and the barn is absolutely amazing! This barn is designed perfectly to appeal to all rustic themed weddings but you can also tell how much thought they put into the design when thinking about vendors and how the flow would work. There is not one thing i would change about this venue and would absolutely recommend to anyone wanting a country/rusting wedding! My wife and I visited at least 6 other barn venues in the KC area before seeing The Home Place and we immediately fell in love with it. We are so glad we choose this venue for our big day. Everyone that came to our wedding can not stop talking about how perfect and beautiful this venue was and how great the owners are. We are very blessed to have found The Home Place at Valley View and so thankful for all the work the owners and their staff put into making this an unforgettable memory.

I would absolutely recommend this venue to everyone! The owners are so great to work with and the venue is so thought out and beautiful. Everything from the organization to the set up made our day so easy and enjoyable. It was the best day ever!

As a wedding planner, I cannot not say enough amazing things about this venue and the owners! I absolutely LOVE the venue and what it has to offer to my clients and us as planners. The staff is amazing to work with and very attentive and always there for us. If you are looking to book a beautiful wedding venue for your big day, go message them right now to take a tour and meet these wonderful people to book them for your big day! Thank you so much for all of your genuine, hospitality when we come to your venue. We cannot wait to be back with you for our clients big day!

Art and Christie are the kind of people you feel blessed to meet. We had Art marry us because of how we connected with him from the first time meeting. They work with you to try and accommodate all your needs and wants. The venue is the most beautiful venue I have seen to date. The outdoor ceremony area looks over gorgeous fields. The barn is completely air conditioned and absolutely stunning. Having a bridal suite and grooms den was a huge addition for us. It enabled us all to get ready on site without seeing each other. 10/10 would recommend

Art and Christie go above and beyond to make sure that everything works out perfectly for your special day! I am so grateful to have found this amazing venue and its amazing owners!

The Home Place will forever hold a special place in our hearts! They were AMAZING to work with made our day perfect! Art and Christie are the most genuine people you will ever meet and take so much pride in not only there venue but also making sure you’re day is perfect and everything you’ve ever wanted. I can’t say enough good things about this place and there staff! Our guests all night were telling us how beautiful it was there and there ceremony space outside in the hill is perfect!! They really thought out all the details and took in consideration the pictures and necessities we would need for getting ready, the ceremony and the reception! And not to mention the bridal and grooms suite are Fantastic!! You will fall in love with this venue and these people I promise!

There are not enough words to express the amazing experience we had with this venue. The Home Place at Valley View knocked it out of the park. My daughter and, now, son-in-law, found this venue and when we walked in to the barn (reception hall), we knew it was the one. Then we met Art and Christie Endsley (owners)...that sealed the deal. The Endsley's are the most genuine people. They made us feel comfortable and like family right off the bat. Christie was always there to answer questions and provide guidance. They are super easy to work with and made us feel so at ease. I cannot say enough about them. The venue...well, it speaks for itself. It is gorgeous inside and out. All the attention to detail at the ceremony site, the reception location, the bride's room, the groom's room, and the "honeymoon suite" are all top notch. They have thought of it all. This venue is deserving of awards and should be recognized for all of the thought and hard work they have put into it. We are so thankful to have found this gem and would highly recommend it to everyone. Thank you, Art and Christie Endsley. We will forever remember this amazing experience.

I honestly cant describe how perfect this venue is. Christie and Art are the kindest couple and have an idea for every question you could think of. To get married on top of that hill was perfect. It was everything we wanted in our venue, it was beautiful, easy to decorate, and the perfect amount of rustic and elegance. You don't feel like your just another client with a dollar sign, you feel like a friends. They want you to have the wedding of your dreams with out blowing your budget. I cant recommend this place enough for anything and everything. Its a dream place to get married at.

our wedding was may 4th 2019! I cannot rave enough about this venue. Christie and art were amazing, they were around to help out with everything we could of needed. this place is so beautiful. if you are looking for a rustic at home feel then this is the place to have your wedding. I would choose this place over and over again!

Not only is this venue breath taking, the barn and the outside ceremony area, Art and Christie go above and beyond to make your day amazing. They, and their staff, were so kind. We got a lot of compliments on how nice everyone was. You can’t beat the bridal suite. My hair and make up artist said it was the nicest and well equipped one she had seen. The grooms room has a tv, pool table and fridge. What more could you ask for? You can also take your engagement photos here so your photographer can be familiar with the place. I can’t express how pretty the barn is. I felt like we didn’t need many decorations, because the barn doesn’t need much. I would definitely choose to use this venue again, hands down!

A more accommodating wedding venue does not exists. The owners and staff have done a wonderful job creating the perfect wedding venue. Art and Christy work hard to make your wedding day stress free. Such good people to work with. I have recommended this to friends

When Christie and Art Endsley envisioned sharing their home--The Home Place at Valley View as a wedding venue, I don’t think they realized how much they would bless the lives of their future clients and guests. From the moment my daughter and I met Christie and toured the property, we discovered exactly what she was hoping for and didn’t know if it even existed. We fell in love with the barn (both inside and outside), the bridal suite and the groom’s “man cave” were spectacular and even though there was snow on the ground, the view for the ceremony was the pièce de résistance! From day one, Christie worked with us to ensure all the details (even ones I hadn’t thought of) were perfect including going out of her way to create a beautiful outside drink station for the steamy August wedding day. The Endsleys and their staff were first rate to work with before, during and after the wedding and never made us feel like just a client, but instead like a beloved family member. Words can’t express our gratitude to Art and Christie for opening their homestead and hearts to our family and friends for our daughter’s dream wedding. You won’t find finer people to plan the most important day of your lives with than the Endsleys!

The Home Place At Valley View is absolutely beautiful and the owners are amazing, insuring a wonderful experience. My daughter got married here in May. The venue has so many unique qualities: three tiers, an outdoor wooden alter with wood bench seating , pool with rock outdoor kitchen/living area, and a barn that bursts with rustic air conditioned beauty. It includes a bridal area that makes the bride feel like a princess , separate grooms quarters with pool table and lounge area, and a room for the newlyweds. The owners were kind, oragzined , extremely helpful , generous and simply made all of us feel at HOME on this AMAZING DAY.

Our kids went to see the Home Place on a very cold winter day. They absolutely loved it and booked it that day. In June, the beautiful scenery made for some awesome memories and pictures. The outdoor kitchen was wonderful for hosting the rehearsal dinner and the pool was an added bonus for our family. Christie, Art, their family and entire staff are just great people. There is no small detail, that they haven’t thought of. Our kids wedding was extra special because of these people and this venue. If you choose this venue, you will not be disappointed!

Unforgettable day. This place is amazing. Christie has thought of everything. They went out of there way to make everything easy. They were a wealth of knowledge from caterers, lodging, to transportation...the list goes on. From the bride and grooms rooms, the ceremony site, to the main venue no detail was missed. Art and Christie and the entire team are the most kind, helpful and genuine people. As my Hubby said, “I could do this again next week”. Thank you Art and Christie for our perfect day.

My Daughter had her wedding at the Home Place and it went off without a hitch! Just like every wedding unexpected concerns popped up at the last minute but the owners Art and Christy handled each issue with total professionalism! They treated us like family and went over and beyond to assure that my daughters wedding was everything that she dreamed of! The Endsleys are a beautiful couple who just happen to own and operate the most amazing country wedding venue ! You will love view, outside wedding chapel, in ground pool and outdoor kitchen, as well as the beautifully restored barn for your reception! Absolutely love the Home Place At Valley View 😍👍

I've tried to express my gratitude but that cannot be done adequately. Christie, Art and their family are absolutely amazing. Their desire to share some of God's gifts to them and to assist couples in what can be a daunting endeavor has helped them create a picture perfect place for weddings or any other event you can imagine. Their helpfulness and generosity is almost unbelievable. They opened their home to the public and that is exactly the way they make you feel. We walked away from there feeling like we have made new friends. You could not possibly ask for anyone or anything better.

Wonderful venue for our daughter’s wedding in August. Art and Kristi made sure their day was perfect! You’ll certainly not find a more beautiful place to get married. :)

The Home Place is such an amazing venue! Art and Christie do everything they can to make the wedding day the best day ever. Beautiful inside and out...couldn’t ask for a prettier place. Over the top! Our son and his wife are lucky to have had such a beautiful place for their wedding!

- To start off I want to explain that I am a very very organized person, I know what I want and exactly how I want it. I CANNOT express to anyone the amazing hospitality and assurance Christie and Art gave us as we ventured into this whole “wedding planning” chapter of our lives. The moment we stepped into the barn we felt at home and at ease which says a lot for me. I will never be able to put into words the appreciation I have for Christie and Art and this gorgeous venue they allowed us to step into marriage. They are laid back and ready to help at any time. Christie texted me when I arrived the morning of the wedding telling me to text/ call her if I need anything. She was there every so often to ensure things were going smoothly with the set up of the ceremony and reception. Caleb and I are beyond grateful that we were able to celebrate our marriage at your venue. Words will never be enough for how grateful we are for you two and the venue and atmosphere you have created. THANK YOU for allowing our dream wedding to take place at this perfect venue and always allowing us to feel at home!

Art and Christy went above and beyond for our wedding! They are so helpful and amazing people. The venue is absolutely gorgeous and we received so many compliments. Everything about our wedding day was perfect! We are so glad we decided to have our wedding at The Home Place.

A week ago today my daughter was married at The Home Place at Valley View. We booked the venue for the entire weekend which was the perfect option for us. The venue is absolutely beautiful. The ceremony site overlooks the bluffs creating a beautiful back drop. The reception area includes every detail any bride and groom would want. Christy and Art are the perfect host. From the time we first visited the venue they have been there for ever visit we made, every question we had and supported us and assisted us during the wedding weekend.They have a great staff that are there to help as well. I can say that as the mother of the bride it was exactly the wedding my daughter and her husband imagined. Ever guest complimented us on the venue and atmosphere. A special thank you to Christy and Art for putting so much thought and love into their venue. They have certainly created a venue that feels like home. Could not of asked for a more relaxing weekend to celebrate the marriage of Caleb and Abbey!

I just had my wedding at The Home Place.. From the get go my husband and I were blown away by Christy and Arts hospitality. They are by far the most fun couple to work with. Our wedding was flawless and breathtaking! Not only are the owners amazing but they have a rockin staff. You can set all your worries aside in at this venue. Every guest that attended was in agreeance that our wedding was one of the most beautiful weddings they had ever attended. Thank you guy for being the best and making us feel special!

I just had my wedding at The Home Place.. From the get go my husband and I were blown away by Christy and Arts hospitality. They are by far the most fun couple to work with. Our wedding was flawless and breathtaking! Not only are the owners amazing but they have a rockin staff. You can set all your worries aside in at this venue. Every guest that attended was in agreeance that our wedding was one of the most beautiful weddings they had ever attended. Thank you guy for being the best and making us feel special!

We cannot say enough great things about The Home Place!!! Not only was the venue gorgeous and absolutely perfect, so were the owners, Christie & Art and their wonderful children. Our wedding day turned out more perfect than we could have imagined and that was all thanks to The Home Place!

I would 100% recommend having your wedding here! The owners made us feel right at home. I could have never imagined my wedding turning out so beautiful and not as stressful as I expected. They were so helpful and were so accommodating to any needs and we never felt pressured to make decisions. Definitely take a tour even if you don’t think you would want a “barn” venue because it’s so so much more than that!

My husband and I had our wedding at The Home Place last weekend and I am so happy we did! We seriously could not have picked a better venue. Art and Christie went above and beyond to make sure our day was nothing but perfect and our guests commented all night on how beautiful the venue was. This is the perfect place for a wedding!

I can’t imagine there being a more perfect venue for our wedding! The venue and atmosphere are absolutely beautiful. All of our guests loved it, and can’t stop talking about how beautiful it was! I was about to commit to another barn venue when I decided at the last second to come check out the Home place at Valley view. I instantly knew this was the place I wanted to get married. Christie and Art were very kind and helpful and always responded quickly to any questions we had. They are the nicest people and you can tell they truly care about making your day special, not just about renting out a venue. I highly recommend the Home Place at Valley View! Get married here, you won’t regret it! ❤️

I can’t say enough about this wonderful venue and the owners. Everything was perfect for our rehearsal and wedding day! They have thought about everything that I needed for our special day. Including a man cave for the guys to hang out in, bridal suite for the girls, swimming pool, and gorgeous scenery. The owners Christie and Art will be there to help you and to answer any of your questions if you need it. I highly suggest this wonderful place for your big day. It is a picture perfect venue and you won’t be disappointed.

Absolutely the best decision we ever made was choosing the Home Place. Art and Christie took care of every tiny detail and made sure my husband and I were taken care of. I cannot thank them enough for everything they did for us. If you are looking for the perfect venue and service, this is definitely the place for you!

Derick and I absolutely loved The Home Place. Art and Christie are the most amazing individuals you will ever meet. They went above and beyond to help make my dreams come true. The venue is breathtakingly beautiful. I promise The Home Place will not disappoint! Love, The Bersano’s

Loved this venue! Perfect in everyday.

The Home Place did an amazing job of making our day so special. They were huge helps getting everything set up and perfect.