Manager of Compass Rose Gardens

A Garden bride herself, Melinda Freeman Mclees had the luxury of creating the perfect wedding and celebration for her marriage at Compass Rose Gardens to her husband James McLees, who she met while attending her brother Kevin's wedding at Compass Rose.

Entering her fourth year as manager, Melinda encourages unique touches and symbolisms that make each couple's ceremony and reception different and completely their own. With the help of a preferred list of screened caterers and other wedding professionals, she knows the Compass Rose couples are in good hands.

She is proud of the beauty of Compass Rose and shares the love of plants with her mother. When Donna began clearing the brush to create the beautiful gardens she held in her mind, Melinda went to work at Bassignani Nursery under Tony and Le Roy Bassignani for hands-on training.

Melinda and Jim recently celebrated their ten year anniversary with nine year old Melissa and six year old Michael. Jim is a teacher at Hanna Boy's Center in Sonoma, and Melinda also enjoys delivering Meals-on-Wheels for the Council on Aging.

Melinda's mission statement is simple: "At Compass Rose, every couple is unique and that's why they choose the Gardens. We want them to celebrate their love in their own way. We are there to assist them in any way they would like".

Melinda has her own business apart from the gardens, aptly named "Make My Day", where she is a "day of event" coordinator at Compass Rose.
She will work with your vendors to assure a trouble free and smooth wedding day for you and your guests.