ATTENTION BRIDES!! This review is intended to bring attention to details lacking on Brighton Abbey's (BA's) part, prior to anyone signing a contract with them!! (1 Star: Owner/Staff & 5 Star: Venue Esthetics)
To begin, every attempt was made to resolve issues through email with BA.
1. At our 30 day-out walk thru, we were told the guest limit was 175. Our signed contract stated a 200 guest limit. As of today, the BA website states it accommodates 200 guests. Traditionally, wedding invitations are sent out 60 days prior, which is when we mailed ours! The response from BA's owner Becky, after the meeting, was that they "learned" guests were not comfortable in the wedding chapel with over 175 people.
2. Day of wedding (Sat. 12/2022): we enter the bridal suite at 9:00 am to a clogged & SMELLY bridal suite commode/bathroom, after paying for 4 extra hours to use the bridal suite in its entirety. The response from the front desk girl when told of the issue was "WE could email Laurina, our day of person." Laurina was not scheduled to arrive at BA until 2:00 pm. Laurina, Becky (Owner) & Jillian (SM) were emailed by me, and the front desk girl after being told it was her job NOT mine! The toilet was never fixed, no attempt was made to unclog it, other than the gardener looking at it. A plumber was not called as the owner Becky "Felt it was impractical with us already getting ready in the bridal suite. We can't help it if the day-before bridal party flushes a non-toilet item down the commode." Seriously? So the rest of the weekend brides are just S.O.L. & made to endure the grossness and SMELL! Just FYI, the bridal suite bathroom is large. So a plumber could have easily gone in, shut the door to the bathroom and fixed the problem. The venue did NOT have supplies on hand to render the issue & smell.
3. The bride discovered the beautiful sliding glass door was missing upon entering the ballroom. We had planned on closing it and opening it upon the bride & grooms big entrance to the reception. When we asked the front desk girl about the missing door we received the same response "WE could email Laurina." The response from Becky the owner was "It had been broken the week before, tried to replace it but could not have it back in time. If we knew it was such an important element of your daughters wedding day we would have told you about it." They made NO attempt prior to the wedding to contact myself, the bride, or our wedding planners about the broken door. BRIDES, when you rent a venue you rent every element of the venue, if any element of the venue becomes unavailable it is the VENUE"S RESPONSIBILITY to contact all parties involved! They did not!
*That said, a few days after the wedding I contacted the owner by email and readdressed the issues. NO APOLOGIES were made at any time until I addressed that fact, and NO PRICE ADJUSTMENTS of extra hours WE PAID were refunded when asked, nor were they ever offered. Becky simply replied "Thanks for all the great advice. We will take it into consideration. Have a blessed day." Our day-of venue person Laurina was overall delightful, however NEEDS to arrive earlier to handle issues that arise! The front desk person NEEDS to wear a smile and be helpful, not have an I DON'T CARE ATTITUDE! The owner needs to hire a PR person, as she is lacking in that area, & only escalates frustrations with her lack of genuine sincerity. **BRIDES, also note that should you break something or create an issue Brighton Abbey has no problem charging you for that, BUT if BA has issues or problems there apparently are ZERO refunds or consequences for them. *Make sure to have clauses added to your contracts BEFORE signing them, in regards to BA's liability, problems that arise and issue some sort of compensation to you. That is good business practice!
Despite our frustrations with the venue & owner Becky, we did not let it take away from the irreplaceable moments of our daughter's wedding day! It was an absolutely beautiful & memorable day! Our guests were in awe of the venue! read more