WE HAD TO SWITCH VENUES 2 WEEKS BEFORE OUR WEDDING!!! THIS WAS SO TERRIBLE TO HAVE TO DO. PLEASE READ TO BOTTOM.
When we first visited Garey House, we absolutely loved it and thought it would be perfect for our small outdoor wedding. We later regretted this decision with our whole heart. Prior to COVID there were so many rules, almost too many, but still was worth the added work to get everything done that was asked.
COVID came around and we were asked to sign a "COVID Addendum" that was approximately 8 pages long with strict and added rules that went well above what the state or other venues require. We felt forced to comply as we had already booked with Garey House and payments were made. When I asked about these rules I was promptly reminded of the "COVID Addendum which we signed" and then felt backed into a corner by Kerbie as she then threw out words like "postponement" and "Cancelation" for questioning some of these very intense rules. We even asked if we could get the contact info for someone higher up so we could clarify some of these ridiculous regulations. Safety of our loved ones is very important to us, hence the small outdoor wedding. We had our own list of safety measures we wanted to take. I'd like to take a moment to highlight some of these added rules from the "COVID Addendum" and back and forth emails with Kerbie.
*Edible cake cannot be on display for viewing. If we do not wear face masks or gloves during cutting of our cake, then only bride and groom can consume.
*Hope for a small bridal party and family because only 8 people can be in bridal suite and split up 6 and 2 within suite. Only 4 in the Grooms.(vendors included in these numbers)
*Your bridesmaids have to literally stand 6 feet apart from one another during the outdoor ceremony (pretty awkward for photos)
*Strict assigned seating for Ceremony that must correlate with the seating for the reception.
*per this Addendum, its encouraged to "ask the DJ to remind guests to stay 6 ft apart" while on the dance floor (even outside!!!)
*lawn games discouraged and frowned upon.
*guests can only drink when at their table; no standing and mingling with food or drink in hand
*1/2 page of intense regulation on how you can seat your guests (I wish I had time to write that all out) It was the biggest headache imaginable trying to keep "two or more members of same household adjacent to one another with 2 seats of separation between the individuals who are not members of the same household but are attending together can sit adjacent to one another but with 2 seats of separation on either side, or 3 couples may sit across the table from one another-max 6. If you have individuals attending without dates, 4 may sit at table together". And no, I'm not exaggerating, it was a nightmare.
We did our final walk through with Kerbie and when discussing about social distancing, she THREATENED that if our guests are not 6 feet apart or masked or if they are mingling with drinks and not at their assigned seating at the table, that she will get the WILCO Officer to get involved(the Officer that WE PAID FOR in order to open up the BAR!!!!!) if guests are not following these rules!! Then the cherry on top was the back and forth questioning about guests sitting next to this person but they're sitting next to someone not of the same household at the reception and blah blah blah. WE WERE OVER THIS!!! This was the WORST experience EVER!!! There was little to no compassion from Kerbie for what we were going through already planning during COVID..but then all of this stress on top of it! We didn't feel she was understanding or warm not to mention when we asked questions, she just threw the rule book at us and cited regulations/rules. Finally, just 2 weeks before our wedding, we found it was less stressful to switch entirely to a new venue than to stay with Garey House. You know what?! it was the best decision ever. The only sad thing is that we felt robbed of our peace and joy which we started to feel the moment we switched to a different venue and we should have been able to feel this the entire time we were planning. With this entire experience, I feel it is my duty to let others know what this experience was like so you at least are fully aware if you choose this venue. We NEVER would have chosen Garey House had we known we'd go through all of this. So sad that any Bride or Groom would be treated this way. No one needs added stress like this during planning a wedding, especially when you're a covid bride, thats already stressful enough. read more
