If I could rate less than 1 Star, I would…read more..
As we began our wedding planning, finding a venue was a challenge. We struggled to find the perfect place, with a decent price, that had all the thing we were looking for, for our August wedding. My now husband found Selene Homestead and I fell in love with the few picture we saw. We scheduled a visit to check out their property and see what they had to offer--it was gorgeous! There was much land, a Saloon, Bridal Suite (that doubled as their bed and breakfast), the Magnolia Blossom Building for food/cake, a beautiful backyard, plus a large field where you can hold the ceremony.
We quickly booked the venue and I was thrilled to get started on planning all the small details.
As time went on and our date got closer, our bills got higher. And just as we were getting into the swing of things, my Nana--my mom's mom--passed away in March 2014. Everything was tossed in the air and not much time was spent on the wedding. We struggled for a long time, to get back on our feet (we still struggle daily), and really get things back on track. Debra, the woman who own/lives at the venue, with her husband, was less than sympathetic. It was all business. Then came the nickel-and-diming. The jars, the Shepard's hooks, the dance floor, the arbor.... We wanted two extra hours in the morning to work on set up (keep in mind we meant us working, and not wanting her or her husband to do anything more than just allow us to be there), and she hit us with a $200/hour price point! Pardon me?
She booked us a bartender without clearing the individual with us, first (more on the bartender, later), and never kept in contact with us about anything.
We scheduled a final visit before the wedding to make sure we covered all of our bases, speak with Debra about everything, and pay a remainder of fees. Debra couldn't even find the time to come outside and say "hello". We coordinated this time with her. She conveniently (for her) scheduled a conference call during our time there.
Her husband is such a nice man and throughout the entire experience was so friendly. I have no negative things to say about him.
I must also mention that they altered the venue with no warning or heads up to any of us. They laid a very large cement slab inform of the saloon for a dance floor. This struck a cord with me, as I booked the venue "as is" and was not expecting it to be altered. No where in the contract does it say they are entitled to unannounced changes to the venue, without notice.
Then came the big day! It went very smoothly, during setup and there were no big hang-ups. Debra's small dog was running about the property during the wedding and I was most certainly NOT OKAY with that. I had my small dog, my mother's and a cousin's dog roaming around, as she approved of it, and was well aware they'd be there. By no means did that make it okay for her to have her dog running around, getting in my photos, the day of the wedding.
Debra came outside to the wedding unannounced, took a lot of photos (without being given permission), and ate the food (again, no permission. And feeding her was not stated in the contract). She chatted with various people, and would go back inside.
My point of view on this is... we are renting your space. You are not invited to the wedding. And you are not permitted to eat the food we paid for, chat with my guests, take photos of our day, and have your dog roam around my reception.
A side note on the bartender--she has no clue as to what being a bartender entails. The majority of our guests complained about her, and she said several rude comments to multiple wedding guests. This is most definitely not okay.
Breakfast, the morning after the wedding, was wonderful, and leaving the venue was just fine with me.
The wedding was gorgeous, but the attitude and they way Debra runs her business, is NOT.
I would not recommend Selene Homestead to anyone, unless they're ready for a large bill and an unfriendly attitude from her.
Again, her husband was wonderful, pleasant to be around, and a comfort to talk to.
But do yourself a favor and do NOT book Selene Homestead.