I have grown up in this area, had my senior prom here, and one of my friends got married here. So when we were looking for a place for my daughter to take her senior pictures I showed her pictures of the mansion and grounds. (We live in Virginia now so we made a special trip) So I made arrangements, I hired a photographer and we drove up, when we got there a wedding was taking place and we were asked not to go near the mansion, so we didn't. Half way through the wedding planner came down and rudely told us that we needed to move, as the wedding party was coming down to take pictures. We moved ,but could still see the gardens, they never moved to take the pictures. Their photographs were taken at the mansion in the background, so they couldn't pick us up in the background. While we were at the grounds keeping house /stable two men drove by on golf carts smiling and waving, we waved back.
While taking more pictures at different areas of the stable, one of the men came back, telling us that they charge $150.00 for taking pictures, which I told him okay, I'll pay. He then changed his mind, and said it was for pictures in the mansion, I told him we didn't want to do pictures in the mansion. He then told us that it was okay and we could finish up.
Well needless to say that we took a couple more and left to another location. Inconveniencing my photographer and his assistant.
Customer service in this place is non-existent and it shows that money is the only thing that matters to them, as they told my daughter in so many words that her senior pictures weren't as important since the wedding couple paid thousands to have their wedding there and she didn't pay!! It's free to go on the grounds by the way, and nothing posted stating that you have to pay to be on the grounds.
Now with that being said, if we were near the mansion I could understand why she got upset, because it does cost thousands of dollars to have your wedding here, but you'll be treated better if you have your wedding at a church or a park, and reception at the local firehall!!
Plus you could use some of those thousands on the honeymoon of your dreams!!! read more