I had my wedding RECEPTION here on July 5, 2014 1:30pm - 5:30pm at the Maryland Room (the room overlooking the garden).
One thing you guys need to know about me is that I am frugal and I love to get my monies worth (who doesn't?). My husband and I got engaged on April 2014 so we had very limited time to find a venue - we went to many different venues and none of them fit our budget (very important) and what we wanted. Since, our maid of honor and my step-in-laws got married at the Crosswinds, we figured to check it out...
Most of the reviews you read here are true: Martin's mass produced weddings/events and decor is a bit outdated. However, these reviews are coming from folks who attended an event ... a wedding is not cheap and if YOU'RE paying for it (not your parents), then you might want to take a closer look at this place.
So let's talk pricing and the experience before, during and after:
Pricing: The minimum guest is 100 people, either 100 guests shows up or not, they will charge you for 100 people. You do not pay for the room, you pay for the food multiply by 100pp (per person). You get to choose either buffet style or platted (prices are the same) and then you can add your add-ons. You have an option to upgrade your entrees to prime rib/crabcakes, lobster/crabcakes etc. etc. I chose buffet-style (because if my guests are still hungry, then they can go grab seconds) and it was $46.25pp and the price includes basic appetizers: fruit plate, salad or soup.
Please note, we received a deal for some of the add-ons, so prices may vary:
ADD-ONs: hot hors d'oeuvres ($5.50pp) have plenty of options such as pigs in the blanket, fried calamari etc. when you do your tasting, I highly suggest the meat knish, everybody loved it.
4hours open bar ($17.55pp) which is the in-house liquors. You can upgrade to premium or deluxe. If your guests does not care what type of vodka they have in their mix drinks, then I highly suggest doing the in-house liquors.
Ice cream bar ($3.00pp)
Champagne toast ($2.00pp) the head table automatically gets champagne however, if you want your guests to have champagne then this is the price you pay for.
Wedding cake ($3.25pp) they will cut and serve it for you.
DJ for 4 hours ($475) and they use DJ Delights
I brought a roasted pig from an outside caterer (Paul Kee) which was included in the carving station and I paid $75 for Martin's to cut and serve.
Experience:
Before: You have to set up an appointment. Arriving at your appointment, they have reserve parking for you. Our event planner was Kim Cleveland and she was friendly, straight-forward and helpful. A couple days before the big day, I dropped off my items to Kim such as favors, seating chart and place cards. Martin's will not put the place cards (according to your seating chart) in each individual tables for you. But they will put the favors in each table. They will give you a sheet where you can list the time frames for example, cake cutting at 2pm. And yes, they followed that sheet to the T.
During: Part of your contract, you get a personal bridal hostess that will cater to you and the bridal party and a bridal suite where you can get ready or hang out. Our bridal hostess, Katrina, was AMAZING - she truly gave us the Martin's experience. In the suite, there were wine/champagne/sodas and if you bought the hot hors d'oeuvres, they serve it there too. And yes, your guest are eating their apps while they're waiting for you. The head table gets serve food and drinks so you don't have to get in-line. The decor of the buffet was simple yet appealing to the eyes. As for the table decor, you get to choose the linen and napkin colors and automatically comes with a floating candle centerpiece. The decor automatically comes with the contract - if you want it to customize your way then you are allowed to come in an hour early to do set ups. When the party was over, Katrina made sure we had all our belongings, she did not leave our side until we got in the car. Martin's gives you a nice food basket with champagne.
After: Since we had an issue with DJ Delights at first, Martin's called us to apologize and asked how they can do better. Long story short the issue was that since we had very limited time frame, we were having communication problems with DJ Delights. We got it resolved and DJ Gavin did a FANTASTIC job at the party! Martin's sent us this membership card that we can use to get a free champagne bottle every time we attend a Martin's event. How cool is that!
Overall, we and our guests had a great time. Definitely worth the money, and this statement comes from a frugal person. read more