It has taken me a while to actually sit down and write this review, but better late than never. I want to start off by saying I really like this venue, I think it's gorgeous and the garden is truly perfect if you're planning an outdoor ceremony... the pictures will not disappoint. The food I will add is also really good, much better than others! I got married here a few weeks ago and although the pictures turned out great, I hate to admit the process wasn't entirely stress free on my wedding day and I'm glad the stress didn't show up on those pictures.
For starters, when we were called for our food tasting we talked to Robin and asked her how early we could come to the venue to get ready, which she told us we were allowed to come in at 4pm and use the venue. (Our ceremony was at 7pm) During our rehearsal 2 days before the wedding, we were told by Ester (our coordinator) that we could not get ready at the venue at 4pm that was the time that vendors could come in and decorate but we could not use the brides room because they could have walk ins and they were required to show them the venue. (Even though they said they stopped showing walk ins at 4pm) Weird. For us to have an extra hour (even though we were told weeks prior we could come in at 4) we would have to pay $250. It was later brought to my attention that they had made a mistake by telling me 4pm. Now, I'm no wedding expert but 1 hour to get ready in the bridal suite is ridiculous. Why would you offer the suite for 1 hour when I was told walk ins are not allowed 2 hour prior? Regardless, we paid for the extra hour because we wanted to get ready there and take pictures however as soon as I walked into the venue on my wedding day Ester runs up to me and tells me that my original DJ could not make it and they had sent another one. WHY WOULD YOU TELL ME THIS ON MY WEDDING DAY? Not only was I a nervous wreck as soon as I heard that, but it was a little annoying having to hear and be asked all the little things when all I wanted was a stress free night. TELL ANYONE BUT THE BRIDE. Seriously. Go tell someone else! If that wasn't my original DJ I rather not know about it! Tell me at the end of the night or after the ceremony when I'm not so sensitive.
Okay, other than that, I will say it was a little frustrating getting asked about everything. Oh you want white wine? Will that be paid separately or will it come out of the drink tab? Um, I don't know figure it out. Now, I understand the need for wedding coordinators because they keep everything flowing, but it was extremely annoying having Ester tell us we had to do this, and then go do that, then wait awkwardly for whatever she told us to do to happen. A great example of this was the cake cutting. Ester gathered us to go cut the cake, so we walk over to the cake, then she goes to the DJ and tells him it's time to cut the cake, to which we awkwardly have to stand next to the cake as the DJ starts to play the cake cutting song. Why she didn't talk to the DJ and have him do his thing first, then gather us is beyond me. Also, love how she is in the background of EVERY. SINGLE. PICTURE. Nothing against you Ester, I think you are a nice woman, but I think you should have talked to the DJ before the reception and talked to him about how you wanted things run instead of telling us, then telling the DJ, then coming back to us. Also, when you're telling people to leave so they can send us off, don't just do it for the guests, but the servers too. We had to dance our secret last dance while the servers cleaned up. I will give credit to LAURA, another coordinator (and our original coordinator but something came up and they gave us Ester) she was the only one with a brain and told all the servers to go to the back and wait for us to finish, for that I am really grateful. I want to note, the servers started cleaning at 10:55. Our package was until 11pm. Thanks for those moments during our last dance!
In a nutshell, the venue is gorgeous, the food was delicious, but there just seemed to be a lack of communication between the DJ, the wedding coordinator and he said she said with other people that made the wedding more stressful than it needed to be. read more