disappointment at wedding at the Inn at NHP

Just got married at the Inn. I was really excited because it really is such a beautiful space. However, the service does not match the beauty of the Inn. They treat their brides like a mass production. At least, that's the way I felt. I worked with someone, 'L', as my wedding coordinator and she was very cold and stern. I actually read some reviews on her on various websites and there are many brides that felt the same way. Regardless, we planned the wedding and L did what she was supposed to do.

On the day of the wedding, as I was getting ready at the bridal suite, my maid of honor took a picture of the ceremony room, which they charge $600 to use, and I realized everything that was discussed in the contract was not set up. L said we would have chiavari chairs with flowers on pedestals lining the aisle, which was included in the $600 we paid, but instead we got old red velvet chairs with trees and christmas lights at the altar and absolutely no flowers lining the aisle. I told my maid of honor to tell someone that this isn't what we had discussed. Mind you, this is 30 minutes before my wedding ceremony. I was told by the venue that they were aware this wasn't my set up and hadn't gotten to it yet. I was very upset because it was 30 minutes before the wedding and people would see the change of set up going on and it was not how I wanted people to start and enjoy my wedding.

Later, after the ceremony was over, I had guests telling me that they saw other guests being kicked out of the room so that the venue could do the set up change. I also heard from guests that even though the venue told me they were aware this wasn't my set up, the ceremony programs were already on the ugly red chairs, which means that this WAS my set up for my ceremony.

As I walked in my with father to get married in the ceremony room, I realized the flowers that we paid hundreds of dollars for were not lining the aisle. There wasn't enough time for the venue to set it up because they had already pushed back 30 minutes of my wedding (which we were told that our 11:30-5:30 wedding would be strictly enforced, so 30 minutes had been lost because of the venue's mistakes).

Having already lost 30 minutes, me and my wedding party were rushed through cocktail hour. As we enter the reception room, we realized that the uplighting was not set up. We were told by the venue that they do a very good job at uplighting and there was no need to hire an outside vendor. We paid them $500 to have them set it up, and it was not. I didn't want to cause a fuss during my wedding and didn't want them to set it up while the guests were eating so this was to be discussed after the wedding was over. Lighting was really important to me because I was fighting daylight and twilight. I wanted my pictures to look very romantic with lighting but instead because of the Inn, I have dull pictures where the lighting is either completely dark or too bright.

After the wedding, we called L and much to our delight, she turned the blame to everyone else but herself. She even had the nerve to say to us, when we told her about the ceremony set up, 'Well, it got fixed, didn't it?'. We were very very disappointed at her lack of professionalism. As for the reception, she also had the nerve to blame the MaitreD ('M', who was very very professional and a sweetheart throughout the whole day). L was the one we had discussed all the details of the ceremony with. I didn't even see her throughout the whole wedding. Although she did pop her head in while I was getting ready to say Hi.

She did not act like she wanted to give us our money back for the screw ups that occurred. She told us she'd call us back and she did, with an offer to give us a refund for the uplighting and ceremony fee. I thought it'd be over but she called again with a MAJOR attitude, requesting that we give her our credit card number so that it would be refunded back into our card. She was being completely rude, snobby and just overall a person with a giant stick up hers.

It really sucks that the Inn was a huge disappointment. I've had guests say that they really liked the place and would love to consider it their venue for their own weddings but I will be sure that they do not. I would never want anyone to go through the lack of professionalism this place has. Their slogan 'one fairytale at a time' is also wrong as so many of guests saw another bride getting married and taking photos.

Towards the end of the wedding, we felt even more rushed than we did throughout the whole day. I honestly feel as if my wedding was.. not ruined, but a disappointment, because of the Inn. They did not do anything that the contract stated and unfortunately, no one else will have to suffer for it except me and my husband. We are assuming and feel like the Inn took advantage of us because we had the money to pay for everything but we are also young. We're not your modern 30 year old couple. We are 24/25. Nevertheless, we still should have been treated with respect and courtesy.

There are a lot of places besides the Inn that are beautiful and offer exceptional service. Go there. Don't look back at your wedding with a sad feeling, like how I feel and am doing now. You deserve every happiness for a day that comes once in your life.

Re: disappointment at wedding at the Inn at NHP

Remember - the important thing is that you're with the person of your dreams, and you'll spend the rest of your lives together! Keep it in perspective!

Re: disappointment at wedding at the Inn at NHP

First of all I am so sorry that everything was not as promised - I guess you could say they have you and know that there is nothing that can be done the day of your wedding and they probably know that you could not handle any 'problems' that day.

Thank you for sharing your review for those considering having their wedding at NHP - this will help the other brides and grooms decide on whether to use this venue or NOT!

Re: disappointment at wedding at the Inn at NHP

I'm sorry that you had such a bad experience on your big day! I'm really surprised cause I have heard so many good things about that RH, so much so that they were in my top 3! What really surprises me is the whole 1 wedding at a time, that was something that was important to me and the lady was so convincing that I would be the only bride at the hall even if a wedding was before mine.
I guess what you can get out of this whole situation is that you are now married to the love of your life and that they tried to make it right by refunding some of your money.

Re: disappointment at wedding at the Inn at NHP

I just can't believe this....I am so sorry that you had to go through this - all on your wedding day.

Re: disappointment at wedding at the Inn at NHP

WOW! I am so sorry your day was a disappointment bc of your venue. I have to say I REALLY wanted to have my wedding at The Inn but couldn't afford the Saturday night rate. Reading your review I feel better about having to compromise my venue for my night wedding.

I hope your honeymoon was great and I wish you and your husband a lifetime of health and happiness!!