Bourne Mansion Brides

muffy917 Posted: Jul 12, 2006 03:36 PM

Bourne Mansion Brides

My DOC told me that a few of her brides getting married at the bourne mansion have been getting lots of aggravation from lessings. apparently they are being real sticklers about stuff and not being flexible about throuwing in anything!!! one bride wanted to have an extra little anniversary cake thrown in and they said NO WAY to serving it, cutting it or anything!!!!! Any similar experiances??? None of us bourne brides are ever on here!!!!!!

Ida881 Posted: Jul 12, 2006 03:42 PM

Re: Bourne Mansion Brides

I have had good experiences with Ben at lessings. He said I can even bring my own wine to the party and they wont charge a cork fee. He has been very flexible with everything. Who is your contact?

muffy917 Posted: Jul 12, 2006 04:25 PM

Re: Bourne Mansion Brides

Ben is my contact as well. What the DOC said was that they are also 'yes - ing' the brides to death and when it comes down to the wire - its No!

Ida881 Posted: Jul 12, 2006 06:40 PM

Re: Bourne Mansion Brides

Well, thats why you should get that in writing. Or have them add it to the contract. Always get things documented. Ben probably doesnt remember who he said yes and no too, so you definitely need to get it in writing.

Anna506 Posted: Jul 12, 2006 07:32 PM

Re: Bourne Mansion Brides

I didn't have the best experience with Ben. He's not very on top of things. I feel like I'm always chasing him down to get something done, always reminding him that I need this or that info from him. He never called me to schedule tasting/menu choosing... our menu choosing was right BEFORE the tasting, he spend about 10 minutes with us. He was really really great before we sign the contract... afterwards, it was like he forget all about us.

Ida881 Posted: Jul 12, 2006 07:48 PM

Re: Bourne Mansion Brides

I also feel like you cant get in touch with him. you need to call him when he is there. I totally agree with that. But, I heard a lot of brides had a great wedding regardless. I didnt rely on him for the tasting. I kept calling and bugging him. I went to a tasting in May. I wouldnt worry too much about him. The staff is what makes the party great, and I hear all good things about staff and food.

Ida881 Posted: Jul 12, 2006 07:51 PM

Re: Bourne Mansion Brides

Anna, check your FM

muffy917 Posted: Jul 13, 2006 09:03 PM

Re: Bourne Mansion Brides

I will certainly get any changes or additions in writing.
thanx for your replies!

Backinneyork Posted: Jul 16, 2006 02:23 AM

Re: Bourne Mansion Brides

Posted by Anna506

I didn't have the best experience with Ben. He's not very on top of things. I feel like I'm always chasing him down to get something done, always reminding him that I need this or that info from him. He never called me to schedule tasting/menu choosing... our menu choosing was right BEFORE the tasting, he spend about 10 minutes with us. He was really really great before we sign the contract... afterwards, it was like he forget all about us.

I had issues with Ben as well through the planning process, but my day turned out wonderful and the staff was top notch the day of. I woudl suggest complaining about Ben if you feel very strongly about it.

As far as asking for extras, I can't give you any insight on that since I didnt ask for anything - I thought that their package was great and didn't feel the need for anything more. Good Luck!

Lools Posted: Jul 31, 2006 01:32 PM

Re: Bourne Mansion Brides

My fiance and I are literally just about to sign our contract with Ben for September 2007 at The Bourne Mansion. We have met with him twice and so far everything has gone well. We got a pretty good impression.
Does anyone have any suggestions or questions we need to be sure to ask Ben before we sign the contract? Also, did anyone have any problems the day of their event, were the bathrooms sufficient, and did the guests have any complaints or compliments? Are the staff at Bourne flexible and accomodating regarding specific decorations? Thanks!!

Ida881 Posted: Jul 31, 2006 01:47 PM

Re: Bourne Mansion Brides

Hi, Im getting married there next September also! Congrats!! Check out the reviews on the Bourne Mansion. All past brides have raved about the staff, food, etc. I dont think you have any thing to worry about.

MattandTricia07 Posted: Jul 31, 2006 01:51 PM

Re: Bourne Mansion Brides

I'm not getting married at Bourne, but we have a work function there and I just had to deal with Ben this morning and he wasn't so nice, but I did hear that he usually is nice to work with. Good luck girls!

Lools Posted: Jul 31, 2006 02:34 PM

Re: Bourne Mansion Brides

Hi! Thanks for your reply! Pretty neat that we are getting married at around the same time & at the same place! Perhaps we can bounce things off each other and compare notes on the Bourne during this process! What date do you have? We are September 29th.

Ida881 Posted: Jul 31, 2006 03:39 PM

Re: Bourne Mansion Brides

Yea!! FM me with any questions. We are getting married on September 7th. Keep in touch!

heather13 Posted: Jul 31, 2006 03:48 PM

Re: Bourne Mansion Brides

agree with above comments about not getting information easily from Ben. Also was was annoyed that they weren't very flexible scheduling things like tastings.

I would neotiate like crazy before signing the contract and document everything as suggested. we were able to modify and or add things to ours

winterwhite Posted: Nov 02, 2006 01:02 PM

Re: Bourne Mansion Brides

Ben is absolutely the worst in dealing with, but I'm hopeful my april 07 wedding will go okay.

I only read one bad review of the bourne. It said not enough bathrooms, bad filet mignon, and bad sound in the room.

I'm also hoping that was just a fluke.

Anyway, Negotiate the hell out of your contract before signing. He was flexible in the price, but then I said I didn't want the cake in the ballroom (right in front of my face) and the matridee gavae me a hard time, talking about how its too risky to put the cake in another room. Instead it was safer to put it right on the dance floor. I was mad abotu that, but when the day comes I'm sure the cake won't be there even if I have to move it myself.

We are also bringing in our own alcohol b/c their selection is awful.

Good luck with everything, I'll let you know in May how my wedding went

odiesgirl Posted: Nov 02, 2006 03:30 PM

Re: Bourne Mansion Brides

I am going there this Sunday to look. I am still up in the air on where I want to have the reception. I am meeting with Ben and I will be sure to let you know my impressions!

bournebride Posted: Nov 02, 2006 04:22 PM

Re: Bourne Mansion Brides

WOW I have never heard the Bourne be bashed like this before. I am getting married there in two weeks. so far Ben has been really good,he emails me back, returns my phone calls, set up the tasting as soon as I asked for it. My DOC told me the same thing about the first post and the girl and the cake, I think it is def. important to ask for everything before hand. In regards to the sound, I heard the same thing and discussed many options with our DJ's and also contacted Steve the Maitre D' and he was able to get back to me and give me some good advice. I will let you know how everything goes in two weeks.