Brides Helping Brides ™ - I have a problem. I think I hate Chateau Briand....

hbradio Posted: Apr 30, 2004 10:40 AM

I have a problem. I think I hate Chateau Briand....

We went the other night to make a payment and check the place out......there is no way I am forfeiting the $2500 we already gave them but I am feeling like I dont like it there anymore. Theres nothng special about it - its ugly and I am so upset!

The tables are so cramped with stuff - I feel like the guests wont have room to move. There are no windows. Sure we can open the drapes if you want to see whats going on at the Office Depot across the street!!! People are going to be in and out of the room the whole time smoking cigarettes. Theres no area where you can casually stroll out - you have to literally walk out of the building.

I dont like the black curtain that the sweetheart table will be in front of. I feel like it looks like a school play. Theres so many more things - I am going insane!!!!

I dont know why I am feeling this all of the sudden. Have any of you had doubts about your hall?

september2004 Posted: Apr 30, 2004 10:46 AM

Re: I have a problem. I think I hate Chateau Briand....

instead of focusing on the negative, think back to originally WHY you picked the place initially.

i don't like everything about my hall. actually, aesthetically, all i like is the fact that it's on the water. what sold me was food and service. the 'pretty elements' of the day will be the church, the girls (ha, ha), and all the unique creations my mother will contribute...

Murray Posted: Apr 30, 2004 10:49 AM

Re: I have a problem. I think I hate Chateau Briand....

How many people are you having...what room is your reception in? I am in the leonardo de vinci room and my guest list is currently 270, I think I will have plenty of rooms. What is going to be on your tables that is going to make them so cramped?

hbradio Posted: Apr 30, 2004 10:53 AM

Re: I have a problem. I think I hate Chateau Briand....

We are in the Saturnia with 125 people. I saw the tables the other night when they were set up for some work banquet. The tables have so much on them there is barely room for a centerpiece. I was thinking of asking them to put in one more table on each side instead of squeezing so many place settings on each table.

jessnyc711 Posted: Apr 30, 2004 10:54 AM

Re: I have a problem. I think I hate Chateau Briand....

when did you sign the contract, maybe you can double check on the deposit policy, maybe you can get some portion of it back, but if not, just see if the hall can adjust a few things to make it more your way. Work with them and hopefully you can make the most of it.

Murray Posted: Apr 30, 2004 10:56 AM

Re: I have a problem. I think I hate Chateau Briand....

I would definatly do that! They told me that they suggest that you leave 2 seats open @ each table??? I think that every CH that you go to will have tons of stuff on the tables, between all the glasses, plates, silverwear...etc...Maybe that the table are oval..it looks like there is more on them? I am not sure!

Corduroy94 Posted: Apr 30, 2004 10:57 AM

Re: I have a problem. I think I hate Chateau Briand....

I completely understand! I booked Fox Hollow & once the $$ was down I doubted my decision every day. Every other place looked nicer. You can always find flaws but try to think of ways to make it what you want.

Tables too cramped - do 10 instead of 12, I went to CB & there w/tables for 12 & 14 - 14 was insane & 12 wasn't much better.

Move the sweetheart table! I don't remember what room she had but she made an appointment & had them move the furniture in 5 different arrangements so she could decide. *It's your day*

I'm still afraid the ceiling is too low in my room - not much I can do - & that it is too dark. I've told them I don't want the lights dim for a 'romantic mood.' I want it bright when people are eating! Personally I like to SEE my food. Also, at FH they have a sheer curtain/drape - maybe CB could provide something like that - get light but not a clear view of Office Depot!

JimmysBride Posted: Apr 30, 2004 10:58 AM

Re: I have a problem. I think I hate Chateau Briand....

Posted by september2004

instead of focusing on the negative, think back to originally WHY you picked the place initially.

Good advice! I've had second thoughts about my hall all the time... but thinking back to the moment when I decided it was the one always erases the doubts.

You will have a beautiful wedding there, try not to stress about it. And most likely, people aren't going to notice or care one bit about these 'faults' that you are feeling uneasy about.

AJsMommy122 Posted: Apr 30, 2004 11:26 AM

Re: I have a problem. I think I hate Chateau Briand....

Ive had doubts too!!! But the other girls are right.. you fell in love with it and booked it for a reason... you just have to remember why. Maybe you just didnt like the way they had the room set up??
A few months ago when I went for my food tasting at sandcastle I remember looking in the ballroom .. and they were setting it up for a sweet 16... I HATED the way the room looked... they had the tables set up different then normally and they had this big ugly room divider going down the middle.. and it didnt help that the room was filled with pink balloons lol - I went home and looked at the pictures on the website and was amazed all over again!!
but anyway go back again when its not set up for an event. Maybe you will feel differently.

hbradio Posted: Apr 30, 2004 11:31 AM

Re: I have a problem. I think I hate Chateau Briand....

When we first saw the room, we were peeking in on a party and I liked it and thats why we booked. The other day it was just FH, me, & the banquet manager and I was like inspecting every little thing. I think I just need to step back a bit and remember that it will look better once everything is put together - I hope!

neen Posted: Apr 30, 2004 11:33 AM

Re: I have a problem. I think I hate Chateau Briand....

I am sorry you feel that way. But like the other girls said think positive! Try to make your tables smaller or can you get the bigger room? Your wedding is not until 2005 can you get your deposit back? I was not a big fan of CB because of the location but I thought the inside was nice.

AJsMommy122 Posted: Apr 30, 2004 11:34 AM

Re: I have a problem. I think I hate Chateau Briand....

Posted by hbradio

When we first saw the room, we were peeking in on a party and I liked it and thats why we booked. The other day it was just FH, me, & the banquet manager and I was like inspecting every little thing. I think I just need to step back a bit and remember that it will look better once everything is put together - I hope!

Honestly when you go to a wedding are you worried about the way the table is set up or what type of curtain is behind the sweetheart table?? NO!! we dont even notice that stuff!!! the only thing your guests care about is seeing you have a good time, the food, and the music. - Honestly CB is a gorgeous place!! - Remember me telling you my mom was so mad b/c we didnt go look there?? She was like but its soooo gorgeous!! All your guests will be thinking the same thing

kpny622 Posted: Apr 30, 2004 11:43 AM

Re: I have a problem. I think I hate Chateau Briand....

I'm sorry you are feeling that way, that sucks. But you know what, like someone said above, there is something about EVERY catering hall that won't be liked. I do think there are many special things about CB - when you first walk in there is that high ceiling and beautiful staircase and piano. And the food at the CB is awesome, I've been to weddings there and also, everyone raves about it. The tables being cramped is annoying but again, anywhere you go, there will be the same amount of stuff on the tables - it all depends on how many people you have per table. I sometimes wish there were more windows too but that wasn't an issue for me because most of the reception will be at night so it will be dark anyway. Lastly, the smoking thing - do you really want everyone constantly leaving your wedding and hanging out outside? I'd RATHER them be discouraged from doing that! I guess I'm just biased because I love CB. I hope you have a change of heart!

Ab12345 Posted: Apr 30, 2004 04:25 PM

Re: I have a problem. I think I hate Chateau Briand....

fm

SandraLynn Posted: Apr 30, 2004 04:30 PM

Re: I have a problem. I think I hate Chateau Briand....

I feel the same way, doubts...I have ALWAYS wanted my wedding on water, ha, I am having it at a vineyard, go figure. I wanted Atlantic...I wanted Giorigios, what did I pick, Raphael; I think it is beautiful/different, but it is not on the water...I don't want any regrets!

Joey'sbaby Posted: Apr 30, 2004 04:58 PM

Re: I have a problem. I think I hate Chateau Briand....

Go back and see your room set up fror a wedding not a business function and if you still feel this way sit down with the general manager (not the banquet manager) and discuss your concerns. They're in business to please you - I'm sure there is a solution. Good luck!!!!

MrHostility Posted: Apr 30, 2004 05:06 PM

Re: I have a problem. I think I hate Chateau Briand....

I'm not sure what you don't like about it, but I REALLY liked it. One thing I liked most, they seemed to be very accomidating and easy going. Anything we wanted we could do, or could be done. I thought it had a very romantic feel to it, and I hear they are re-doing the whole room. (would have been in that room too) To be honest, it was probably my favorite, or tied with our choice of Villa Lombardi.

I wouldn't worry about people needing to walk outside or downstairs to smoke. Maybe they could just not smoke for 4 hours, it wouldn't kill them.

Sure I have doubted Villa, they have pissed me off on quite a few things. But when I see it, and I see how much FW likes it, I know it can't be wrong. But I would have welcomed CB as an awesome place.

tourist Posted: Apr 30, 2004 05:17 PM

Re: I have a problem. I think I hate Chateau Briand....

Your weddignis far enough away, that you may be able to get your $ back, b/e they canpaorbably rebook it, if your contract allows for that, but I don't think you need to.

I agree with everyone else.
talk to you banquet manager about the table arangements.
Our hall told us we could could out the band & dance area ( no real dance floor, all hard wood) in 2 diffenrt palcess, and I am going to ask for a regualr table instead ofa sweethart table. Most halls do all sorts of functions, so they are used to seetting things up in different ways.

hbradio Posted: Apr 30, 2004 09:50 PM

Re: I have a problem. I think I hate Chateau Briand....

Here are one of the pictures that we took - theres freakin' 14 chairs at this table and I think thats why its so cramped!!!

I was thinking about it and we arent going to change our venue. Whats done is done and we have to live with it now.....but thanks everyone for your advice - I appreciate it!

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Pookiesangel Posted: Apr 30, 2004 10:47 PM

Re: I have a problem. I think I hate Chateau Briand....

After seeing other places with places to walk around .. I too didn't like CB..

But as other girls said, focus on the positive, the reasons you orginally choose it.. the food & service are great...

One thing I have to say, is being on here as much as it helps.. sometimes makes you doubt the choices that you've made for yourself.

I've seen a few places other girls are having their receptions at and to be honest.. I'm like damn I should have waited.. but then I remember when I first saw the swan club, I just knew it was the place..

I think we all have second thoughts... just focus on your orginal reasons for choosing CB and try to work with them to make the room look the best it can so your happy on your special day