I was a bridesmaid in this wedding and got to witness and deal with this unfortunate situation of extreme unprofessionalism at Gracewood Manor in Augusta, GA.
The bride took her bridal portraits at the venue and her dress got so dirty in the bridal suite that the venue had to pay to clean her dress! I noticed a trip/fall hazard for our elderly and/or disabled guests and was met with attitude when I asked if we could mark it or block the area. This was a temporary fix so people attending weddings here please be careful at the side entrances to the reception area.
The bride paid extra to have one extra hour to get ready- that hour I personally spent cleaning the facility. They did not have a fully functioning vacuum cleaner, the rooms were dirty, and I had to duct tape the carpet to the floor so we wouldn't trip. The duct tape remained for several more future weddings.. just to name a few. We all worked extremely hard to keep our bride stress free for her beautiful day!
Her review: Despite the venue's initial beauty, I cannot in good conscience recommend it to future brides or event hosts. The standards of cleanliness, professionalism, and integrity were far below what anyone should expect--especially after spending several thousands of dollars. At the very least, cleanliness should be a basic expectation.
My bridal party and I encountered multiple safety hazards and serious housekeeping issues: blood stains on white curtains, dirt and soot on the floors and carpets, dead bugs in the bathrooms, unsanitary kitchen counters, and a dangerous tripping hazard in front of the reception area--just to name a few. When these issues were brought to the attention of the venue management, they responded not with concern, but with hostility--toward both my bridal party and some of our guests.
Two weeks after my wedding, I sent a courteous and factual email to the venue owner, Amanda, with the intention of helping future brides by making her aware of what we experienced. I made it clear I was not seeking compensation--just accountability. Instead, I was met with multiple threats and further unprofessionalism. Amanda also violated our contract on several occasions and has ignored every one of my attempts to communicate and resolve the matter.
From the beginning, I have handled this situation with professionalism and respect, but I have been met only with hostility and neglect. If I could offer any advice to future brides considering this venue, it would be: Keep a copy of your contract with you at all times. It saved me from being overcharged and mistreated more than once. read more