Local Wedding Boards
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Advice needed Re: Belhurst
New York-Upstate
Advice needed Re: Belhurst
<p>Hey Upstate NY brides and grooms. Chat here about the best tips, Knottie GTGs, and wedding planning in your area.</p>
So my friend is getting married at the Belhurst Castle in August and the wedding coordinator has been craptastic. I'm the matron of honor and I feel like I should have known to tell my friend ho
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New York-Upstate
Advice needed Re: Belhurst
<p>Hey Upstate NY brides and grooms. Chat here about the best tips, Knottie GTGs, and wedding planning in your area.</p>
So my friend is getting married at the Belhurst Castle in August and the wedding coordinator has been craptastic. I'm the matron of honor and I feel like I should have known to tell my friend ho
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Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:124
Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:124Discussion:ad7bb429-2466-480c-9961-fa897f3801d2
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Advice needed Re: Belhurst
posted at 1/9/2012 7:45 PM EST
on theknot.com
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Joined on
12-07-2009
LOS ANGELES 5241958122900291
Posts: 351
First: 4/24/2011
Last: 5/6/2012
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So my friend is getting married at the Belhurst Castle in August and the wedding coordinator has been craptastic. I'm the matron of honor and I feel like I should have known to tell my friend how to coordinate everything since I read through the reviews and I knew the coordinator was craptastic.
She told the lady way back when she chose Belhurst that she would like pictures up on the balcony. The coordinator told her yes she could do that, she'd need to get that room to stay in overnight. Great, my friend said, that's what she wants to do. She has talked about this a lot and that was why she chose the Belhurst. That and she loves castles and she wanted someplace she and the bridal party could stay overnight.
What my friend didn't say was "Please confirm my reservation for August 10th and here is the credit card." She just said that's what she wants. Her parents paid the deposit on the wedding. The lady never told her she needs to do it, or do it early and they fill up.
She called this week to make sure she has that room and to get rooms for the rest of the party and she was told that not only does she not have that room, they have NO PLACE at all, at any of their properties for her to stay on her wedding night.
Pretty much, they said "Oh Well."
She's crushed, and asked if there was at least a room to get ready in and they told her no. There's no bride's room.
Has anyone has a wedding there? Was there a place to get ready? What on earth do I do for her now?
I realize I should have told her last year to book the room. We all thought she did. I didn't book mine yet and really had no idea they'd be booked up already. I think that was something the wedding coordinator could have mentioned.
Not only that, they won't e-mail her back since last Friday.
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Re: Advice needed Re: Belhurst
posted at 1/9/2012 7:46 PM EST
on theknot.com
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Joined on
12-07-2009
LOS ANGELES 5241958122900291
Posts: 351
First: 4/24/2011
Last: 5/6/2012
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BTW, I don't live in Los Angeles. I'm normally on the bump, and the knot made me update with all sorts of info like my husband's name and where we live and I don't put that in:)
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Re: Advice needed Re: Belhurst
posted at 1/10/2012 10:47 AM EST
on theknot.com
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Joined on
02-21-2011
UPSTATE NEW YORK 9787338895745417
Posts: 445
First: 3/7/2011
Last: 5/23/2012
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My advice: if she hasn't already get rooms at the other hotels in Geneva! they book as fast or faster than the castle. Also if she doesn't want to travel far then perhaps you could look at rooms at Geneva on the lake, it has the same romantic feel and is only one door down? They are pricey but I know I'd prefer it over having to go across town and stay at Hampton Inn or Ramada.
I am getting married there and they were very upfront about room policies when we looked there. Making an assumption that just because a bride wants the nicest room that she should have it was silly, I reserved the Tower Suite ( the room your talking about) for Friday and Saturday nights when I booked the place, we also reserved the houses and cottages on the property to make sure we would have access to stuff we want. There are 2 ballrooms and I knew there was another wedding there, the same day as mine and I didn't want the other part to get stuff before I did, I admit that it is less than desirable but that was just part of the deal. They are a fantastic value for what you're getting-one of the cheapest venues we looked at, and part of that reason, I'm sure is because they make $$ off the rooms. There's a room breakdown sheet and price list right in the wedding packet, but after we toured the banquet facilities and talked weddign stuff she sent us back to the front desk because they handle the rooms, we got a tour of several of each of the kinds of rooms we wanted and we booked the stuff that was top priority-and we only had to pay for one night of the stay to secure the reservation. I think that is pretty fair esp. since at that point it was 18 months out!
I'm so sorry and that was kind of my nightmare about using them. as far as the coordinator being craptastic, i guess it depends on expectations, I expect her to make sure her staff does what they need to do, and make sure the outside vendors have access and power etc but she isn't your weddign planner, she's done a decent job by me so far. I know closer too she will play a bigger role, but essentially she is your point of contact and so long as she answers your question in a timely manor there's not a whole to expect before the week, or even day of.
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Sept 2012 Siggy:Bridesmaids' Dresses
Bari Jay 911 in Raspberry
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Re: Advice needed Re: Belhurst
posted at 1/10/2012 10:52 PM EST
on theknot.com
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Joined on
12-07-2009
LOS ANGELES 5241958122900291
Posts: 351
First: 4/24/2011
Last: 5/6/2012
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Thanls for your input. The coordinator still won't get back to her. She emailed on Fri and again early this am. We did get the loft room at the geneva on the lake and i got the room next door. She booked the few rooms that were around for the family. What would you do if they offered a big incentive to give up one room so anorher bride could have one room? Because that's what I think they should do. Or ask if they offered you something so a bride could take a picture?
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Re: Advice needed Re: Belhurst
posted at 1/11/2012 8:40 AM EST
on theknot.com
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Joined on
02-21-2011
UPSTATE NEW YORK 9787338895745417
Posts: 445
First: 3/7/2011
Last: 5/23/2012
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Are you trying to get a hold of Carmen or Michelle? I've had responses from Michele-who is Carmens assistant, even on her day off she's made arrangements for me to be able to sneak in and see the ballroom set up but before another weddign has started. I know she checks her email, and thats where I've had the best luck, she will Email quicker than call.
I would be sympathetic to a bride that is losing out on one of the great shots the venue has to offer, it was a big plus for me in picking the venue too!
I can say though that on my day I may be less than enthusiastic, now its easy to say no problem, BUT when I really think about it- at least in my case where some of BMs are staying in that suite with me the night before and we are all having our hair/makeup done in that room- it could be a little chaotic.
I can totally see a cute woohoo we're weddign date twins picture, and being fine with letting another bride in, but to play devils advocate I can see being put out by it and not wanting to move my stuff or have someone in the way either.
I would approach the subject very sensitively, and be very gracious. You jsut never know what kind of stress or emotions another bride may be having surrounding her wedding, so expect anything but I guess I'd ask regardless.
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Sept 2012 Siggy:Bridesmaids' Dresses
Bari Jay 911 in Raspberry
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Re: Advice needed Re: Belhurst
posted at 1/11/2012 7:13 PM EST
on theknot.com
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Joined on
12-07-2009
LOS ANGELES 5241958122900291
Posts: 351
First: 4/24/2011
Last: 5/6/2012
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It's Carmen. I'll tell her to try Michelle. Still no word by the way. I don't think it's even that day's bride who has the tower suite. I think it's Saturday's bride. (My friend's wedding is on Fri.)
For me persoanlly I'd be okay with another bride taking a pic as long as it was just the bride and groom or just bride. Probably not if the whole wedding party were coming in.
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Re: Advice needed Re: Belhurst
posted at 1/11/2012 7:24 PM EST
on theknot.com
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Joined on
02-21-2011
UPSTATE NEW YORK 9787338895745417
Posts: 445
First: 3/7/2011
Last: 5/23/2012
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then that may change things! I hope everything works out the best for her, regardless I'm sure it will be a beautiful, amazing wedding!!
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Sept 2012 Siggy:Bridesmaids' Dresses
Bari Jay 911 in Raspberry
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Re: Advice needed Re: Belhurst
posted at 1/11/2012 8:19 PM EST
on theknot.com
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Joined on
12-07-2009
LOS ANGELES 5241958122900291
Posts: 351
First: 4/24/2011
Last: 5/6/2012
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Thank you. She said that she hasn't even heard of a Michelle, but the assistant is Stephanie. Can you pm me a contact number?
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Re: Advice needed Re: Belhurst
posted at 1/12/2012 10:38 AM EST
on theknot.com
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Joined on
02-21-2011
UPSTATE NEW YORK 9787338895745417
Posts: 445
First: 3/7/2011
Last: 5/23/2012
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Yeah I'm wrong I meant Stephanie, geez I guess I really haven't talked to her in a long time!
Its just stephanie@belhurst
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Sept 2012 Siggy:Bridesmaids' Dresses
Bari Jay 911 in Raspberry
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Re: Advice needed Re: Belhurst
posted at 1/12/2012 4:24 PM EST
on theknot.com
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Joined on
10-28-2010
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL 7198238555809993
Posts: 183
First: 1/18/2011
Last: 5/9/2012
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I got married there last August and there really isn't any place to get ready if you don't have a room reserved...I'm sorry to say that. I'm a little surprised they are so full already, unless it's largely the other wedding party. Did she put her name on the waiting list at least? Maybe since it's so far out something will open up. Some of my guests decided last minute to check and just got put on the waiting list for rooms.
We stayed in one of the Reserve Rooms because the Castle rooms had such bad reviews online. I didn't mind not having the balcony pictures, but probably it's more important to your friend.
I agree that Carmen was horrible to deal with. It was ridiculous the amount of stress she caused. But I also agree with PP that it is one of the more economical places and the scenery is gorgeous. I didn't know Stephanie existed until the day of my wedding but I've heard from other brides that she is way more helpful.
My other piece of advice might be to reserve a house nearby? There are some vacation rentals that our guests looked at, if you are interested in having the bridal party all stay together.
Good luck!
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Re: Advice needed Re: Belhurst
posted at 3/14/2012 2:06 PM EDT
on theknot.com
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Joined on
04-19-2001
LONG ISLAND 887412575009140
Posts: 1
First: 3/14/2012
Last: 3/14/2012
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I'm getting married there in 6 weeks and the response from Carmen is inexcusable. The place is a good value and I was aware of the poor reviews of the event coordination, I just didn't think it would be as stressful as it has been. The venue unresponsiveness has been the most stressful thing in all of our planning - not a question.
When I meet with Carmen in person it's like a completely different story, she seems so organized and all. However, if you don't nail down details right when you are there in person, it will be nearly impossible to get ahold of her otherwise.
They were very straightforward with the hotel situation - it's set up as a separate business unit so you need to make reservations on your own. They were clear that there is no bridal suite as well, so I think your friend might not have asked the right questions. They will keep your dress and tuxes in holding a day or two before the wedding, but I don't know where they expect you to get ready if you don't get a room. Our wedding is at the end of April, and the hotels have been booked up for at least 5 months - if your friend is getting married in the summer, I think it's even more important to make reservations in advance.
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