Barrister Gardens? Help, I'm freaking out.

celeste90

Has anyone been to a wedding reception or had a wedding reception at Barrister Gardens in SCS? I put down a $600 deposit today because my parents had good things to say about a wedding they went to in 2011 and my good friend's aunt is the manager and we got a great deal. However, after reading some of the reviews on here and on other sites I'm kind of concerned that it won't be what I want it to be.

So, my question is: how is the venue? please, give me your HONEST opinion if you have been there. Don't sugarcoat it, because if it's horrible then I need to put a stop payment on this check ASAP so I'm not stuck with a venue that's going to make me miserable. AHHH I don't know if i'm just overreacting... please help

Sue-n-Kevin

I was at a wedding there, but it was well over 25 years ago, so I'm sure I'm no help. But, at that time, it was nice & lovely, and I recall the food was good.

Here's a link to the weddingwire reviews

http://www.weddingwire.com/reviews/barrister-garden-st-clair-shores/479bf36335c3b589.html

The recent reviews are positive. Maybe they had a change in ownership?

Here's a link to the wedding channel reviews:

http://local.weddingchannel.com/wedding-vendors/Barrister-Gardens-Banquet-Center-Reviews?ProfileId=288713

Again, it looks as though what ever issues they were having have been better in recent times.

Hopefully someone comes on here with their own review.

MMRoberts11

I honestly have heard mixed things about it. 

From my personal experiences there:
1) They give "discounts" to everyone
2) Rooms allow for good sound though you can get carryovers from nearby rooms
3) Food is hit or miss - I've had decent food there and also cold food at different events

Honestly though, everyone has different perceptions of things.  For example, you could give two people the same dish and one say it's the best food ever and another person would say it was the worst. 
Instead of trying to find bad stuff about a place I'd simply look at how YOU feel about how it looks, how the staff interact with you and your FI, and overall food reviews.  Follow your gut and it will all work out.

kmschwartzkopf

My entire inlaw family is from SCS so I have been to events at both Barrister Gardens and Barrister house. I went to Barrister House for a baby shower 3 years ago and it was great. The place is nice and the food (buffet) was good and I am not a huge fan of buffets. Then we went to a batism gathering about a year ago at barrister gardens and I know from talking to my sister in-law that it was not set up as agreed upon (with formal napkins and on time). Also, the food (again buffet) was not great but it wasn't so much the type of food but the taste was just very bland. Neither were weddings and I believe they are both owned by the same group. I don't think it would be horrible at either place. The Gazebo isn't too far from there with I believe comparable prices and the food has been good the last three events I have been too in the last couple years including my own shower

michgirl8

I don't have any personal knowledge about Barrister Gardens other than the same reviews that scared you off.  But if you do decide to back out of that venue I would strongly encourage you to check out Lakeland Manor on Harper in SCS.  Our wedding was there Jan. 5th and it was incredible.  Food was awesome, Craig the manager was a dream to work with and set everything up perfectly.  And the price was really reasonable (better than Barrisers, if I remember correctly). 

But all that being said, don't freak out too much.  People tend to review when they're upset and not so much when they're happy.  And I know they have weddings there all the time.  So a handful of bad reviews out of all the weddings they put on really shouldn't worry you that much!

Best of luck to you!