Sorry its taken so long but here are the venue walk through reviews I told a couple of you I’d post. Ended up only looking at 3 places while in MI. 1 - Felt Mansion … everythng the website shows. While it won’t work for our day it definitely will be remembered for future events. didn’t work for us because - our guest count would be divided up between different rooms which is okay but not the style we want for that day downside - only issue I had was that the gorgeous patios over look … a run down soccer field! 2 - Windmill Island … AMAZING!!!! That is the best way to sum it up. Didn’t feel tulip time or dutchy at all. Staff made me very comfortable and you can tell they really enjoy their job. Ceremony site is beautiful gazebo surrounded by tons of flowers, no decorations needed since it speaks for itself. Reception site is spacious, open and ready for any color or style. bonuses - guests can wander grounds before & during, TONS of amazing backdrops for pics, can rent merry-go-round for added fun, start setting up in the morning, get the bride’s room from start of day to finish not just leading up to ceremony, have till 1am to clean up so reception truly runs to midnight, one of the ladies is there the entire night didn’t work because - must use one of their caterers and no liquor only beer & wine (don’t want beer but set on gin & vodka) downside - it is open to public till 5 I think so everything doesn’t start till later and visitors are wandering grounds till it closes, neither mattered to us 3 - Blue Dress Barn … beautiful barn. Everything you see through the website. It is right on the road but you don’t feel that way at all. Again not a space that would need much decorating. didn’t work because - they book WAY in advance so our dates for August 2010 already gone, we’d have to rethink a date and it was a hurry up and make a decision type place, that was definitely mentioned several times too, and that always makes me dig my heels in hahaha downsides - honestly mostly with the owners - while they were nice they don’t seem to ‘love’ what they’re doing and it was hard for me to get past that after the others I meet exuded enjoyment. Walk through was very here it is make a choice. Also, hubby has found several bad reviews and doesn't want to deal with it. Definitely a place worth checking out because the space is wonderful if you can get past owners personalities but everyone meshes differently with each other. After the searching I am now leaning towards just having at my parent’s farm - won‘t have to do anything to the barn and can do everything exactly how I want. Bonus - no end time
woo hoo Everyone says it is beautiful and I’m silly to look elsewhere so think that is the route I’m going … for now at least. ** Please keep in mind these are just my thoughts and everybody is different **