southern oaks brides

kbubrig · August 2009

we have booked southern oaks plantation as our ceremony and reception location for our december wedding next year. those of you who have used southern oaks or have attended a wedding there, can you tell me about your experience with them? i've read some reviews that i could find online but there were not very many. thanks in advance for sharing your experiences with me!

Tracy325 · August 2009

i was married there 4 months ago and it was a dream come true!!! They are so on top of everything, it is unlike any service I have ever had/heard of at other venues. Kyle always responded to my email questions within a day or so...and he was a tremendous help at the rehearsal and on our big day. they kept everything running smoothly, packed up the car at the end of the night....and we each had our own attendant for us and our parents, which was awesome! Mr Bobby was there the night of our wedding which really impressed me as well. Everything was beautiful, the DJ was perfect with the ceremony songs and had everyone dancing all night long inside. I would recommend adding the extra hour if your budget allows, 3 hours went by way way too fast, i felt like i had no time to dance...maybe 3 or 4 songs.Make a playlist of 20 or so songs that you want the DJ to play. Head out front and/or outback for some solo pictures with you and the hubby...they are gorgeous! Feel free to click on the link in my siggy to see some of our pics and you can shoot me an email if you wish! I would love to answer any questions you have. Tracys325@comcast.net

kbubrig · August 2009

tracy your photos are absolutely BEAUTIFUL! im glad that you included the ribbon wands because i was wondering what to do myself about the exit seeing that they prohibit EVERYTHING (really my only complaint but with everything else they have i didn't focus too much on it). i too am turning into a DIY bride and found your bio very helpful. judging by your bio i can only imagine how beautiful your wedding was!!

ear1226 · August 2009

I am also having my reception at Southern Oaks (not ceremony). I have to agree with Tracy - their service is outstanding! I love the way they make me feel so confident that everything is going to go so smoothly. :-) I have absolutely no complaints at all. Tracy, where did you get your umbrellas? And how do you make ribbon wands? LOL! I am very much not a DIY girl, but would try this project, if it's not too painful! :-)

Tracy325 · August 2009

Thanks ladies! DIY definitely saved us a lot of money! We got our umbrellas at Mardi Gras Imports in Slidell, and they were relatively inexpensive (i think around $20). We bought semi-thin wooden dowels (get them at Michaels, AC Moore, Joanns), and bought the smallest silver screw eyes we could find (Home Depot & Lowes). DH screwed the screw eyes into all of the dowels and then he spray painted them black. I bought all of the ribbon and tied 4-6 pieces in each screw eye. We had planned to use them for our grand exit, however there really was no grand exit because we went out back with our photographer to get more pictures as everyone was leaving/boarding the coach buses. So we had the staff give them out for the second line and everyone loved them! If either of your colors are pink and black, let me know, i have a TON leftover!! Another thing i loved about southern oaks was that they do everything for you, they will hand pass your programs, hand pass your favors, ribbon wands/second line hankies. Another thing i would recommend you tell Kyle at your rehearsal is that you want the servers to come up to you with food. Hubby and i had the quick private dinner (which i highly recommend), but after that not one person came up to us with food...and I definitely could have eaten more! Your glass will always be full (even when it was half full, my attendant was filling it back up). If you want candles around your cake and on the tables you will have to supply them yourselves (I didn't realize this until 6 months before) We had 160 candles and I thought it was a perfect amount....we put like 3 on each table and a bunch around the cake. Bring everything you possibly can with you to your rehearsal...and i mean everything, your favors, programs, ribbon wands, music cds (ceremony music & first dance songs), candles, 2nd line umbrellas, etc. Ohhhh, if you are going to do the 2nd line....ask that Kyle or someone give you a heads up a song or 2 before it....we were totally blindsided and didnt know it was coming up and were scrambling to find our umbrellas....hubby and i had masks too and they never brought them out to us...so had we known, we could have made sure we had everything. And if you are having your ceremony outside and would like your guests to be able to hear you and your husband, ask that they have the officiant hold the mic up to you when you speak. Our parents barely could hear our vows and they were in the front row. But yeah, they are so awesome there, the place is gorgeous and their staff is seriously top notch! They are so on top of every little thing! I am so happy we chose that venue for our wedding. And our guests are still raving about it and the food!

mrsm711 · August 2009

I had my reception there July 11th. They are amazing. They really took care of everything. My sister/MOH had a breakdown and totally forgot how to bustle my train - and she was the only one who knew how. One of our attendants figured out how to bustle my train!! I also love how you deal with the same people every time and that those people are actually there at your reception. We have received so many compliments at how amazing our reception was. I never understood why so many people were obsessed with SoOaks and acted like it was so incredible until I had my reception there and realized that they were even more incredible than everyone had said. We didn't have to worry about a thing. They kept bringing us drinks. The private dinner is so great too. I wish my dress hadn't been so snug so I could have enjoyed more food that night. But they gave us a box so I could taste the food the day after.There is a full review in my married bio.

mrsm711 · August 2009

I brought the umbrellas to SoOaks ahead of time and they literally handed us our umbrellas when it was time for the 2nd line.

mrsm711 · August 2009

Oh and my e-mail address is mrsm711@gmail.com if you have any questions.

kbsmom1 · August 2009

KB had her reception there 2 years ago and as everyone said it was perfect. She had a band but be sure to run which one by SOP as they are very particular about which one and the size. ......she used Harvey Jesus and everyone loved them. Kyle was easy to work with but with that said they are very regimented about how they do things......so ask lots of questions. ....they do a wonderful job and are the experts but we felt at times that some things could be done a little differently...... Be sure to set up a rehearsal time the week of and bring all the things you need for the reception.....favors, candy buffet, knives ect. The night went by fast and we were glad we did a 4 hour reception.........also did the carriage and second line(Original Pinstripe) with SOP. YOu will be treated like royalty the night of and have an amazing experience........enjoy.

ear1226 · August 2009

Tracy, You a the best! Thanks so much for the DIY instructions and the advice! :-)

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