REGENCY GARDEN

tknardelli · August 2010

Is anyone using this venue or been to a wedding here? How do you like it? Pricey?

Also, we have a lot of OOT guests and I'm wondering if there are any nice hotels near by that can give discounts for booking several rooms?

Syndelin · August 2010

We went and toured regency garden, and it was pretty nice. I do think prices might be a little bit high for the space that they have... we ended up booking at Seville golf and country club for around the same budget, and it's a much more impressive environment.

iarguello · August 2010

I was about to book there, and all our budget could afford was the morning slot- a ver rushed morning slot. The outdoor area is nice, but the reception space is lacking in elegance. There are details that are just not up to par- like the black electrical tape that had been helping to hold on the lock on the bathroom stall or the dusty fake plants. The bridal suite is next to the groom's and there is no ceiling- so you can hear every word- buzz kill. The chairs are not comfortable and look lumpy under the chair covers. I switched to TCA and then Bella Giardino where I can now have a beautiful evening wedding with dinner for the same price.

nickivanb · August 2010

We booked at Regency Garden after going to their vendor night. I found their packages to be excellent compared to some of the other venues that my FI and I looked at (literally $7000 less when comparing packages) and really gave you a lot of options to make our wedding unique. I fell in love when I walked into the ceremony garden and saw the new gazebo and then was sold when I saw the reception hall. It was a more intimate feel than a golf resort with a bit of a quirky charm. We booked the 100 guest all inclusive package which includes the photographer, cake, flowers, dj, and catering. The owner, Chris (we haven't met Kristin yet), is so nice and it's great to talk and work with the actual owner of the venue. He told us if we end up with more guests it's no problem to upgrade to the next package so makes invites not as stressful. They can accomodate up to 250 guests so space is not a problem. I'm very happy with our choice and can't wait for our wedding date! Good luck to you and happy planning!

nickivanb · August 2010

BTW, they have a special with the Phoenix Marriott Mesa hotel for special rates for OOT wedding guests.

belgirl · August 2010

Oh my gosh--Regency Garden NOT ELEGANT? Are you kidding me? Its one of the most popular venues around. We are also having our wedding and reception there and they have one of the best all inclusive packages in the East Valley. I agree with Nikki--their packages are much more affordable then other places in the Valley. Plus I have found Chris and Kristen to be very accomodating. Go to weddingwire.com and read the reviews on them. Then go to their vendor night on Mondays and check it our for yourself. There is also a Hyatt Place nearby where people can stay as well...Good luck!

iarguello · August 2010

My opinion is honest- I visited 2 times, so I'm very familiar with it. While the owners are nice, I did find fault in communication with Regency as well as A Savory Affair. As for the other vendors, Still Life Photography was on the ball. I didn't speak with the limo or invitation vendors. There are alternative options, Inside the Bungalow is just accross the street, Arizona Historical Society, TCA- beautiful and the same price.

I suggest steering away from Phoenix Marriott Mesa as well- the hotel is smoke clogged and it will irritate your sensitive guests. The grounds are not well kept- and I know this because I also looked into booking our wedding there, it is a steal, but you get what you pay for.

For the girls that are booking it, you love it- so let my thoughts go by the wayside, I'm not looking to change your mind, just relaying what I'd experienced.

Syndelin · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_arizona-phoenix_regency-garden?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:71Discussion:7f58f35d-5696-469e-b6c0-e1edde7ceb90Post:200e60a3-d723-466e-8208-2f6c55f541c1">Re: REGENCY GARDEN</a>:
[QUOTE]We booked at Regency Garden after going to their vendor night. I found their packages to be excellent compared to some of the other venues that my FI and I looked at (literally $7000 less when comparing packages) and really gave you a lot of options to make our wedding unique. I fell in love when I walked into the ceremony garden and saw the new gazebo and then was sold when I saw the reception hall. It was a more intimate feel than a golf resort with a bit of a quirky charm.
Posted by nickivanb[/QUOTE]

I don't know where you were looking but for me RG was on the highest end for pricing out of all the places I looked into and toured, and as far as intimate feel of it, we actually got a room more suited to our wedding party size (around 50 people) and much more intimate at the country club... with an amazing patio, and REAL grass. I think that's one thing about RG that I really didn't like at all, was the fake grass in the courtyard. I wasn't impressed with the food pricing and choices really either.

Funny that it seems like two completely opposite opinions on the same place... but that's how it is I guess. Everyone is looking for something for THEIR day. It's awesome that you found somewhere you're happy with!

belgirl · August 2010

Well they used to have real grass in the garden, but the upkeep was hard to do. (fertilizing all the time etc. which smells) And if you get a package deal, you can opt out of two - which I did because I am doing a dessert reception and have a band instead of a DJ. RG package pricing is cheaper than Inspirador, Villa Sienna, Wright House, Stonebridge Manor, Ashley Manor, The Secret garden, and Val Vista Lakes just to name a few, so in the East Valley, honestly for what you get in their package, it really is a good deal. No its not for everyone, but if you read the reviews, you will find the majority of people absolutely love the place. Also check out the reviews for the vendors they use. They are all glowing--they use some of the top vendors in the Valley. It just depends on how picky you are going to be and what your budget is Seville is also a beautiful location but just a little too far out for me. I seem to remember them being more that RG, but its been awhile since I priced things out..:)

Syndelin · August 2010

I got pricing lists for almost all the ones you named, and didn't end up going to view them, because they were pretty crazy, imo.

Seville is quite a bit more if you do their all inclusive package, but it's a lot less for us because we are customizing our vendors. Their food prices are really close to restaurant pricing, and that's the only thing they don't want you to bring in someone else for (and the one thing that was KILLING me about other places). They have preferred vendors for everything else, but you don't have to use them if you have someone else. Our budget for ceremony/reception was tentatively around $6-7k, and we are coming in barely over that with well over a third going to photography. The only reason we went over at all was because we decided we really wanted to majorly up our photography package after seeing the albums samples.

Distance is a big factor I'm sure... that's another reason it worked for us. Seville is about 10 minutes from our house.

RG did have really good reviews and a lot of people really liked it... which is why we even went to look at it. I just can't say that I was impressed really. I will say, their table decorations that they had up when we were there were really gorgeous, but that's about the only thing I cared for much at all.

belgirl · August 2010

I think at the end of the day it is all going to depend on your budget, how many people you can invite and bang for your buck. Package deals are popular for a reason--no stress. I didn't have to go search out vendors, need to worry about whether they are going to be at my wedding ontime etc. etc. They have all done weddings at Regency hundreds of times and know the system. (florist is right behind Regency which I love) I watch alot of women on these wedding shows who turn into Bridezillas because either they are control freaks and want to do everything themselves OR they are trying to save money. Saving money by seeking out your own vendors is great, but the stress involved, to me, is not worth it. I would STRONGLY encourage you, if you can afford it, that you do a package deal no matter where you choose. Some ways we saved money was to have our wedding on a Friday night in September. (saved $1500) We also opted for an elegant dessert reception and shaved $10 off per plate by doing so. (I just can't see paying $30 a plate for food that no one is going to remember in a couple of weeks-but hey that's just me...lol) We aren't serving alcohol (most of our guests don't drink--and no they aren't Mormon) and instead of using a DJ we saved $300 by hiring a jazz band. For me it all came down to "how much could I get that was quality for the lowest price possible with the least amount of stress." You certainly have the right to be picky--after all, its your wedding, and you want it to be perfect, but you also have to ask yourself, "Ok, is someone really going to notice or care that there is dust on a plant?" "Is someone going to really hate my wedding because the chair was wobbly etc. etc..." I could easily find issues with every wedding venue in Arizona, because I am a total perfectionist and detail oriented person, but ultimately just as there is a perfect dress for every bride, there is also a perfect venue for every bride as well.

Let us know how it works out for you!

MrsWeiner · August 2010

We are getting married at Regency Garden on March 12, 2011 and have not had any problems with any of the vendors. All of the communication with Chris and Ellen and Kristin has been amazing, professional, and quick! the price was right, the feel was there, and we just loved it. I actually cried when we walked in. I think it depends on the feel you are going for and it does depend on the amount of people you plan to have. But for us, the venue was perfect. We looked at Inspirador... too expensive and industrial, we looked at Villa Siena... way overpriced and we went to a wedding there and were truly not impressed, we looked at Ashley Manor and you have a pricey place where you must share the facility with another party. Only 1 bathroom where both sets of guests would be sharing. We checked out a lot of places and the prices were high or we had a required vendor list. I know regency has a vendor list but the difference for us is that we researched every one of them and they were all highly reccommended and had rave reviews.

I wish all of you the best with your venues. I am sure every one of us has chosen our venue because something struck a chord with us. Good luck!

krkapple · August 2010

To be honest, I felt Regency Garden was on the cheesy side. I know many people like the environment there, but it's definitely not my style. I walked in, spent five minutes, and left. I can't even comment on the price because I didn't get that far. I'd heard wonderful things about it, but was not impressed at all.

belgirl · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_arizona-phoenix_regency-garden?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:71Discussion:7f58f35d-5696-469e-b6c0-e1edde7ceb90Post:3ae0c796-5b28-4d72-bf34-c4fae88accf9">Re: REGENCY GARDEN</a>:
[QUOTE]We are getting married at Regency Garden on March 12, 2011 and have not had any problems with any of the vendors. All of the communication with Chris and Ellen and Kristin has been amazing, professional, and quick! the price was right, the feel was there, and we just loved it. I actually cried when we walked in. I think it depends on the feel you are going for and it does depend on the amount of people you plan to have. But for us, the venue was perfect. We looked at Inspirador... too expensive and industrial, we looked at Villa Siena... way overpriced and we went to a wedding there and were truly not impressed, we looked at Ashley Manor and you have a pricey place where you must share the facility with another party. Only 1 bathroom where both sets of guests would be sharing. We checked out a lot of places and the prices were high or we had a required vendor list. I know regency has a vendor list but the difference for us is that we researched every one of them and they were all highly reccommended and had rave reviews. I wish all of you the best with your venues. I am sure every one of us has chosen our venue because something struck a chord with us. Good luck!
Posted by MrsWeiner[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I agree about Inspirador - wasn't impressed. Way too sterile and industrial..and overpriced. But I guess its good we all like different venues, or we would all be getting married at the same place and that would be a drag. :)
I'll be sure to post photos of my "cheesy" wedding in a couple of months...rofl...

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