I would like to let any bride know of my experience with Five Pines Barn and The Country Place (both located in Irwin, PA). Please do yourself a favor take my advice...keep looking for other locations. There are many other gorgeous barn venues with pleasant people to work with.
My fiancé and I were looking for a barn wedding venue and
came across this location. We scheduled an appointment a month is advance for a
visit to “Five Pines Barn” and “The
Country Place “(their other location.) We wanted to see the locations and
discuss all needed information.
The email address is for Steve Guffey, but his wife Michelle
responds. Luckily I had saved every
email, including the email confirming the appointment the week of. We had
gotten lost on the way and called Steve Guffey fives minutes after our
scheduled time to let him know that we would be there in a few minutes. He
missed our call, returning it five minutes later. He very rude right off the bat stating that
he and his wife had already left for their child's tournament. I was speechless!
I reminded him of our appointment and pointed out that we were only a few
minutes late and he already left! I asked why he wouldn’t even call to let us
know but he didn’t answer my question. I was so taken back and upset because we
were looking forward to this visit for a while. I explained that we wanted to
see the sites and go over what is and is not included. He told me that we could
walk around the sites and very abruptly told me “it's $4000 for the barn and
$6000 for the Country Place and that all other information was located on his
website” (which it was not) and that the bride from the evening before should
still be there cleaning up- that I could talk to her. He discounted my being
upset- like he was shocked. He continually spoke over me and acted like he was
waiting all day. I attempted to ask why he would schedule an appointment if he
knew he had to leave for his child.
Clearly a tournament is nothing something that just pops up. He told me
it was "none of my g*ddamn business " and stated "you seem
pissed off, if you don't like it, when I'm trying to accommodate you being late,
then turn around and go home" He then hung up on me.
We did stop and look…the grounds keeping was heinous- weeds
growing around the steps and poorly kept. There was burlap draped over the
stalls in the barn, hiding a mess of hoarded clutter. The upstairs of the barn
has old stained carpeting (from spilled food and drinks I assume) and also
poorly maintained. This was surprising since it was supposed to be a newer barn
and there was a wedding there the night before.
His house is located to the right of the barn, with pool rafts, and
items littered across his driveway.
If you are looking to have a barn wedding, LOOK ELSEWHERE.
After this happened I have heard nothing good from anyone that has dealt Steve
Guffey, his brother or his wife. Also I encourage you to do your research for
both locations- there are numerous articles dealing with issues of proper
permits.
I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO SEEK OTHER VENUES.