Abita Quail Farm

I will start by saying I have never posted an online review before. I am the mother or the groom but was included in the planning process from the beginning. At our first meeting with the owner John D’Hemecort he promised the moon. What he delivered was far from. Once he got the check his attitude changed dramatically. He was very difficult to deal with. He upsold the # of guests and when the bride’s mother contacted him early the next morning he refused to change it saying «I’ve already placed the orders.» We had left him after 6pm the night before and she called him by 9:30am.
There were no lights at the entrance on the night of the wedding, and the lights lining the drive were completely out on the left and partly out on the right. I spoke to him about this and he said «all the lights that work are on.»
The «Music Room» where the photos were taken and where the bridal party lined up was hot and humid. The groom and his men were sweating during the pictures. He did turn on the A/​C after we complained. There is rotted wood on both the floor and ceiling so added to the humidity the smell of mildew was prevelant esp. in the bathrooms.
The exterior of the buildings had green algae which could have easily been pressure washed before hand. The bridge connecting the two building where the bridal party had to cross to get to the Music Room was also green with algae. It appeared to be rotting and I was fearful that someone would fall or a heel go through.
Halfway through the reception some if not all of the toilets were not flushing. There was barely enough water pressure to wash your hands. In the bridal room there was no water pressure and I had to use a bottle of water that was left behind to rinse the soap off.
Mr D’Hemecort was wearing a dress shirt at the beginning of the wedding but at some point he changed into jeans and a white t-​shirt and was hosing down the patio while some of the guests were out there. At the end he and another man also in jeans and t-​shirt were lounging at one of the tables out on the patio. Very unprofessional.
I will not speak to the food as I really didn’t eat during the reception.
I would like to say that the great crowd that we had did have a good time but I think that speaks more to the guests than to this venue.
I could go on but I think this gives a fair depiction of this place and the owner.
If John spent as much energy on caring for this place as he does on promoting himself it could be a good venue for special events. As it stands it is an old place with an uncaring, uncompromising and disrespectful owner. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE

My husband and I got married here just a couple days ago. We had the best time and everything was PERFECT. I got compliments all night from the elegant venue to the amazing food (you have to try the cochon de lait!!) to the excellent staff. The venue owner, John, was amazing and easy to work with from the very beginning and gave us excellent recommendations for everything. Being that I’ve never planned a wedding before, I had a very abstract idea of how everything should go. Thankfully, John was there to help me with the details every step of the way to get the timing and coordination just right. It would not have been possible without him. My advice to you if you’re planning a wedding here, trust John, he is a consummate professional and also ask for chef’s choice for the food. Trust me, they know what they’re doing!

My daughter was married in June2012… The place was lovely and spacious. The wait staff was accommodating but John the owner was difficult to deal with on the day of the wedding. He was not very accommodating with helping my DJ set up and showing her where to put her equiptment… And not letting her know that the ceremony and the reception were in 2 different areas of the building and therefore she was ill prepared for the day… Through the quick thinking of my daughter’s stepmom and the DJ… We were able to fix the problem… Through no help of the owner … All he did was gripe and complain that the DJ was impossible to work with (which she was only ill prepared because John the owner failed to mention all of the setting up details) iIf it was not for John ‘s very sweet wife (and unfortunately her name escapes me) to be there to smooth over the potentially disastrous situation between John and the bridal party… The day would have been ruined … John and his nervy ways should stay behind the scenes and let his gentle natured wife deal with the public… The food was decent and in the end my daughter and her husband had a lovely time. We were able to diffuse the situation without them or any of the guests knowing that there was a problem… No thanks to John