Villa Franca Estate

I absolutely loved Villa Franca when I saw it. I met with Ginger and she seemed very excited to work with me. She even offered me a lower rate. We met again to go over the contract and provide the deposit. She advertises that she will help with detailed planning and coordination of your event, best client services, bridal suite and grooms suite complete with complementary sodas, wine and champagne, among other services (I have this in writing.) I also paid for bar service and Ginger included glassware for me. Ginger also offered an early table and linens free. Unfortunately, Ginger forgot most of what was in the contract. She reached out to receive her payments. She did not offer ANY assistance with planning and coordinating. She was hard to reach, and calls and emails to her were frequently answered only after a few days, and she went on at least two week long vacations where she was unavailable and had no backup for us to talk to. Part of my decision to choose Villa Franca is because Ginger advertises herself as an experienced estate hostess. But what can you do? I had already sent my save the dates and people were buying plane tickets. It truly all went downhill after our final payment. She informed us that we only had the ceremony and reception for 4 hours. Nothing about time is indicated in the contract, and she had already updated her website to reflect new packages so I didn’t have anything in writing. She finally agreed to let me have one additional hour if I paid the $ 200 (base minimum for her staff to be paid) and she made me feel like it was completely my fault. I also had to keep reminding her that she included my glassware with my bar package. Then, to top it all off, a month before the wedding, she tells me that she won’t be in town that weekend and that another wedding planner (Vanessa) will be handling my wedding. Sometime around this time, Ginger also tells me that she’ll include tent draping for free. Well, I didn’t want the tent draping to begin with, not because of the cost, but because there were bugs all stuck in the top of the draping. Anyway, Vanessa was supposed to email me all the details for me to have a final review (about a week and a half before the wedding) but I never received anything. So, now it’s rehearsal day. The forecast for the day of the wedding called for rain, but I was assured they could set up everything under the tent, including the chairs in rows for the ceremony, then move everyone inside, then put out the tables for the reception. Well, wedding day comes and not only is it horrible and pouring rain, they can’t get everything moved for me. So everything is set up reception style, and I have to weave my way around tables have my ceremony while everyone is in their reception seats. But let me backup to getting ready. One of the provided amenities is a comfortable bridal suite and grooms suite, complete with complimentary sodas, wine and champagne. Well, no drinks, and only one of the groomsman was put in the groom’s suite. The rest of the groomsmen and groom were in the Magnolia room with the food. They forget to move them, so when I walk downstairs from the bridal suite, I run right into my groom, who is supposed to be outside waiting for me for the ceremony! The venue is miserable if it rains. You pretty much are limited to tent and Magnolia room. I ended up having about 110 guests at my wedding, and we BARELY fit in the tent. My dance floor was tiny. Chair backs were to the tent sides. It isn’t covered from the Magnolia room to the tent, so everyone gets wet walking back and forth to get food and to use the restroom. Also, the tent is slightly lower that the rest of concreted area, so water pools under it. The skit of my dress was completely soaked and dirty. The dance floor was wet, and I even had a guest fall while dancing. The bartender misplaced a case of champagne so many guests never received champagne for the toasts. The parking area is all grass. My father-in-law’s car got stuck and had to be towed out! I had several guest fishtail while leaving. I am thankful no one was hurt. My only positive mention is Ginger’s staff. Unfortunately, I do not know their names, but they were absolutely amazing. They tried their best to help and make the event run smoothly. I just cannot believe that a venue could be run so haphazardly and unprofessionally. She didn’t fulfill her part of the contract. I am embarrassed that I held my wedding there. I don’t know why she didn’t care or want to help me. She gained my trust and my money, and betrayed me. I do not recommend this venue to anyone.

This estate is beautiful! And Ginger is amazing! In my search for wedding venues I didn’t expect to encounter someone so warm and truly committed to making sure a bride and groom got their special day perfect. Definitely a place to tour if you are looking for an event space.