New Kent Winery Vineyard Estate

Beautiful venue, terrible business

i left this review for new kent: We were so excited to have our wedding at the Vineyard Estate. We loved our wedding coordinator, Jackie, and were impressed by her. The venue itself was stunning and exactly what we wanted. I usually don't leave reviews, but want to warn other brides. Be wary of the owners of the venue, JoAnna and her husband. Others have noted that as well. They run a shady business and I was surprised by them (negatively) again and again. First, they told us that we could have up to 180 guests. Our coordinator said that was the max, and it was listed in their wedding information packet and online. We sent out invitations and about 4 months before our wedding, the owner said she was "shocked" we would have 180 guests, because she said the maximum allowed was 150 guests. She said she would have to "think about how to make it work." Our coordinator assured us there were other weddings that had 180 guests and was unsure why the owner was surprised. Additionally, they rent an air b&b on site. The rate per night was 750 a night, and we were going to stay there the night before the wedding. We communicated this 6 months before the wedding and were told that the contract would be forthcoming. Throughout that time, I sent 3 emails asking for the specifics about the airb&b and the contract. Then, THREE weeks before our wedding, two days after she said she was going to send the contract that day, she said we needed to pay an extra 750 to rent the airb&b. She said it was a "new policy as of today." If we wanted to stay there, we needed to pay double what she originally quoted us on. Our wedding coordinator said in writing as well she thought it was unfair to change on us that short of notice and would try to talk to them. We ended up staying somewhere else. Then, lastly, one of their associates assured my bridesmaids all the decorations and things were packed up and there was nothing they needed to do. Then, I received an email the next day stating that the flowers and food was left behind and they were "displaying your flowers at New Kent Winery" and threw away the extra food. She even apologized to me and a bridesmaid, saying she wasn't sure what happened. However, 200 was taken from our security deposit due to "cleaning fees of food and flowers." (even though they used our flowers for their benefit). If you want a trustworthy venue, I would not get married here. There are other venues that would give you less stress!