Chestnut Square Historic Village

We really found a gem in McKinney, TX with Chestnut Square Historic village! The chapel is cute and looked great dressed up for the wedding. The bridal suite is huge and decorated so nicely with antiques and vintage wedding dresses! There are several houses in the area and the bridal suite is the entire first floor of its house. The reception took place in another house next to the chapel. The tables were dressed beautifully and we were able to hire their staff to set out our food and clean up at the end. The staff went above and beyond! We were able to get our flowers through Chestnut Square--one less hassle and they were absolutely beautiful! We used the outside area for the dancing portion of our reception. It was also beautifully set up. I do recommend the bride getting smooth bottomed shoes(such as jazz shoes) if you need to do spins and twirls for your first dance---the dance floor is sloped a little and made of pavers. With the right shoes, it was fine. Also Kim Ducote who is the point of contact and the wedding coordinator did a fantastic job helping to keep the rehearsal and wedding events flowing well. We are so glad we chose Chestnut Square for our wedding!!

We toured this venue on a Saturday afternoon with the venue manager, Kim Ducote, about a year before our wedding day. She was very friendly and explained the different packages and services they offer after the tour. Things we liked: - price - location - vintage and historic - add-on packages - decor packages were in line with my "romantic vintage" vision - included tables, chairs and linens We went with their 8-hour package for a Saturday wedding which included facility use (2 hours of use of bride/groom suites plus 6 hours for ceremony and reception), tables, chairs, linens and ceremony coordinator. We added a la carte services through the venue manager's company called "Tying the Knot" which included decor and florals for reception areas and use of the kitchen staff (setup, breakdown, serve, clear tables, and end of event cleanup). I added Kim to my Pinterest board and shared my colors and vision with her. About a couple of months before my wedding date, we had an in-person meeting to go over what she came up with from her warehouse of decor and catalog of linens, etc. Kim was great about communication with answers to my questions and providing me with updates throughout the planning process. We decorated the chapel ourselves to save money since we wouldn't be in there very long. I had a "something blue crew" who moved the decor to some extra tables in the reception area after the ceremony as another way to save money. The venue will not help with any personal decor you bring that is outside of their packages. Kim pointed out several times in front of my family and friends at the rehearsal what she was not responsible for. Kim was gracious and gave us an extra hour in the bride/groom suites which allowed us time to set up our personal decor as well as more time for pictures before the ceremony. While this was kind, I wish the venue allowed full-day access to the bride/groom suites. We ran behind due to having to get ready off-site (add'l expense; rented Airbnb). We also had to have the suites cleared 3 hours after ceremony time. This caused an issue during the reception with people having to get their things from other people's cars when they were ready to leave. I had to advocate hard for a seating chart for guests. Kim said guests sit wherever they want at this venue (it is indoor/outdoor; half tables outside and half inside; hindsight I didn't like this setup causing my guests to feel separated). I didn't want my guests to feel uncomfortable not knowing where to sit. Also, I didn't want our family and wedding party not having "good" tables after pictures as well as empty chairs at tables where guests don't know each other. My godmother said she would be responsible for helping guests find their seats after the ceremony since she does this as a wedding planner. During my day-of walkthrough, Kim made a comment that I will see that people will sit wherever they want but "at least I tried". Guests sat according to the seating chart and place cards without a problem. I received several reports from family and wedding party that Kim made snippy comments to them while she was working the event. Kim was amazing during planning but there were moments during the rehearsal and wedding day that were disappointing. Overall our vision for our wedding day was carried out according to plan with a few minor hiccups (to be expected). I am pleased with how everything turned out!

The only reason I am not giving 5 stars is because of some stressful and semi-unprofessional experiences before the wedding. I believe an honest review will be beneficial for bride's to hear as well as Kim herself. We found this place online and since I lived out state for my engagement, my mom had to visit the venue for me and FaceTimed me while there. We loved what we saw so we booked it. When me and my fiancé got to view the place ourselves and sit down to talk with Kim, she didn't really remember who we were or the fact that we hadn't stepped foot on the property yet. There was also some miscommunication over the contract that my mom had talked with her about at the first visit. This, as well as her some what flippant demeanor toward my thoughts on the decorating, made me feel a little uncertain about Kim's ability and commitment to make it look exactly how I wanted (we needed to pay for her decorating package since we lived out of state). Kim did not totally communicate the things she would provide, within our contract for the decorations, and what we would need to provide before we agreed to pay for the package, which was a little stressful. During the next few months, she was very kind every time I emailed her with questions and ideas, although I did not feel totally reassured and still felt nervous, UNTIL the rehearsal when I actually saw everything she did. That is why I am giving 4 stars, because she did come through on everything she promised and made me and my mom feel relaxed on the day, that she had everything under control. Without the stressful experience leading up to the wedding, I would recommend the venue as well as Kim's work.

Kim was amazing and our wedding was perfect, well decorated and affordable.