This exceptionally good review is going to seem too good to be true. But the reality is that it is true! Glen Island made my day absolutely, literally perfect. All my guests were simply raving about the food, the beautiful landscape, and the ex...ceptional, warm service. My guests each said that it was the best wedding they have ever been to!
From day one of my wedding planning process, Glen Island has been professional, communicative, and supportive. We worked with Rocco from the tour to the contract signing to the tasting and last preparations. He was professionalism personified, with a calm and measured temperament and clear, direct answers to our questions. He had a sense of humor and made my husband (then fiancee) and I feel at ease. Glen Island is itself an absolutely magical place; it feels like a totally different world. My husband and I love to hike, and so being on the water surrounded by trees (with a castle on the grounds of the park!) was simply amazing and perfect for us. The venue itself is historic, and the interior is well-kept and very elegant. I also love how the venue can host two weddings at once, but you will literally never see the other wedding party because the ballrooms are at separate ends of the venue with completely separate entrances. The only place you might see other party guests is in the parking lot.
During our planning, Glen Island invited us to a private tasting, where we were able to fully realize how delicious the food was going to be! There are so many choices to pick from, and Rocco and the executive chef even tailored some cocktail hour stations for our particular needs (we specifically wanted a Polish station, which they were able to accommodate without a problem!). Rocco gave us his insights and suggestions but was never pushy, either. He was totally on board with what we desired. Later on in the process, we were able to choose cake flavors (we chose red velvet) and a design (for which Rocco was also open to our ideas--we had a blueberry and raspberry cascade down the middle). What I loved was that in the week before the wedding, my husband and I were able to drive up all our supplies (party favors, card box, escort cards, etc.). We had A LOT of boxes, and Glen Island was able to safely secure them all. Rocco asked that I write up a specific inventory list with sets of directions for how to display things, and the staff followed all of my instructions exactly. Being able to bring everything so ahead of time was such a relief for me.
Fast forwarding to the day of the wedding: I was unable to attend cocktail hour because my husband and I were taking photos at that time, but my family and guests were completely blown away by the delicious quality of food. Everything was so thoughtfully prepared and served. As I mentioned before, we had four stations that we planned out with Rocco ahead of time as well as circulating hors-d’oeuvres. Luckily, near the cocktail space, Glen Island has a private bridal suite room (with private bathroom!). Natalie, the very attentive and caring bridal attendant, made sure to package lots of food for my husband and I to take home and enjoy. (Natalie had also pranced around Glen Island Park holding my train and flowers during pictures! She really cared to my every need, even when I needed some thread to fix one button of the bustle. She went above and beyond to help out, and she was constantly attentive to our every need. Such a pleasant, warm, and professional young lady to work with!).
The dinner itself was incredible, from the appetizers and entree to the Viennese hour….so many desserts, so little time! George, the maitre d’, was welcoming, warm, and also supremely professional (see the pattern here? Glen Island really is spectacular!). He made sure everything was just right. He welcomed my guests and ran a tight ship that made the evening flawless. He also made sure to check in with me and my parents to see if there was anything else he could provide. I didn’t even have to ask the servers for water--when they saw my glass getting low, they immediately filled it back up without me even noticing.
On the way out, guests were able to take home warm pretzels and hot chocolate. Really, Glen Island totally surpassed all my expectations for their service, thoughtfulness, and attention to detail. I’ve been to many weddings and events, and their care and precision made them truly outstanding.
As I said before, my guests were raving about the place, the food, the wedding--they said it was the best one they’ve ever been to! I’ve been getting phone calls from guests even now a month after the wedding with them telling me that they still remember the day so fondly. That’s in no small part due to the incredible service at Glen Island. If I could give it a whole sky of stars, I would! They made my wedding of my dreams absolutely perfect. I couldn’t have asked for anything better! As a bride, you always worry about things not going your way leading up to the day. But believe me--at Glen Island, you can put all your anxieties to rest! It was really a fairy-tale day.