The greatest decision we made in planning our wedding was choosing Pinecroft Estate. We toured plenty of beautiful venues that didn't feel quite right. At Pinecroft, between the tw...inkling lights in the barn and the warmth of the welcome, we knew within minutes this was the place. Pinecroft is a true family operation, and Shelley and Jeff are real, kind people who care about making your day everything you dreamed of. That comes through in everyone who works with them, and it matters when there's so much at stake.
We lucked into a date from a cancellation, so our planning timeline was tight--about seven months. Shelley had us in motion right away and the major pieces were locked in within weeks. She connected us with vendors we ended up loving (shout out to Butch Gray, our DJ, and Shannon at Painted Gardens for the dreamy florals), which saved us from endless vendor interviews. Her design suggestions made the planning process so much easier than expected, and the decor that she has in stock is high quality and thoughtfully procured for the space-- having access to it really elevated the entire experience.
My husband and I work in hospitality and event planning, so we're particular about food, beverage, and guest experience. We warned Shelley of this, and she wasn't fazed, promising they'd get creative with us. They over delivered at every turn. The chef met every request, even individual pies in each of my husband's favorite flavors, and made a peppercorn sauce I'm still dreaming about. The meat was cooked perfectly and the presentation was simple and clean. They accommodated our specific wine, liquor, and beer requests, and the staff, from parking attendants to bartenders, kept things running smoothly all day. Our guests, many of them restaurant people themselves, are still talking about how good the service was.
Jeff manages the beautiful grounds of the estate carefully and thoughtfully, and it shows--but--as Pinecroft's utility player, he is in the running for our MVP! When some equipment we brought with us wasn't working properly, he troubleshot the issue calmly and without breaking a sweat-- something that we are endlessly grateful for.
Alicia was an outstanding host, quick and calm and always nearby when we needed something. Shauna was the perfect day-of coordinator, managing vendors and keeping a timeline that started behind schedule under control the whole day. When a rainstorm hit 15 minutes before our ceremony, she and the team let us wait it out instead of pushing us indoors, so we had the ceremony as planned, just a few minutes late. They got our guests somewhere dry, kept them informed, and made sure they had refreshments. Later, when we had to shift from dinner straight to dancing, the team cleared plates around our guests without missing a beat.
This isn't a cookie-cutter planning experience. There's no glossy package menu designed to upsell you at every turn. If you want to work with real people, put your money in a place you feel good about, and to create an honest, fun, and unique expression of your love, book your date at Pinecroft (and invite us so we can go back!).
Endless thanks to Shelley, Jeff, Shauna, Alicia, and the whole Pinecroft staff for making our day one none of us will forget.