We had both wonderful and challenging experiences at The Cinnamon Barn, and I hope this note is helpful as you consider your options when selecting a venue.
We understand and r...espect that the venue has specific & strict policies in place, including the requirement to use a designated bar service (HD Liquid Catering)
That’s completely fair. However, if those policies are enforced strictly, we believe equal care should be taken in vetting the vendors being recommended.
In preparation, we communicated clearly to HD Liquid Catering that we wanted our guests to be served wine in proper wine glasses. Following their recommendation during a phone call, we purchased 300 wine glasses. It took multiple trips, hours of washing and packing, and even renting a U-Haul to transport the extra boxes. I was happy to do it, knowing it would elevate the guest experience.
However, when unpacking everything afterward, I was surprised to find that nearly all the wine glasses were untouched—only one or two boxes had been used. We had informed HD Liquid via email that we were providing the glasses, and they were organized behind the bar in plain sight. Unless the bar attendants weren’t informed by HD Catering, it’s unclear why they weren’t used.
We checked the wine inventory and confirmed that wine had been served, but clearly not in the glasses we provided. It seems plastic cups were used instead. That was frustrating, given the effort and expense involved, and I wanted to make sure you were aware.
Additionally, several family members mentioned that around 9:30 p.m., they were told there was no more water available at the bar. We had 20 extra cases of water on hand. My mother also asked my brother-in-law to get a glass of wine for his mom and was told we were out—yet we had plenty left over. One guest even confirmed his wife was served white wine in a plastic champagne flute.
My husband overheard some of the HD staff chatting and got the impression that HD subs out their team, which may explain the inconsistency in service. It left us with the impression that HD Catering may not have well-trained staff, and unfortunately, that impacted the guest experience.
Interestingly, a friend who attended a previous wedding at The Cinnamon Barn had mentioned a similarly strict experience with the bar service. At the time, I didn’t think much of it, but after our event, I can see that this may be a recurring issue.
Lastly, I wanted to mention the $750 fee for extending the event past midnight. That fee is clearly stated in the contract, and I would have paid it. However, I didn’t because I was told, “the gates close at midnight and you need to be out.” That phrasing (and the tone) added pressure and stress to what was otherwise a beautiful evening. It made the final moments feel rushed and a bit unpleasant. We would have appreciated even the impression of flexibility in case we went over by a few minutes while making a good faith effort to clear out.
Be sure to have a good tear down plan.