Hiring Wrights Mill Farm was probably the BEST decision when it came to the planning & execution of our day.Integral details: we had a late April wedding, with a 120 guest list. We... signed on w. WMF almost a year prior.
#1 Most Important Reason to Hire WMF: the people. During our shopping process, we saw many beautiful spaces, but no one made us feel as confident as the WMF Coordinator, Bri. She knew the venue & it's crew inside & out, and her approach w. us was the perfect balance of, "I care about YOUR vision, we can do whatever YOU want to do. Just tell me" which created an environment of open communication from the get-go. Shout out to owner, Curt, who was also a constant helpful presence. Bri is main contact but if Curt knows the answer to a Q, he wont keep your email waiting. Beyond Bri we had the honor of working with Mark & Pat from UpBeat DJ (LOVE THEM!!), Mark even touched base the evening prior via quick phone call, which meant a lot. We heard the bartenders were lovely, but as the brides we never had to get our own drinks. Main-Waitress-in-Charge Cheryl, was with us the entire day for drink/food needs! When dinner was served she playfully kicked guests away from our sweetheart table so we had a moment to eat, her cheeky nature & quick wit helped ease the flow of our day. Along with ALL OF THE STAFF. Anyone can have a venue space and host an event, but professionals know how to do this well and make it appear effortless--that is the level of service you will receive if you choose to host your wedding at WMF.
The Physical Venue: the lodge is pristine. Although we don't consider ourselves barn/farm ppl, the lodge is modern, inviting, clean and SPACIOUS. We loved the front lobby area and used that space to set the tone as guests arrived. There was no concern of cramped tables or headcount limits. The bathrooms were both massive & had handicap stalls (important), in addition to the private stall in the Bridal Suite.
The Grounds: we specifically were looking for a venue that had an outdoor ceremony space that felt intentional & intimate: aka the waterfall ceremony spot at WMF. Newly-renovated it has sturdy, secure benches and overflow seating. A simplistic arbor setting the stage and a secret path in the back for the Brides/bridal party to discreetly arrive.
The Bridal Suite: we did not separate into 2 groups the morning of, and instead wanted to all get ready together (guys & girls) in a relaxed, chill environment, which is exactly what the space provided. Men changed in the regular men's room, but everything else happened all in that space!
The Food: FANTASTIC! We were stressed about lack of tasting, something that was offered at other venues, but trusted the reviews we saw online for WMF that were encouraging and it paid off. Food was served plentifully, piping hot and always tasty. We added a "midnight" snack for the dance floor of mini sliders and provided mini diet coke bottles to be served in ice buckets: huge hit. When the food flops at a wedding, nothing else matters. Rest assured WMF will not let you down on flavor & precision.
I do not say lightly, that our friends & family are still gushing over OUR WEDDING DAY. And amongst all the flashy, usual things they could compliment: our flowers, the vows, our outfits-- WMF and the staff who run it are always at the top of the list. "Those people know what they're doing"- every old person at our wedding.