Big Red Barn — Attraction in Aiken County

My daughter and her fiancé rented this venue for their wedding reception. They rented it for both Friday and Saturday. They also paid extra to have the AC for both days. The venue was very nice but unfortunately the venue was managed very poorly. First, when we arrived on Friday the AC was set on 78 degrees and locked. It could not be changed. While trying to set up on Friday it was extremely hot. The outside temperature was in the mid nineties. When they asked about turning it down, the owner said it was regulation and couldn’t be changed (whatever the heck that means). She instructed them to turn off the light to help cool the building. During the call she also informed them that she would be turning the AC off over night and turn it back on at 7:30 in the morning. During Friday evening’s wedding rehearsal she called them back three times complaining that they needed to turn the lights off to help cool the building. This means that she’s sitting at home monitoring a live feed from the barn. This is how you manage? All the time we’re sweating and buying fans to help cool the building. We went back to the venue around 8:00 PM on Friday to find out that the AC was already off. It was 88 degrees inside and we were worried about the flowers wilting before morning. We also noticed that the cater had locked the kitchen. When we called the owner to ask for a key, she said she lived over an hour away and would have to drive back to unlock kitchen. There was no key on site for us to use. Therefore everything that was put in the kitchen was left unsecured all night. After complaining about the lflowers wilting, she finally agreed to turn AC back on.

The issue with not being able to lock the kitchen, that has outside access, was also unreasonable. We had to leave the kitchen unlocked containing items belonging to the cater because keys were not provided.

Other big disappointments were the quality of tables and chairs rented. Most of the tables were in ragged shape. Two tables were broken/missing screws. They could not be used until my husband fixed them. Fortunately, he had tools with him in his truck. I saw chairs with burn holes in them. We did not complain about this at the time, we just tried to make the best of the situation. Later, my daughter and son-in-law gets charged a chair replacement fee of $50. The owner says there was wax on a chair. We should send her a bill for fixing her broken tables.

They also received two other $50 fees . One for tables and chairs not located in proper place. The other for sticky, brown residue on stove. We took down every table and chair and stacked them against the left wall of barn. Apparently they were not in exact location she wanted them. I spoke with cater and she assured me the kitchen was left in much better condition than they found it. I think these are just petty fees because she was already mad about having to come back to unlock kitchen.

Another big disappointment was the grass had not been cut. The photographer had planned on taking pictures in the surrounding grass areas. The grass was thigh high Bahia grass.

It’s a reasonable expectation that: if you pay extra for AC for two days that you have complete (reasonable) control for 48 hours. It’s also reasonable to expect that the grass around the building be mowed prior to the event. Keys or codes be provided to the entire facility

Even though the management of the facility was ridiculous we made the best of it. That said however, no one should have to deal with this sort of foolishness! The costumer service was awful and the owner was rude speaking each time they had to call. This venue has so much potential but not under current management. I would highly recommend that you not rent this venue until the existing owner/management is replaced.

Mother...

Copy and paste responses must come in handy. Due to the cameras that are inside the barn, seen by multiple people, why did you have to go to the barn at 11:30 to clean when all you needed to do is check them to see people were cleaning? You could have called too. Instead you claim to have been there until 5am cleaning ( you and I both know thats an exaggeration of having to clean that long) after making everyone there cleaning leave when you got there, bad idea. I suppose it's your justification to keep the deposit. If anyone looks at all the reviews, it's amazing how you never take responsibility for anything. I was really shocked that you made people pay for the AC and the box was locked when they got there and told them they couldn't turn it down. They should have been refunded. Which left you responsible if anyone had a heat stroke ect.. Thankfully many pictures were taken of what you claim was broken before anyone came to the wedding. This place is beautiful but the owner is nasty to deal with. She's trying to portray herself as a Christian in her responses but acts differently, which is sad. The hair and makeup people came before (8:30 am) the venue was supposed to be open (10am) unknown to them there was a time restraint, the bride's mother forgot to tell them. Because of that, the owner said ' I can see right now the direction this is going to be heading' sarcastically. Thankfully we have recorded interactions with her because of her demeanor. She apparently didn't know she was dealing with a very beloved family from Aiken. Maybe consider not interacting so much with people at the venue. Due to so many complaints in the reviews about your attitude or figure out a different way to approach people. These are good people you were dealing with that would have helped you anyway they could have. They would probably still help you even now. Even the police officer YOU had there didn't complain and seem to have had a good time. Maybe he can enlighten you about previous damage. I think you embellished a lot just to get that deposit back. Guilty people often speak the loudest and you wrote a book. That alone should make people reconsider renting this venue knowing who they will have to deal with. I wonder if it would it affect their decision if they knew it was a White/Mexican wedding with your attitude ? It made others feel like that was part of your problem. I'd I love to hear from the person that was supposed to have their wedding there on Sunday to see if that was even true. Easy to find out, FB tells where he at thanks to his review remark. Some of your complaints were your own fault if you had just been a tiny bit understanding ex. Hair and makeup and being there till 5:00 a.m., everything else, questionable. God bless you and have a...

My husband and I got married at the Big Red Barn on October 21st. Having our wedding their was truly a dream. Everything was perfect the property had plenty of space. We had around 130 guest that fit very comfortable as well as a full catering team and DJ and bar. The bridal suit was perfect for my 8 girls and I to get ready in and the grooms lounge was just what the guys needed and plenty of distance to keep a bride hidden away. When you rent this amazing facility you get to work with the amazing owners along side it. Erin and Sean were truly amazing to work with. Erin contacted me serval times before the big day, doing check ins incase anything big changed. And allowed me to go to the venue on a few other occasions to plan our placements of tables and decor. I'm a type A planner and having that flexibility to plan a head and go over everything was so great!! No other venue I visited were as accommodating as these two! Erin and Sean allowed me to create a plan that worked for me and my ideas. We were able to have the venue for rehearsal and the wedding which I highly recommend every bride do! It was so great to decorate and not feel rushed and Erin and Sean Made it so easy! Booking a venue for your wedding in my opinion is one of the hardest things. Erin and Sean were so amazing to work with I could honestly write a 100 things about how accommodating, Patience and understanding they were throughout the entire time even after our big day! It made this bride a lot less stressed! I would 1000% book with them for any gathering we have in the future! Thank you Erin and Sean and the big red barn for making our...