I felt our experience at Florida Keys Farm was marred by misleading advertisements, poor facility conditions, and unexpected costs, culminating in a deeply disappointing decision of a venue. My husband found the experience to be fine and rustic, but this is my review. When we arrived at the venue, sight unseen until that day, I was mortified by the overall appearance. It was not the picturesque and well-kept location we had expected to showcase to our family and friends. I write this review to advise future couples considering this venue to carefully inspect the entire property before committing. Ensure that all details, including additional costs for amenities shown in photos, are clarified upfront to avoid my same frustrations.
Here are some bullets that highlight my experience: • Bridal Suite: The bridal suite provided, which was an airstream, was in poor condition. Despite not using it to get ready, I was dismayed to find it with the air conditioning barely functioning and duct tape holding up the curtains. This was indicative of the overall maintenance issues at the venue. • Positive Aspect - Landscaping Near Water: One highlight of the venue was the beautiful landscaping near the water. It provided a picturesque backdrop for photos and added a serene ambiance to our event. This was the only part of the property that lived up to our expectations. • Mosquito Infestation: Adding to our disappointment, the outdoor setting was plagued by a severe mosquito infestation on the day of our wedding. This made it uncomfortable for our guests to enjoy the beautiful scenery and affected our overall experience. I would highly suggest the Farm does ground or aerial spraying for mosquitos. • Misleading Advertisements: Unfortunately, the rest of the venue did not match the picturesque images portrayed in its advertisements. The grounds appeared cluttered and unkempt upon our arrival, which was a stark contrast to the polished photos shown to us during our initial visit and in promotional materials. • Last-Minute Costs: In addition to the discrepancies in appearance, we were surprised by last-minute costs, such as a $650 charge for string lights that were necessary to create the ambiance and to allow our guest to safely navigate from tables to tiki hut we had expected based on the venue’s marketing materials. This unexpected expense was not communicated clearly upfront. It appeared there was three string lights hung right around the tiki hut. I’m conflicted with what we actually paid for. I would have been open to buying local honey or goat’s milk lotion from the owner, however, the expense of the lights did not allow that in my budget. • Owner’s Responsiveness: While the owner was responsive to our initial inquiries and emails, the discrepancy between what was advertised and what was delivered left me feeling...
   Read moreFrom one who lives locally and from empirical observations, these are awful people who have destroyed a hardwood hammock and pristine waterfront for personal gain without regard to the fragile environment of the Keys or their neighbors. With the deforestation and thousands of yards of fill, they have altered the land so that our neighborhood floods. No more natural drainage. The amount of fecal matter produced by this "farm" is very likely causing large amounts of nitrogen into the bay. This is a residential area of environmental critical concern. Not a place for an industrial farm or wedding/event venue. See photo of wetland destruction issued by South Florida Water Management District. They have destroyed fragile wetland. It appears they don't care about the environment or their neighbors from...
   Read moreTalk about a once in a lifetime experience. My wife and I got married here and it was so incredibly beautiful. If you're looking for a unique, rustic, and welcoming atmosphere, look no further. The sunset was absolutely incredible and the night as a whole was wonderful. Every guest at our wedding was raving about how beautiful and welcoming it all was. Truly, if you're looking for a venue more homey, yet still elegant and beautiful, this is where you should be!!!
Beyond that, Candace and her husband are truly incredible people. I cannot praise them enough for everything they did to help us out. Planning a wedding from afar can be so difficult, and they were so helpful the entire time. I was so nervous trying to make everything perfect, but they helped so much.
To any future brides, you won't regret...
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