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Long post, but worth the read!
Choosing The Ruins at Sassafrass as our wedding venue was a decision that exceeded our wildest dreams. I could write pages about all the amazing things that this venue boasts, but I will highlight the points that future brides should understand when they go to book The Ruins.
Being a DIY bride, the Ruins at Sassafrass provided the enchanting backdrop to bring my Pinterest board dreams to life. The rustic charm and natural beauty of the venue complemented my vision perfectly, creating a magical setting for our special day. The flexibility of the space allowed me to add personal touches, turning it into a unique and unforgettable experience. Even in late October the landscape of the mountains in the distance were breathtaking; our guests are still talking about how mesmerizing the views were.
What makes our wedding story even more special is that we chose The Ruins before it was even finished. It was a leap of faith based on the vision and promises from Carol, the owner. When we did our initial tour, the venue was still in its beginning stages of completion; even then we were captivated by the potential and the unique charm it promised. What sealed the deal for us, however, was Carol's infectious enthusiasm, passion, and stylistic eye. Her vision and commitment assured us that the venue would be the perfect location for our special day, and it absolutely was! Being part of the journey from the early stages allowed us to witness the Ruins’ transformation, and it added an extra layer of excitement to our wedding planning.
Despite the venue's newness and the inevitable growing pains, Carol, Lara (the on site coordinator), Jerome (Carol’s partner in life and business), and the rest of the team made sure our decision to trust them from the beginning was more than worthwhile. Being a newer venue, Carol and the team were still in the process of ironing out a few kinks. Despite some last minute hiccups, what truly stood out was Carol, Jerome, and Lara’s commitment to addressing these challenges in real-time. Their proactive approach and dedication to ensuring our day was perfect more than made up for any set backs in the planning process. This was a HUGE relief when planning such a momentous event.
On our actual wedding day, when challenges arose with our day-of coordinator (that we hired separately and was not affiliated with The Ruins), Lara stepped in as our saving grace. Her quick thinking, attention to detail, and unwavering professionalism turned what could have been a stressful situation into a seamless and unforgettable celebration. Her ability to coordinate with our vendors and recalibrate the timeline on the spot showcased her experience and dedication. Without Lara's intervention, the day could have taken a different turn, and we are immensely grateful for her expertise and her willingness to step up and save the day. Her creative touch also helped transform the venue into a dreamlike setting, exceeding our expectations. Lara's dedication and experience truly showcased the exceptional team at The Ruins at Sassafrass, if you get the chance you should ABSOLUTELY hire Lara to help plan your event.
The Ruins at Sassafrass, with its evolving charm and an outstanding team led by Carol, Jerome and Lara, made our wedding day an absolute masterpiece. We are forever grateful for their passion, dedication, and the magical memories they helped us create. If you're looking for a team that truly cares about your special day, look no further than The Ruins...
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In response to the vendor's feedback -- I remain committed to supporting other couples with the facts of our wedding experience, with documented support of these facts which are contrary to the vendor's feedback. My only motivation for writing this review is to help other couples, nothing more and nothing less and will remain committed to sharing the truth.
My review below -- I’ve held off on writing this review because I typically only share positive experiences, but after needing to plan a redo of my wedding, I felt compelled to share my honest perspective.
Value vs. Cost Unfortunately, I cannot give a star here. After researching at least six alternative venues in the area, I found that others provided more overall value for the price.
Location This was another challenge. The venue is not very accessible—about 45 minutes from the nearest airport—and with limited third-party transportation, it made things difficult for both myself and my guests.
Uniqueness This is where The Ruins shines. The setting is absolutely one of a kind—beautiful, romantic, and reminiscent of an Italian estate, which connected deeply with my heritage. It’s unlike many other options in the U.S. and was one of the main reasons we booked.
Professionalism Here is where our biggest concerns lie. When we contracted in early 2023, the venue was still undergoing renovations, and while the aesthetics did not disappoint, the professionalism did. Being a relatively new venue (property purchased in 2020), I believe the owners need more time and experience before they can deliver the level of service expected for such an important event. We encountered numerous issues that caused significant stress.
Overall Experience Sadly, we were left feeling like we needed a second chance at our wedding day. After six years together, we are now planning a vow renewal to create the joyful, drama-free celebration we originally envisioned.
Advice to Future Couples and planning all aspects of your super special day --
Get at least 3 referrals from couples who have actually had their weddings at the venue.
Speak to local vendors to get an honest read on professionalism from all vendors you hire.
Get everything in writing—do not rely on verbal agreements.
Most importantly, trust your gut. If something feels off, it usually is.
We learned a lot through this process, and while The Ruins at Sassafras offers breathtaking scenery, our experience unfortunately did not measure up in the other areas that matter most for a once-in-a-lifetime day.
If you would like to hear more about my experience, feel free to get in touch -- my husband, family and friends are happy...
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I do not have adequate words to describe the beauty of the Ruins at Sassafras. It is like something out of a dream. The entire property is so full of surprises and wonder and getting to walk the grounds is one of the many delights you get to experience as a guest of the property. My husband and I recently got married at the Ruins at Sassafras and had a truly wonderful time. As soon as we toured the space we knew that it was where we wanted to have our wedding. Our guests have been raving about it ever since and many have remarked that it was the most beautiful wedding they’ve been to and indeed, the Ruins at Sassafras is just about unparalleled in its beauty. When you have a wedding at the property you also stay on the property along with up to 16 guests. The stone house and caretaker’s cottage have been renovated with such love and care. Getting to stay on property really turns the wedding into a full weekend affair. We had our rehearsal dinner and welcome party there as well and it’s honestly hard to say which event was the best— they were all so spectacular and more beautiful than we could have dreamed. Every element of the property has been refurbished with such passion, love, and attention to detail. Carol and Jerome clearly put such effort into every detail and have so profoundly respected the property’s history. They will happily give you a tour of the property and Carol’s excitement is beyond palpable. I really can’t imagine a place more imbued with magic. We worked with Lara, their in house coordinator and property manager. She was so nice to work with and knew the property inside and out. She has such a calming demeanor and came up with such fun ideas such as having our band’s accordionist escort our guests to cocktail hour. Lara and her associate Bethany made sure our wedding day went smoothly and that the month leading up to the big day wasn’t too stressful. Lara handled all our vendor meetings, even ones we couldn't attend following a death in the family. Lara really understood our vision and went with it and was so lovely to work with. With a site this large there will invariably be spaces you don’t get to use, but that’s part of the wonder of the Ruins at Sassafras— it almost guarantees that you will want to return and explore it further. I know we’ll be wanting to return in the years to come to remember the day and enjoy the beauty of the place again. Carol and Jerome have built something really...
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