Italian Heritage Center — Attraction in Portland

My sister had her wedding this fall, that was a mistake. The night before the wedding we went in to check on everything, the entire floor plan was botched. The tables and chairs were not even close to the floor plan we provided, and we had to rearrange everything ourselves; even though that is something that should have been done correctly in the first place, since we paid for it.

The day of the wedding, the wedding party arrived in the side room, we had appetizer there but no plates or napkins. I had to go on a hunt for staff to get any essentials! Mind you this is on a timeline that the president of the Italian Heritage Center couldn't wrap her head around. As we lined up for the ceremony the President couldn't even help put a boutiner on correctly.... As we stood in the door of the ballroom, what was supposed to be silent for my mother to walk down and light a candle, the president's phone rang! Followed by her staff laughing WITH her AT THE DOOR instead of apologizing! Zero respect.

Following the ceremony the wedding party went off for about 45min for photos. At the time, the staff was supposed to be putting chairs around the tables as it had rained and those were used for the ceremony. The staff was also giving tokens for guests to have drinks on the family. They were handing them out in an gross plastic bag. The tokens should have been put out at each seat before the ceremony! After those 45 min. Many guests STILL DID NOT HAVE A CHAIR including the WEDDING PARTY! That is just insane. I had to find staff myself to get chairs!

After the first dance, that I didn't get to see as I was busy chasing around the staff to get things done we went into dinner. The food was mediocre. Definitely didn't eat much. Following dinner the bride and groom went to cut the cake as it is on the timeline that the President has. We dropped off our grandmothers wedding knife who has passed last year for the cutting of the cake. Not only was the knife not there but there wasn't a knife AT ALL! My sister had to borrow a knife from a guest sitting near by as they noticed what was happening. After that I went to ask where my grandmothers knife had disappeared to, no one seemed to know! Finally we found out that the PRESIDENT FORGOT, and left it in her office.....but she had already LEFT for the night.

Our dj was amazing thank god. Dancing was wonderful, but the bartenders were wasted! They were enjoying the music as well, along with some alcohol. Our guests even noticed and made jokes about the staff being intoxicated. How embarrassing.

We purchased cannolis for an after dinner snack. When we left there were over 50 cannolis, the next day when we went to pick everything up they claimed there were none left. I was the very last guest in the building that night. There were over 50 I'm glad the staff enjoyed booze and dessert on us!

Sad to say the President should be ashamed of everything that happened. A complete lack of any respect for anyone, zero organization, just shameful. Everything that went wrong was a product of carelessness. I have no idea who put...

This was a great choice of venue for my Mother's Memorial. Although the hours for the service was short, our family came together spanning the country to hold a service for her. The outer grounds were well kept and outside patio well organized. We were greated and asked which event we were there for and proceeded to show us the way. The reception room very put together for all to seat and still room to walk around. I think my sisters that put the entire Memorial together had done a great job along with the even planner. I would recommend this venue for any special event you may...

My husband and I attended Dancing with the Dentists last night and it was a blast !!. The competition was orchestrated beautifully,the dancers were awesome and it was a hugh benefit for the Maine community. It was the 4th season for this benefit event and the Italian Heritage Center was the perfect venue ! We look forward to...