We recently celebrated our wedding (10/19) at Knolle Farm & Ranch and it was a truly magical, loving experience. The venue's rustic charm and serene atmosphere provided the perfect backdrop for our intimate celebration. Beth Knolle, the owner and wedding planner, was incredibly helpful and made the planning process stress-free, though she can be a bit scattered at times.
A few weeks before the wedding, we received an email outlining a list of desserts that we hadn't requested, which was quite concerning. However, after confirming the cake and flower arrangements we had originally requested, we were relieved to find that everything was still included in the final plan. Additionally, there was a nearly 45-minute delay in the ceremony due to the minister's late arrival (who also lives on the property). All of our guests were down by the chapel, waiting for us to begin our ceremony but we couldn't start until the minister arrived. My mom went on a wild goose chase and find him within the main house and told him once she finally found him that he was in charge of leading the wedding- which he then finally got ready and headed outside.
Furthermore, we had ordered boutonnieres for my husband, two groomsmen, and both of our fathers. We saw Beth making these boutonnieres just two hours before the ceremony, but when it came time to wear them, they were nowhere to be found. Despite checking the event hall as instructed, we couldn't locate them. It wasn't until the following day that we received them from Beth, who had pulled them out of the fridge.
The wedding cake was another unexpected issue. First off, the cake was a little bit later than expected- we had guests questioning where the cake was even because i had told the guests per request of the venue and its planners, food to be done by 8 PM. by that time, there was no cake to be found. my mom once again, went on the hunt and found out the information that it was not quite finished and they would send it out soon. not long after, they brought it out for us. that wasn't my biggest deal, just a couple of my nitpicky guests mentioned it. one thing that did really and truly shock me was the aftermath. We picked up the cake the day after the wedding, in which they happily stored it for us overnight since me and my new husband stayed on the property for the night! When we cut into the bottom tier to store it better in the freezer the moment we got home(30 minute drive), we were shocked to discover significant mold growth all throughout the bottom tier. This was surprising as we had cut into the middle tier the night before and it was fine and tasted fantastic!
We were also led to believe that we would have 15 minutes before the ceremony start time within the main house to do final touches and that Beth would be there to guide us throughout the way. However, we didn't see Beth at all after 4:30 PM and didn't get our 15 minutes. While it didn't significantly impact the day, we did expect a bit more guidance during that time. we were expecting quite a bit of guidance but we figured it out in the long run.
Despite these minor setbacks, the staff that was present was excellent, ensuring that everything ran smoothly. The evening was spent mingling with family and friends, creating lasting memories. The beautiful venue and the overall ambiance of the wedding made it a truly special day.
If you're considering Knolle Farm & Ranch for your wedding, be sure to communicate clearly and follow up on all details. And most importantly, enjoy the day! its your wedding after all, don't let the minor details...
Read moreNot having lived in the country perhaps we weren't ready for some of what we experienced during our four days. When we arrived we had a nice chat with Beth (the owner) and afterward went to our 2 bedroom, one bath (Chapel View) to unpack and relax from our flight. In my bedroom there wasn't a dresser (only a night stand) and no hangers in the closet. I kept my clothes in my suitcase for the duration. There was nothing to set the suitcase on in this room so I used the wicker chair in the room which was too small for my suitcase. We had our evening meal delivered to us as we were told they have a chef who can prepare meals outside of just breakfasts. We opted for dinner since we arrived late. Beth told us we would be having Cornish game hens. I didn't tell her I was vegetarian as I didn't want to complicate the already in the oven meal. What was most upsetting was finding out this dinner was $56.00 plus tax AND gratuity at 18%. Gratuity? Her husband delivered the tray to the door. Nothing more. Be aware that any additional meals are very highly priced. This meal was nothing more than you would receive at Applebee's. Very upsetting. We had hundreds of nats come into the casita and asked for some Raid so we could spray. It was delivered the next morning. We had already used a broom and "swept" the ceiling killing most of them that way. I understand when you are in the country there will be bugs. I think spray should be provided in the casita, along with a fly swatter. We did not care for the breakfasts but once we told Beth we would prefer french toast or pancakes, they were delicious. We just weren't a fan of the herbs and spices that were used on the food the first couple mornings. The pancakes were light and fluffy, and french toast just as yummy. Orange juice was always provided which was great. We were not happy with the cleanliness of the casita and I would suggest her help do a bit more thorough cleaning from time to time. We went to Walmart and bought a can of Lysol spray and sprayed the drapes, and blinds. It helped with the dusty smell tremendously. We had rain our entire stay and perhaps things would have been better had we been able to walk the grounds and enjoy its beauty. It is beautiful and peaceful. We felt this bed and breakfast was very high priced for the accommodations. We could have stayed in a hotel for $160.00 per night on the beach! For that reason I would give it 2 stars. For the friendliness of the staff/help, I gave it an additional star for a total of 3. For anyone on business -- there is NO WiFi. I was able to use Beth's AT&T hotspot for a few hours for two days of our stay but that was it. The second day I was able to use it, the charge was only about 20 percent. Very...
Read moreI can sum up our stay at the Knolle Farm & Ranch Bed, Barn & Breakfast with one word ... WOW!! My husband and I stayed here in June 2014 to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary. We stayed in the Chapel View cottage, which, just like its name implies, has a incredible view of the beautiful chapel, along with the sprawling wetlands pond. ||||In the pond, we spotted endangered woodstorks wading alongside brilliantly pink spoonbills, ducks, egrets, and other birds. We also heard the constant chatter of songbirds such as mockingbirds, cardinals, sparrows, red winged blackbirds, and more. All from our back porch! In addition, we watched birds from the infinity edge pool, which also overlooks the pond. So relaxing!||||Incidentally, if you love birds, the ranch is also host to two peacocks. They were not aggressive towards us, kept to themselves, but were a beautiful site to see. Absolutely breathtaking.||||And now, the FOOD. Oh my goodness. We opted to have all our our meals prepared for their chef, Joe, and we believe it was worth every penny. Breakfast being included in the cost, we had no idea what to expect. We thought, like a lot of places, it would be a simple meal. But my gosh, what an amazing surprise ... Stuffed french toast on raisin bread, omelets, stuffed sausage pastry, pancakes, cheese grits, thick sliced bacon (not that cheap stuff you'll find at a lot of places!), sparkling cider, fresh fruit. And the dinners! Cooked-to-perfection steak & hens, veggies from the garden, cowboy potatoes, salads with fresh herbs and dressings, fresh baked bread. And dessert!! Don't even get me started on dessert! I may be ruined when it comes to "regular" food for the remainder of my life. :-D||||They mention "unpretentious hospitality" on their website, and I would say this is another area where the owners and the staff truly excel. My husband and I are not super fancy people, and we tend to shy away from such venues. But at Knolle Ranch, while the decorations and amenities are gorgeous and the food is on par with a five-star restaurant, and the staff pleasant and professional, they are also warm, inviting, and welcoming. They made us feel right at home. Beth, Steve, and the staff were constantly available during booking and throughout our stay, but not intrusive. They are just good people. :-)||||My husband and I cannot wait to come back. We hope to visit in the winter so that we can see the waterfowl that migrate to their ranch in huge numbers. If our June birdwatching experience was any indication of what's to come in winter, I'm sure it will be a...
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