The Raymond Family Farm — Local services in New Hartford

The tour was great and we were really excited to have our wedding here….at first. Then we told Tracey we wanted the package that included the “day of coordinator” we had a phone call about it and when I responded about our decision (granted I did respond a little late) she said she had booked a vacation and couldn’t do it anymore, no problem that was on me for answering late. But as the date got closer about the details for a rehearsal dinner it was shortly before the wedding that I was told I would not be having one. I kept asking if someone from her team would be able to do it if she wasn’t and she was not helpful or flexible in working with us on that at all. Being a first time who had not attended a lot of weddings this gave me sooooo much anxiety especially since we had planned for an out door wedding but with the weather rolling in we needed to switch it to inside and worrisome about quickly running through a ceremony could have been avoided in my opinion. Also on the day of our wedding was a rollercoaster. I got there in the morning and because of the weather there was a staff member setting up (she was lovely). Tracey did not inform me that if the weather was not great they would not be able to do a full transition from ceremony to reception/dinner. Something that if I had known I would have gone some place else. At first there was no aisle for me to walk down and I was told that all the guests would be seated at their spots for dinner and the tables would be up for the ceremony because it was raining. This on top of other stress was a lot. We as brides and couples pay a lot of money to a venue to hold an event that marks such a special moment in our lives. Most brides dream of the aisle they will walk down and the traditional ceremony set up they will have. Tracey was not open about how she could not do a transition and therefore that dream I had as a bride was taken from me. I had to ask and beg them to do half seating as a ceremony and half the guests seated at their dinner tables because that’s all I could get. It just confuses me that being a wedding venue in CT where the weather is always changing and always unpredictable they don’t have a way to do a full transition, and if they don’t that they wouldn’t be open about what it would look like honestly if the weather was bad. Tracey had us enter from the outside in the rain (with umbrellas) to enter into the ceremony but when it was my turn as the bride she had me wait outside in the pouring rain and wind. My dress no matter how high I held the bottom was soaked because the wind was blowing the rain sideways. Again being a wedding venue just appalling how they don’t have solutions for all these possibilities with the wedding. On top of all of that you can only have a bar service on her list to serve alcohol so you would think they would be professional. Our bar caterer that we had to have through her venue was serving our underage family and friends. At the end of the night did we still get married? Yes and that will always be the highlight of the night but when you pay all this money for a venue and bar catering you expect the bare minimum: a rehearsal dinner like everyone else, a traditional ceremony set up (if that’s what you want), a venue who is flexible like the weather and a trustworthy bar service. Our best times (and least stressful and most flexible) throughout the wedding process were our caterers, florist, hair and makeup, photographers and the DJ OUTSIDE of the Raymond family farm and who they recommended on...

I was maid of honor in a wedding that was here a few months ago. I have attended weddings before, been in weddings and have gotten married at another venue a few years back. I have never had or heard of such issues like I have with this place. The bride was my sister and there were far more bad conversations about this venue than good. No rehearsal, no transparency about how it would be and set up if the wedding had to be indoor(which it needed to be), bride begging for what she wanted for her ceremony day of. Tracey the coordinator didn’t even show the day of until maybe just before noon when her wedding was at 3. The lovey girl that was there beforehand unfortunately had to listen to us be upset about the circumstances of being indoors and had to call Tracey and be the middle man because she was not on the property and apparently was the only one who could make the final decisions. It felt very chaotic and overwhelmed the entire wedding party and most of all the bride and groom. With the wedding being indoors Tracey said the bride had to walk down a short staircase right next to the officiant and everyone needed to be at their dinner tables for her entrance. This was worst case scenario for my sister as she wanted an aisle for her big moment. With begging we were finally able to. With this being a venue in CT we were surprised that there was not a better way to do this without all of the bridesmaids AND brides dress being soaked from the rain. My sister trying not to be unbearable dealt with this because it was the only way she would have an actual entrance. SEVERAL of the guests made comments about the bartenders attitude. (Recommended by the venue) and even served underaged people. It’s a beautiful venue but it was necessary to leave a transparent review when the venue people were not transparent to my sister and her partner when looking at this place. To the Raymond farm venue, most people looking at venues have not been married before and don’t always know all the right questions to ask, I encourage you to be FULLY transparent with the set up both indoor and outdoor and what entrances will look like etc. ALSO there is not a private area for the bridesmaids and bride to get dressed. The bridal suite was a beautiful room with a big mirror and big windows but unfortunately all there was was a small privacy folding wall for people to get dressed behind that no one was comfortable getting dressed in. There were people getting hair and makeup done and there was no space to do that with all the people, the snacks and drinks we brought and our stuff and vendor people. We had to run to the bathroom on the main level while the groomsmen were taking their pictures and it felt like we...

The most amazing wedding venue. Absolutely a dream come true. I just had my wedding on 10/20/2023 at I am still glowing.

The views on the property are gorgeous and everything is well maintained. There is plenty of parking and it is easy to find the location.

My girls and I got ready in the bridal area and it was decorated so lovely and provided plenty of room for the hair and makeup team. There was a refrigerator to keep snacks and champagne! Nice big fan or AC can be used to keep the temperature comfortable. I took such cute pictures in the room!

The bar area was beautiful! There was a large wine refrigerator, sink, ice machine and at least two additional large refrigerators for other drinks.

The barn has large glass windows and beautiful large wooden doors. Big farm style fans on the ceiling and string lights add the perfect touch. There were so many different little decorations and areas that just made this the perfect venue.

There is a ramp you can back your car up to unload items, stairs and handicap access as well. They provide tables, chairs and even linens if needed. Plenty of power outlets and an alcove for your DJ!!!

The owner Dan is very nice. We showed up one day and he gave us an impromptu tour! I was sold right away and knew I had to have my wedding reception there. Great communication.

I also booked my wedding planning services through The Raymond Family Farm. Tracey Rich is their wedding coordinator and she is OUT OF THIS WORLD. If you choose this venue, YOU MUST WORK WITH TRACEY. There are different packages she provides. We spoke with Tracey multiple times, she coordinated with all my vendors and made me a timeline for the wedding day. I texted her during panic moments and she helped me when I was stressed and having trouble with my seating chart. I thought that was all amazing, until I saw Tracey in action the day before and day of the wedding. WOW! She is a real blessing. I can’t imagine how the wedding day would have been if we did not have Tracey. She helped with everything and anything. Her ideas and suggestions are on point, she knows what she is doing, what will look good and is efficient. She moved tables, decorated, coordinated with catering and so much more. I remember seeing her all night long, making sure things were going as planned, keeping the timeline and allowing for changes when I needed time with my husband. I can’t even tell you everything she did, because she did it so flawlessly and secretly, making the entire evening perfect.

I can’t thank Tracey and The Raymond Family Farm enough. You made our wedding...