The Veranda at Thornton Park — Local services in Orlando

I'm not one to write negative reviews (this may be my first ever) but I feel the need to write this to warn other brides. I noticed most wedding reviews are older and about different venue managers/ day of coordinators. Felicia took down the pergola she knew I had measured for decorations weeks before my wedding and claimed she emailed me about it and didn't. Two weeks before the wedding she met and took both my parents numbers saying she'd contact my dad that coming Monday about renting an ice machine and send my mom pictures of the new pergola... never heard from her. My photographer set up a meeting with her assistant to view the venue that Felicia never showed up to. At my rehearsal, she let her phone die with the schedule on it which she didn't print and acted totally lost. The day of I had a lot of family volunteer to help decorate but Felicia said "no no no" to just drop them off the night before.. She also claimed she checked my linens and that they would have "perfect creases" from being boxed and shipped... When I arrived to the venue the linens were a huge wrinkled mess and she didn't have the drapery up at the alter for us to decorate. We ended up scrambling for hours when we were supposed to be getting ready trying to use her dryers and steamer to de-wrinkle the linens and decorate. She said it was because of the humidity (??) and just kind of stood around while my bridesmaids, aunt, mom and I attempted to fix the linens and put up all the decorations she said would be ready. When my makeup artist noticed us all struggling to decorate instead of getting ready she tried to talk to Felicia and Felicia became rude and said in front of my mom that she didn't care if my things got rained on. Felicia also offered me a half circle sweetheart table that she never acknowledged was broken... I saw it laying by trash pickup later that night. That day was also cold so Felicia offered me two heaters on site that she never mentioned a charge for then overdrew my bank account for.. again claiming she sent an email that I mysteriously never got (I'm a professional and never have trouble receiving emails)... mind you I'd already paid her close to $6,000 and don't usually use that card unless I know beforehand and transfer the money. The morning of the wedding Felicia also told my dad she tested her heaters and the three heaters I rented separately the night before but then she couldn't get them started during dinner so my Uncle had to stop eating to turn all the heaters on. She also told the caterer they weren't allowed to serve shots but tried to keep me from speaking with the caterer saying it was their rule not to serve shots (I could tell she was acting strange about the situation trying to keep me from my caterer manager) but when I went and asked the caterer they informed me that Felicia was the one that told the bartenders no shots (why lie??). Felicia also told me my cake person never contacted her and when I reached out to my cake person they informed they had reached out multiple times by both phone and email. The pool and pond were both extremely dirty the day of as well and pool cleaning supplies were left out... Felicia had told both my photographer and I during a pre-walk through that that would all be gone and cleaned the day of. I sent a text to Felicia explaining all these issues and she simply didn't care to respond. INSANE for the high price. If another venue manager takes over I will say this actual venue is really really cool. I'm so thankful that all my other vendors were so amazing but my photographer basically became my day of coordinator (she pointed out 45 minutes after scheduled that we never did the garter and bouquet toss) and basically ran the ceremony. My wedding turned out great despite of Felicia but I wish I would have been able to enjoy and get ready with my friends the day of my wedding instead of having to deal with all this and calm my mom down because of the way Felicia acted and how unprepared she was. Warning.. if you rent this venue don't depend on the manager...

The Veranda at Thornton Park turned out to be the perfect venue for us in more ways that one. If you’re looking for a venue with cute houses to stay in on site, freedom to create your dream event, and amazing people to work with, then this is your venue.

Between our close friends and family we stayed in all three of the houses available. The orange house is great to sleep 6 people if everyone is ok with sharing a bed. That was our main hangout house for the weekend and had everything we needed. The blue house was perfect for my mom to stay in; small but perfectly tucked away and had a great view. If you you’re having your wedding here, I highly recommend having private appetizers on the gorgeous deck overlooking the lovely town. My husband and I did this right after our ceremony and I cannot recommend it enough! On our wedding night, my husband and I stayed in the pink house which was my favorite house. It was the perfect little cottage to escape from our family for the night.

The Vernada has some amazing vendor recommendations for everything you might need for your event but also allows you to bring in your own vendors if you choose. The freedom to do so made planning our wedding more fun and budget friendly. Although I agree with the venue that DJ Ben Bravo is the best!

Felicia, who owns and runs the Veranda made the whole weekend a magical event. Her laid back attitude and fun nature made planning and executing our wedding fun and easy. I swear Felicia’s chill demeanor can calm any bridezilla (yes I’m referring to myself). Not only is she good at her job, she’s a great person to know. After this wedding I know that we have made new friends for life. I cannot wait to have our anniversary parties here for all the years to come. Thank you so much Felicia and the Vernada team for making our wedding so perfect.

P.S. The houses make for some amazing photo...

I had the amazing pleasure of having my wedding at this venue on October 8th of this year, after my original venue was flooded by the hurricane. I was in a state of shock, watching my nearly years worth of planning be washed away. We called almost every venue, from Sanford to Orlando, to no avail. Then suddenly the wife of one of my groomsmen reached out to me after learning of the devastation. She had already contacted Felicia, from The Veranda at Thorton Park, and she just happened to miraculously have my date open up 48 prior to my wedding day. After my original venue refused to transfer our event to The Veranda at Thorton Park, Felicia kicked into high gear. She helped my family put together my entire wedding in less than 48 hours. From staff to equipment, she made herself and anything that we needed available to us. This place is beautiful and it ended up being exactly where we were supposed to be. I would recommend this place to any and everyone. It turned out to be the most amazing night of my life. I’m so...