The Gillespie
Louisville, KY 40202
(map) Phone: 502-584-8080
Reviews for The Gillespie
GUEST
Beautiful venue, but very expensive, multiple service fees. Excellent customer service.
Vendor response to review
Dear Lee Ann,
We were so excited when we first met you and your hubby-to-be! The chemistry between you two was so electrifying that it was hard to end ALL of our meetings--you all were wonderful to work with! We were so happy you booked with us! We can only hope that your wedding celebration was everything you thought it would be! Anytime you want to come back to catch up, let us know! :)
All the best to you two,
The Gillespie
GUEST
I used the Gillespie for my wedding reception only. We picked it because it was available the same date as our church, the prices seemed reasonable, and it seemed like a unique place. The event went well and we got a lot of compliments from our guests, but I would not pick it again and I would not recommend it thanks to a lot of little things by the coordinator.
You have to give them the hours you want to use the venue in order to actual get a contract signed. I had to do this 9 months out to make sure we got the venue, so I had to estimate the hours. A few months out from the wedding I asked to move the hours we put down an hour later. I could not do this without paying extra. However, they decided on their own to end my event an hour early to coordinate better with the bar hours. They told me they just thought they would want the event to end when the bar closed. Of course I didn't considering I already wanted the event to go later. They didn't offer me any other options to coordinate the ending time with the bar hours, until I asked if I could close the bar for an hour during dinner.
They also promote the great vault they have to take pictures. However, they store the ficus trees in the stairwell, which I didn't want to pay 300 dollars for to decorate the venue. Since I didn't want the trees I couldn't get the vault, so really the vault costs 300 dollars.
I just got the overall impression from the coordinator that she disliked her job. She was not helpful. Perhaps she is used to dealing with wedding coordinators who are more familiar with planning weddings, I don't know, but I felt like I was really on my own (which is frustrating as a bride).
She would not help with our set up at all. My mother and mother-in-law had to do everything. When mentioning my displeasure with the venue after our event, my mother-in-law told me that when she and my mom would ask for something, the venue coordinator would tell them that wasn't her job. Luckily, the head of catering was willing to assist with items.
She also failed to inform me that I overpaid by several thousand dollars until weeks after the wedding when I emailed her to ask when I would get my security deposit back.
Also, be aware they do not allow storage overnight. You or your vendors are responsible for removing everything after the wedding. I learned of this just a few weeks out when my florist told me The Gillespie is the only venue that requires this. The florist does not pick up their vases after events so I would have to pay extra, have my out of town family take them to their hotel rooms or ask the caterer if they could hold them. Luckily the caterer did it for me.
Another example of their inability to work with you, when I arrived at my cocktail hour about 15 minutes early, since I am the bride, I walked up to the bar to get a drink. I did after all pay them thousands of dollars to be there. That's when the bartender proceeded to tell me that they weren't officially open yet. I had to look at them and tell them I am the bride and I would like a drink. It may have been my only bridezilla moment of the entire event. They had all the alcohol that I paid for sitting there but couldn't give me a drink 15 minutes before the event?
Again, the event went well, but it was no thanks to the venue coordinator and perhaps if I paid for a wedding coordinator they could have taken care of a lot of the issues, but as a bride dealing directly with the venue I felt like they did the bare minimum.
Vendor response to review
Dear Newlywed,
We apologize for our delayed response; we are just now reading this review. We were disappointed to learn of your experience with our staff and services. We apologize for the frustration you felt and are sorry that we did not sense any of your disappointment before, during or after your wedding. We appreciate and welcome all reviews so as to continue to improve our services here at The Gillespie.
In response to your review, we ask for a time on the contract so as to schedule staffing and vendor deliveries on the day of. Prior to the opening of The Loft, we were flexible should your times needed to be changed. It is only with our newest space that we have asked our clients to stay with the event times as contracted or closely to so as to coordinate all events in the building.
Your event times remained the same as they were on the contract (5:30pm-11:30pm). We apologize if there was any confusion, but there weren’t any additional charges applied as your event stayed under 6 -hours. When renting our facility, one is able to host a reception for up to 6-hours without any additional charges. We are unlike most venues as many venues only allow 4-5 hours for the event itself.
Our bar packages are based on 4-hours and one may add hours for an additional charge. We are flexible in the fact that we may close the bar during dinner so as to maximize the usage of the bar package. We never want anyone to feel as though they have to end the event at the close of the bar--we leave that up to the client! You and your guests were able to go until 11:30pm that evening in which you did. The caterers did not checkout with our Event Site Manager until after 12:00am.
Per our contract, we do not allow any storage before, during or after events for liability reasons. We host several events throughout the weekend and may not be held responsible for any items left. We allowed your florist to come the following Monday--so we hope that you did not experience an additional charge for that!
As for overpaying the balance, we called you as soon as the error was discovered. The second payment came in on the 20th of September and we informed you the week of your wedding while we were finalizing all invoices. We immediately processed this payment along with your refundable security damage refund the Monday following your event. The Event Site Manager also informed your mother in law the day-of as she was involved in the payments as well. It was our mistake in not following up with you after the wedding (like we normally do) to survey your experience and we do sincerely apologize for that—perhaps then we would have learned of your experience. When you followed up in an e-mail one week later, the staff member told you that the payment was being processed and that you should receive a check any day.
Our staff strives to assist in the planning process of all of our events. We meet with our clients multiple times leading up to each event to customize floor plans, bar packages and décor options. We encourage e-mail and phone correspondence throughout the planning process so to make your event smooth and this stressful time easier. We appreciate your business and only wish you and your husband the best in life, love and marriage! Again, our deepest apologies for your unhappy experience.
GUEST
We absolutely loved having our wedding at The Gillespie. It is a beautiful historical building with a wonderful staff! Couldn't have been more pleased!
Vendor response to review
Dear Kmwhitney,
It was a pleasure meeting you and your fiance! It was amazing to see what we were able to accomplish in one month of actually meeting you! :) We enjoyed coordinating your wedding and hope that everything exceeded your expectations! You were a beautiful bride and the space looked spectacular! We wish you two the best!!!
Warmest Wishes,
The Gillespie
GUEST
The Gillespie was the perfect place for our wedding and reception. It is a beautiful venue and provided plenty of space for our guests. Emily, the facility director was amazing to work with and made sure we had everything we needed for our special day. I highly recommend this venue!
Vendor response to review
Dear Lllbutts01,
We sincerely enjoyed working wiht you and your familiy on your wedding day! Rain is good luck on one's wedding day, and boy were/are you lucky! :) The horrible storm couldn't have put a damper on your day! You looked absolutely stunning and we can only wish you and your husband happiness in your life together!
Warmest Wishes,
The Gillespie
Wonderful staff and beautiful facility!
About The Gillespie
Constructed in 1929, the building was designed in the Art Deco style of architecture common to the era. Originally known as the Lincoln Bank and Trust Company, The Gillespie property later became part of National City Bank until 2005. Currently
accepting reservations for events, The Gillespie has emerged as
a premiere location for the most stylish weddings, social occasions, charitable galas, and corporate events.
Located at 421 West Market Street in the heart of Downtown Louisville, we are a short walk to the Kentucky International Convention Center, Vincenzo’s Italian Restaurant, and Z Fusion or just a brief
taxi ride to The Galt House, The Louisville Marriott Downtown, 21C Hotel or The Hyatt Regency
and other downtown restaurants and attractions.
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