Healdsburg Country Gardens Weddings

Ok - so this is a difficult review. First note - I'm reviewing this place as a BRIDE, not a renter of the lodging.

First the good things: HCG is a beautiful spot to get married. We were so happy with the view, the tree, the barn - everything was gorgeous. Everything is beautifully manicured! It costs $10,000 to have a wedding here, and a lot of things are included. They supply many tables, chairs, etc. Three Stars for that!!!

Now the bad things: Unfortunately, the owner Barbara is not a good host. She's great at answering questions, but she needs to be better at making you feel welcome to use the property the full amount of time advertised. One of her selling points is that you have a lot of time to set up and break down, unlike a lot of wineries that shoo you out of the property to accommodate their wine business more. This point came to mind when she was hurrying up my MOTHER to clean up the property after my wedding. These are people's most precious memories - and Barbara was rushing everyone to get out. NOT COOL. They also mention that you have a cottage to get ready in. It is not available to you until after 11:30am - which really puts a time stress on you. My hair and makeup lady couldn't start until 11:30 - which put me done at 12:30 - which gave me less than two hours to get pictures done before the wedding, which sounds like a lot of time.... but it's not. The bridal cottage should be available to the bride ALL DAY on the wedding day, just like the rest of the site. Barbara needs to not be greedy about renting that cottage out the night before a wedding. She needs to accommodate the client that is making her a LOT of money. Also - there needs to be air conditioning in the bridal cottage. Healdsburg has MANY, MANY hot days... and to be sweating while you are putting on makeup is not good at all. There should also be low hanging oscillating fans in the barn to keep air moving for the dance floor. Barbara needs to think of the little things that make a place special. ALSO - don't make the mistake we did.... we assumed by offering two "parking attendants", she was offering valets. So - we prepared $75 tip envelopes for valets. The 14 year olds that she had hired.... they couldn't even drive cars. There are just there to direct traffic. WHY do you need TWO???? They got paid big that night.... unfortunately.

SO - bottom line.... If you are looking for a gorgeous place in the wine country to get married, HCG is great.

My WARNING: Be prepared to work with a woman who is collecting a LARGE amount of money - who isn't very accommodating for it. She's all smile and roses at first, but underneath all of that is a woman who doesn't think of the people that are having the most important day of their life, and try to make them as comfortable as possible. PLEASE Barbara - for the sake of future brides - change your tune. Your place is so beautiful - it's a shame to be wound so tight about people using it.

The Grubers have the most amazing piece of Wine Country-- I love the large old oak tree at the ceremony site, surrounded by acres of grapevine as far as the eye can see! Totally charming, and the views are spectacular!