First let me start by saying this church is absolutely stunning, but Julie Vanderbrook, the church's director was absolutely awful to work with. The day of the wedding she was an absolute nightmare. Our wedding started at 7:00 and guests who arrived at 6:55 were scolded by Ms. Vanderbrook with a "You are late!". My husband wanted to escort his sister down the aisle and at 6:40 she started rushing him telling him to go, finally he had to look at her and say, no one is even here yet, I'm not walking her down. Now what really sent me over the edge was how I found out she treated my mother. It was 6:45 and because the church doesn't have a bridal room we had to get a room at the hotel across the street and since we were so rushed through the rehearsal and I was a nervous bride I didn't realize I was supposed to be there at 6:45 and to be completely honest, I didn't want to be standing around while people filed in and see me in my dress before I walked down the aisle. My bridesmaids and I arrived at 6:58. At 6:45 this woman had my mother in TEARS. She was incessantly asking my mother, "Where is your daughter?! Where is your daughter?! She is so rude!" There were many of instances that she was rude to guests and family members but I'd be writing for days.
A wedding is already stressful enough and all Ms. Vanderbrook did was add to the stress and really, escalate it. I do understand that it is New Orleans and you deal with people who may not be considerate but no one in our party was rude, drunk, loud, etc. There was absolutely no reason for this woman to act the way she did. I honestly don't understand why she is the director of weddings at Immaculate Conception. For the amount of money you pay to get married there, you should not be treated like garbage. It's a church for crying out loud, she should be ashamed of herself.
Since WeddingWire keeps reviews to a 2000 word maximum please see my full review at TheKnot or Yelp.
