Winchester Opera House Reviews
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Marcia Sent on 11/14/2023So glad we made this choice!
With under 60 days to organize my daughter’s wedding, I depended heavily on online reviews. So, I’m ‘giving back’ with one that details our great experience of Winchester Opera House.
Vanessa Ziembroski has assembled a unique array of venue properties, restoring them with care to help remind this charming historic town of its past while supporting the economic needs of its present. During our wedding week, we enjoyed them all, starting with lunches at Loma’s. The bride and her attendants experienced Moundale Manor as a bed-and-breakfast on the rehearsal night, where stylists met them the next morning to get everyone ready for wedding day photos on its magnificent grounds. Groomsmen spent their day in her sunny ‘man cave’ above the Opera House ballroom. The historic church was perfect for the intimate and reverent ceremony of my daughter’s dreams, and the Reception in the stately WOH Ballroom was a convenient half-block away with no need to re-park.
During our weeks of collaboration, I saw that Vanessa’s business acumen was rooted in a deep spirit of hospitality that may explain why a Maryland native who spent much of her professional life in New York eventually made her way south. That struck me at a wedding breakfast at Moundale Manor as I watched her pull a homemade mushroom quiche from her own oven, one that all agreed was the best we’d ever tasted. Having chosen WOH for catering the reception as well, we also experienced her hospitality on a banquet scale of about 160. The bride chose a menu of childhood favorites that aren’t that easy to get just right. Vanessa did! I’ve never seen so many clean plates.
Vanessa’s operation takes a strong support staff that includes Wedding Coordinator Katie Canaday and her assistant Sonja, a former WOH bride that asked to join the staff and help create such weddings for other brides. In our weeks of preparation, Katie kept our stress at a manageable level with her professionalism, responsiveness, empathy, and good advice. Even so, I didn’t realize how crucial those services were until I saw Katie and Sonja in action over the wedding weekend, in constant communication from multiple locations herding a slew of vendors and a bridal part of 16 with big families. I’m deeply grateful for the way they enabled me to focus solely on my family, my guests (and finding the rings that were missing eight minutes before the ceremony began).
Along the way, I came to appreciate that WOH’s very competitive pricing hinges on managing a staff that is no larger than it needs to be. So timely decisions and clear communications are essential if staff resources are to be managed so as to keep every commitment. It’s a lot harder than it looks, and Vanessa was remarkably tactful and kind in the times we inadvertently made that difficult for her. I also commend the WOH accounting staff on clear communications regarding invoicing. We had no surprises other than a happy one at Vanessa’s efforts to accommodate our changes with minimal cost increases.
Just before the wedding, Winchester was named one of Southern Living’s 13 Most Charming Small Towns in Kentucky. We were proud to both welcome guests who’d never been to Winchester and to have chosen a wedding venue that clearly contributed to that honor. -
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![Madison]()
Madison Sent on 03/31/2024Excellent Venue for a Bridal Shower
We could not have found a more gorgeous and accommodating venue than the Moundale Manor to hold our 30-35 person bridal shower tea. Vanessa and her staff were warm, welcoming, and went above and beyond to make sure every detail of the day was absolutely perfect. We had a light lunch with sandwiches and sweets, which were delicious and displayed so elegantly. The home and grounds are absolutely stunning for events big or small, and the room and tables were decorated to perfection which made the shower that much more memorable. I truly could not say enough good things about the space and especially Vanessa, who felt like a member of the family by the end of the event. You cannot go wrong with this venue. Thank you all so much!Winchester Opera House's reply:
Madison,
Thank you so much for taking the time to give us this review! Your heartfelt message and compliments made my day!! Your families excitement for your upcoming wedding made it easy to feel like an extended family member! We had a lot of fun being a part of the festivities! Thanks for allowing us to be a part of your day.
Vanessa -
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![Lauren]()
Lauren Sent on 12/20/2023The Easterling Wedding
Moundale Manor provided an enchanting backdrop for our special day. The picturesque surroundings, impeccable service, and attention to detail exceeded our expectations. Our guests were captivated by the elegant charm of the venue, making our wedding an unforgettable experience. Grateful for the dedicated staff and the timeless memories created at Moundale Manor! -
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Cindy Sent on 12/12/2023
Awesome Experience!
Vanessa and the staff at Winchester Opera House were amazing to work with! We had the absolute best experience for my son and future daughter in law’s rehearsal dinner. The food was delicious and the staff paid close attention to even the smallest detail to make our day special! Thank you so much! -
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Catherine Sent on 12/12/2023
Best wedding services ever
We were so excited to have The Winchester Opera House plan and oversee our wedding reception! They are located in Winchester, Kentucky but helped us plan a Las Vegas ceremony followed by an Island destination reception on Kent Island on the Chesapeake Bay! We decided on a Pit Cooked menu with BBQ Beef Brisket and Spit Roasted Steamship Round and a plethora of side dishes; a nod to my time spent in Kentucky. No one went away hungary.
Vanessa Ziembroski traveled almost 550 miles to be present for the day's festivities. She was with me from sunup to sundown making sure that nothing fell through the cracks. All the vendors arranged were top notch and we couldn’t be happier. She provided all the setup and decor to make our Eastern Shore wedding picture perfect! Vanessa negotiated details with the local Beach Association for parking, restrooms and crowd control. I feel her NYC off premise catering background came in very handy in our personal situation.
I had met Ms. Ziembroski when she was catering The World Equestrian Games for 16 days for Culver Academy’s, Black Horse Troop. I was so impressed with their daily food services to the equestrian team and the final night's closing event for 300 attendees that she was a must have for my wedding! If you are looking for on-premise catering in the Bluegrass region of Kentucky~ look no further and if you're looking for off premise she will oversee all the details!!
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Rebecca Sent on 12/12/2023
The best venue in the state!
We were greeted with kindness and hospitality upon meeting Vanessa at Moundale Manor. Her and her staff remained that way throughout the entire planning process. She is a pro in this industry and it shows through her guidance and expertise. Vanessa and Katie (the event coordinator) made sure no detail was spared.
A grand breakfast spread was prepared at Moundale Manor the morning of our wedding. A mimosa bar was set up outside of the bridal suite and my partners lounge was stocked with beer and champagne. Vanessa even made us a delicious lunch in her own kitchen. We are still talking about how exceptional her wraps were! Katie was also a rockstar by making sure the timeline ran smoothly on top of catering to the wedding party and our families!
Dinner was once again exceptional!!! It was presented beautifully and served in a timely fashion. Seriously the best dishes we’ve had at a wedding and that’s not us being biased!
The venue itself is beautiful but Vanessa and her team make it top tier! I cannot thank WOH enough for making my dream wedding come true. This venue deserves infinite stars! -
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![Elizabeth]()
Elizabeth Sent on 12/09/2023Wedding beyond my dreams!
After dreaming of marriage and a wedding my whole life, my husband and I finally got to experience all of that. The Winchester Opera House staff made our wedding and planning a dream! They have several options to meet your desires - from the beautiful ballroom, amazing food and drinks, bridal party prep areas (even a special area geared toward the groomsmen), a chapel, beautiful outdoor wedding space, and more right in the heart of downtown Winchester.
We had an afternoon wedding with a brunch-themed reception. People are still complementing the food and entire experience, even 7+ months later! Many shared some of the food was the best they've ever had. My husband is a foodie, so that part was important to him. The team discussed our desires, brainstormed with us, and created a reception beyond our expectations!
We chose to hire the WOH coordinator as our wedding planner (an additional cost that was totally worth it and a deal compared to the cost of other wedding planners). The coordinator and assistant were present at the rehearsal, ceremony, and reception. Remaining their friendly selves, they also kept our large family on schedule and got everyone where they needed to be on time. We even gave them the challenge of getting 9 kids ages 20 months to 8 years old down the aisle and in their places, and the coordinators didn't hesitate to make it happen and work out kinks along the way. At the reception, they remained available, and one stayed close to us to make sure we were getting what we needed (and wanted)!
My husband said the only thing he would change is to make it all last longer. We both loved our entire wedding rehearsal and dinner (we rented the WOH gallery for the rehearsal dinner), wedding, and reception. I highly recommend celebrating such a special event through the Winchester Opera House. They will work hard to accommodate your dreams!
(Some pictures were taken in front of the Moundale Mansion, which is where they do outdoor weddings.) -
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Maureen Sent on 12/08/2023
A little piece of heaven in Winchester KY
Where do I begin? First of all, look no further for your dream wedding venue!! This is it!!
You will be the envy of all your friends!!
Vanessa Zembrowski, owner and proprietor, is hands down the best in the business of creating magical weddings and receptions!
The staff is second to none, the food is exquisite and the setting is simply stunning!
We have hosted 2 weddings, my daughter in 2019 and most recently, my son, in September of this year, both totally different but both simply amazing!!
Vanessa and her staff make sure that everyone is worry & stress free!!
They handled every little detail and added their special touch that you will not find anywhere else!!
My husband and I both have said looking back there isn’t one thing we would have changed!!
Love this venue and the people associated with it!!
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![Kelsie]()
Kelsie Sent on 12/22/2021The Best Day Ever!
The Winchester Opera House made all of my dreams come true on our special day. Vanessa, Rachel, Neal Linville designs (Florist) and their entire team were phenomenal. Every part of the wedding planning process was made easier having them. They went above and beyond my expectations and even floored me with how beautiful the reception area was set up the day of. Their communication, professionalism, and desire to make your day exactly the way you want it was a 10/10 experience. I would choose this venue and relive our day over and over again if I could. Could not recommend the WOH more!Winchester Opera House's reply:
Kelsie,
We are thrilled it was the perfect day for you and Ross. You all were such a great couple to work with! Thank you so much for all of your kind words. We wish you both so much love and happiness! -
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![Leah]()
Leah Sent on 09/30/2021I wish I could rate higher than 5 stars!
At every turn of the wedding planning process, Rachel, Vanessa, Neil, and all of the staff of the Winchester Opera House were wonderful, communicative, and made everything as straight-forward as possible. They worked so hard to make my vision a reality, no matter how much work it added for them. On the wedding weekend, everything was so beautiful. Vanessa went above and beyond in every way. Every moment of the weekend was absolutely magical. There was no room for improvement in any way because it was all so perfect all around. Thank you, Winchester Opera House!Winchester Opera House's reply:
Leah,
I'm so happy to hear that your weekend was, "absolutely magical"! This is what we strive to hear. We can't wait to see some more photos!! -
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![Keeley]()
Keeley Sent on 12/13/2019August 3, 2019
We absolutely loved our experience with Vanessa and her ladies of WOH. I was a bride who lived overseas up until 2 months before the wedding so I needed all of the help that I could get. Vanessa, Valerie, and Natalie helped plan the day perfectly. They truly made the day stress free, fun, and a dream come true day for my groom and I. They paid attention to detail and took all of my wants into consideration for how I wanted the day to go. WOH/Moundale Manor is truly a one stop shop. We had our rehearsal dinner through Loma’s, our reception catered and hosted through WOH, and hosting of bridesmaids/groomsmen the night before the wedding. Anything we needed or wanted the the night before or day of the wedding, Vanessa and Valerie were there to help.
We chose to have our groomsmen and groom to be housed together while my bridesmaids and myself spent the night in Moundale the night before. The night of the wedding, my new husband and I had a suite set up just for us in Moundale as well. This was one of my favorite things about our experience.
Our wedding cake decided to collapse before my mom could get it to the venue the morning of the wedding. BUT, it was no sweat off of Vanessa’s back. She was able to save the day and come up with an amazing back up plan. Although it is a story to laugh about now, I can’t thank her enough for handling it in the professional manner that she did just hours before the wedding.
If I could do it again, I’d do it the same. I loved my experience with Moundale Manor and the Winchester Opera House. Thank you Vanessa, Valerie, and Natalie.Winchester Opera House's reply:
Keeley~
We had a great time, didn't we !?! It was SO great to work with you and Justin and your families! Your kind words are so appreciated! We are sending you and Justin love from here in Kentucky! We can't wait to celebrate your wonderful news when we see you~Soooo if you're in during the holidays don't forget to stop by Loma's! -
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![Kelsey]()
Kelsey Sent on 12/12/2019Summer wedding
We had the most amazing summer wedding at the Winchester Opera House. The staff did such an amazing job creating our vision.Winchester Opera House's reply:
Kelsey~ Thank you for your review! We loved being a part of your wedding weekend. Make sure you stop by~we want to hear all about your amazing honeymoon. Love your photo's they are beautiful-Thanks for sharing, Vanessa -
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![Rebecca]()
Rebecca Sent on 12/12/2019Absolutely Stunning!
I cannot say enough nice things about Valerie and Natalie. They were truly the only vendor that made my husband and I feel special. The venue is gorgeous, my bride's-people and I stayed in the house overnight and I am SO GLAD that we did. It was everything I dreamed of since I was little. I planned my wedding from Orlando, Florida and they were very flexible and accommodating when it came to planning and organizing. We were able to meet with the team the week of thanksgiving in 2018 because that was one of the few times that we would be home before the big day. The food is to die for. My husband has a lot of allergies and we were able to cater the menu such that he would be able to eat pretty much everything, without the guests noticing that things were "gluten-free" or "vegan". Neil's floral arrangements were beautiful and everything we hoped they would be. I hope I never get remarried, but if I did I'd choose Winchester Opera House all over again!Winchester Opera House's reply:
Rebecca,
Thank you so much for your review! I really appreciate your comprehensive review. we had such a great time working with the two of you and your wedding parties. I think my biggest challenge was the French Toast the 'morning after' with the breakfast...no eggs, milk and Gluten free (to boot) and I will never forget that he said it was "The best french toast I ever had!" I felt SO flattered as that took some thinking! Please don't be strangers when you visit! Vanessa
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![Haley]()
Haley Sent on 08/07/2019Relaxing and Valued
This was the only venue out of several that I really felt valued and that this day was truly about me. They guide you every step of the way and make it as easy as possible to stay stress free for your perfect day. The customer service is impeccable and I work in a very tough customer service industry. I can not speak highly enough of the team at WOH.Winchester Opera House's reply:
Haley~ Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with everyone! I'm so glad that you felt valued...Because YOU ARE!!! Don't be a stranger~ stop by for a cocktail and bring your pictures with you. Thank you so much for your kind words! -
Lindsay Sent on 05/23/2019
The Perfect Wedding
I can't say enough good things about Winchester Opera House. Aside from the fact that the place is SO beautiful and the food is incredible....the real heart of this venue is the staff. I am convinced my wedding was the most stress free wedding ever planned because Natalie, their coordinator, took all that stress off of our plate. She is so knowledgeable and brought my dream to life. A true professional and master at the art of wedding planning. The day of, Vanessa and Sonia made sure I was calm and happy from the moment we woke up until the night was through. I have never felt so happy, special. Sad that it is over. If you are on the fence about one thing, definitely do the overnight package at Moundale. I love WOH!!!Winchester Opera House's reply:
Lindsay~ Sorry for this late acknowledgement~ Thank you so much for the lovely review! We so appreciate your positive review and I couldn't agree more about my amazing staff!! Sending you guys love from Kentucky! Maybe we'll be seeing you for an engagement party ;-) for someone we both love!! -
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![Caitlyn]()
Caitlyn Sent on 04/29/2019Outstanding venue and wedding coordinators
If you are a looking for a wedding venue that goes above and beyond to make every detail perfect--this is the place for you! Vanessa and her team are the best and go out of their way to make your day special--from the execution of the little things to make your day as stress-free as possible--to all the big things that come with wedding planning-- they are with you every step of the way. If we had to choose again, we would choose WOH a thousand times over!Winchester Opera House's reply:
Caitlyn~ Thanks SO much for the review! We absolutely love the Easterling's and Neltner's!! I hope if you're visiting Kentucky for the holiday's that you'll stop in for a cup of cheer. I know that both of you in your respective residencies may be busy...But a girl can wish~Right? Love you guys! Vanessa -
Nelson Sent on 01/21/2019
Wedding of our Dreams!
Vanessa, Natalie, and Sonia are a dynamic trio! My wife and I are from different parts of the country and decided to find a venue between our families to bring everyone together. The Winchester Opera House and Moundale Manor was one of three venues we viewed in the Lexington and Louisville area. We were blown away by the Natalie's professionalism during our tour, and absolutely hooked after Vanessa described her vision for our wedding reception dinner. After our initial visit, we signed a few days later and could not have been happier to find such an incredible venue.
We live in Chicago and had roughly 9 months to plan the wedding from start to finish once we selected WOH. Being from out-of-state, Natalie was incredibly flexible with our FaceTime sessions, phone calls, and in-person visits. Sonia joined the WOH team during the final months leading up to the big day and she was a great addition to have on our team (she was also married at WOH and provided great insights).
We would also like to provide a huge shout out to Neal, the WOH in-house florist. My wife brought images and ideas during our scheduled design session and Neal made sure to include all of the colors and floral requests that we had asked. He was also very flexible while helping us stay within the budget we had allocated to floral arrangements.
During the week before our wedding, we noticed thunderstorms in the forecast. As we got closer to the big day, it became apparent we would have to face this weather system head on. Vanessa was 100% on our side and helped arrange a backup plan to help ease both of our minds. The day before our wedding, the storm hit and the power went out for nearly 75% of Lexington, hotels, restaurants, nearly everything. Luckily Winchester was unaffected, but we proceeded with rehearsal in the Fireside room instead of our designated ceremony location (in front of the manor).
After rehearsal, we scrambled to find a new rehearsal dinner location due to power outages and continued our discussions regarding the next day's ceremony. We both could not get our minds off of how perfect the Fireside room had felt at the Opera House. Following our rehearsal, the WOH team was amazing, they checked in with us several times to assist with dinner plans and accommodations for the bridal party due to the power outages.
Tip for the groom - reserve the Groom's House! It was the perfect location to host my groomsmen, it almost felt like another bachelor party to have everyone together in the same house before the big day. Vanessa provided our choice of beer and snacks in the house, as well as breakfast that was delivered the morning of.
Tip from my wife - you should reserve the morning-of preparation package at the Moundale Manor. The bridesmaids had a blast getting ready at the manor and it helped reduce stress by having everyone at the same location. If you have the extra budget - SPLURGE on the night-before accommodations for the bridal party at the manor, you won't regret it!
During the day of our wedding, we woke up to great weather with potential of rain throughout the afternoon. The WOH team continued to work with us to ensure we were 100% happy with all of the arrangements around the weather. We ended up deciding on the Fireside room and the ceremony is still talked about ~6 months later. My wife's entrance, down the stairs into the room, is a memory I will never forget. It was also special that the manor ended up becoming the location for all of our formal photos (it felt private and calm since all of our guests were already over at the Opera House).
The reception was incredible, perfectly decorated, the staff during the event were polite and extremely accommodating to not only us, but also our guests. We still have friends and family talking about the incredible dinner that was served that evening. The WOH staff really out did themselves! Vanessa, Natalie, and Sonia were attentive during the entire reception making sure the evening was running on time, and that we were happy.
To provide a quick summary, if you are considering WOH as your wedding event location, we highly recommend scheduling a visit, you won't be disappointed in the venue or its staff (you'll quickly feel like family). They provide a full-service experience that helps take the stress out of planning such a large event, and they still work to stay within budget.
To the staff at WOH, THANK YOU so much for working tirelessly to make our wedding day so special! We think about our wedding constantly and look back at our photos with such fond memories (smiles all the time). We hope to make a trip down to Winchester in the summer to catch up and check out the new restaurant!
-Nelson and Shelby
Photo Credit: Tilton Newman Photography -
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![Lauren]()
Lauren Sent on 01/02/2019Best Day of my Life
From start to finish Vanessa, Natalie, and Sonia were absolutely amazing! I was involved in everything thing I wanted, and nothing I didn't. For some time after the wedding all my guests mentioned how well run the whole day was, and everyone, including myself were able to actually relax and enjoy the day. I honestly could not have asked for anything better! -
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Jessica Sent on 07/29/2018I have been trying to find the words to say to help other couples while looking for their dream venue- I wish I could review all the options and say choose the Winchester Opera House and that is not an exaggeration!
From the moment I expressed interest, Natalie was prompt, helpful, and invested in our needs and desires. All of the staff went above and beyond to make our day absolutely magical, even those I didn’t meet until the day of were so kind, considerate, and performed their job duties extremely well. Natalie, Neal, and the rest of the design team took my very scattered vision and created a beautiful, seamless presentation. Vanessa was the most wonderful host to me and my bridal party the night before and then to me and my husband the next morning!
I could honestly go on and on but the bottom line is this venue is not only beautiful but WELL WORTH the price of having everything in one location (wedding coordination, catering, and floral) and having an entire team to make your dreams come true. And one more thing, if you aren’t considering having you and your bridesmaids spend the night before at Moundale- DO. IT. You will be glad you did. -
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Matt Sent on 07/29/2018Let me preface this review by being completely transparent and confessing that this venue (or Winchester) was not even on my radar as a potential candidate during our initial search. Needless to say we were blown away with our first impressions. The spaces we decided to utilize (Moundale Manor for the ceremony; Opera House for the reception) were absolutely incredible. The level of professionalism and customer service exhibited by this amazing group of women goes well above and beyond anything I have experienced in quite a while. They were consistently accessible, courteous, and accommodating throughout our entire experience from the first day we met until the very end of our reception. I would highly recommend this venue to anyone considering the greater Lexington area as a potential option. 5 star review without a doubt!
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Tawny Sent on 07/29/2018Funny story - my husband and I were 100% positive we were going to choose another venue for our wedding. We had made an appointment to view the Opera House in weeks past and kept our appointment purely out of politeness. The minute we walked into the ballroom, we looked at each other and KNEW this was the place we wanted to have our wedding! After meeting Vanessa and the rest of the staff, we knew we were at home. Vanessa, Natalie, Sonya, and the remainder of the staff worked tirelessly to make sure our day was perfect! One of the things I appreciated so much about WOH is that they were so easy to work with to make sure we stayed within budget. Although they are a fabulous one-stop shop and offer a variety of services including amazing florals, there was never any pressure to use these services. The manor was perfect for my bridesmaids and I to get ready in, and the staff made us feel like royalty. We can say without a doubt that this was the wedding of our dreams!
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Megan Sent on 07/19/2018My husband and I had a short 6 month engagement and were looking for the perfect place to get married. We contacted the Winchester Opera House and they tesponded in a very timely manner! What we loved about this venue was the beautiful ceremony venue outside in front of Moundale Manor and then just a short mile down the road the gorgeous Opera House. We chose to have a sit down dinner, which was absolutely delicious. Neal, the florist who works with the Opera House, is the absolute best! Everything came together so smoothly. My husband and I had extremely busy schedules and they were extremely flexible about meetings and communicating. The owner, Vanessa was the absolute best. She went over the top to make sure we had the best, most memorable day. We are extremely satisfied with our wedding and highly recommend the Winchester Opera House!
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Cassandra Sent on 06/13/2018My husband and I couldn’t have asked for a better venue for our day. Everything was absolutely perfect and thanks to Natalie and Neal we had a stress free, beautiful and fun day. I highly recommend it.
Winchester Opera House's reply:
Cassandra~
Thank you SO much for taking the time to give us a review!! We would also like to thank you for your business and trust that you placed in us to provide you with these services! -
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![Amanda]()
Amanda Sent on 07/05/2019Wedding Review
This venue really is a one stop shop for all of your wedding needs! Ultimately our wedding vision was brought to life - and we loved every minute of it. Only con was communication often was hit or miss regarding payments, deadlines, details, etc.Winchester Opera House's reply:
Amanda,
Thank you so much for the review! I'm so glad you loved every minute of your event! I apologize if our communication was less that expected. The launch of our restaurant during a packed wedding season was a feat I'm surprised I survived- We enjoyed bring to life your vision!
Are you interested?
Are you interested?