Occasions Party Centre, New Franklin OH

Unfortunately, Occasions party center is greedy and not flexible when it comes to the pandemic. How disappointing it is to have to spend thousands in cancelation fees when there was no flexibility and you are already trying to budget for a wedding and be mindful of COVID and other people's safety. Watch out future couples and read your contracts VERY, very carefully.

Occasions

Unfortunately we were one of the many couples that had to cancel/reschedule a wedding during covid. How a company handles things during difficult times speaks volumes, and occasions lacks compassion, friendliness, and consideration. We called Lisa to seek out our options in regards to our wedding, (canceling, postponing, adjusting room minimums, etc) she immediately changed her demeanor when cancelation got brought up. We ask if we could find someone else to take over our contract and place a new deposit, (MOST VENUES ARE ALLOWING THIS) nope, asked if we could adjust the room minimum or for any other bit of flexibility, it was a no. It’s bizarre to not let someone find someone else to take over the contract, place a new deposit, and carry on. The highlight of all of this is we finally decided to cancel 6 months before the wedding, and occasions charges a CANCELLATION FEE. Which makes sense especially if expenses were already rendered on their end (they weren’t, this was 6 months out no food or alcohol was used yet) or they were left with an unfilled date (which we offered to take care of to avoid the cancellation fee) this cancellation fee was thousands, and Lisa’s way of making this better was I believe a 30% covid “discount”. And to be fair we NEVER asked for our deposit back, we absolutely understand what a deposit is for and we’re 100% ok losing our deposit, it’s the cancelations fee 6 months in advance with no option for the client to remedy the situation. In addition to this Lisa did not even give us a full week from receiving her letter to make the payment. Just be careful working with them, the venue is updated but it is overpriced, they lack flexibility, and they absolutely will take every dollar they can regardless of your situation. They are family run and you will realize that quickly, the first red flag was Tricia giving us a tour, half interested and definitely not friendly. The next red flags were the ridiculous room minimums, and upcharges, it is NOT all inclusive, and when it comes to utilizing their “wedding coordinators” there is so much they refuse to do. Oh and if you want to bring in your own stuff like napkins? Decor? Etc, enjoy the vendor fees, they charge for EVERY SINGLE LITTLE THING. Our interactions with Lisa were awful, she’s incredibly rude and overall money hungry. There’s a reason there’s very few reviews.

We also are mindful that businesses have been hit hard during covid, that is why we never asked for our deposit back, why we offered to get someone else in our date, and requested flexible room minimums or to switch event rooms, all of these options were declined by Lisa. Occasions ended up with close to $4,000 from us in deposits and cancelations fees, learn from our mistake, this is NOT where you want your event/wedding.

The venue itself was beautiful but customer service from the staff was the biggest downfall. We didn’t feel like valued clients and rather like we were a bother, especially on the day we came to set up decor. The claims that everything is taken care of for you are misleading. We set everything up and tore it down, staff only packs the food up at the end of the night. Wouldn’t recommend if you’re looking to make your day special.

I was here with a wedding and loved the area and facilities. The food was really good (someone had a nut allergy and it was labeled), I have a gluten allergy and thr staff knew what foods were safe to eat.

This was the second time we have been to Occasions Party Center. I am only giving it 3 stars, because even though the venue was very nice and pretty, they messed up on what we ordered for dinner. When I told the server, she went back and talked with whoever, came back and said the only thing they could do would be to serve everyone else and see if they had any leftover. Needless to say, I was not a happy person. I told her to bring back our steaks because I was not going to wait until they got through serving the whole room. Thank goodness I didn't have issues with eating red meat. I am not sure who made the mistake on our order, but I know if wasn't me. I think they handled the situation terribly. I think I am being very generous with giving it a 3 star rating.

Went out there for my son's wedding there's a beautiful place they took really good care of us great food

Our daughter had her wedding and reception at Occasions on 10/17/20. We received countless rave reviews about the food, from the appetizers to our dinner selections. Staff was helpful and friendly with our guests. The venue was impeccably clean. Definitely recommend!

Unfortunately Lisa at occasions refused to refund the deposit to my nephews wedding. Even though it was documented that they could not meet all the contractual requirements. Covid is horrible virus but it doesn’t mean you should take advantage of young people. Very very disappointing to see any type of business owner act like this.

I had my wedding here May 2019! Tricia and Lisa were very easy to work with throughout the whole process. They helped to make our day perfect. They were always able to answer questions and were there day of to help.
Tricia replied very quickly to all questions that I had during the planning process. We gave them our decor and after writing down where things go they set it all up! It was so nice coming in while getting ready and not having to stress! Guests had a great experience and absolutely loved the property and food! We loved our leftovers. Our ceremony was at the beautiful gazebo in the back. We loved the Garden Room for our reception because of how already elegant it was and it made decorating simple and easy! The venue was very clean and the bridal suite was the perfect place to get ready! Thank you!

Beautiful place. Not too costly. The gazebo looking over the water and the bridge going over the small creek are just darling.

Not very good.scallop potatoes tasted like they were out of a box. Salad was all spinach. Chicken was very dry. The only thing any good was the prime rib, but it had a lot of fat on it

Rude owners, bad food, and very disorganized. Way too overpriced! Very pretty landscaping but the owners need to get their stuff together for real.

Great place to work as a wedding venue and has been one of my preferred venues this wedding season. Only been there once as of this review, but the house lighting is good for video (id be willing to wager the dance lights are the DJ's). There's a barn and pond with fountain and pretty open campus for exploring outdoors. A few more features wouldn't hurt, but the barn casts a great shadow midday to shoot under.

My one critique, summer weddings especially, the audience was directed straight into the sun for the wedding ceremony. That's tough on everyone, especially for summer weddings. If it's possible, set up the chairs to cut in with the sun off to everyone's shoulder. I'm not sure where the sun is at during the spring and fall, but it was tough even in late summer.

Other than that, it's a great venue.