Scarritt-Bennett Center

OK for Ceremony, NO WAY for reception

by FairNSquare

August 07, 2008

Pretty place for a ceremony, which I'm sure is the only reason people want to have their wedding here. Architecture is nice, but grounds are poorly kept. The chapel is musty and the lighting is rough for photographers. Something you won't notice right away, is that the front of the chapel has one very dim light and no windows. It is very dark. There is no electrical outlet to plug in a lamp. They suggest you keep the doors open. Not a good idea unless you don't mind the wind blowing everything around. If it rains, you will have to walk around the sidewalk in the rain to the front of the chapel for the processional. They will not allow you to adhere an aisle runner to the floor. We went with a felt runner at their recommendation and it slid all over the place. You will have to be in and out in a 4 hour time frame (decorations and photographers & guests included) Keep this in mind if you want to do any of the decorating yourself, in this case, it cannot be done. The real downer to this place is the staff. They are rude, & very rigid. Reception was rushed and not private. Setup time to decorate is at same time as the chapel. Food is overpriced and average. My tea order was wrong and had lots left over. At $25/gallon it added up. When I brought this up to SB, they blew me off, and then I got an accidental and insulting email from a staff member to the Pres. of the company. Ms. Howell, the Pres., never addressed that email, and the employee told me that I had to take up the issue w/their contracted company myself. Even though my contract was with SB, they absolved themselves.The contract you sign means nothing to protect you, only SB. Also, privacy is not to be expected. Someone walked right thru the front of the chapel while the processional was playing, even when signs were posted on all doors that a wedding was in process. There were uninvited people hanging out and blatantly disturbing our guests at the reception as well. Keep an eye on your belongings and gifts.

• Pros: Pretty architecture
• Cons: Rude staff, Bride will have to walk in rain, musty buildings, average food

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Perfect neutral venue for non-churchy feel with elegance of a cathedral!

by jamesweinberg

February 10, 2008

I've played for weddings at Wightman Chapel for many years and everyone is always very pleased. It has excellent acoustics, great instruments (pipe organ & grand piano), nice dining facilities for receptions, and good service from dedicated staff people. The changing rooms for groomsmen and bridesmaids are comfortable. The chapel and grounds lend themselves to marvellous photo possibilities, too.

• Pros: Facilities, ample parking, central location

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Excellent place for a ceremony...

by brivera77

March 24, 2007

The Chapel alone sealed the deal for me and my mom. Light simple decorations are all that is needed due to the uniqueness of the Chapel. I really truly enjoyed getting married there. The staff alone did an excellent job accommodating me and all my wedding needs. I highly recommend Wightman Chapel.

John and Emma from Franklin

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Nonprofit conference center offers a multicultural museum and a quiet organic garden.

by Contributor

September 28, 2006

In Short
The center includes a dining hall, library, gift shop and a multicultural museum full of ethnographic artifacts such as textiles, pottery and masks. Scarritt-Bennett has three residence halls to house 139 people. Its organic garden holds cinnamon, basil and other eye-catching hybrids and creates a pleasant walking or meditating venue for retreat participants. The center holds organic gardening workshops, offering complimentary bags of compost to participants.

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Most Beautiful

by dmyrick

August 19, 2005

This is the most beautiful place to get married if you are looking for an old chapel feeling. Little Decoration is needed; the church itself is decoration. Candles make the perfect decor for an evening wedding. My husband and I had to reschedule our wedding with just 4 days to plan and unbelievably, the church was open that Sunday night! The staff is great, a little hard to catch on the phone, but great to work with.

• Pros: Old World Charm, Little Decor Needed, Great Spaces

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Beautiful place for a wedding

by dobby

September 16, 2004

After Riverwood was so rude to me I checked into this place for a wedding. The people are really nice and laid back and it is just beautiful!!! The exterior and the interior. Nice archways and trees.

• Pros: beautiful grounds, Very nice chapel, organ/piano

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