"2017-11-07T00:00:00"^^ . . "0"^^ . "0"^^ . . "4"^^ . . "0"^^ . "This was the absolute perfect venue for a Midwest meets Arizona wedding. The barn is rustic, yet elegant. The grounds are lit with white lights, lanterns, and firepits. (If you want more than that, chandeliers for example, you'll pay a lot for it.-We didn't think it necessary!) It's away from the city lights, the landscape filled with saguaros, and if you are on a budget as we were, it's just plain gorgeous the way it is.\n\nLisa was a gem to work with. She is professional, very organized, available, and incredibly PATIENT! \n\nWe used the house caterer (Bobby Q's) and the food was outstanding. My only complaint was that numbers of attendees needed to be given 2 weeks in advance, whereas most caterers only require that info 48 hours prior. We had quite a few people cancel on us last minute, so we wasted a lot of money on plates that sat empty. However, as I said, people raved about the food. When does that ever happen at a wedding?!\n\nWe brought in bottles of beer instead of kegs as our cocktail hour began at 4:30pm and there is no ice available until 3pm. A keg would've likely not been cold having only 90 minutes to chill, (and we had nothing to set it in nor does the venue) but our bottled beer was ready to go. The bartenders were very friendly. We had red wine already poured on the tables as otherwise there is a charge for service during dinner. We also didn't think this necessary. There is an extra charge to rent AC for the barn which we did as it was forecasted to be 90 that day and there is no shade.\n\nThe reason this is a 4 star review is because while I (the bride) was doing hair, makeup, etc., our friends were at the venue decorating and preparing. We were told we could be there as early as 10am. However, when everyone arrived, it was discovered that there was no electricity. My hubby (who works in the AV industry) was in charge of getting our reception band set up and sound checked. Our best man (also AV) was in charge of setting up a computer, speakers, projector, etc. for a slide show in the barn we planned to play as people filtered in for dinner. Another friend (also AV and a musician in the band) who we paid to help us, was to set up a computer, speakers, mics, recording equipment, etc. for our ceremony. None of this could be done. \n\nLuckily the music worked out for the ceremony. However, we all had pictures after, so nothing else got done on time. Our slideshow started 20 minutes late by the time our best man could break away from the photographer, hence our dinner and reception was behind schedule. After dinner/dessert, my husband had to go set up the sound board/band, which takes a WHILE, while everyone just sort-of awkwardly stood around, including the bride without her new hubby. This was particularity upsetting to me as we couldn't even do our first dance. Not only that, but the venue can only be rented for 6 hours total, so time was ticking away. \n\nWe almost felt like we didn't really get a reception by the time all was said and done. The band we paid a lot of money for didn't even finish 1 set.--ALL because we did not have electricity to get things going that morning. We had 2 hours set aside specifically to prepare and it didn't happen because we were not aware that the electricity doesn't get turned on until the afternoon hours. I wish someone had told us this at our rehearsal the day prior as this faux pas made our evening, especially for my poor husband, really stressful, when he should've been relaxing, socializing, dancing, and having a good time. We still had a beautiful day, and I love this venue, but make sure if you book here you are aware of all of those little, weird, unexpected things like no ice or power."^^ .