I occassionally second shoot for a local wedding photographer and we've done 2 weddings that were both held in the Piedmont Room of Park Tavern (the upstairs room).
It's VERY beautiful at night with the skyline view of Atlanta all lit up and they have these red lights in the ceiling that add to the ambience.
They include gold chivari chairs in their pricing, so you don't have to bring pretty chairs in (this may have changed - I don't know)
They'll also let you line all of the windowsills with candles which was a beautiful touch.
They also have a bridal room that's in the back of the room near the bar that's SO helpful to have as a haven to go to during the reception when you need a break or need to rebustle your gown.
A couple of cons I noticed.
The women's bathrooms are SUPER tiny and it's a pain for guests to have to wait in line and there's nowhere to stand.
If you have a cocktail hour prior to the reception, you are kinda crammed into that front lobby area and part of the little hallway that leads into the room. Depending on the size of your wedding, it can get a little cramped. If you have your wedding in the winter, this is a pain because it's freezing (overflow to the outside) or cramped and hot inside.
The food was just ok, not spectacular but not bad. I didn't drink because I was working, so I don't know about the bar.
The one thing that really annoyed me both times is that Park Tavern will double book the site so there will most likely be a wedding going on downstairs when yours is and if it's not a wedding, they will even have public events.
This leads to crappy situations with parking (which won't be an issue if you're having your guests bussed in).
This also leads to noise bleed.
We were right in the middle of toasts and the MOH was delivering this beautiful touching speech and all of a sudden we could hear the beat of the music from the event that was going on below us. You only notice it at more quieter times during your event, but it was kind of odd.
To be honest, I REALLY wanted to host my reception in the downstairs area - the Tent. But my fiancee is allergic to nature....well, it would just drive him crazy, so it was a no go for me.
I made a vow a few years back to protect brides from the Park Tavern.
I plan fashion shows and while we had a HUGE white tent with lazers and logos across the top, a poor bride had her wedding overlooking it- not the park! It is dirty and the manager is completely rude. They double book and the parking is public gravel parking- not fun in heals.
Geez, I hope you're wrong, lulabell, because I'm getting married in the Piedmont Room in September! The manager I've been working with there, Ashly, has been really wonderful. I had read reviews from other brides online from a couple of years back who had negative things to say about the management there, but have heard good things since Ashly has been on board. I also specifically asked about events in the park, and was assured that when there are festivals, etc (none this year due to the drought anyway) they do not book weddings. I know they used to but I've been told that's no longer the case. I know there will be 2 weddings going on, but you really don't share space between upstairs and downstairs so I can live with that.
Anyway, I'll report back in September, but the impression I've gotten is that they have made improvements.
Thanks you all. I am an August pride in the tent. I just asked, because I liked the place a lot and booked it. But unfortunately the young lady I work with is always in a rush - I don't want to be rude. My mother and a friend mentioned it without me having to even say anything about my observation. But I feel the Bridezilla coming up in me which I am trying to tame. IDK IDK!!!
I assist my husband with his dj business and we have worked Park Tavern. The food was wonderful and the staff did seem responsive to guests BUT there are few things that have been stated in this blog that were not correct when we were there. That they don't schedule when there is a festival is absolutely not true. There was big cinco de mayo party going on under us and also outside. Outside the front window(where they had the arch at) you could see Beer flags and signs.....
Traffic was a mess. Also, there is no time for any late starts. They hustle you out of there and the next event is setting up as you are leaving. We had no time to clean up and pack up and our bride and groom hadn't even left and folks were still in the restrooms too and the next ones were there trying to set up. They have a really quick turnover. It is a very pretty venue.....but wanted to make you all aware of what you are dealing with. To me the tent is better than the Piedmont Room but I am unaware if the time constraints are the same with the tent.
Has anyone gotten married or held their reception at Piedmont Park's Park Tavern in Atlanta, GA? What was your experience?
posted by CaribbeanBee 14 posts 6 months agoI occassionally second shoot for a local wedding photographer and we've done 2 weddings that were both held in the Piedmont Room of Park Tavern (the upstairs room).
It's VERY beautiful at night with the skyline view of Atlanta all lit up and they have these red lights in the ceiling that add to the ambience.
They include gold chivari chairs in their pricing, so you don't have to bring pretty chairs in (this may have changed - I don't know)
They'll also let you line all of the windowsills with candles which was a beautiful touch.
They also have a bridal room that's in the back of the room near the bar that's SO helpful to have as a haven to go to during the reception when you need a break or need to rebustle your gown.
A couple of cons I noticed.
The women's bathrooms are SUPER tiny and it's a pain for guests to have to wait in line and there's nowhere to stand.
If you have a cocktail hour prior to the reception, you are kinda crammed into that front lobby area and part of the little hallway that leads into the room. Depending on the size of your wedding, it can get a little cramped. If you have your wedding in the winter, this is a pain because it's freezing (overflow to the outside) or cramped and hot inside.
The food was just ok, not spectacular but not bad. I didn't drink because I was working, so I don't know about the bar.
The one thing that really annoyed me both times is that Park Tavern will double book the site so there will most likely be a wedding going on downstairs when yours is and if it's not a wedding, they will even have public events.
This leads to crappy situations with parking (which won't be an issue if you're having your guests bussed in).
This also leads to noise bleed.
We were right in the middle of toasts and the MOH was delivering this beautiful touching speech and all of a sudden we could hear the beat of the music from the event that was going on below us. You only notice it at more quieter times during your event, but it was kind of odd.
To be honest, I REALLY wanted to host my reception in the downstairs area - the Tent. But my fiancee is allergic to nature....well, it would just drive him crazy, so it was a no go for me.
Hope this helps.
posted by padiserene 5 posts 6 months agoI made a vow a few years back to protect brides from the Park Tavern.
I plan fashion shows and while we had a HUGE white tent with lazers and logos across the top, a poor bride had her wedding overlooking it- not the park! It is dirty and the manager is completely rude. They double book and the parking is public gravel parking- not fun in heals.
posted by lulabell 21 posts 6 months agoGeez, I hope you're wrong, lulabell, because I'm getting married in the Piedmont Room in September! The manager I've been working with there, Ashly, has been really wonderful. I had read reviews from other brides online from a couple of years back who had negative things to say about the management there, but have heard good things since Ashly has been on board. I also specifically asked about events in the park, and was assured that when there are festivals, etc (none this year due to the drought anyway) they do not book weddings. I know they used to but I've been told that's no longer the case. I know there will be 2 weddings going on, but you really don't share space between upstairs and downstairs so I can live with that.
Anyway, I'll report back in September, but the impression I've gotten is that they have made improvements.
posted by suemoff 11 posts 6 months agoThanks you all. I am an August pride in the tent. I just asked, because I liked the place a lot and booked it. But unfortunately the young lady I work with is always in a rush - I don't want to be rude. My mother and a friend mentioned it without me having to even say anything about my observation. But I feel the Bridezilla coming up in me which I am trying to tame. IDK IDK!!!
posted by CaribbeanBee 14 posts 6 months agoI assist my husband with his dj business and we have worked Park Tavern. The food was wonderful and the staff did seem responsive to guests BUT there are few things that have been stated in this blog that were not correct when we were there. That they don't schedule when there is a festival is absolutely not true. There was big cinco de mayo party going on under us and also outside. Outside the front window(where they had the arch at) you could see Beer flags and signs.....
Traffic was a mess. Also, there is no time for any late starts. They hustle you out of there and the next event is setting up as you are leaving. We had no time to clean up and pack up and our bride and groom hadn't even left and folks were still in the restrooms too and the next ones were there trying to set up. They have a really quick turnover. It is a very pretty venue.....but wanted to make you all aware of what you are dealing with. To me the tent is better than the Piedmont Room but I am unaware if the time constraints are the same with the tent.
posted by shrekdot 3 posts 5 months ago