First off....anyone reading the negative reviews of people who were talking about the "no cameras" rule,use of no cameras, the expensive cost of photographs, the minister's fee (egads!), or any other slew of complaints...PLEASE realize that if you just READ THE INFORMATION ON THE WEBSITE...there will be no surprises on the day of the wedding!
1. My husband and I knew well beforehand that there are NO cameras allowed on the grounds of the chapel (Not just inside...anywhere on the grounds!) We knew it was OUR responsibility to let our guests know...and they obliged.
2. It is common knowledge..or at least should be, that the minister receives a fee for service. Mon Bel Ami states that the minimum donation is $60.
3. The webiste states that the photos that come with the packages are CEREMONY photos. Period. Any others you want...you have to pay for.
4. Racial slurs? My husband is black and I'm hispanic...and they treated us with the utmost respect. It comes down to that old adage...you have to give respect to earn respect.
I completely understand why the owner would come busting into the chapel when everyone is blatantly disrespecting their rules. For one, they can no longer post the wedding on the internet, because there's a bunch of yahoos standing around taking pictures...how does that look to everyone else!??? Second, there was a photographer there taking pictures...I'm sure the pictures came out just great with a bunch of people standing around snapping their own photos with contrasting flashes going off!
Get a clue people! You have brains! USE THEM! What an embarrasment! If you're upset with anyone it should be the bride/groom for not letting your know the proper etiquette the wedding chapel expected!!! And if you ARE the bride/groom...READ!!! It's not only on the website...but on the invoice as well!
That being said....when you follow the rules and know what to expect...this was a LOVELY place to get married! The chapel itself is very pretty...we had the candlelight ceremony with the candles lit down the aisle which was very nice...it gave the chapel a very intimate feeling. The pictures were pricey...but nothing you'd pay if you had hired a photographer to take pictures at a traditional wedding...which can run $2500 and up...we ended up paying $250 for about 75 pictures total (but that included our ceremony pictures that came with the package). They are willing to work with you on the photos...and you get them on CD with all rights...so you can print whatever and however many you want. This was well worth it to us!
And the staff was professional and friendly!
Don't let some bad reviews from people who couldn't be bothered with reading and understanding everything before ragging on something that isn't even the chapel's fault! If you're on the fence...take it from me...I read these reviews before my wedding...and I read the entire Mon Bel Ami website. I knew what to expect, and being prepared...everything was right as rain.
Thank you to all Mon Bel Ami for a memorable and happy wedding!
Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Tolton, Jr.
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