Oakes Ames Memorial Hall Reviews

Reviews

• Brenna C. Sent on 11/23/2019
  5 out of 5 rating

  5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0

  Best Wedding Decision We Made!

  We are so thrilled that we got married at Oakes Ames Memorial Hall. We held the ceremony in the downstairs hall and the reception in the great hall upstairs. It was wonderful to have everything in the same place. We loved the flexibility of being able to choose our own vendors and decorations. Joan and the building staff were outstandingly helpful. It is such a gorgeous space with unique details that made our wedding feel different and special.

  We are so thrilled that we got married at Oakes Ames Memorial Hall. We held the ceremony in the downstairs hall and the reception in the great hall upstairs. It was wonderful to have everything in the same place. We loved the flexibility of being able to choose our own vendors and decorations. Joan and the building staff were outstandingly helpful. It is such a gorgeous space with unique details that made our wedding feel different and special.
• Aaron Sent on 11/19/2013
  4.8 out of 5 rating

  4.8
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    5.0
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    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0

  Oakes Ames memorial hall was an amazing place to have a reception. We felt like we had a venue that was an absolute steal, one where we got everything we wanted for our small wedding (50 people) and was absolutely gorgeous. The lovely woman we worked with (Norma) was great in helping us get things set up and my only complaint would be that it was not always easy to get a hold of her. Other than that, we loved Oakes Ames Memorial Hall and would highly recommend.

  Oakes Ames memorial hall was an amazing place to have a reception. We felt like we had a venue that was an absolute steal, one where we got everything we wanted for our small wedding (50 people) and was absolutely gorgeous. The lovely woman we worked with (Norma) was great in helping us get things set up and my only complaint would be that it was not always easy to get a hold of her. Other than that, we loved Oakes Ames Memorial Hall and would highly recommend.
• 
  User4731609 Sent on 02/03/2014
  4.4 out of 5 rating

  4.4
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    5.0
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    3.5 out of 5 rating
    3.5
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    3.5 out of 5 rating
    3.5

  Absolutely stunning Reception hall! The woman that runs the hall only uses her phone though, so communication was a little difficult, it would have been nice if she had an email however she was very friendly and informative. The price was perfect and the location was central for most of our family and friends!

  Absolutely stunning Reception hall! The woman that runs the hall only uses her phone though, so communication was a little difficult, it would have been nice if she had an email however she was very friendly and informative. The price was perfect and the location was central for most of our family and friends!
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• Natalie Sent on 11/13/2012
  4 out of 5 rating

  4.0
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    3.0 out of 5 rating
    3.0
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    4.0
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    3.0
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    5.0

  Oakes Ames is a hidden gem. It is a beautiful historic hall. The photos on the website don't do it justice, you have to check it out in person: http://www.oakesameshall.org/
  
  Aside from just the beauty of the venue, we went with Oakes Ames because it was reasonable and we could basically have the hall from 11am to 11pm. I was really nervous about feeling that my wedding would be cut short. Most venues that we looked at had a 4 hour window and that was it. With some you could extend an hour but pay a hefty price.
  
  In addition to the timing, the pricing is dirt cheap. We rented out the entire building for $1100 ($1300 for non-Easton residents). You could just rent the upstairs (the bigger room) for $700 or the downstairs for $300. Other historic sites charge a lot more than this for less time and with more restrictions.
  
  As with most historic sites, you do have to bring in all of your vendors. An additional downside to Oak Ames is that the contact does not have an email account or a cell phone. We would basically call her at her home and schedule a time to visit. It's kind of ridiculous but she was very sweet and easy to deal with. The email on the website goes to a person (I believe an ancestor of Oakes Ames) and he basically just tells you to contact Norma. The website has probably not been updated in 5 years and there are parts of the building that feel a little tired. However, it's still beautiful and in some ways, you gotta wonder if more money was put into the building and services if the price would stay so reasonable. They really could be making a lot of money off of this place but it seems like they are just doing the minimum. For us, it was the perfect spot for our wedding. All of our guests loved the space. Next door at the library there is a beautiful garden where you can take photos.
  
  I would NOT recommend our caterer, Crazy Chefs. (See my review for details.) Whoever you choose, definitely go with a buffet.

  Oakes Ames is a hidden gem. It is a beautiful historic hall. The photos on the website don't do it justice, you have to check it out in person: http://www.oakesameshall.org/
  
  Aside from just the beauty of the venue, we went with Oakes Ames because it was reasonable and we could basically have the hall from 11am to 11pm. I was really nervous about feeling that my wedding would be cut short. Most venues that we looked at had a 4 hour window and that was it. With some you could extend an hour but pay a hefty price.
  
  In addition to the timing, the pricing is dirt cheap. We rented out the entire building for $1100 ($1300 for non-Easton residents). You could just rent the upstairs (the bigger room) for $700 or the downstairs for $300. Other historic sites charge a lot more than this for less time and with more restrictions.
  
  As with most historic sites, you do have to bring in all of your vendors. An additional downside to Oak Ames is that the contact does not have an email account or a cell phone. We would basically call her at her home and schedule a time to visit. It's kind of ridiculous but she was very sweet and easy to deal with. The email on the website goes to a person (I believe an ancestor of Oakes Ames) and he basically just tells you to contact Norma. The website has probably not been updated in 5 years and there are parts of the building that feel a little tired. However, it's still beautiful and in some ways, you gotta wonder if more money was put into the building and services if the price would stay so reasonable. They really could be making a lot of money off of this place but it seems like they are just doing the minimum. For us, it was the perfect spot for our wedding. All of our guests loved the space. Next door at the library there is a beautiful garden where you can take photos.
  
  I would NOT recommend our caterer, Crazy Chefs. (See my review for details.) Whoever you choose, definitely go with a buffet.
• 
  User4731605 Sent on 10/17/2013
  3.6 out of 5 rating

  3.6
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    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0
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    2.0 out of 5 rating
    2.0
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    4.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    3.0 out of 5 rating
    3.0

  The Oakes Ames Memorial Hall is a beautiful building. It was a little difficult to arrange to get in the hall to meet with vendors, but with plenty of notice it was not an issue. I would highly recommend this site if you are willing to do the work of bringing in your own vendors. We used Russell Morin Fine Caterers and had a plated meal and it was amazing!

  The Oakes Ames Memorial Hall is a beautiful building. It was a little difficult to arrange to get in the hall to meet with vendors, but with plenty of notice it was not an issue. I would highly recommend this site if you are willing to do the work of bringing in your own vendors. We used Russell Morin Fine Caterers and had a plated meal and it was amazing!
• Katie G. Sent on 08/01/2022
  1 out of 5 rating

  1.0
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    1.0
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    1.0 out of 5 rating
    1.0
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    1.0 out of 5 rating
    1.0
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    1.0 out of 5 rating
    1.0
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    1.0 out of 5 rating
    1.0

  Devastating for Myself and A Dozen Other Brides

  I spent a year planning my dream wedding at this venue. While the planner was a bit disorganized and sloppy, my partner and I were happy to essentially plan our entire event from start to finish. We were looking for a boutique, DIY experience, and this was the perfect place for it. Unfortunately, with only 70 days to go, the venue cancelled on us due to some "unforeseen" issues with a construction project. Apparently asbestos was found during the construction project. I could have told you that a building from the 1800s would have asbestos insulation, but apparently the geniuses they hired for this historic project didn't take this into consideration. To say that my partner and I were devastated is an understatement. They offered no options other than moving our date to a month later on a different day of the week. This wouldn't be an issue if this venue offered literally any inclusive service, but they don't. Our vendors were not available and most of our guests had other engagements... ya know, cause they'd been planning on attending our event a month earlier than was offered. The level of unprofessionalism on all parts was unacceptable. So now, here I am, 2 months to my wedding date with everything ordered, everything paid for, now making a million phone calls in the hopes of getting my money back. I have lost hope in finding another venue on such short notice. No amount of "I'm sorry" or excuses can make up for the year of wasted time and money. Seriously, find a venue that has someone competent at the helm.

  I spent a year planning my dream wedding at this venue. While the planner was a bit disorganized and sloppy, my partner and I were happy to essentially plan our entire event from start to finish. We were looking for a boutique, DIY experience, and this was the perfect place for it. Unfortunately, with only 70 days to go, the venue cancelled on us due to some "unforeseen" issues with a construction project. Apparently asbestos was found during the construction project. I could have told you that a building from the 1800s would have asbestos insulation, but apparently the geniuses they hired for this historic project didn't take this into consideration. To say that my partner and I were devastated is an understatement. They offered no options other than moving our date to a month later on a different day of the week. This wouldn't be an issue if this venue offered literally any inclusive service, but they don't. Our vendors were not available and most of our guests had other engagements... ya know, cause they'd been planning on attending our event a month earlier than was offered. The level of unprofessionalism on all parts was unacceptable. So now, here I am, 2 months to my wedding date with everything ordered, everything paid for, now making a million phone calls in the hopes of getting my money back. I have lost hope in finding another venue on such short notice. No amount of "I'm sorry" or excuses can make up for the year of wasted time and money. Seriously, find a venue that has someone competent at the helm.