Journeys Venue

Our Disappointing Experience at Journeys Venue

The below reflects our personal experience and concerns following our wedding at the venue. At first glance, the venue appears attractive and reasonably priced. However, our experience became increasingly disappointing as matters unfolded. 1. Deposit and Confetti Issue Prior to our wedding, we requested permission from one of the owners regarding the use of our chosen confetti. Permission was granted verbally in the presence of witnesses. After the wedding, we were informed by the other owner that the confetti used was not permitted due to its material. When we referenced the prior verbal approval, we were advised that permission should have been in writing. A substantial portion of our deposit was subsequently retained for what was described as “specialised cleaning services.” We did not receive supporting documentation for those services, despite requesting same, which left us feeling uncertain about the basis of the deduction. This situation created frustration and confusion, particularly as the expectations regarding confetti were not clearly set out in writing at the time of our booking. The contradiction between prior approval and the later deduction left us feeling misled and unfairly penalised. 2. Privacy and Viewings During the Event When we booked our viewing of the venue, we were informed that weekend viewings were not possible due to weddings. On our wedding day, however, several prospective clients were shown through parts of the venue while the bridal parties were preparing. Some of these areas contained personal belongings. We raised our concerns during the day, but the viewings continued. The following morning, additional individuals entered the premises before our allocated departure time. This created a sense that our privacy during a significant personal occasion was limited. 3. Accommodation Concerns In our experience, certain aspects of the accommodation did not meet our expectations: • Torn lace curtains were present in one of the rooms and had to be removed at our request. • Towels were not provided. Although this may be disclosed in advance, many guests expect basic amenities at accommodation establishments. • Some guests commented that the layout felt uncomfortable. These issues affected the overall impression for us and our guests. 4. Sparkling Wine Arrangement We were disappointed that the sparkling wine served during the summer event was not chilled to our expectation, and ice buckets were not available when requested. This contributed to our overall dissatisfaction. 5. Guest Assistance and Event Coordination We requested assistance with directing guests to their rooms, as signage was limited and several rooms did not display numbers. We prepared our own room tags and asked that they be placed on doors. This was not done. As a result, the groom personally assisted guests in locating their rooms while preparing for the ceremony. While the food was served and the basic setup completed, the arrangements did not fully align with our prior instructions and required correction and supervision on the day. 6. Communication After the Event Attempts to raise our concerns after the wedding were, in our view, not meaningfully resolved. Communication felt strained and, at times, unproductive. Final Thoughts: The overall experience did not align with our expectations for such an important occasion. The above reflects our personal experience and is supported by correspondence and witness accounts.