A WEDDING VENUE DISASTER.

What a dreadful experience. If you're planning on reserving this venue for your wedding or otherwise, I urge you to read on before falling into the same trap we did.

Let's paint the picture shall we.

Its 2020, Covid is about to hit. We're all about to head into a storm that no one knows how to manage- understandably. However, you would think that it desperate times businesses would ensure the best possible service is delivered to their clients.

My fiancé and I got engaged in 2020 and during the initial lockdown used the opportunity to search for venues and plan our Big Day. As with all couples, this is a momentous occasion. We aren't fussy people, in fact, we wanted a simple, welcoming day for our guests to enjoy who will be travelling from the UK and SA. I am South African, my partner and his family are British to give a little context. For further context, I am an Event Manager by trade and he is a Program Manager. We work with planning and executing daily and understand the challenges of customer service and service delivery. By no means did we expect anything unreasonable except what is claimed by the venue, An award winning boutique venue service.

Our initial consultation was by phone, we were in lockdown so couldn't view the venue but having read their accolades were confident that a viewing wouldn't be necessary until it was possible. We described in detail what we envisioned the day to be like, and as Event Manager, I provided them with mood boards and a detailed presentation of the look and feel we expected ( Not my job in this case, theirs instead, but I did it anyway as I wanted the communication to be clear) Once we felt that the Event Manager at the venue fully understood what we required, we felt confident to pay the R10 000 non refundable booking fee and secure the date. We kept to our contractual agreement of paying 50% of the venue hire 30 days later (which I had to email and ask for an invoice for to confirm this). THIS WAS OUR FIRST MISTAKE! OUR CONFIDENCE WAS MISPLACED!

So here's what went wrong and why I urge you to find another venue for your occasion.

1) They never respond to emails. I was doing their job for them! I called, followed up, asked for responses to emails, asked for invoices and statements, asked about the proposal for the look and feel for the event and quotes. Not once. Not Twice. But sometimes three times or more before I would get any response from them! 2) When the lockdown came to an end in such a way that we could view the venue in August, it took me almost a month to secure a meeting date with them as they consistently avoided communication with me. After Facebook messages and complaining, the Owner assured me she would ask the Event Manager to set up a meeting with me that weekend- needless to say that weekend came and went before I AGAIN called. I then received a meeting time with the Event Manager. You would think that when you have a meeting, time is set aside to give your undivided attention to your client. But no, this was not the case. She was hardly present and I had to wait constantly in between my meeting slot for her to attend to phone calls, other guests, and events. 3) That which was promised to me in email and over the phone in our initial discussion of what we envisioned for our wedding, was not possible when we arrived at the venue. I requested one long table for our guests - I was assured this was possible, this was something that was very important to us. Only to find out this was not possible in their venue. The dining hall was too small to accommodate this and there was no alternative. We were very specific that this was a venue requirement for us. 4) They refuse to do anything outside of how they "usually do things as venue". I asked for a simple, minimalist theme with some Ivy on the tables for décor with candles. It was confirmed that it was possible over our telephone consultation, again when we met at the venue this was told to not be possible as this is not the way they usually do things and I was cornered into spending far more on floristry than I intended too. We also wanted a table family feast style meal which we made clear... and again after all deposits were paid we were told that this is not possible and that they will do a buffet style or a plated menu and canapes. These were all things we were very clear about not wanting. Let's just say, promises were not kept and anything was said to make the sale initially! 5) We informed the venue in July we would be cancelling our date due to Covid as borders remained closed , we didn't expect the refund for the non-refundable amount, but we did expect the other fees paid to us in accordance with the contract. Our emails in this regard were outright ignored. We eventually got hold of the owner's personal details, she procrastinated a response for over a month. Eventually we negotiated to use part of what we had paid to another event for the Bridal Shower. 6) THE BRIDAL SHOWER- WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT! Again, no attempt was made to communicate properly. The event management skills and service delivery of this establishment is atrocious! No attempt was made to ensure that the vision for the day was met - in fact, there was no attempt at even asking what this was! I eventually took it upon myself to send instructions, when I had no response I again checked in to ensure to ask what flowers I was going to be given for the R2850 I was quoted( a couple garden picked flowers in the end for a table of 11. That's roughly R250 per person or flowers - if you think about it, imagine the bouquet you can buy for that amount? Well... enough said.) I practically begged to receive the food menu options and when we arrived it was a half-ar*ed attempt at an event. A table was set up with basic pots of garden flowers, the adjacent lounge area was not clean or even dusted off. We had to ask them to wipe down the tables. They played one Michael Buble CD that was so scratehed it jumped most of the songs. Not enough seating was provided and the desert was a disappointment to say the least. If I could attach photos and the quote I would. Waiters weren't attentive. There was no timeline planning and the manager did not check to ensure that the event was at a suitable standard. I again waited 4 weeks before I again requested a final statement. The venue still owes me a great deal of money. They have not made any contact to ask if we were happy with the bridal shower or to at least give a professional courtesy for all that has been endured despite our communication with them. They are aware of my complaints as I have been vocal about them - I have been met with a "no care" attitude.

The venue is also in desperate need of maintenance. Photos and reality do not meet.

LASTLY - I feel ******! And All I can say is that despite the financial loss I have endured I am grateful that I did not have my wedding here! I urge you not to fall into the same trap we did. There are far more beautiful and professional venues to make use of!