Thinking of cancelling venue!

frannyann

Hi
I've been a bit quiet of late and here's why, its part rant, part seeking advice!

We veiwed our venue as soon as we decided to set a date, its lovely and central and lovely inside, which was important for us as in October you have to plan for all photo's to be inside! With an ace pub to escape to next door LOL Our first meeting with the wedding planner seemed to go well, we liked her and asked her to quote.
Well the quote arrived, on very badly photocopied headed paper and with our names both spelt completely wrong and it was just generally shoddy looking. I emailed and was polite, but stated it wasn't very professional lookiing and I was concerned that she had spelt both our names wrong. (I need to add at this point this is to a .live.co.uk account NOT a .venue.co.uk address, which she explained was because she does a lot of work at home, but again doesn't 'feel' very professional) She did call and apologise and offer to re-do the letter, which she did, it still was not a 'proper' quote but a list of prices, again my partners name was spelt wrong. Thus an email conversation went on to sort this all out! We have needed to chase her to book registrar, (in kent the venue has to do this) When the booking arrives, my partners name is not only spelt wrong but is nothing like his name, in fact its part of his jokey 'nickname' which is a well know cigerette paper!! I am now going to be Mrs Fagpaper :eek: Well OH is not too happy as he then had to spend all day yesterday sorting this out as we can't even give notice as he isn't actually call Mr Fagpaper!! When he phoned the venue to complain, the receptionist laughed :rolleyes: She promised to get the wedding planner to phone back, well she hasn't!

To add, this is on top of meetings being cancelled because 'her MOT ran out so had to go sort that' and emails that have had to be sent twice because she doesn't answer the first.

We still love the venue, but have lost confidence in the wedding planner actually being able to arrange this wedding, luckily our deposit is 'only' £180, but unhappily she would only accept the money as a personal cheque to herself, not on credit card to venue as I wanted, she claimed that this is how the hotel pays her 'commision'.

I've looked at a new venue, only ten minutes away, and they are soooo professional but its likely to cost us a good £500-£1000 more plus I will lose deposit and will need to bin invites (luckily vistaprint so no biggy)

Sorry for the essay, thoughts welcome!

SkyKitty

I haven't got anything particularly useful to suggest I'm afraid, apart from is there any way you can get contact details for anyone else who has been married there, as testimonials. Most professionals shoulod be happy to provide them especially in this kind of business.

frannyann

Hi SkyKitty, the review were bad until about two years ago when the place got new owners, and they've been positive since. The wedding planner herself has been there 21 years. I am sure the wedding will be okay, but I don't want the stress of having to sort out all the problems, she seems to create rather than sort out!

Wardi

Can you speak to a manager there inside of just the wedding planner? Raise the issue up the chain and shout loudly!

Sorry to hear about the problems though, if you loose confidence it is going to be hard to rest easy and be assured that everything is in good hands :-(

chelbel1981

I would cancel and go else where, if this can happen now I wouldn't like to think what could happen closer to or even on the day

Dee-Dee

Hi Frannyann,

We had a similar issue with the wedding co-ordinator when we were trying to book our wedding. She was really poor at getting back to us, didn't seem to know what was going on and generally treated us as though we were an irritation rather than customers who were going to spend a lot of money there! She also messed up the deposit and quote which didn't impress my MIL2B who was paying.

The situation was really stressing me out and I wanted to cancel as I just had no confidence in this woman who would be responsible for a big part of our day. So basically I caved in and sent in 'the Mums' who spoke to the Manager. They weren't nasty about the girl or anything, just pointed out that she had not done a good job so far and we were thinking of cancelling. So now the Manager is looking after our wedding and he is much better, I love the venue so I am really glad that my Mum and MIL2B spoke to the Manager.

You could try the same option (talking to the Manager - not sending 'the Mums in' ) especially if you really like the place and the other venue is going to cost more.

Good Luck with what you decide and let us know how you get on. x

frannyann

Thanks, I may speak to the manager, but as its a couple who own it and not part of any chain, if thats not much cop, then we are a bit stuck.

Wardi

I think the key is that business is business and if they think they are going to loose some income, in theory they should try and do anything they can to keep you happy.

neneromanova

Do you actually need the wedding co-ordinator? Can you not just do it all yourself? Tell her to give the £180 to the hotel and you'll do it yourself as she is useless and very unprofessional. And her reason for having a .live.uk account instead of a venue.co.uk account is rubbish. She can have one and still work from home or anywhere she likes for that matter.

frannyann

Just recieved an email from the wedding planner, NOT the phone call we had requested. Loads of sorry's but thats it. No reference to the fact OH had to spend hours on the phone sorting out the name issue, and no mention of the fact he said he felt like cancelling. It just feels like its not enough, but TBH, not sure what would have.

frannyann

neneromanova wrote: »

Do you actually need the wedding co-ordinator? Can you not just do it all yourself? Tell her to give the £180 to the hotel and you'll do it yourself as she is useless and very unprofessional. And her reason for having a .live.uk account instead of a venue.co.uk account is rubbish. She can have one and still work from home or anywhere she likes for that matter.

She is employed by the hotel and we have to go through her for everything. I thought that too about the email account. OH is still fuming at the letter addressed to Mr Fagpaper and she hasn't even called to apologise instead, just sent an email now :mad:

ETA the £180 comes off the final bill, its just that it goes to her as comission according to her