Problem with our wedding reception venue - advice appreciated!

E._Tenebris_Lux

Stephb1986 wrote: »

I totally feel your pain! I've asked my cake maker at least 5 times how much is it for delivery she will reply and say "my husband isn't in at the moment I'll message you later" and then doesn't grrrr

The thing that I'm beginning to realise is that, whilst our own wedding days are one of the most important in our lives and we want everything to be organised and perfect and be able to trust that our suppliers are on the ball, for them it is just another event in a long line of events they have done previously. Which is why I think I've been freaking out that the manager of the venue hasn't responded to my multiple emails containing very simple queries, while to him everything is 18 months away and will be absolutely fine because he's done it hundreds of times before.

I still don't approve of suppliers not responding or delaying etc - I would certainly never dream of doing that in my line of work (professional services in London) and I doubt I would keep my job if I did - but I'm realising that for them it simply isn't as important or urgent as it is to us!

Having said that, whilst a venue isn't necessarily interchangeable a cake maker certainly is, so why not tell her you need to know today or you're going elsewhere!

tillyenna

Re: insurance


You want to get it before you start paying for anything, as they'll often run for a few years, but won't apply to anything you paid for prior to getting the insurance. I got ours from E&L and they've been really cheap (£17) and easy.

Prothet_of_Doom

Email might be the issue. If you phone him, every time you send him one, and each time explain that you are phoning because he makes you nervous, and his normal lack of responce gives you a low confidence in the ability of the venue to do what they are getting paid for, he'll get the message.

E._Tenebris_Lux

Prothet_of_Doom wrote: »

Email might be the issue. If you phone him, every time you send him one, and each time explain that you are phoning because he makes you nervous, and his normal lack of responce gives you a low confidence in the ability of the venue to do what they are getting paid for, he'll get the message.

I think it is. It makes sense in a way, as I doubt he's ever at his desk for very long and likely won't have been a desk job sort of person at any point in his career. And I imagine the venue must get hundreds of new booking enquiries and questions from people who are already booked each week.

Oddly enough, he's always very helpful on the phone and in person, so I think we just need to accept that that's the way we'll get in touch with him and organise things from now on. It irks me, because my natural (and professional) inclination is to have everything in writing and formalised, but I suppose I will just need to follow up every call with an email...

Pretty_Thrifty

Bad customer service like this is pretty unacceptable! It sounds like the manager is a bit over run and, working in the wedding industry I understand that stress, but if they are so successful I do wonder why they haven't employed the poor manager a PA! Sounds like they need one.

It's very difficult when you don't get an immediate response but I think I'd be reassured by the volume of weddings you say they do that they can deliver in the end...

monkeypuzzle32

E._Tenebris_Lux wrote: »

The thing that I'm beginning to realise is that, whilst our own wedding days are one of the most important in our lives and we want everything to be organised and perfect and be able to trust that our suppliers are on the ball, for them it is just another event in a long line of events they have done previously. Which is why I think I've been freaking out that the manager of the venue hasn't responded to my multiple emails containing very simple queries, while to him everything is 18 months away and will be absolutely fine because he's done it hundreds of times before.

I still don't approve of suppliers not responding or delaying etc - I would certainly never dream of doing that in my line of work (professional services in London) and I doubt I would keep my job if I did - but I'm realising that for them it simply isn't as important or urgent as it is to us!

I think what youve said is correct, however lack of contact would put me off TBH. Why not see him in person then decide, you can pay the deposit and keep an eye out for other venues, the venue we had for our wedding was our 3rd! Its hard to get venues who arent wedding specific to step up as well as actual wedding venues do, however they are so much cheaper and more flexible and worth it! Our wedding was in a social club dance hall and its run by volunteers so you can imagine what that was like organising, on the day there were brilliant though and even said they enjoyed it themselves!
Good luck!

Whattodonow

I found my perfect wedding ceremony venue after looking at Loads.

However after several unanswered emails, I decided to let it go. Firstly because wedding are stressful enough without having an uncommunicative venue on top. Secondly because I begrudged paying them any money when they couldn't even be bothered to answer an email.

So I have somewhere else now. It's not as perfect but at the end of the day I am marrying my OH and that's all that matters. This is what will make it perfect. I can't wait!