I'm new to UK Bride. I'm getting married on 3 October 2015, we've booked church and venue and a few other things. Recently I've heard some bad reviews about the venue, in particular the wedding coordinator. We've had an issue from the start as she told us we could only use their resident band due to the licensing agreement. I've since discovered that for other events at the venue they are using different bands/entertainers. I've now heard that she is quite difficult to deal with and likes to do things her way rather than doing what the bride and groom want which is what I think her job should be! The venue is perfect and I fell in love with it immediately. I have no idea where else I would choose but I'm wondering if it's worth the stress of having a bad coordinator and not enjoying my day to the full?! HELP!!! x
CommentAuthorWelshBrideBethan2015
Firstly welcome
Secondly I can understand why you are worried, can I ask where you have heard the reviews from? as in from friends or reviews online? If you are concerned why not arrange an appointment and have some questions written down such as to do with band as there may of been a reason for a different entertainer being used at that time which could mean it could happen for you (even though so far she has said no) Also is there anyone else that can be contacted at the venue or is it just her?
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CommentAuthorCarrieD26
I am not sure why a licencing agreement would only allow one band? If it does, how did they get around it before? Was it specified before booking? This is your wedding, you should have things exactly how you want them. Maybe write to them and say that you appreciate a little help putting details into place, but that you feel the co)ordinator is making decisions you are not particularly pleased with and feel she isn't listening to you. Sounds a bit like she has lost interest in creating the perfect day for couples and is just going through the motions. If that is the case you will either have to put your foot down with her or find another venue. I would keep a list of everything you are unhappy about to prove the service you were promised wasn't being delivered if you cancel. You may have a chance of getting back your deposit. Good luck, I hope you manage to sort this quickly. Please don't settle for something you don't want!
CommentAuthorLisaP16
Thanks for your advice! The reviews have been from friends who have attended weddings and friends of friends who have been married there. One bride has even said she wouldn't recommend it to people! I think I am going to arrange a meeting with her, when I first had concerns I emailed her to ask when we would next meet and she told me not until April (at which point 50% of the balance is due so I can't leave it that long). I think I should be able to just say I need to ask a few things and have a meeting when I feel it's necessary. I think it's only her I can contact, the venue seems to have different people running different aspects of the business so they have someone running the restaurant and someone running the log cabins and someone running the weddings/functions. I don't think the licensing agreement does specify that they only use a particular band, I think they have some sort of agreement with the band and its a lie to make you use them. She told me when we booked but she has events coming up with other entertainment. I think I just need to ask her for a meeting ASAP and hopefully straighten things out or start searching for a new venue!!
CommentAuthorCarrieD26
I think that is what I would do too. You just need to know that your tastes and requirements will be reflected in your wedding, otherwise it isn't going to feel like your special, personalised day! Hope it all goes well!
She should have a superior who it the manager for the whole venue to, maybe go over her head and explain your concerns to them that she does not seem to care about helping arrange your wedding and if anything seems to try and so out being your perfect day. And ages not doing her job.
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CommentAuthorAprilS61
I would go over her head. Luckily, the woman we deal with for our wedding is lovely and has helped us out with questions and advice. However, I know they have a general hotel manager who also answered a few wedding related things for us and he is the one that actually had to sign our contract with our venue. Maybe have a look at their website and see if you can find anything about who is above her so youcan speak to them directly.
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CommentAuthorbarbie86
I wouldn't go over her head straight away; I would first arrange a meeting at YOUR convenience (we met with our venue co-ordinator several times, and had a lot of correspondence via email and telephone to iron out the details; we must have exchanged dozens and dozens of emails; so saying she won't meet you until April is not on; it's unreasonable and unprofessional as you are paying for her service, and thus should get it) and I would go over anything that is concerning you, starting with the music and the reviews. Get anything that she agrees to in writing, and always follow up any phone calls/in-person meetings with an email so that you have a written record eg 'Further to our conversation on x when you said you wouldn't be able to meet with us until April, I'm emailing to say that I have several things that I need to discuss with you before then and so if you can please let me know what date would suit you over the next 4 weeks that would be very much appreciated'.
If she is still difficult at this meeting, them I would go over her head and speak to someone more senior. There should be a general manager or a manager who she reports to, or, if it's a chain, someone at head office.
Failing that, I would say it might be worth researching your other options just in case. IMO, there is much more to a venue than how it looks or where it's located: if you can't have the music you want/if things don't run smoothly on the day/if the food isn't good (etc etc; I don't know exactly what all the complaints pertained to) then you will notice these things much more than the surroundings and IMO you'd be better booking somewhere less pretty, with better service.
CommentAuthorElinor Claire
She should be prepared to meet with you before April. Our co-ordinator was always willing to be in contact, although not always great at responding to emails. It's probably a good idea to check exactly what is in your contract too. I would definitely find out who is above her as well. It might be worth if you can finding out from those who had weddings there if they were able to choose their own band.
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CommentAuthorSprucey
It's not possible in my opinion that the band are part of the licensing agreement! Having held licenses myself, premises and personal, never have a certain band been specified for entertainment! Plus what if that band break up?! They then have no license?! Makes no sense! You can always check licenses with the council... I would make it clear to this woman she either needs to work with you or you'll be jogging along to her superiors!
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CommentAuthorlala "mod" bunni
tbh i would ask for a face to face meeting ( not as easy to think up excuses as it would be if you write to them !!) take the bad reviews you have and the questions that have arisen from them
I agree with Carla. Meet with her, talk through your concerns and the reviews. Make it clear what you as the bride and customer wants. Only then if you're still unhappy do you escalate it to the general manager.
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CommentAuthorWelshBrideBethan2015
Defo meet before then and raise your concerns, if you are in contact through email can you cc a manager in too ?
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CommentAuthor*KelBel*
They could have a contract with a particular band to play weddings.... We wanted a different dj at our wedding but they already had an external dj they had a contract with so we HAD to use that one as part of the contract we signed. It's obvious the other bands for other events are non weddings I'm guessing, the contracted band may be under contract for all weddings, it is a possibility just saying. With the coordinator, you should be able to see her next week if you wished but doesn't sound like she's very accommodating at all! APRIL is just ridiculous. Sounds like a fob off so you can't book anywhere else. Email her and say you want an appointment on a specific date and if she's not available you'll see her manager instead x
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CommentAuthorCarrieD26
Maybe it is a contact with the band, rather than a licencing issue. Maybe you should double check with your venue to see which it is? I have looked at venues that offer a DJ / band with a package. That obviously was the in house dj. We could use our own at our own cost, but we wouldn't get a reduction to the package because their contract still costs them money.
I find it a little odd that you CANNOT choose your own entertainment and you HAVE to have what they say even if you are willing to pay out for it on top!
