We went to look at our first venue last night and I left feeling really disappointed and like a 'conveyor belt' bride. It was in a small pub that had some grounds, so far so good. We could hire the whole thing for the day for just £500 so that was a plus. But it just went downhill from there! We explained that we didn't want a formal sit down meal but would prefer a fork buffet and her reply was 'We don't do that but this is what we offer for our buffet' All they had was sandwiches, cheese and crackers, sausage rolls and pork pies! How could you feed that to day guests as the main meal?! Then she went on to say that as it was a buffet she wouldn't lay out the cutlery or decorate the tables! She showed us the 'slip cover' that she would we put on the tables and they didn't cover them completely! But if we paid £50 we could have proper table clothes! I just feel that she didn't care about us and it being our wedding, the minute we didn't want exactly what they were offering then she wasn't prepared to make suggestions.
Please tell me that all venues aren't like this :(
CommentAuthorWifey2be
not all venues are like that!! hugs for you hunni x x x
CommentAuthorJill
Ours dont offer anything other than the sit down meal but that was what we were after so wasnt a problem x
29th September 2012
Cant wait to be Mrs D!
CommentAuthorLaura4Alex
no she was just being rude! go somewhere else x
CommentAuthorbridalmiss
No there's plenty of choice, ours is a big Victorian greenhouse, and I was a bit worried when they said they didn't decorate - however their caterers do and as part of the food costs etc, you get the room dressed as you like, centrepieces etc!! Just keep looking, you'll find one that gets you excited!
It just means that wasn't your venue. Not that I'm justifying the rudeness but keep looking, you will find somewhere that suits you and treats you properly
CommentAuthorShirleygirly
How ignorant. The lady from my venue had her usual options plus some that she had added cheaper options in the last couple of years because people don't have the money to spend on Weddings. To be fair in order to use the venue we do have to have a wedding breakfast, but that is what we wanted. I think the person who saw you was highly insensitive and needs a good kick up the bum. Most places we saw were really understanding of individual needs. I hope you have better luck with other venues.
I can't wait until 29/06/2013
The day I marry the man of my dreams!
CommentAuthornini
I was really shocked that she just glossed over what we wanted. We would be more than happy to pay the same price for a fork buffet as a sit down meal, she just wouldn't discuss it! The only reason we don't want the sit down meal is because of the formality of it, we would rather be milling about talking to our guests than spending 2 hours sitting down and eating. The table cloth thing really hacked me off, just because you have a buffet doesn't mean you want it to look like the poorer option! Plus why charge for tablecloths? She would have to wash 'slip cloths' just as much as normal tableclothes!
CommentAuthorShirleygirly
Consider it their loss, there are so many gorgeous places out there will happily meet your requirements. That's a great idea about the buffet and being able to mingle. I kind of wish I'd though of that.
I can't wait until 29/06/2013
The day I marry the man of my dreams!
CommentAuthorJill
tbh she sounds like she had no say in it, so instead of saying she needed to discuss with whoever, she's just ignored it. Coo x
29th September 2012
Cant wait to be Mrs D!
CommentAuthorjoey86
I had so many venues ignore what we wanted, but don't lose hope! We found our perfect venue that practically fell over themselves to get our business and were more than happy to suggest ideas, but not push us into anything. The first venue we ever went to look at was absolutely horrific - there was gaffa tape on the floors, the paint was peeling and the manager stood there and told us it was £2,000 for the hire! And then completely ignored everything we said regarding catering and just rolled off the standard package. Just keep looking, there are some gorgeous venues out there with staff that don't just want to sell you their package deal - a venue that is worth your time and effort are the ones that give you the same back :-) x
CommentAuthorMrsHardy2be
Chin up n keep looking its out yhere just like the dress n man
CommentAuthornini
Lol! That has made me smile!
CommentAuthorbecky -mrs firth
u changin ure venue then hun?
Engaged 27th November 2010
Hen Do Newcastle 2nd June 2012
Marrying the man of my dreams 11th August 2012!
Honeymoon To Jamaica 14th October 2012
CommentAuthornini
Yes, not our decision but we were given a list of costs by my brother in law (we were having our reception on his field and with his domes) that came to just over £3000 and that was before we even put in toilets, furniture and electric. So have had to rethink what we can do. Looking for a venue in or near Birmingham now.
CommentAuthorbecky -mrs firth
awww yes i remember! i hope u dint pay that lady a deposit
Engaged 27th November 2010
Hen Do Newcastle 2nd June 2012
Marrying the man of my dreams 11th August 2012!
Honeymoon To Jamaica 14th October 2012
CommentAuthorMrs Brakes
No, luckily, not all venues are like that. I had a similar experience with a pub / restaurant with grounds. If we didn't want exactly what they were offering there was no flexibility. Our venue couldn't do enough for us. If its do able we can have it. As ours is a small day and big evening affair their packages weren't suitable for us. They could have tried to steer us towards what they wanted but they would have lost us as clients. Our day is being tailored to us and what we need and want. This is what a good venue will do for you. I googled venues in my area and then looked at their reviews on a couple of review sites (trip advisor etc) to see if they did a lot of weddings and what their guests thought. We narrowed it down and then went to lunch / dinner at the venue's to see if we liked them and what their service was like when we weren't paying them thousands of pounds and decided on our current venue. We went again for some drinks and there happened to be a wedding going on in the private bit so as guests were leaving we asked a couple what they'd thought of it. We were repeatedly told both the venue and the staff were great. Venue picked, job done. Keep looking chick and you'll find the one.
Got married 11/11/11.
CommentAuthorkimmy
Oh look around hun, she does not sound accommodating at all!!!! x
CommentAuthorLegoWife
Sounds like you've already had a nightmare with venues. I can imagine how disappointing it must be when you go to look at somewhere else and they're horrible! Keeping looking though and good luck on finding somewhere! You'll get there :)
~Wedding made of Lego~
*Married 30/03/13*
CommentAuthornini
Thanks everyone x
CommentAuthorClairebear67
Most definately not ... most venues want your business and will do whatever they can to be as helpful as possible, its in their best interests at the end of the day. You just looked at a bad one. Don't give up hun - there will be one out there for you. : )
CommentAuthortweedwedding
Def not hun! Our venue has been great and loads more out there are as well - we went to somewhere where they said to us 'it's a lot of work for our staff to do that'!! As if you'd say that! It's our wedding and you just have to say yes or no to whether you can do it or not, I'm not to bothered about how much work is involved!! But like I said, we've found a great venue that we both love and can't wait to get married in :-) You'll find it hun xx
