Crystal Gardens - Southgate?

brobin01

Any reviews? Opinions? I'm asking for a friend of mine.

Thanks!

sunkissed212

I used to live down there so I have been to many events there. The food is really good...I do remember (from my prior planning experience) that the staff was a little pushy when we went in to look at the place.  But, we didn't end up there (obviously) so I don't know how they are after the fact.  I've been to a few showers and weddings there and as a guest I can say that I enjoyed myself and had a good meal.

They have done a lot of renovations over the past few years to include more outside space and I believe a ceremony area outside too. It's a really pretty hall that's for sure!

brobin01

Thanks Kim!!! How is everything going! Wow, you are getting close!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sunkissed212

Ohh yes, it's going!!! Moving along quite nicely right now...the rollercoaster ride should be starting in a month or so I think haha. I'm starting to get very excited because now there are things I NEED to do, for so long I had so much time to just screw around and now it's time to get down to business!

brobin01

hahaha!! Let the fun BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kelki

I grew up downriver so I have been there a million times. The food is pretty good and they are very reasonable and include a lot of stuff in some of their packages.  I have a friend who works there and they made her go around and compare prices with all the other downriver venues. she told me that CG and Arnaldo's are the best deals in the area.

sunkissed212

I LOVE ARNALDO'S!  Brandi, tell your friend to be sure to check them out too. That's where we actually booked (last engagement, yada yada yada) and if I still lived down there I would have definitely booked there.

Kelki where downriver are you from? I lived in Riverview for 28 years until I moved in with FI in 2008.

brobin01

Thanks Kelki and Kim!

Kelki

I'm from Taylor.  I moved out here in Jan 2008, but I still really miss it.  Which is strange because outside of a bowling alley and a mall Taylor doesn't have a whole lot to do but drink, lol.

jennifer0124

I would have booked my reception at Crystal Gardens after working there a few times.  It is really nice inside and the staff is great.  They are really reasonable for what they include also  I just couldn't justify the hr drive for everybody!

sinnedambition

Crystal Gardens is really beautiful inside. The food is probably a 6 out of 10. It's about average for buffet at a hall.

There are three rooms that are generally booked on friday's and Saturdays. Crystal Gardens does not do anything to prevent guests from venturing into another room.

I know they have a chapel too.

ericadangelo

I was engaged a few years ago and we had booked our wedding there (but that wedding got called off!) It was really reasonabley priced, and we liked that the room we picked had an adjacent outdoor patio and lots of big arched windows. I didn't want a space that had no windows or natural light which is hard to find if you are using a banquet hall as a venue. The thing that bothered me the most is that it is right next door to a KMart which doesn't seem very elegant to me.

kirstenr

I worked there during my high school years, about 5 years ago.  They've done lots of renovations since then, and it does look pretty... but I still am anti-CG.  The behind-the-scenes stuff that I was privy to kind of turned me off from there (for example, rolls from the buffet line that were not eaten were put back into bags to be used for the next party).  The food is alright, and seems to have actually gotten better in the last few years.

Overall I would say it's probably a low price but you don't get "awesome," you get "decent." 

Clearly my opinion is biased, lol.  I will say I had my senior prom there, and just had Easter brunch there this past year, and both were nice.  

LindsayTiz

Crystal Gardens is pretty good for the price, and they do include A TON in their packages, but I'm biased bc ours is at Arnaldo's.  Make sure you tell your friend to check there too!

LindsayTiz

oh and ps, yay for downriver brides! I feel like we are few and far between on here!

kkbrown7023

This is where I am currently booked to have my reception, and I am seriously thinking of changing it.  I have a hard time getting the sales/events department on the phone when I have a question, the drive is really far for my guest, and what really has me looking for other places, is when we went to the "Taste of the Gardens" (their version of a tasting, everything they have on their menu, you can try) FI & I were not impressed at all with the food. As Kristenr stated it was decent.  They do include ALOT of extras in their package, and the newly rennovated decor is very nice and appealing.  I haven't been able to find anyone who can match their pricing as of yet.  So I guess you really have to weigh the pros & cons.

My package came with : invitations, cake, Dj (got to hear the DJ at the tasting and I can say he was good) middle grade bar for the entire duration of reception, linens, tables chairs, card box, vegetable & fruit buffet, champagne fountain & a late night pizza snack station.

And I just remembered that I have been meaning to ask you about the Charles Wright Museum!!

kelleenorfleet

Hi everyone!

im newly engaged and new to the site, i was actually looking into crystal gardens because we are looking for an outdoor venue with an indoor reception site. im not too sure what to do now after reading this...

if i may ask (hope its not too personal) but how much did that package cost per person???

im new to all of this so im not sure whats reasonable and whats not...

thanks in advance guys!!! and good luck and blessings to you all,

Kellee

mcarone101

DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING AT CRYSTAL GARDENS! i just recently cancled my reception at crystal gardens. This place is a nightmare they lie about all of threre prices just to gwt tou ti sign a contract.....then they put you on the hook and its like everything you choose to get like tbe invitations have an up charge! Vert bad idea to choose Crystal Gardens!