I have had mainly drama-free wedding planning. Sort of. And long. Of course.

temerityjane

We picked a venue last September and made all the arrangements, signed a contract, etc, with a woman named Sharon*.

Sharon was impossible to get on the phone and never returned calls, but it was far off, so no huge deal.

When I finally did manage to get ahold of the sales office a few months ago, it was to find out that Sharon had taken medical leave, and we were now going to be dealing with a nice woman named Katie*. She was sweet and we went over everything on the phone, and every time we talked, she said "and I'll email a summary of all of this to you and your mother," and never did. When my mother emailed her questions, she never actually knew the answers, but she was new, so whatever. She'd sometimes mail some answers and then say, "and I'll call you in half an hour" and never did.

I went in to the venue for another meeting while I was in town a couple of weeks ago (wedding is in PA, I'm in AZ) and got to meet Katie in person (my mom had met with her once before while I was conference called in). Katie told us we would be meeting with another woman, Jen*, because - suprise - Katie was leaving the venue.

So we had this sit down meeting, and the new girl could only stay for half of it, but we went over every single minor detail AGAIN, and Katie said that she would send the notes via email to us and to Jen. She did not.

My mom just let me know on the phone this afternoon that she got a call from the venue, to let us know that we had a NEW coordinator/point of contact. Not Sharon, not Katie, not Jen. A NEW person.

Two months out, we're going to have to go over every single detail and arrangement and agreement AGAIN. We've never been able to reliably contact someone with Sharon, Katie never followed through with notes and calls, and Jen was only there for a hot second and missed half of our info anyway. Now some mystery fourth person.

My mom is FURIOUS. I'm just a stressball, because I'm planning across the country and while I'm trying to be laid back, this is NOT helping.

My mom (who is paying for the reception) wants to ask for a discount. I feel like that's kind of justified because OH MY GOD, but also kind of not because it's not like we're not still going to get the wedding, but who knows how it is going to turn out now, seriously?

I know, LOGICALLY, that there is nothing we can do about this situation except express our extreme displeasure. I am just - ARGH. I don't even know if I'm asking for advice or just bitching. ARGH.

temerityjane

Oh and the asterisks? You know how you usually change people's names?

Well,

* I didn't.

Up theirs.

louisvillebride21

I think you can (and should!) ask for some kind of discount. Or for them to add food or alcohol or whatever. It's not exactly their fault, but it sure as hell isn't yours either.

temerityjane

Thanks LVB. I'm not exactly sure how I feel about discounts or whatever but my GOD do SOMETHING, some gesture that indicates that you understand what YOU ARE DOING TO ME FOR THE LOVE OF PETE.

Celles

You're allowed to ARGH, TJ.  There's no prize for being the most laid back bride, you know. 

Look at it this way: the previous coordinators were all either awful, or useless, or both.  You don't have to deal with any of them now.  That's a good thing!  Give the new one a chance to impress you -- or at least prove she isn't as spectacularly incompetent as her predecessors -- and then decide whether or not asking for a discount is appropriate.  It could be that the former coordinators are former because they couldn't handle the job; perhaps the new one can.

Haylie04

Definitely complain to someone!  Is there a manager or owner you can tell your issues to and work with from now on?

aMrsin09

See, I must be more of a biitch than you guys.

I would call the GM and ask for a discount because now you are really worried that you made the wrong venue decisions since it's become apparent that, in this economic environment,  they are so crappy they can't even keep employees for longer than three months.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_mainly-drama-wedding-planning-sort-of-long-of-course?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:105f6f25-94fc-4bd8-915c-e96a92ad61e2Post:42ef1cfe-a9a1-4da9-a657-c99526f2a01c">Re: I have had mainly drama-free wedding planning. Sort of. And long. Of course.</a>:
[QUOTE]Oh and the asterisks? You know how you usually change people's names? Well, * I didn't. Up theirs.
Posted by temerityjane[/QUOTE]

That was my favorite part.

I know it isn't their fault, but it also kind of is. Hire reliable people. Pay them a decent wage, if that's the problem. For example, my company used to go through sales people every 6 months or less. I sure as hell wouldn't want to do business with a company if I was constantly being called by a new person, who took over for so-and-so, who took over for so-and-so. Sometimes they would call and say, "Oh! Wow. Your last contact was <em>John</em>? That was forever ago!" Ugh.

So long story, but yes, you can ask for a discount. Tell them you wouldn't have picked the venue had you know that you wouldn't be working with Sharon in the first place. I'm sure they'd like a good review. You can mention that, too.

temerityjane

I just called the hotel to check on my wedding block and blah blah details, it turns out that Katie* did not actually book the room FOR MY PARENTS that she said she would.

*her real name

Thank you guys for confirming I'm not bitch-fitting over nothing here. My mom is definitely going to ask for SOME kind of consideration.

I told her to remind them about how they have been bragging up and down the internet about being ranked the #1 wedding venue in the area because goddamn.

WildRumpus

Yeah, I'm with aMrs on that. I don't care that the three (four?) previous employees are no longer there. Someone had to have hired them. I would absolutely be raising hell about it.

mkrupar

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_mainly-drama-wedding-planning-sort-of-long-of-course?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:105f6f25-94fc-4bd8-915c-e96a92ad61e2Post:542948d6-f7c7-4027-91c3-7c4c022bfd62">Re: I have had mainly drama-free wedding planning. Sort of. And long. Of course.</a>:
[QUOTE]You're allowed to ARGH, TJ.  There's no prize for being the most laid back bride, you know.  ;) Look at it this way: the previous coordinators were all either awful, or useless, or both.  You don't have to deal with any of them now.  That's a good thing!  Give the new one a chance to impress you -- or at least prove she isn't as spectacularly incompetent as her predecessors -- and then decide whether or not asking for a discount is appropriate.  It could be that the former coordinators are former because they couldn't handle the job; perhaps the new one can.
Posted by Celles[/QUOTE]

This. I know it's been frustrating. I work in the industry, and turnover is extremely high. Mainly because most people think "Oh it must be so much fun to spend my day planning parties" It's not, it's hard work coordinating all the details, organizing staff, and making sure everything goes well. That being said, asking for a discount now, probably won't get you anywhere. However, if at the end of the event you're still not satisfied (I would recommend documenting every conversation with the new person) ask for compensation at that point. If there's a balance, refuse to pay your bill until you have been compensated. This will make them resolve your issues very quickly.

I would definitely be having a conversation NOW with whoever is their boss or the GM of the venue and letting them know how unhappy you have been. When we get calls like that you better believe every single person is all over that event. You may be surprised at the response you get by voicing your concerns.

JanoBean75

I think the whole situation is utterly ridiculous. At this point, the manager or owner should be involved or handling it personally. I feel they definitely owe you either a discount or a free upgrade.

cat1121

Call and speak to the owner/manager and request a discount.

Your time and money are worth something.

NIKIKRUISE

WHERE IS THIS place??? I'm scared! I'm from PA as well!

kathrynhabibti

[QUOTE]See, I must be more of a biitch than you guys. I would call the GM and ask for a discount because now you are really worried that you made the wrong venue decisions since it's become apparent that, in this economic environment,  they are so crappy they can't even keep employees for longer than three months.
Posted by aMrsin09[/QUOTE]

I'd do the same.

TJ, you are definitely NOT making a mountain out of a molehill on this. You have every right to be pissed and ARGH-y over it. Good luck.

MissIntentional

this place better be freakin amazing to have to put up with that BS.

LD1970

Honestly, I would worry about asking for a discount now.  It could mean shoddy service on the day of the wedding as retaliation.  I'd either ask for extras or at least bring it to the manager's attention that you'll be watching everything like a hawk because they've got you so stressed, and nothing had better go wrong.

And wait 'til AFTER the reception, THEN bitch, and get reimbursed.

You can.

AmoroAgain

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_mainly-drama-wedding-planning-sort-of-long-of-course?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:105f6f25-94fc-4bd8-915c-e96a92ad61e2Post:37718763-2f80-446a-a716-d234bba966f0">Re: I have had mainly drama-free wedding planning. Sort of. And long. Of course.</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: I have had mainly drama-free wedding planning. Sort of. And long. Of course. : This. I know it's been frustrating. I work in the industry, and turnover is extremely high. Mainly because most people think "Oh it must be so much fun to spend my day planning parties" It's not, it's hard work coordinating all the details, organizing staff, and making sure everything goes well. That being said, asking for a discount now, probably won't get you anywhere. However, if at the end of the event you're still not satisfied (I would recommend documenting every conversation with the new person) ask for compensation at that point. If there's a balance, refuse to pay your bill until you have been compensated. This will make them resolve your issues very quickly. I would definitely be having a conversation NOW with whoever is their boss or the GM of the venue and letting them know how unhappy you have been. When we get calls like that you better believe every single person is all over that event. You may be surprised at the response you get by voicing your concerns.
Posted by mkrupar[/QUOTE]

I agree with all of this.  You'll be surprised at how quickly things start rolling once you take that complaint higher up.  I probably would have done it with the email/no email girl. 

Meg1979

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_mainly-drama-wedding-planning-sort-of-long-of-course?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:105f6f25-94fc-4bd8-915c-e96a92ad61e2Post:86fb0121-d825-4680-9a31-b795a1b1c519">Re: I have had mainly drama-free wedding planning. Sort of. And long. Of course.</a>:
[QUOTE]I think that they really owe you something TJ. Maybe not a discount, but an addition if nothing else.<strong> It is unacceptable that you constantly need to re-explain the game plan to them. Do they not keep files? </strong>What happens if a week before your wedding, mystery woman #4 is gone too, do you need to explain to them AGAIN what the game plan is? I would ask for compensation of some sort.
Posted by mrs.jesse[/QUOTE]

I really, really don't understand this about this venue.  I mean, granted, the person I am dealing with at my venue isn't going anywhere (at least I don't think so) but she has records of everything that could be passed to her successor.   How frustrating, especially since you are out of state.   I agree with PP.  Call them up and ask for a discount and why they aren't organized enough to keep files! 

parker624

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_mainly-drama-wedding-planning-sort-of-long-of-course?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:105f6f25-94fc-4bd8-915c-e96a92ad61e2Post:5012d739-1bdb-4448-9193-e9ff812a6a38">Re: I have had mainly drama-free wedding planning. Sort of. And long. Of course.</a>:
[QUOTE]See, I must be more of a biitch than you guys. I would call the GM and ask for a discount because now you are really worried that you made the wrong venue decisions since it's become apparent that, in this economic environment,  they are so crappy they can't even keep employees for longer than three months.
Posted by aMrsin09[/QUOTE]
  Do this!

Also, your mom might want to hire her own wedding planner to help with the day of, since obviously the people at the venue have no idea what they're doing, and you guys don't want to be stressed out about it while you're supposed to be celebrating.