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TARA!!! Venting & need your advice - sorry it's a bit long

snj2009snj2009 member
10 Comments
in Ohio-Northeast
Hey there - how's married life treating you? Hope all is well!  So, I had my consult last week @ TOE, and I can hoenstly say I was a bit dissapointed.  We watched a slideshow of work they did in the past, and that was nice, but boring.  We had a trainee sales manager handle the majority of our meeting and the owner kept telling her what to ask and what she needed to do next.  I told her I was heartset on the courthouse - yet she sent me a list of preferred venues by the time I got home.  The owner knew I was thrilled with that specific venue, as I told him it's not a matter of picking my date, it's a matter of the availability of the courthouse at this point.  They did manage to let me know that the courthosue is available on February 20th, 2010.  I however, just today, after e-mailing her about it, got 2 proposals for my wedding - and get this - they're both the same exact thing- word for word so I 'm not thrilled that I waited over a week for these, then only get 1 quote!  It's kind of like they didn't really listen to me - and the owner was more interested in showing us a picture he took of his newly created salad on his blackberry, and was rushing out the door as he had a business meeting.  I had this scheduled over 3 weeks in advance - it's not like I just walked in off the street - and I was really looking forward to it!   I'm not too sure I want to use this company at this point.  FI & I went to the courthouse to take pics after our consult @ TOE, and I was so overwhelmed inside the courthouse - I started to cry sand was petrified to move - I literally felt like I was going to fall over - even though I was flat on the ground on the main floor - it took quite a bit of effort to get me upstairs, and I froze on the stairway.  I have no idea what that was all about - but I think I need to go back once or twice to get comfortable, and to see if I can relax enough to have my wedding there!  I was pleased with the pricing as I thought it was going to be a bit more costly than what I was quoted, but it's not set in stone - it's of course subject to the changes I'd like to make.  Anyway - I'm anxiously awaiting your married bio pics!  Thanks for letting me vent at you - I really hope your experience was a lot better than mine to thsi point and would love your input and thoughts about TOE & Your Courhouse Experience. 
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Re: TARA!!! Venting & need your advice - sorry it's a bit long

  • TBHCJSTBHCJS member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Who did you meet with? Would the trainee be your rep for the event? I would call and see if you can meet with either Mary Jane Ferris or Chris Winter. Everyone I know that has used one of those two hasn't had any complaints. It sounds like the trainee is "trying to do her job" by sending you the list of preferred venues. Eh.. annoying, I'm sure. Don't give up on them yet. I can honestly say I didn't experience anything like that when I was there. They were always great about serving ME as the client. They also were a huge help in terms of the Courthouse itself -- tables, chairs, linens, etc. They are only the "caterer" but they help you cover so many other things that seem overwhelming at first in a place like the Courthouse where you bring everything in. Here's what I do: 1. Call Wanda Graves at the Courthouse and ask her what days are available. Then, # them in your order of preference. 2. From there, call TOE and ask them their availability in your days above. 3. Ask who would be your rep. Consider asking for Mary Jane or Chris. It sounds like the trainee aspect is a big part of what threw off your meeting. When I met with Mary Jane, I had already booked the Courthouse and she only showed me pictures of events they done at the Courthouse. It surprises me that they didn't get that from you despite the fact that you said it the whole time. Ehh.. sorry for your bad experience. Give them another chance? Also, in terms of your quote. Use it for basic reference. We were constantly changing our's up until the last week before the wedding. Adding things, taking things off, finalizing #'s etc. If you are comfortable with the general pricing of everything, I wouldn't worry too much about the quotes. Why were you supposed to get 2 anyway? Was it two different options -- i.e. seated dinner and station -- or something? Also, my married bio should be linked up now! It's still in progress, but a good enough chunk is done to post it.
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  • TBHCJSTBHCJS member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Oh, and as far as the cake -- yes, we served Costco cakes. CMYKakes made our "fake" cake, but it had a real bottom tier so that we could do the cake-cutting. Using the sheet cakes worked out great but if I were to do it over again, I would seriously consider having CMYKakes do the whole cake. Her cake is amazing. I went from someone who did not even like fondant to someone who now loves her's. It's so good! And her pricing is very competitive, so it may all even out in the end with buying fake cake + sheet cakes. Just something to consider. Oh, another downside to Costco is thank you have to pick them up. Thank goodness Heidzillas could help us out with that!
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  • mtmb1189mtmb1189 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Butting in- Like Tara, MIke & I already had our date set at the Courthouse b4 talking to TOE. I second what Tara said dont give up on them yet. All the work they do for you is Priceless. The food and service was outstanding. They help provide everything you may need or think of for the Courthouse (or any other venue). We used Jeannie at TOE. So there is another good name. Good Luck.
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  • snj2009snj2009 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thanks Ladies - Chris e-mailed me today, with the proper proposals and included some of my specific requests.  He said he'll be taking over my wedding from this point on and apologized for the confusion and delay.  Bill (owner) said as we didn't have our mind made up as to if we want sit down or action stations he'll give us a proposal for both.  I feel a bit more comfortable with Chris taking things over at this point.  Thanks again - knowing you've had positive experiences is reassuring!
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  • eebranteebrant
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I'm going to jump in here too :) My fiance and I are getting married at the Courthouse in October and Chris is our contact at TOE.  I can speak from experience (so far) that he's absolutely wonderful and I have nothing but good things to say about him.  Let me know if you have any specific questions along the way :)
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