Congratulations fellow brides! I wanted to share my negative
experience about inquiring into the Destin Bay House with my fellow brides
because I do not want anyone to go through the same unfortunate experience I
did. With this being our one and only chance to have a positive experience
planning our special day, I feel it’s important that the venues we are reaching
out to reciprocate the same enthusiasm we are putting out. I flew over 500 miles
and my Matron of Honor and my Aunt flew 800 miles to see the Destin Bay House as
one of our top choices for my wedding. We spent over an hour viewing the venue
taking 60 plus pictures of the site and discussed my special day in detail with
the wedding coordinator, Erin. During our tour, I was met with opposition to my
questions about what the $4500 site fee included; which at the time I didn’t
recognize the red flags but later came to realize this is representative of how
Destin Bay House treats their interested brides. After leaving the Destin Bay
House, I visited several other venues but I already knew the Bay House was the
place for me. I whole heartedly envisioned my wedding day happening there. When
I flew back home, I reached out to the Bay House the day I landed to express my
continued interest. Erin forwarded me the contract to the Destin Bay House;
which upon our reading (myself and groom, wedding planner/matron of honor,
mother & father of bride) we drafted an addendum to the contract and
questions to start a dialogue about what appeared to be a self serving contract
for the Bay House. This contract in no way protected our interests in the venue;
in which my father would be spending 27 years worth of savings he had complied
for the day his only daughter would be married. Our questions about this
contract were met with complete dismissal. Erin’s initial email response was
very short, as opposed to addressing any of my questions or concerns. She
insulted my interest in the venue and immediately told me they would no longer
hold my wedding date. My Matron of Honor and I reached out to let
her know the questions we had regarding the contract were not deal breakers or
even necessary changes but instead we just wanted clarification.
My experience with Erin, reminds me of the scene with Vivian Ward
played by Julia Roberts in a movie we all love Pretty Woman. In the scene,
Vivian is simply trying to shop for her dream dress for a “special” occasion and
she is met with opposition and disregard instead of compassion.
Unfortunately just like Vivian, I was given the cold shoulder by Erin and
told they wouldn’t be offended if I choose another venue. My fiancé believes after
seeing how I was treated, this is “A blessing in disguise.” I
agree… I hope that no one has to experience a wedding planning
disaster like this because it is extremely hurtful during what I envisioned
being such a happy experience.