Jessica W. Sent on 06/29/2023
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Quality of service
1.0 out of 5 rating
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Average response time
1.0 out of 5 rating
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Professionalism
1.0 out of 5 rating
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Value
1.0 out of 5 rating
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Flexibility
1.0 out of 5 rating
Unprofessional and Harassing
I'm truly not sure where to begin with this review. The venue itself is absolutely beautiful, and and my wedding day was, for the most part, a dream. The one major negative of my wedding day was the venue manager, Christelle. She was unprofessional, rude and inappropriate to me (the bride), vendors, and guests the day of my wedding. When we chose the venue, she was very accommodating. She took us room by room, telling us that we could use any of the main rooms. This included the front rooms of the first floor, where she said we could bring the entire ceremony inside if it rained, or even use it as the food area. We were astonished that such a nice place was so open to be used, but she assured us we could use it, as long as we didn't put nails in the wall, cause any damage, etc. When we signed the contract, we mentioned that it would be nice to have time the day before and after the wedding to set-up/tear-down. She was very accommodating, and adding 4-7 the day before, and 8-12 the day after to our contract. A week before the wedding she requested all vendor information. The day of the wedding is when everything turned: 1. The contract stated that a venue member had to be present at all times; what we didn't know is that she would actively be where we were at all times, which was unwanted and unnecessary. 2. Within a couple hours of the ceremony starting, she informed my mom (not the day of coordinator, whom she had met), that we had to be out by 11pm that night. Not only is this abrupt, unprofessional, but a complete breech of contract. She gave no reasoning for this at the time. 3. We were told by her DURING the reception that we could not light candles. The contract had restrictions on indoor candles, which we were not planning to light. Now we were suddenly unable to light any of our outdoor candles as well. I rented many candlestick holders and purchased candles for use at the wedding, and they were a complete waste. 4. She told GUESTS to get out of the house DURING cocktail hour. Again, we were told we could use any of the front rooms for anything, including food. I guess she decided in the middle of cocktail hour that we couldn't. Her approaching guests is, once again, so unprofessional, uncalled for, and completely inappropriate. Again, she had the day-of coordinator's info if needed, and she chose to approach guests. 5. After the ceremony, I (the bride), was attempting to clean up and get out per her new request, and avoid her after all I had heard. I was walking back in the house alone when she asks me (the bride) "what, if anything, are you wearing under your dress?", then proceeds to ask me if I'm wearing underwear. I am shaking with disgust as I type this at how uncomfortable and inappropriate these comments were. I cannot believe that someone who is supposed to be professional would sexually harass me, let alone on my wedding day. 6. At the end of the night, I confronted her making us leave early and requested she go get the contract. She wouldn't. She told me that there were things going on at the wedding she won't aware of; she clarified and said she didn't know cocktail hour would be in the front room. She offered that we could have until 9am the next morning (still breeching contract), but after everything she had done during my wedding, and sexual harassment, we finished cleaning and left that evening. I am warning other brides of Christelle's lack of professionalism, breeches of contract, and sexual harassment. The guests, wedding party, and wedding staff were also shocked by her behavior, and will avoid this venue in the future.
I'm truly not sure where to begin with this review. The venue itself is absolutely beautiful, and and my wedding day was, for the most part, a dream. The one major negative of my wedding day was the venue manager, Christelle. She was unprofessional, rude and inappropriate to me (the bride), vendors, and guests the day of my wedding. When we chose the venue, she was very accommodating. She took us room by room, telling us that we could use any of the main rooms. This included the front rooms of the first floor, where she said we could bring the entire ceremony inside if it rained, or even use it as the food area. We were astonished that such a nice place was so open to be used, but she assured us we could use it, as long as we didn't put nails in the wall, cause any damage, etc. When we signed the contract, we mentioned that it would be nice to have time the day before and after the wedding to set-up/tear-down. She was very accommodating, and adding 4-7 the day before, and 8-12 the day after to our contract. A week before the wedding she requested all vendor information. The day of the wedding is when everything turned: 1. The contract stated that a venue member had to be present at all times; what we didn't know is that she would actively be where we were at all times, which was unwanted and unnecessary. 2. Within a couple hours of the ceremony starting, she informed my mom (not the day of coordinator, whom she had met), that we had to be out by 11pm that night. Not only is this abrupt, unprofessional, but a complete breech of contract. She gave no reasoning for this at the time. 3. We were told by her DURING the reception that we could not light candles. The contract had restrictions on indoor candles, which we were not planning to light. Now we were suddenly unable to light any of our outdoor candles as well. I rented many candlestick holders and purchased candles for use at the wedding, and they were a complete waste. 4. She told GUESTS to get out of the house DURING cocktail hour. Again, we were told we could use any of the front rooms for anything, including food. I guess she decided in the middle of cocktail hour that we couldn't. Her approaching guests is, once again, so unprofessional, uncalled for, and completely inappropriate. Again, she had the day-of coordinator's info if needed, and she chose to approach guests. 5. After the ceremony, I (the bride), was attempting to clean up and get out per her new request, and avoid her after all I had heard. I was walking back in the house alone when she asks me (the bride) "what, if anything, are you wearing under your dress?", then proceeds to ask me if I'm wearing underwear. I am shaking with disgust as I type this at how uncomfortable and inappropriate these comments were. I cannot believe that someone who is supposed to be professional would sexually harass me, let alone on my wedding day. 6. At the end of the night, I confronted her making us leave early and requested she go get the contract. She wouldn't. She told me that there were things going on at the wedding she won't aware of; she clarified and said she didn't know cocktail hour would be in the front room. She offered that we could have until 9am the next morning (still breeching contract), but after everything she had done during my wedding, and sexual harassment, we finished cleaning and left that evening. I am warning other brides of Christelle's lack of professionalism, breeches of contract, and sexual harassment. The guests, wedding party, and wedding staff were also shocked by her behavior, and will avoid this venue in the future.
The Garden Club of Kentucky, Inc.'s reply:
I am truly sorry that what you described occurred. I will personally speak with Christelle about this. It is our policy to have personnel on sight during all events, to assure any emergency situation can be taken care of. They are not to float with the people attending the event. The Garden Club of KY is very proud of their venue and want it to be enjoyed by all that use it. I am sorry you did not
send a letter of your grievances directly to us. Judy Ferrell
User6210983 Sent on 08/05/2013The venue itself was beautiful. We got married in the garden. We had a great time. My problem is with the hostess and the availability of staff during the planning process. Was told I could come by anytime to get ideas on how to set up the reception,however they were only there one time. The hostess was a horrible nasty mean lady. She hovered over everyone at our wedding. She complained about stuff being moved when I was told I could move anything as long as I put it back. She said her complaints on the night of the rehearsal,said not to worry about it, left a note on the door the day of the wedding, and called and complained during my honeymoon. I would tell people to use this as their venue only if they have everything outside. But even then I would be leary of the evil lady!!!
