Advice on Venue?

[Gypsy]

Okay... so when I lived in DC there was an adorable Inn in Dupont with fabulous food (amazing zagat ratings... just flat out fab food) called The Tabard Inn. It''s a funky unique place and when we decided with certaintly that we wanted a wedding for our 56 guests in DC popped immediately to mind. At first everything was working out... capacity was perfect, food is fabulous, location is great and the place is ADORABLE. We worked out the wedding budget for a 3 course meal luncheon with real food (filet mignon, halibut, and a pasta veggie option) passed hordourves and cake that was just perfect. Litterally perfect.

But well.. the catering manager is unpleasant. And I was on Tripadvisor and apparently there is a new manager/owner of the place and since then the policies for banquets and everything have been-- welll-- inflexible. This woman (catering manager) could not care less if she gets our business or not, and has not ONCE been even moderately pleasant. Very proffesional. But it''s like talking to a stressed out impatient accountant.

Am I crazy to have doubts just because this person is well... not at all what I want in a catering manager or is this a real issue to consider?

Everything else is perfect. Don''t know what to do.

 

[Gypsy]

Do I smell?

 

[larussel03]

Are the things that they are inflexible about things that you want to change? Or are they just pretty rigid in general? I think if everything is the way that you want it, I''d stay with the venue, even with the not-so-nice caterer lady...what else is she in charge of (if anything other than food?)

 

[KimberlyH]

Gypsy,

Only you can determine your tolerance level with this woman. My catering manager has been my sole contact at the wedding/reception venue and she has been so-so. She''s very nice but doesn''t always respond to me, which is a bit frustrating because I have only contacted her 4 times, MAYBE 5, in the last 8 months to ask questions, etc. Because of our infrequent contact I get over it quickly once I track her down, but if you think it''s going to get to you and you want flexibility I would say go elsewhere.

Good luck!

 

[Gypsy]

I think she''s in charge of events period.

I don''t know-- it''s just that... when we were planning the other weddings (two cancelled) I really picked the places with the best service. And this place used to have good service. It''s not like I''m going to be talking to them all the time, but well...

If I place a deposit I want the deposit fee to hold the prices constant for me. I don''t want to be surprised in a year by a 10 dollar a person price hike. And I don''t know if they''ll do that. They have things written in stone and it''s not like the policies are bad... it''s just the attitude of inflexibility that bugs me. It might be something I can live with... if the deposit holds more than just the date... but if it doesn''t... they aren''t gong to give me an estimate now. A week before is when they do that.... that also makes me uncomfortable because I am afraid of hidden fees. As a lawyer I like everything spelled out-- literally-- and I don''t think they are going to be okay with doing that to make me comfortable. Which worries me. I don''t trust people. I trust documents that are legally enforceable. Especiallly with my wedding. Don''t know if that makes sense.

 

[larussel03]

Honestly, I think that if you feel uncomfotable now with her, and she makes no effort to make you feel better about using her as your person-in-charge of your recpetion, then maybe you should move on. I had to do that b/c I found a place that I did like alot, but the women who worked there made me uncomfortable and they just did not "get" me at all. I''m glad I held out, the woman I have now as our event-coordinator woman is so warm and friendly and I get a better vibe from her, which made the difference. This place is smaller than what I originally pictured having, but her assurance that it would be "perfect" for the number o fpeople we had and great attitude made me book with her.

 

[isaku5]

You crack me up!!!!

Do you smell???? Definitely NOT!!!!The policies of your venue stink.

Not knowing the cost until a week before the wedding is unthinkable. Surely, they could put a clause in the contract guaranteeing the max. amount of increase within a year.

Inflexible catering co-ordinator is also a red flag. Did you by any chance catch her on a bad day? Have you talked more than once or twice to her??

Don''t give up yet. Your pictures show a lovely location and the perfect compromise between a destination wedding with two receptions and ONE lovely location with great food.

Don''t let the co-ordinator tell you what you want; you''re the client with the money and SHE should be listening to YOU.

Just my two cents....

 

[FireGoddess]

I seem to recall a previous PSer having booked a place, the place changed management, and wouldn''t honor her reservation just a few months before the wedding. Talk about horrible.

I think that sometimes, management changes are enough to make a place no longer ideal, when the new people are difficult or have bad attitudes, or are rigidly inflexible with planning. It IS a red flag. There''s a reason you feel this way!!

If there is no other option, I might consider staying, but this doesn''t bode well if the person is bad to work with. Is she always like this? This may be more of a headache than you need or want to deal with.

 

[Gypsy]

I am going to look around a bit. See what else there is. The more I think about it the more I am concerned. She didn't email me back today either... and I emailed her last night. Small thing I wouldn't normally even note, but on top of everything else. Hmm. I'll look around.

THANKS EVERYONE! My gut. Gotta trust it.