Liar liar pants on fire!!
<p>It's so sad that such a beautiful venue can be turned into a nightmare.</p>
<p>I had booked the venue on the 31st Of January for a baby shower to be held on the 26th March. I paid more than 50% of the deposit on the 16th Feb and secured the booking, location within the venue, food and decor with a lady by the name of Jeanine. I had been for a viewing and done the necessary checks and discussions for my event. On the 7th of March Jeanine had requested the balance of payment which I had gladly done. Unfortunately at this time the menu and flowers were not finalised so I had requested them to be confirmed. After not receiving a response I decided to call the venue to check on my event as I was having my menus printed and needed the details. I was redirected to Anesu who had advised that Jeanine was on leave (this was a lie as it was confirmed after the huge ordeal at my event that Jeanine resigned). Anesu had reassured me that she was on top of my event and asked me to send through the emails to Jeanine so she could do final confirmations which I had done along with reconfirming catering and flowers etc...</p>
<p>I needed to get to the venue early on the 26th March to set up additional decor and a photo booth for the event so I had arrived before 10 am as the event only started at 11 when the drama unfolded:<br />1. The agreement was that I had booked the garden area around the koi pond, when I arrived my location was changed to a dodgy room upstairs as the venue was double booked. Although I was allowed the garden for a little while, we were rushed along so they could set up for the next event.<br />2. Nothing was set up and Anesu was no where to be found, it was as if they were not aware of my event at all or they arranged for another time. Although Thenjiwe tried to make up for it, it was just not good enough considering the money I paid. They eventually set up for my event after the guests arrived but the table cloths were dirty as if they used it the night before and threw it on the table for me. The plates and under plates were also dirty. The floors were dusty and had to be clean. All of this with less than an hour before my guests arrived.<br />3. I had ordered welcome drinks which were not there upon the welcoming of my guests and actually neither was I since I needed to help the staff set up.<br />4. I asked the team where were the balloons, flowers and food just as the guests started arriving just passed 11 only to be told that is was being delivered however, no confirmation on the time. Yes the balloons and flowers arrived as the guests were getting into the venue but the food came more than 2 hours into the event, after 1pm and I was only booked in the venue till 2pm and the flowers were not the lillies that I ordered.<br />5. The food arrived and was not as per what was agreed on the menu. There were menu items missing and considering a cost of R330 for the halaal food per person, I did not expect to receive 1 platter if the total spend on 5 people was R1650. Further to that there were no juices or drinks provided as discussed. I paid for sixty but probably only used around 20.<br />6. The chef was busy finishing the cake and cupcakes in the venue in front of the guests making it look even more disorganized and we received the cake before the food.<br />7. The waiter that took our drink orders was incompetent to say the least, for 20 drinks it took at least and hour to get them right and he broke a glass on the table and spilled drinks everywhere which he did not have the decency to clean up.<br />8. With all the running around to follow up on missing items and late food and drinks, I hardly spent time with guests. It was honestly the worst event I have had the displeasure of throwing. I chose to do it at a venue like this so I would enjoy the day and not have to stress about details. For the amount of money I paid through the contribution of other friends was not worth it. I have disappointed them and myself choosing this venue.</p>
<p>I have called the venue and tried to get a recon of what was spent vs payment so I can get some of the money back but it's been almost a week with no interest in resolving so I decided to put this post up and ensure that no one has to endure this kind of treatment.</p>
<p>Some memories can never be replaced so before u book at this place, consider literally anywhere else!!!</p>