Nadine Annan
Google
I recently hosted my friend’s bridal shower here. For context, groups of 17 or more are required to buy out the entire venue and pay a flat fee, regardless of how many guests actually attend on the day of the event. That said, I want to start by saying the space itself was absolutely beautiful and perfectly brought my vision to life.
On the day of, I arrived earlier than expected due to the long drive and the need to store perishables. I got there at 2:30 PM and politely asked if I could quickly place a few items inside while setup was still underway. Unfortunately, I was met with immediate hostility from the head server. I understand that early arrivals may not be ideal, but we are blessed with the ability to kindly say “no”. I would have completely understood. Instead, the interaction felt unnecessarily rude and unwelcoming. This was my first time speaking with her, and naturally I had a few questions. Her responses were short and dismissive, though she eventually allowed me to place the items inside after I explained that we had traveled from out of town.
When I returned at 3 PM to begin decorating, I hoped I would not have to interact with her again. Unfortunately, it quickly became clear that she was the head server and would be present throughout the event. While I tried to keep my distance, she certainly made her presence known. Several guests mentioned that they felt she was being condescending and unnecessarily strict. From the start of the event to the end, she made us feel rushed. I completely understand the importance of sticking to the schedule, and I made sure our group was aware of the timing. We only went two minutes over, yet still felt pressured throughout the entire experience. This was especially disappointing given that our entire party had traveled over two hours and we had reserved the entire venue. A little understanding and kindness would have gone a long way which she did not possess.
I understand that working in customer service can be demanding and isn’t for everyone but in a setting where people are celebrating meaningful life events, it is important to be professional. Everyone has bad days and perhaps this was just an unfortunate day for everyone involved. Still, it was disheartening given the amount of time, effort, and money that went into making the event special.
That said, I want to sincerely thank the rest of the staff. The other servers were kind, helpful, and even took photos for us. Their warmth and professionalism really stood out and helped make the event enjoyable for the bride and our guests. I hope this feedback is helpful in improving future customer experiences.