As much as I love the space the the pricing of this venue, I cannot in good conscience suggest this venue to anyone.
TL;DR - Great price, but do not book unless you want to chance it with the incompetent management.
Carol is in way over her head. I saw older reviews of her being difficult to work with and gave her the benefit of the doubt. I wish I hadn't.
I first contacted the Arsenal in January and set up a tour. I was told to call upon my arrival so that she could come and unlock the venue and show is around. I did so, multiple times, but Carol did not answer. My fiance and I walked the grounds for 20 minutes or so when Carol finally texted me to let me know that she was in Oakland and stuck in traffic and would not be back in time for our tour. I decided to reschedule, but was annoyed that she did not let me know soon that she was going to be late. When she got back into town, she offered to run the venue if we weren't too far and we agreed. The venue was lovely and the price was great.
I signed my contract February 2nd and paid the initial deposit and started planning the rest of my wedding around this, including buying the invitations and booking other vendors.
A full TWO MONTHS later, and less than six months before our wedding, Carol emailed me saying, "Unfortunately due to an oversight beyond our control that date was previously reserved." Meaning, she had double booked our date and that we no longer had a reception venue. She blamed it on getting a new computer system and phone and that the technician didn't properly transfer the dates, but how this wasn't discovered until two months after we signed a contract and paid a deposit is beyond me, but is CERTAINLY not beyond their control, since the bare minimum of their business model is to book their venue for requested dates and make sure requested dates are available before booking.
I am devastated and currently scrambling to find another venue less than 6 months from my wedding in a year where all postponed weddings are finally being held. Carol turned my wedding planning bliss into a stressful nightmare and I may have to postpone my own wedding by at least three weeks if I cannot find a venue available on the same date. read more