Please read and heed the warning before supporting Creekside Resort. Kelley Sill ruined the wedding experience for my parents, and for my sister, the bride. The event contract allowed NO option to cancel the event without Kelley keeping thousands of dollars. After the contract was signed, Kelley showed her true colors. It was too late to cancel the event because she had already collected several thousand dollars that would not be refunded. Most venues will take a percentage of the cost, depending on how long before the event you cancel, but Kelley demanded numerous payments up-front without a detailed explanation of the charges. She was not willing to allow other vendors that were not provided through her. When we contacted other vendors, she went to the bakery behind our backs, and told them not to provide service. If you contract your own cake, then she charges an extra plating fee to clean the silverware and linens. She charged an up-front service fee of $4,500 for her "wedding coordinator" fees, but little to no coordination was performed for this event. My mother and I set up the tables during cocktail hour. Kelley removed a white tablecloth from under the sign-in table right in front of the wedding guests at the reception, telling them that she didn't want marker to get on it because it was an antique. Why expose wedding guests to such behavior? The officiant, Kelley's husband, should be ashamed of the way he treated my family. For example, he was asked to say "Holy Spirit", instead of "Holy Ghost", and he told the couple he would say it ONLY if he could remember. He was very rude, unfriendly, and unkempt. He charged $350, plus tax for his service (in my experience this is usually made as a donation to a Church rather than a set fee for personal service), and he also refused to join my family at the rehearsal dinner OR the reception when so graciously invited. The cabin was not worth $310/night. Kelley also charged half of the room payment 60 days prior to the event, AND there was a 2-night minimum, so guests who came Saturday were NOT given the option to stay at Creekside. The food service was an absolute let-down. The pork at the reception was DRY and tough, the green beans were extremely undercooked, and the rolls were also VERY DRY. The rehearsal dinner food was very meager and bland. Breakfast was even more meager than the dinners, and the staff was certain to make sure no one ate enough to get full. The alcohol package was disgraceful. There is no liquor, but Kelley charges as much for beer and wine as full-bar options cost at other venues. There was also no cash bar option at this. There was also no choice to serve alcohol at the rehearsal dinner. This is definitely dependent on the type of wedding that you want, but it did not suit the bride and groom's wishes. Kelley should be ashamed of herself for not returning the $500 security deposit. Here are the reasons she did not, in her own words:
1. Clean up of litter (including large quantities of cigarette butts, beer tabs,
beer cans, bottles, broken glass and other debris) on grounds in multiple
areas (parking lots, landscaping and lawns) $140.00
2. Wine glasses broken at the wedding reception (5 x $6 each) = $30.00
3. Staining of tablecloths by blueberry pies (not wedding cake as was agreed
upon) brought in ($120).
Total deducted = $290.00
Balance returned = $210.00
What kind of catering venue charges for stains on the tablecloths? I'm not sure if anyone else has experienced this, but it was a first for me! Also, individual guests should have been responsible for their areas, NOT my parents!!! My family doesn't even smoke, and it is disgraceful that they should be charged for cleaning up cigarette butts. I also found cigarette butts when we arrived that I graciously threw away. Also, there were no televisions or phones on the property except for a couple of emergency phones outside at random locations. I had friends coming who had left their children at home, and this was a serious concern for them, since there was NO WAY to contact their childcare providers. Communication during the weekend was impossible, even between cabins due to the lack of landline phones and reception. I can understand wanting to get away, but it is possible to have a quiet vacation and still remain connected to loved ones in case of emergency or necessity.
In conclusion, I would not recommend wasting any of your money on this sub-par resort with disappointing, low-class service. I wish that I could warn anyone considering staying at Creekside that their money could be better spent at so many other beautiful, welcoming spots in West Virginia. I was born and raised in this Wild and Wonderful state and know it has more to offer than the Creekside. There are so many other places that provide amazing service at great prices where the owners/operators actually WANT you to come and enjoy your experience. read more
