AFTERNOON TEA REVIEW - BRIDAL SHOWER - DISAPPOINTED with lack of communication and service. I debated writing because I am not one to be confrontational, I had to smile through the event so my daughter (Bride to be) and guests would not be affected.
I encourage anyone to think twice about having an event here. Hosting my daughter's bridal shower at the Old Mill you would expect an incredible experience and great memories, this was NOT the case. In a nutshell let me walk you through just a few lowlights of my experience:
- Originally booked back in February for a June bridal shower, was told the following: Print Room, cost $31.95 pp, optional $350.00 extra for fully private, which includes 1 hour prior for set up. However, I could wave this fee as I was close to capacity. I was informed that I could decide on the $350.00 fee closer to event.
- On June 3rd I called and spoke to, Zaphearia, asked for a quick run down of everything, and to my shock they increased the price from $31.95 to $39.95 effective in March (keep in mind I booked back in February, and no one called to tell me this) I told her I booked this event for $31.95 per person, at this point she said that no old prices will be honoured but I can talk to her manager, Valentyna. I explained that with such a large group why wasn't I contacted earlier when they changed the price, this way giving me a chance to find another venue to fit my budget, and she did not have an answer for that.
- From June 3 up to June 19th I had left numerous voice messages and three separate emails for Valentyna (manager) with no replies, even calling back the general line at Old Mill because I was not hearing from Valentyna. Finally I heard from Valentyna, and her solution was to meet me half way and charge $35.00 pp, which was very disappointed, as this was not what I booked it for, and leaving me no time to find another venue that fit my orginal budget. I expressed my disappointment with her not honouring the original cost, she said "leave it with her and she will get back to me" the following day (which she did not) She called the night before the event on June 22 and said best she could do was charge the new rate $39.95 pp and "wave" the $350.00 fee (due to the major lack of communication this $350.00 fee was not even finalized prior). Being THE NIGHT BEFORE my daughter's Bridal Shower, I felt cornered and overwhelmed by their lack of professionalism & lack of time, so I said OK, at that point Valentyna informed me that I will only get 30 minutes instead of 1 hour to decorate. DAY OF SHOWER:
- Arrived at 30 minutes prior to the event to set up, only to find a party still in room, they finally left 3:15 pm, this left exactly 15 minutes to set up, which obivioulsy we did not finish, guests were starting to arrive, while they waitresses were still setting up, also my daughter (bride to be) who wanted to put place settings for her bridal party's table was told to wait.- Only two waitresses for 40 guests (apparently they were also serving the main dining room) In which I felt actually bad for them, this was the Old Mills fault not theirs.
- A third server briefly appeared to bring in a couple of tiers, asked him a question, very rude and he did not know what I was talking about.
- Hot tea spilled on one of our guest's feet (large quantity of hot tea)
-Some guests asked for refills for their tea, never got it
- Dietary needs like dairy free and vegan where not giving to the correct people, I had to keep double checking and pointing out who they should go to.
- Dairy free for two of my guests were not dairy free, one guest actually reacted to something she ate because it was NOT dairy free (after I repeatedly asked more than once if it was dairy free & told yes)
- No milk or creamers on table, guests had to ask for it and they had to wait a long time for them, this included water
Needless to say, this experience which should have been memorable, was highly dampened with disappointments. Expected more from such a high end venue.
Take heed of their lack of professionalism and lack of service.
Karen read more