My brother and his new wife were married here on November 9th. The reception immediately followed the ceremony...both in the large ballroom. Our families couldn't have asked for better weather and the day began awesome. The groomsmen were gathered upstairs in one of the suites. One of our guys is a huge Penn State fan...Carl and Steve (the owners) brought in a hooked up a tv for him, which was really nice. The entire day went smooth and the support staff was phenomenal. Really, I cannot give enough credit to the support staff.
However, things turned interesting during the reception. A drink was spilled on the dance floor. In my wedding experiences, this is not uncommon. The staff was quick to clean it up and it seemed as though business was going to continue as usual. Nope. While walking to the restroom, I overhead Steve telling one of his support staff members that if any more alcohol was spotted on the dance floor then there would be a fine issued to the bride and groom. Here's the rub: No one was going to tell the crowd about this "new rule". Having eavesdropped the conversation, which admittedly startled Steve, I asked him that if they wanted to enforce that rule, the polite thing to do would be to issue an announcement, informing everyone currently dancing with beers in hand, of this rule. I did not find it in good faith to conspire fines, without warning the 150 people of the new rules...which by the way were not at all in the contract. The old, Make it up as We Go Rule. I am quite positive no one would have deliberately tried to buck this and get the bride and groom fined.
Steve immediately became defensive and refused to speak with me on the matter. He threw his hands up, accused me of being aggressive and stormed off in a manner similar to a child being denied a toy. I just wanted to make sure no one was fined for something they had no idea they weren't supposed to be doing.
FYI...no announcement was ever made. Go figure.
I went to inform the bride and groom myself (not my place, but Steve was off sulking) then went to get a beer, and hopefully sit down and catch up with my grandmother and cousins. Nope. I was informed at the bar that Steve had cut me off. Ok fair enough. But why? I was told I was being aggressive and belligerent. Mind you, I had just delivered my best mans speech not 30 minutes prior and had been dancing with my wife just seconds before this all started.
Singled out just because I intervened earlier? Which I stand by that decision.
I asked to speak with Steve, just to clarify his reasoning for this action. He refused. This is the owner by the way. Eventually my father came over and asked to speak with the owners. Steve sauntered back out from the back, arms crossed, scowl permanent. Again he got his feelings hurt and scampered to the back refusing to answer questions.
As it stood, I was told I needed to leave or else they would shut the whole thing down and....yep, issue fines.
I did as I was asked. It bothered me because it was my brothers wedding. Nothing I can do about it now.
My only regret from this evening was that Steve made everything about him and his fragile as a snowflake feelings, never once recognizing and appreciating that two people chose his establishment to share their love and marriage with those closest to them.
Hopefully he will learn from this and toughen up some. He has a really great venue with a fantastic support team. I would love to recommend the Culbertson West to others and based on the support staff, I probably will. I would also recommend that when they draw up the contract they put a clause in it that requests Steve take the night off as he can quickly become The Death of Fun.
5 stars for the support staff. 2 for the owners, solely because they DID find a TV for Dan.
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