The entire process, working with this owner, was the most inconvenient and stressful part of my…read moreparty planning (and my birthday outfit was a disaster when I went to pick it up, so that should tell you how serious I am).
The event space was recommended to my cousin via an event planner that knew/worked with the owner during the initial phase of scouting venues. Upon reaching out to her to schedule the tour of the venue, the message we got back from her via the event planner was something the along the lines of "please be on time because she has things to do" now I'm not saying this was the exact words BUT it was along those lines.
Now, we went to see the space the next day. Not only did she now show up or communicate that she wasn't showing up, she sends someone who if not mistaken, is her dad and he was late :). He was very nice I must say. Probably the only pleasant encounter I had the entire process (and the reason I actually booked). Being that he couldn't answer any in depth business questions, we followed up with the owner with questions. It was pretty cut and dry, but in my mind I'm thinking this is a Black woman business owner and I rather give my people my money. She asked what time would we need the space because events after midnight requires security. I told her I'm looking to have my event 8-midnight or 8-1am, would that mean that I have to get security for 1 hour? She tells me, oh you would need it from 8pm-1am for an additional $130. Yea ok miss ma'am because that's NOT what you just said lol. Keep in mind, this event space is NOT cheap. It's $2500 PLUS a $300 refundable deposit if the venue is turned over clean and on time.
I had my cousin speak to her from day 1 because I knew deep down in my soul I was going to curse her out for being rude, condescending and unaccommodating. Fast forward from October to January. The venue was booked from 6pm-2am as she only allows an 8 hr slot. That gives me 2 hrs to decorate the space. I asked my cousin to ask if there's anyway we can get in the space any earlier she says $150. My cousin went back to her to plead, asked if she had another event before mine and she said she didn't. She is just HARD for no reason. She eventually compromised to allow 30 minutes earlier.
The ONLY accommodations she provided me, was allowing me to pay the balance on the day of event.
It is now Jan 28, my team is at event space ready to set up at 5:15pm (remember she said we can have the space at 5:30pm instead of 6pm). At 5:45pm I arrived and everyone is still outside. My cousin calls her and her response is "technically, y'all paid for 6pm so someone is on the way to open the venue" Can you believe that? Lol.
Someone finally shows up to open the venue and we walk into an unclean venue. There was a bucket of dirty water and a mop that smells like death in the doorway. There was flowers that was probably from a repass service or something, amongst other things. So not only did she not stick to her word to get us in 30 minutes earlier which I needed to decorate for my OWN event, but she opens the venue at 6 and we have to clean up before we start decorating.
We had to call to get help with turning on the air and to adjust the lighting. Like noone was present to help or instruct us on anything. Fast forward to after the event. I had the space until 2am. We started wrapping up around 12:30 because my dj was booked until 1am and he had another booking after my event. At around 1:15am, a random maid was walking around my party asking for "Lorraine". At this time I had 6 out of 8 tables, completely cleared with chairs up, the last 2 tables being worked on, lights are on, dj is 90% packed up, 85% of my guests are GONE. As I am speaking to a few guests this maid interrupts the conversation and says "I'm looking for Lorraine?" So I said "do you mean LORI-ANN? Because I'm her." And she's like "oh yea, I just wanted you to know that the owner is on the way and you guys can begin cleaning up" LOL. So I pointed to the event space and asked her, "what does it look like is happening here?" before turning my back to continue the conversation. This is my BIRTHDAY. I am sending my guests off and you interrupt me, call me the WRONG name and speaking to be in a condescending tone? Furthermore, I have the space until 2am! If I decide to start cleaning at 1:59am that's ON ME. She has my deposit (and thank GOD I only gave her $100 vs $300 on the deposit).