10:18am on Thursday, May 20th, 2010
 

I got married at Monkey Island in May 2009 and had spent over a year planning with the venue’s Wedding Co-ordinator - and it was the first big wedding for the venue with 120 in the day and an additional 180 in the evening.
We booked to stay there the night before and the day of our wedding. We had arranged on the night before for a barbeque for our guests who were staying at the hotel and/or family/friends staying nearby to join us. I was informed that the venue had taken a booking for an Art Exhibition too – which we had no problem with. On the evening itself – the Food and Beverage Manager and some of the staff had a terrible attitude, and even though my guests paid for the food also, were not treated very well. I put this to aside hoping that the wedding day would be better and it was a one-off.

What was generally a great day has been tainted by finding out the next day that some of our guest, including myself had items stolen. There had been items taken out of locked rooms – and my camera was included in this. It was a real shame for me, as I had taken some pictures that morning of getting ready with my family.

There were a couple of members of staff who were rude, for example one member of staff refusing me to have breakfast – even though it had been agreed prior that due to my hair and make up I could have breakfast early. There was one member of staff who was on hand to a**t me and allowed me to have some breakfast.

Although we had not booked the venue exclusively, We found out on the day while on my way to get married that there was another party. We had no objection to this, but I think it would have been courteous for the venue to have told me that there was another party on. I had arranged a monkey hunt for the children at my wedding – with toy monkeys as prizes. Some of the monkeys went missing – and I can only assume that the children from the other party (through no fault of their own) had taken them. If I had been made aware of the other party I would have asked the monkeys to be put in a specific area, and asked the staff to make it clear that that toys were for my guests.

I had emailed and followed up in writing when I got no response a letter to Management at Monkey Island. They saw that they did not have a security problem, and even implied that my sister had taken my camera – as a staff member saw her go into the room. No member of the wedding party went to the room – as there was no reason to – we were all too busy with our guests!
The staff member who was rude to me on the morning of my wedding, I was told had been fired. I do not believe that she was fired solely due to her conduct with me.
Management also did not see that they should have told me about any other parties, and it was acceptable. While I do see this point, I would say it is part of the customer service to let the wedding couple know what is happening at the venue.
I have followed up with another letter to the Management, but this has been ignored.

While Monkey Island is a beautiful venue and great location, I do have mixed feelings as to whether I would recommend it. It was disappointing to have items stolen and seeing the attitude of some members of staff and Management. The venue may be able to cope with small weddings, but I doubt very much I would say it was an ideal venue for a bigger wedding. I do not think there is a great communciation between staff and management.