Tahoe Lakefront Weddings

As much as we appreciate all our customers who seek our services we had already secured our outside vendors for over months and they will not offer a refund since they have turned down other offersWe have offered this client several alternatives to try to work with them, which they have refusedThe written confirmation given to them at the time of booking and later emailed clearly states in writing non-refundable depositThis client is welcome to seek legal action in a court of law if that is what they desire

Complainant is correct they did book an event date with us in April 2014 for a popular time in May of 2015. At the time of booking they were told the deposit given was non-refundable. They left with a printed copy of the...

package purchased and were send via email a copy of the contract. The language clearly stated non-refundable deposit. We try to work with couples when booking our venue. Whenever possible we try to work with couples when they are unable to come up with the entire deposit at the time of booking. Whatever amount given at the time of booking counts as a deposit, and their chosen date and time is taken off the market - preventing other wedding couples from booking it. When we were contacted 3 months later in an attempt to work with the couple we offered to re-schedule a date that worked better for them, or if/when we were able to re-book their date and time refund them their deposit. The groom was pleasant and appeared to want to work with us The bride was very difficult, refusing to work with us and of course threaten to make us look bad on the internet. I am sure this is not the only site she will be using to make us look bad to other couples. As much as we appreciate any couple who seek our venue for their wedding in order to stay in business we cannot take our venue "off the market" - preventing other couples from booking it and refund all monies received as a deposit upon demand. Had this couple shared an legitimate excuse for cancelling that would have been a factor in our final decision.

I am rejecting this response because: this information is inaccurate. We were not informed that this was a deposit, but a payment towards a package. In the email and contract it states that a deposit must be received in full for confirmation. Once the deposit is received it is non refundable. The deposit is 50% or higher. As I stated previously we didn't initially want a deposit, only to check availability of other dates. When my fiance called he didn't have the contract in front of him so he said he would call later after reviewing it. I called her back, because I am typically the one who handles these types of things. This is when she informed me that rescheduling or refund was non-negotiable unless the date and time was booked by someone else. This is where the issues of contract terms and our previous conversation came into play. We didn't have a confirmed day or even a time set, it was all tentative. The business owner didn't want to discuss the contract and went as far as hanging up on me.  This was very unprofessional and unwarranted, because I wasn't trying to upset her. She had our money and  we did want to have our wedding there. In efforts to resolve the situation I called her back to see if there was someone else I could speak to, because I didn't know she was in fact the owner. She informed me that she was the owner and to sue her. While searching the internet  to find out if she was  the owner I came across several reviews on YELP. We were shocked and appalled to see her behavior wasn't limited or confined to just us. In a business owner and a customers standpoint , We were not treated as valued customers and treated with dignity nor respect. We would just like 100% of our payment refunded and to part ways. Please see attached document detailing deposit and confirming dates.

Sorry, I don't know what to say. I see non-refundable deposit written very clearly on their written confirmation. What part of non-refundable deposit does this client not understand? At the time or booking or "very" shortly afterwards was the time to raise a question or concern - not three months later. I am at loss what to do for this client since she has taken her displeasure with us for doing what all other wedding related businesses do, all across the internet, which although is her right, not a pleasant experience for us. At this point in time, all I can say is the non-refundable deposit stands and our generous offer to help find a mutual common ground for them no longer applies. We wish this couple the very best in their upcoming wedding nuptials.

As much as we appreciate all our customers who seek our services we had already secured our outside vendors for over 3 months and they will not offer a refund since they have turned down other offers. We have offered this client several alternatives to try to work with them, which they have refused. The written confirmation given to them at the time of booking and later emailed clearly states in writing non-refundable deposit. This client is welcome to seek legal action in a court of law if that is what they desire.

I am rejecting this response because: In response to the "non-refundable deposit" the business keeps referring to was never discussed when we gave her a payment. She told us we were making a payment. The contract was mailed weeks after money was exchanged. We never signed the contract because there was no negotiating period outlined. There was no meeting of the minds or a time frame in which it had to be returned. We weren't in contract, booked or confirmed until 50% of total was received. The business owner told us there was no rush in making payments due to she had nobody booked for 2015. The contract is invalid and also breached by the nonprofessional practices of the business. She doesn't get to keep monies for services not rendered. Giving a tour and emailing a receipt after the fact and deeming our payment non-refundable isn't a $10000 fee. I will have to pursue legal action at this point. This business is not willing to refund my payment nor be reasonable/practical.

Review: On April 26,1014 my fiance and I toured the facility with [redacted], and selected a package for our wedding. We gave a payment towards package of $1000. We were given a handwritten receipt and informed in order to hold the date of May 10,2015 we would need to have 50% of total balance to be considered a deposit. On May 2,2014 I received an email of package details and informed that the $1000 was a non-refundable deposit. The total package was $5795 in which $1897.50 was still remaining to secure venue and vendors. On 7/4 my fiance contacted [redacted] to inform her of changes in circumstance, and the possibilities of rescheduling and/or receive a refund.[redacted] responded in an unreasonable manner,and stated that 5/10/15 was in fact our date and in order to do anything she would have to book that date and time to someone else. He then told her we would contact her later as he was didn't have the email for reference. We looked over the email more clearly and it noted that our date wasn't secure until 50% of balance was paid in order to secure vendors and site. I then called [redacted] back in effort to get clarity on having to wait for someone else to book this date that isn't confirmed or secured. In speaking with her she began yelling and and didn't want to discuss anything. I was unable to reschedule or reach an agreement on any type of compensation due to the fact she hung up after I mentioned the terms of deposit. I called her back to see if there was a corporate office or superior that that I could further discuss this matter, and she informed me she was the owner and if I want to discuss anything further I would have to sue her. I no longer want to reschedule or do business with this venue. I would like a full refund of the $1000 that was paid without notification of it being non-refundable.Desired Settlement: I would like a full refund of $1000 cash payment that was given on 4/26/14. We weren't in a contract due to the terms stating that until the deposit of %50 or higher was received confirmation was not confirmed. The deposit of %50 was used to secure vendors in which none were secured. There were no damages to this company nor its vendors as the process of the full deposit was never received.

Business

Response:

Complainant is correct they did book an event date with us in April 2014 for a popular time in May of 2015. At the time of booking they were told the deposit given was non-refundable. They left with a printed copy of the package purchased and were send via email a copy of the contract. The language clearly stated non-refundable deposit. We try to work with couples when booking our venue. Whenever possible we try to work with couples when they are unable to come up with the entire deposit at the time of booking. Whatever amount given at the time of booking counts as a deposit, and their chosen date and time is taken off the market - preventing other wedding couples from booking it. When we were contacted 3 months later in an attempt to work with the couple we offered to re-schedule a date that worked better for them, or if/when we were able to re-book their date and time refund them their deposit. The groom was pleasant and appeared to want to work with us The bride was very difficult, refusing to work with us and of course threaten to make us look bad on the internet. I am sure this is not the only site she will be using to make us look bad to other couples. As much as we appreciate any couple who seek our venue for their wedding in order to stay in business we cannot take our venue "off the market" - preventing other couples from booking it and refund all monies received as a deposit upon demand. Had this couple shared an legitimate excuse for cancelling that would have been a factor in our final decision.

Consumer

Response:

I am rejecting this response because: this information is inaccurate. We were not informed that this was a deposit, but a payment towards a package. In the email and contract it states that a deposit must be received in full for confirmation. Once the deposit is received it is non refundable. The deposit is 50% or higher. As I stated previously we didn't initially want a deposit, only to check availability of other dates. When my fiance called he didn't have the contract in front of him so he said he would call later after reviewing it. I called her back, because I am typically the one who handles these types of things. This is when she informed me that rescheduling or refund was non-negotiable unless the date and time was booked by someone else. This is where the issues of contract terms and our previous conversation came into play. We didn't have a confirmed day or even a time set, it was all tentative. The business owner didn't want to discuss the contract and went as far as hanging up on me. This was very unprofessional and unwarranted, because I wasn't trying to upset her. She had our money and we did want to have our wedding there. In efforts to resolve the situation I called her back to see if there was someone else I could speak to, because I didn't know she was in fact the owner. She informed me that she was the owner and to sue her. While searching the internet to find out if she was the owner I came across several reviews on YELP. We were shocked and appalled to see her behavior wasn't limited or confined to just us. In a business owner and a customers standpoint , We were not treated as valued customers and treated with dignity nor respect. We would just like 100% of our payment refunded and to part ways. Please see attached document detailing deposit and confirming dates.

Business

Response:

Sorry, I don't know what to say. I see non-refundable deposit written very clearly on their written confirmation. What part of non-refundable deposit does this client not understand? At the time or booking or "very" shortly afterwards was the time to raise a question or concern - not three months later. I am at loss what to do for this client since she has taken her displeasure with us for doing what all other wedding related businesses do, all across the internet, which although is her right, not a pleasant experience for us. At this point in time, all I can say is the non-refundable deposit stands and our generous offer to help find a mutual common ground for them no longer applies. We wish this couple the very best in their upcoming wedding nuptials.

Review: I Hired [redacted] The owner of Tahoe Lakefront Weddings for my wedding Sept. 4th 2015. I paid her in Full in August and everything went some what smooth except for her never keeping me up to date and me always having to make first contact. The wedding day came and once again I was calling her for info. I didn't even know where to tell guests to park since she did not inform me she had a parking lot reserved. When I called I asked if someone was available to push play on my ipod for music or do I need a family member. She said she would do it without a problem. I also paid for a bridal tent to be set up so I could get in my dress at the beach. Which is in her contract. When I arrived there was no tent to be seen. So still not have even met her yet I asked my sister to find her and ask where the tent was located. She told her its to windy and she'll have to get dressed in the parking lot. A public one mind you or public restroom. Then the ceremony is starting. Still haven't met this woman and she comes up to me and says ready.. no Nice to meet you nothing. I give her the ipod like we discussed and it was on the song all she had to do was push play. Music will not work is skipping. She never even did a sound check. so I had no music to walk to then she started playing random songs in the middle of vows and was laughing! After that disappeared, no sorry nothing. After all this I was upset and a week later told her my problems via email and asked for a little bit of a refund for no music and no tent. just a couple $100 when I paid her $3,500 in full for basically nothing but the minister and photographer. She flipped and now is holding all my pictures that I have paid for and in her contract says I own all rights. she will not give them to me or send any refund for anything!!Desired Settlement: I like a refund for the things that were promised in the contract which I still have that listpictures and full rightsbridal tent with mirror and chairsmusic of your choice or mineI asked for $300 back out of $3,500 but since Im not receiving my pictures that were paid for id like more.

Business

Response:

We are very sorry that this client's "life changing event" did not live up to her expectations. Despite this clients claims, we had a staff of five on the premises on the day of the event in attempt to make sure all the little details were taken care of. Please note, the only reason the bridal tent was not setup was because of wind guests of 21- 27 miles per hour, making it impossible to setup properly. We made attempts via the contact telephone number on file to notify the bride prior to her arrival. We were grateful one of the bridesmaid's was able to make contact to inform her of the problem since she never responded to our calls. Regarding the music problem. Again because of the "very" high winds, we were not able to use the microphone nor the music on the mp3 player she brought. Becuase of the problems assoiated with this event we gave this client 10% of her money back, plus the photos she claims we were holding from her.