disgruntled mother of groom

<p>It has taken  me two weeks to write this review. If I had done this any sooner, it would have been based purely on emotion!!!</p> <p>As anyone out there knows, there is never a chance for a "do over" for a wedding day that has gone so wrong.</p> <p>My son and his wife worked tirelessly for 9 months to raise the funds and plan what they believed was going to be their dream wedding. A wedding that depicted their love of nature and the outdoors. It was not just to be a traditional one day celebration at a local venue. They wanted to share a weekend of fun, relaxation and celebration with their closest family and friends under the african skies, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. They paid for the entire wedding upfront, including accomodation and food for all their guests. This young couple were not given a hand out to make this happen, they proudly did this on their own. I think it is important to set this background for any other couples wanting to choose this venue.</p> <p> </p> <p>Apart from everything else that has been mentioned in other reviews, of which I concur on all... there are other issues that were  not mentioned. </p> <p>The Bride did so much work preparing for this day..... Things that were prepared and planned by her that were not executed by the staff:-</p> <p>1.  Her table seating arrangements were issued to the staff but never materialised. This I trust was due to the lack of the 10 seater tables which were promised. A lot of time and effort is put into plannng which guests to seat together.</p> <p>2. Her Menu was not ever put on the table. Why not? No staff, no co-ordination, no execution of what was promised.</p> <p>3. No red carpet for the wedding walkway to the ceremony... which was promised. We never found a red carpet, or we the family would have rolled it out ourselves !!!!</p> <p>2. As mentioned in previous reviews the lighting was so bad. I have an elderly father and cousin that battle to walk and see at night.... I spent most of the evening escorting them to the bathrooms, also very poorly lit, with the aid of the torch on my cell phone. My nerves were shattered in case one of them had a fall. Of course, we had to sign an Indemnity Form on arrival!!!  </p> <p>3. The Bride had arranged Jam Jars with candles for extra ambience for her reception. We still dont know where those Jam Jars are????</p> <p>4. I organised he photographer and videographer for the wedding. They were promised separate luxury tents for their accomodation. When we arrived, my son pointed out the one and only tent that was erected, which was in the middle of the parking area between all the cars and construction rubble. I told the manager that my photographers would take one look at this and turn back and their would have been no photos or videos of the wedding . I was told that they would give them the staff quarters.  When my photographer arrived and saw their accomodation, they advised that they would not be staying the night.  They drove back to Johannesburg at 10h00 after a long day in the sun without anywhere to freshen up or rest. I was so embarrassed and concerned for their safety driving home. The dirt road from the venue to the main road is long and dark. We live in South Africa. Not safe to be doing this.</p> <p> </p> <p>My daughter in law was in tears from the Friday until the Sunday when we all left.... this should have been her happiest memory.... it was not.</p> <p>My son and his Father were completely frustrated and angry throughout the entire week end.  I too found myself being extremely rude to the one and only person trying to  hold this together.</p> <p>5. I even offered to help cook the breakfast on Saturday and Sunday morning.... my offer was not accepted.</p> <p> </p> <p>As I said at the start of this review, they dont get to have a "do-over". Their one single day which they paid for and planned for was nothing short of a nightmare. Thank goodness for loving family an friends  who got stuck in on the Saturday morning to make some semblance of a wedding happen. They should have all been relaxing at the pool or taking part in fun activities which were not even available.</p> <p>To all couples considering this venue.... please be very cautious... you only get one shot at this.</p> <p> </p> <p>I am so very very sad for my son and his new bride......</p> <p> </p> <p> </p>