Benham's Grove Reviews

Bobbie....thank you for nice review. The staff of Benham's Grove works hard to make sure every event is the best it can be. It is so nice to know that you and your guests had a good experience!

Sally
Administrator, Benham's Grove

Thank you for your review of your recent wedding and reception at Benham's Grove. The staff here works hard to serve clients and their guests so that they have the best experience possible. While almost all of the evaluations we receive from customers are favorable, I take it quite seriously when one points out any issue or problem that may have occurred.
After reviewing your statements and speaking with the event host on duty that evening there seems to be conflicting recollections regarding what was said. In essence, it is the event host's responsibility to remind clients and their designated contacts or vendors to remove everything that they have brought for the event. I don't believe any of the BG event hosts would jeopardize their job or reputation or chance facing criminal charges by retaining clients' gifts or decorations. However, it is not unusual for an event host to clarify if decorations belong to the cilent or may have been borrowed from Benham's Grove. (We are happy to lend out vases, silk flowers, a linen, etc. if needed.) In addition, it is the host's duty to keep all events "on schedule." They are aware of the client's contracted hours and can determine by the amount of decorations, etc. just how long it may take for the party to clean up and vacate the premises. It is suprising that your event host would have bridesmaids leave halfway through a reception, and moreso, risk that they wouldn't be missed! We understand that many times people just don't want the party to end and the host is viewed as the "bad guy" when they attempt to "get things moving along."
While I am not dismissing the seriousness of your charges, I have found that, in my experience, issues such as these are a result of a misunderstanding. Sometimes what is said is not what is heard. However, I apologize for any distress you or your guests may have experienced during your event. Please know that I will continue to monitor the performance of all the event hosts so that we maintain the high quality of service that has always been associated with Benham's Grove. Sincerely, Sally Blommel
Administrator

After reading this review from 2009, I pulled the client's file. The Benham's Grove event host on duty reported that there was some confusion regarding the client's linens but "it worked itself out." Other than that, the event host reported there were no problems that she could recall. The client's evaluation, on the other hand, mentioned that the event planner "came to the bride when issues arose which was not a good idea on the biggest day of her life." I attempted to reach the client for further details surroundding the alleged issues but was unsuccessful. As administrator of Benham's Grove, if I receive an unfavorable evaluation, I make it a priority to resolve the problem(s) and if necessary, speak with the client and/or the staff member to understand the occurance and keep it from happening again.
I appreciate the opportunity to respond to this review.
Sally Blommel
Administrator
Benham's Grove

After reading this review, I recall the rather unusual circumstances of this event. However, I had no indication from this client of her distress and am completely dumbfounded as to her claims regarding the event host. Benham's Grove is committed to providing the best service possible to clients and guests. The event host mentioned in this review has been with Benham's Grove for over 10 years and receives the highest marks for being knowledgeable, helpful, professional and courteous. I have yet to receive anything but positive responses regarding his service to our clients. The "HUGE" issue regarding the area designated for tents was reviewed with this client prior to her booking her wedding and reception. Since Benham's Grove openend in 1992, we have been conducting outdoor weddings and receptions, and it has been standard that we remind potential clients that as an indoors/outdoors venue we are at the mercy of the weather. In this case, we did everything we could to ensure that the reception area was kept as dry as possible. We allowed the tent to be put up days in advance and purchased bales of straw for the ground. The client refused to allow us to put down any straw or sand. Instead, they arrived early and were laying mulch under the tent when the event host arrived. The mulch did little to help due to the heavy rains that day. (Benham's Grove staff had to remove much of the mulch for the next day's event as it smelled.) We went out of our way to assist this client and even permitted them to extend their reception for a few extra hours at no additional expense. A brick plaza was completed as planned in March of 2011. It is the site where clients renting the Complex may place vendor tents.
I appreciate the opportunity to respond to this review.
Sally Blommel
Administrator
Benham's Grove