Calamigos Ranch Wedding - covid Issues

I'm sorry you are having trouble with your venue. I do not have any experience with this venue, but they might be dealing with a lot of brides while they try to postpone their weddings that might be sooner than your wedding. I'm not saying it's right for a venue to be unclear and not communicate, it is just a hard time for everyone right now.

Hi Katie! What kind of information are you looking for? I know this is really difficult for everyone to predict right now - no one is sure what the next month or two will look like, let alone 2021!!

I'd try to use current restrictions as a guideline for planning your January wedding, knowing that things could still change significantly! But the social distancing basics and limited gathering sizes definitely seems like they will be around for a long time.

What does your contract with them say about cancellations? I'd definitely check over your contract in detail to see what the terms are!

Katie,

I'm scheduled to get married there too (was in 2020 pushed to 2021) and we are having the exact same issues with Calamigos. Also, I'm reading in other reviews that other brides are having the same problem. If you want to talk it through, give me a call -- 757-372-7082.

Best

Brittany

View Quoted Comment Hey! I booked my wedding with them too last fall for Sept 25,2021. I’m now worried it still won’t be safe by then and am considering 2022... I TOTALLY agree that they are tight-lipped and don’t really seem easy to work with or accommodating. They weren’t warm and friendly when I booked the venue a year ago either. Can you tell me more about your experience with them and how you post poned your wedding? Did they let you transfer the deposit? Thank you!!

Hey Katie! I’m curious if you can tell me more about how this all went down. My wedding is set for fall 2021 and I’m getting worried that it still won’t be really safe... I’d love to post pone to 2022. Did they eventually let you post pone? Did they let you transfer the deposits? I read my contract with them and it doesn’t mention post poning, just cancellations.

Also having challenges with Calamigos! Feel free to text/call to discuss-- (510) 910-3546

Hi there, i'd be curious to know how this resolved and what you ended up doing as i'm currently assessing options for my 2021 wedding at Calamigos, as well.

Wow! Thanks for posting this. I fell in love with the venue a year ago but when I called recently, I must say the experience was very different. At first they shared they are willing to accommodate COVID-19 brides but later shared that was only for existing clients. In the middle of the pandemic, I was shocked they refused to adjust their minimums or offer micro-wedding options. It was a turn off for me. I think like many businesses they are just trying to stay in business. However, they were almost completely booked on every Saturday for Fall 2021, so they can't be hurting that much :/

Hi everyone! I would love an update if you have recently had your wedding at Calamigos Ranch. I’m scheduled to get married there on March and I am pretty nervous. Just really curious what your experience was getting married here.

Thank you!!!

At this point, we have had a hard time getting a true answer. We are about 2 months from our wedding and they hadn’t told us anything, we had to call. Even then, they did not really give us an answer and ignored our need for a refund etc. Not happy at all, I did not feel like my wedding would be safe talking to them.

View Quoted Comment Tammy,
What have they told you so far, since your wedding is so close?

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I was able to get a bit more information from them on a call I had with them and my coordinator. Here’s everything I know so far;

- all guests must be tested 2 days before the event

- no real cocktail hour. No passed or stationary hors d’oeuvres

- everything will be full restaurant style after the ceremony. Guest will be walked to their tables where they will have a waiter for food and drinks. If you wanted hors d’oeuvres, they will be individually given to each guest.

- masks will be required when not sitting

- if you are having a wedding cake, you can’t serve it unless it is presided and packaged individually before reaching the venue.

- I am getting married in the Oak Room, and as of right now, I can have the ceremony by the waterfall, but we won’t be able to use that beautiful green house for the reception. Pretty upset about this

_ NO DANCE FLOOR - super upset about this... You can have first dance/father daughter/mother groom dance, but no dancing for fun

- Table sizes will seat a max of 6 people

-bands and love entertainment is not allowed, but a DJ is ok. DJ can only play restaurant style background music

We are definitely going to try and get some money back. All the reasons we signed up for this location are being taken away from us. And they won’t even lower the minimum guest count. It’s absolutely ridiculous!!!

So I’m in love with this venue as well but so hesitant because I’ve read really bad reviews even precovid. I thought it was very extreme that their contract states even if you don’t get married or cancel a year and a half before you still owe 100% of the contract! Also w covid I’m nervous too. I want to book around mid 2022 but I’m just not trusting of them. Idk how long covid is gonna be a thing

Also it is super weird that they won’t even offer microwedding packages I feel like that’s something that could help them survive. Alsoooo what if I pay all this money and they go bankrupt because they want a huge chunk in the next few months when the wedding is a year and a half away!

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Hello everyone,
I'm curious if anyone else is having issues requesting a refund? I was originally scheduled July 2020 but had to postpone as well. Unfortunately here we are again months away & I don't see this pandemic ending closer to our wedding date. Have any of you received any updates? Their lines always seem busy when we try to call in.

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Hello Brittany,
Are you still having problems getting a hold of them? I'd really like an update on what's going on, or if they giving refunds? Is it okay if I reach out to you in regards to this?

View Quoted Comment They keep wanting to direct us elsewhere when we try to ask for a refund, our wedding planner informed us that people who have asked for a refund were told they could only reschedule.

My fiance’ and I postponed our wedding last September 2020 at Calamigos Ranch as well. We moved it to June 2021. We were just informed that we cannot have any dancing or live entertainment at the reception. Also, there is a strict requirement for all of the guests to show proof of a negative COVID test within 72 hours of the wedding date. In fact,they said they will require onsite testing as well. Have you tried to get your money back or did you postpone your date “again”?

My fiance and I are also getting married at Calamigos Ranch in June 2021. We were just there for a tasting and were told that they plan to have dancing and live music again starting on April 1. When I asked about other restrictions they said there probably won't be a cocktail hour and guests will be seated by household. She didn't mention anything about required testing. It sounds like some of their requirements might change by June so it's hard for them to give any specifics right now.

View Quoted Comment Omg! What’re you going to do keep it? Were there any occupancy decreases? Are they offering any discounts if you keep it this June with the restrictions the way they are?