Destination Kohler

We held our wedding at Destination Kohler in August 2023, drawn by its reputation for excellence and stunning Straits Chapel and The Irish Barn. While the locations themselves and the day-of banquet staff were truly exceptional, our planning experience left much to be desired. Destination Kohler advertises a 5-star, seamless experience for weddings, but unfortunately, the service we received fell far short of that promise. We paid a significant amount for our wedding and yet, we often felt like we had to take on the role of project managers. From correcting frequent errors in documents (including one miscalculation that would have cost us $5,000 if we hadn’t caught it) to reminding our planner multiple times about details discussed in meetings, the process was far more stressful and hands-on than it should have been. We were assigned a very junior planner, hired just days after we signed our contract. At times, we felt like our planning services didn’t receive the same care and expertise we expected, especially compared to other clients who seemed to be prioritized, presumably because of higher budgets. We were also put off by how profit-focused the venue felt throughout the process. Every small request seemed to come with an exorbitant price tag. For example, we were charged hundreds of dollars to have a runner removed from the chapel for our 45 minute ceremony. When my husband asked if he could get a discounted round of golf the day before the wedding, the answer was a flat no. Even small touches like that could have cost the venue next to nothing were instead marked up steeply. It was clear that profits were prioritized over making clients feel special or valued. Some other key issues included: Poor communication: Emails often went unanswered, and weeks would pass before promised documents were sent. Lack of attention to detail: Custom menu items were forgotten at both our rehearsal dinner and the groom's getting-ready suite. Linens were left creased out of the box despite my husband and I providing two steamers (since the venue for some reason doesn’t have them.) Unprofessionalism: On the wedding day, I was approached with a stressful administrative issue regarding payment, which could have waited until after the event. This took us out of the moment completely and was hard to snap out of right before being introduced at the reception. Despite raising these concerns with the weddings team manager during and after the planning process, little was done to address them. We often felt like just another number in a busy wedding season rather than valued clients. That said, after the wedding, we reached out to Kohler’s executive staff and appreciated their prompt response. They offered us a small refund and a free weekend stay at The American Club, which we were able to enjoy. However, and somewhat ironically, during our stay, a pipe burst, forcing us to evacuate at 5:30 in the morning, and our bathroom had a spider infestation. While we can laugh about it now, these issues only reinforced the impression that Kohler has some work to do to catch up to the level of quality it advertises. The venues themselves are breathtaking, and the banquet staff were outstanding. These elements contributed to a beautiful wedding day. However, the planning experience didn’t match the luxury standard that Kohler markets. If you’re considering this venue, I recommend being prepared to advocate for yourself and stay on top of the details.

We had a large (200 guests) destination wedding over Thanksgiving 2021 weekend at Destination Kohler- The American Club. Our guests stayed at the American Club and Inn at Woods Lake. We had the ceremony and reception at the American Club. We utilized all of the services that the American Club offers for weddings, from Kohler chocolates for welcome gifts to the spa for day of hair and makeup, floral, cake, childrens room, band set up, and more. The results were outstanding. The wedding planner Karen, and floral coordinator Diane worked patiently and professionally with us every step of the way (from long distance) to make the wedding unforgettable. The grand ballroom reception, cocktail area, and the ceremony room were beautiful. The food was outstanding. The accommodations and service for our guests all weekend was perfect. Finally, the wedding pictures in the American Club setting were great. Hosting a wedding is a labor of love and even more complicated during a pandemic, and we were so glad to have the pros at the American Club guide us through and facilitate every detail. I would highly recommend Destination Kohler for your wedding!

Our wedding at Whistling Straits was perfect. The location, service, food, hospitality, you name it they get 11/10 stars. Our guest are still raving about their Kohler experience. And it truly is an experience. Everyone at Kohler seemed genuinely happy for us - we never felt like just another couple like other vendors made us feel when we were searching for a vendor. Once we sealed the deal Courtney was our wedding coordinator and she was wonderful. She promptly communicated, answered all our endless questions and navigated the entire day with grace. She was reassuring when we had to have a backup plan due to weather conditions. And even then the Irish barn turned out more romantic and intimate then we imagined. We scoured the Midwest for the perfect venue and found just that in Whistling Straits. The wedding planning process was made simpler by having so many of the services offered through the vendor (linens, photography, catering etc.) They were at the top of our price point but created a custom package based on our vision and it was executed flawlessly. They’re worth the investment 110%. You won't be disappointed. We will cherish the memories forever and look forward to spending many future anniversaries at Destination Kohler.

We are based in Chicago, and decided to have a destination wedding at Whistling Straits. It was hands down the best decision we made. First and foremost, our wedding coordinator, Courtney, was exceptional. She is an expert on the venue and what works / doesn't work, and we relied on her feedback often! Across the board, Kohler has the best customer service, and we constantly felt supported and in good hands. Secondly, the food and drinks! We had so many rave reviews that ours was the best wedding food our guests had ever had. Thirdly, the flowers! We used Kohler's florist and worked with Abbey. Give her your vision and trust her! She knows what she's doing and it all turned out beautifully. Finally, the venue! If you're interested in an outdoor wedding, Whistling Straits cannot be beat. It's stunning. In summary, every moment of our wedding and wedding planning was enjoyable and seamless thanks to Kohler. We are so glad we went them!