Please Note: We strongly suggest you thoroughly read the Living Sculpture Sanctuary contract, especially regarding poor weather conditions.
The reason I am leaving this review on The Knot is because my initial review on Wedding Wire was pulled... (following protocol) but never reposted.
For our wedding ceremony and reception my fiancé and I chose the Living Sculpture Sanctuary, impressed by its unique and lovely environment filled with gardens, tree-lined pathways, a waterfall and pond.
Unfortunately, on our wedding day it rained heavily, and we came to the realization that this venue is, without question, ill-equipped for rainy weather. Impassable floods blocked the venue's arch bridge entryway and a second pathway entrance; rain poured down from the upper deck, flooding the dining area and bathroom. During this time not a single staff member came over to check on us, forcing us to drive over to the office and complain. Three employees eventually made an appearance only to take a single action - not to help us mop the floors but to place a plank of wood over the flood by the second pathway as a temporary bridge - the wood eventually floated away.
One employee did stay for the remainder of the event (well, she disappeared for about half an hour) but offered no assistance.
As our guests, several of whom were elderly, arrived and exited they had no choice but to walk over the steep arch bridge. Although venue's contract stipulates that the bridge is not be used (except for wedding photos) during the event, no where does it provide alternate entrances/exits during inclement weather.
After half an hour of dancing, the DJ’s system short-circuited due to interference between his equipment cables and the venue’s electric power source, located outside, exposed to the elements. We danced to exactly three songs.
The Terms and Conditions of the contract do “recommend tenting” of both interior and outdoor areas, which is logical. However, since the weather forecast for our wedding date called for no rain, we neither rented tents nor cancelled/rescheduled, which is equally logical.
Prior to our event one employee reassured us that (1) pumps would be utilized to remove any standing water, and (2) two staff members would be on hand to assist during the entire event, both of which never occurred.
Despite knowing how upset we were, the owners never reached out with an apology.
I sent a letter to the owners expressing our disappointment and requested some sort of compensation for, e.g., loss of DJ services, but they declined, reiterating their contract rules and warning me they would take legal action if I used social media to make false claims. As lawyers they have that right, but as business owners who allegedly embrace a Zen lifestyle, I believe they failed. To threaten former customers - who left their venue spotless upon departure, is disgraceful.
However, despite these inconveniences, we and our guests had a wonderful time and memories to cherish for a lifetime.
Should the owners respond to this review, perhaps they can find it in their hearts (I hope they aren't "poisoned" by their own behavior) to offer a simple apology.