Mystic Lake Center

We had our wedding ceremony and reception in June 2023, but it's been months of me trying to think what my overall review would be. I have many pros and many cons to share. Although it was a beautiful day with hardly any mishaps, it was every day leading up to that point that was an absolute nightmare to deal with the Mystic Lake staff to do anything. Communication was dreadful and it made me regret my choice every day until the evening of my wedding. They need to hire at least one employee to focus on weddings ONLY, instead of splitting their responsibilities among all types of events, catering, etc. I was told a month out that I should be considerate it's the busy wedding season and I would want them to focus on my wedding more the week of than a month before. I should have been more understanding that people were getting married that week and my email from two weeks prior was not a high priority, again. 90% of the emails I sent I did not receive a response for at least two weeks, until I sent a follow-up one. But when I sent an email asking to put down more money on my card on file? It was processed with an hour. Do most wedding venues struggle with communication? Yes. So please don't look away from this place just because of that. Just know that you will have to make it your second part time job to keep up on them on EVERYTHING. They will tell you wrong information, leave very important information out, and make you fend for yourself to do the research. No advice will be offered, so every decision will be yours. Some things can only be done in person which was very hard for me considering I did not have family in state and I worked full time during business hours. Some other notes: -There is not a getting ready room so expect to pay for a suite the night before for at least the bridal party. Another room for the groom. $$$. Our room was at the end of the hall with our entire room block on the same floor, so hiding from guests was impossible. I ended up taking the stairs then walking through the back catering hallway just to get to my ceremony! -There is no venue fee, but a fee for literally anything else. Want to sit your head table on risers? Expect to pay almost $200. Want lights on during the ceremony? Hundreds of dollars in extra charges for lighting. Different colored tablecloths? More money. I thought the food prices were reasonable considering there was no venue fee, but it was all the extra charges that got me. But it's likely that way everywhere else. -The food was amazing. Especially the cake. Compliments from every guest! We just had an issue with the kids meals as only 3 were requested but 4 children attended. They could not provide an extra kids meal which I thought was strange. -The Mystic Lake staff are NOT considered wedding coordinators, so you will 100% need to hire your own. -The rooms in the Promenade Tower were outstanding. Our guests were very satisfied and our suite was perfect. For the night of, it was comped, but in order to have the same room as a "bridal suite" we had to pay for the Friday night as well which was $269 plus fees and tax. Otherwise, check in isn't until 4pm and we would have had to get ready elsewhere. Overall, we had an amazing day and the wait staff, bartenders, AV crew, and other staff the day of were fabulous. In the end you won't regret your decision, but it's the months leading up to it that you will.