We held our wedding at the Kitchi Gammi Club this fall. I have a complete review written up but it exceeds the maximum character count so these are the main points.
1. We were pl...aced with a wedding planner when we first decided to plan our wedding here. She was wonderful. After a few months of silence we found out that she no longer works for the venue and no one even thought of telling us. We felt forgotten and unimportant. We were passed along to a different staff member and had to start the planning process from scratch.
2. Hidden fees galore! Club fees, gratuity charges on top of 20% MN service tax. We ended up paying an additional $2200 because of poor wording in the wedding contract. Our planner knew our budget but we went over anyways even after paying the total in advance. Planning staff are not transparent when it comes to billing information.
3. Cold food, parents of the groom and bride served their dinner 20 minutes after the rest of the guests, tiny portions, vegetarian guests forgotten about; had to go to the kitchen themselves to get their own plates
4. From the first time we stepped into the club we knew that we did not belong. The club mentality of this venue runs deep. While we were setting up the night before the wedding we received countless dirty looks from members. Members were asking staff what we were doing. Staff followed us around like we were shoplifting. They let us know that we were only “guest” members and the service reflected that. You’d think that if you paid more than $13,000 you wouldn’t be treated like absolute garbage but unfortunately that was the case.
5. Bartenders were rude and refused service to multiple guests including the mother and father of the bride. The bartenders were also unaware of what was included in the open bar. They were telling guests the wrong type of beer was on tap. They also had tip jars on the bars while we also got charged an additional $900 gratuity charge.
6.On top of all of the issues, there was one thing that stands out as specifically disgusting and revolting. A few members of the wedding party developed SCABIES after staying in the guest rooms at the venue. They were in separate rooms and do not live in the same house. A few weeks after the wedding they noticed rashes on parts of their bodies. They both went to urgent care and were diagnosed with scabies. The doctors said that the rashes appear 6 weeks after being exposed, and that it can be spread by sharing sheets and bedding. The timeline matched up perfectly to their stay at the Kitchi Gammi Club. The doctor assumed that the guest room linens were not changed prior to our wedding and that they caught the virus from soiled bedding at the venue.
7.Our cupcakes were not replenished. We had to bring 200+ cupcakes home to to throw them away because staff didn't restock them. We also had to pay $250 to use the club dishes which was a waste of money because only a few guests were even able to have dessert.
There are other beautiful places in Duluth that can offer better service and a historic feel such as Greysolon Plaza, Clyde Iron Works, or Glensheen Mansion at a discounted rate. Everything that this venue has to offer can be found elsewhere.
I never leave poor reviews for establishments, but I felt this was necessary considering other folks may be tricked into this sham. Save yourself the shame, disappointment, and chance of contracting a disgusting rash by staying away from this venue. It is not worth it.