Stoneleigh Abbey

After going through the pandemic and being warned by many brides in Facebook groups the stress and turmoiled of planning a wedding during a pandemic me & my partner still agreed to go ahead. I guess we we're optimistic as we'd just gotten engaged during the lockdown, him working from home and me on furlough so seemed appropriate to use this new found time to plan our big day! We liaised with Rachel & had it all planned out to every last detail, that is until 5 weeks before the big day we were informed that they we're no longer able to facilitate our wedding due to a business obligation. No tangible explanation was given in my opinion, other than it seems they have decided to proceed with a corporate event they will financially gain more from. We are devastated! Its absolutely shocking how these companies are able to treat people like this. We were offered a full refund and apology however it is no consolation for what we've lost out on. Luckily all our vendors were understanding and agreed to rearrange, we will now have to wait another year for summer to do our big day! So disappointed.

For all couples considering this venue for your wedding, it is with a very heavy heart that I’d strongly advise you against it to save yourselves the heartache I unfortunately had to go through.
This was my dream venue, and after years of planning it in my head things were finally coming full circle, until covid hit and sent the world in to chaos. Nevertheless myself & my partner still were very accommodating to changes in circumstances, working to reach a new date for 2021 and proceed without requesting a refund (like many did). However things took a turn for the worst when we were asked to provide full payment for the venue, in line with the 12 week terms prior to our original planned date. This didn’t sit right with us, especially when we were refused an amended contract with the new date stipulated. Naturally our insurance questioned this and informed us that we would not be legally covered/protected without an accurate contact. Furthermore, we had already provided a 50% deposit which is more than substantial and something most venues do not require as 10-20% deposit is usually sufficient enough. Alarm bells began to ring for us further more when we were given an ultimatum to either pay up or risk losing our deposit and our rearrange wedding date - bear in mind the entire hiring experience wasn’t the best with liaising staff acting unprofessional, always late to viewings and not very accommodating in their manner. BUT because we had always wanted the venue we mistakenly overlooked the red flags ? this is something I deeply regret! Please note if the customer service levels are poor/your gut feeling is telling you these people don’t have your best interest at heart, you need to not progress that any further and look for other options. I wish we did this. We spent months begging and pleading, endless emails, phone calls and messages. They were heartless, relentless and only after one thing - OUR MONEY. It took third party/legal assistance for us to retrieve our money back, and even that was delayed for months due to them being negligent and purposefully ignoring us. Both Stoneleigh Abbey & Monsoon Venue Group should be ashamed for their unethical business practises. Regardless of anything this is someone’s special day, something we’d spent countless sleepless nights having to worry about whilst they revelled in our misery at such an awful time. Not only had I lost loved ones due to covid, I’d also lost my dream wedding day, and that is something which will stick with me for the rest of my life. The way we were treated was absolutely disgusting, their lack of morals was appalling and I hope they realise that monopolising off the misfortune of good people, pressurising & subjecting couples to constant torment and unfair treatment will never grow your business in this industry! By far the worst customer service I have ever received. This isn’t a position I ever dreamt I’d be in, and I hope nobody ever makes the mistake of dealing with Monsoon venue group or Stoneleigh abbey for their dream day.

Myself and my partner have had the most awful experience with Monsoon venue group, they pressurised us in to paying full for our event knowing they wouldn’t be able to deliver & then wouldn’t work with us to find a suitable alternative date. We postponed numerous times but as time went on felt the team at MVG only had their own interest at heart, when we asked for a refund because the uncertainty was too much to bear we were told it’s unreasonable to ask and that it wouldn’t be feasible. The caterers have now also disappeared, taking our money with them too! This is another vendor MVG pressured us in to paying in full to retain the service/date. It’s been an absolute shambles! This industry is so greedy it’s so deflating, I don’t even want to get married at this point.

Such a beautiful venue for photos!! the rooms we used were all stunning, food was fantastic, service was excellent! A perfect day!