Salaam everyone,
I've been perusing this website for a while now, using people's suggestions to help me plan for a family wedding. The wedding ended recently and I have some very important feedback for everyone..
1) First of all, STAY AWAY FROM MONTYS! My parents used to love Montys, they love staying and supporting Muslim owned businesses. Well, we were stabbed in the back by an owner of Monty's, who told us for months that the rate we had agreed upon was set, but wouldnt let us come in and sign a contract or pay the money. The uncle refused to show up at the hall whenever we went to pay and sign a contract (he stood us up for THREE HOURS once) and kept pushing it off till a few days before the event. When we finally were able to come in, Montys claimed there was a misunderstanding and tried to charge us FORTY DOLLARS per person...this is more expensive than they generally quote over the phone...they figured that we would have no choice but to overpay because our event was so close. When my family protested, Montys told them something the effect of "take it or leave it, your event is in a few days, so you have no choice but to pay what we charge you" My family actually walked out and was called back later. After a few hours of hell, they fought to negotiate the price back down to the price Montys would have charged them anyways if they had just walked in without talking to that uncle. Oh and in the end, my family had just a few days to come up with the thousands of extra dollars that they were not expecting to pay becuase the uncle kept telling them that the previous rate was set. I cannot believe that one of the owners/partners would try to trick and deceive people like that, they engineered the entire thing so that they could back us into a corner and try overcharge us. My family is so hurt and upset, what Monty's put us through is inexcusable, they set everything up so they could force us to go with their hall and then suck us dry.
Oh and at the wedding, the owner went up to the groom (who had asked for another pan of biryani to be brought out becuase there was no meat left in the rice) and point blank said, "No, you guys have enough guests already, we are not giving you anymore food" To the groom!! The uncle instructed all the waiters not to bring out extra food, they did not bring out any custard either, it looked soo bad on us. When I asked the manager to pack up the extra food, she first said there was no more food left, and then later admitted that the caterer took it all home. Montys IS the caterer! I couldnt believe the batameezi they did, they gained nothing except spite by treating us that way.
Suffice it to say that we will never, ever go to Monty's ever again. The carefully engineered deception and then the complete lack of adab that the management showed us was too much for us. Montys will still give tasty food, and they'll still claim competitive prices, but they way they treat you and insult you is just not worth it. I just wanted to warn people so that they dont go through what my family did. You can still go there if you want, but just know that many, many people have had a horrific experience with Monty's.
2) My friend just had a trial with Sonia Sandhu and she loved it!
3) For photography, we went with Fotonic Studios. Alhamdulillah, we had no issues at all, Fotonic was very professional, they were on time, travelled everywhere we needed them, were willing to work out schedules to accomodate us, and were sooo patient during the chaos. I am so happy we booked them, they were very personable and helpful. How many photographers will run to their car and search for CDs and music because you forgot your entrance music at home? How many photographers will send you urdu poetry to help you formulate your speech? How many photographers will chill with you and calm you down during the madness? Honestly, I have so much respect for Maliha and Saad, they are amazing and such a pleasure (and relief!) to have at the wedding. Also, Fotonic's makeup company LKMK did the bridal makeup for one of the events...stunning! LKMK did a fantastic job...I am seriously questioning the authenticity of some of the posts on the forum that are bashing Maliha/ LKMK makeup...more than one person has told me that some of the posts out there were fake and made up by a rival makeup artist to try to hurt Maliha. All I can say is, call up and Maliha and see for yourself how sweet and professional she is, she is extremely talented and she will honestly go out of her way for you. And for a wedding, that is exactly the kind of service you need.
K thats all, I just wanted to get some of my feedback out there!