The Marker San Francisco

Our experience planning our wedding with The Marker Union Square started off with promise, but quickly turned into a nightmare after the Catering Sales Manager’s departure. What followed was a series of unprofessional, dismissive, and exploitative practices that made our wedding planning needlessly stressful and infuriating. After signing our contract, the Catering Sales Manager left and we were passed between Jazmine, Kristan, and Angeline, none of whom seemed to respect the agreements that were already in place. Representations made by The Marker included key elements that were instrumental in our decision and made us excited about holding our wedding at the venue. However, these elements were later denied, causing confusion and frustration. Key issues included: • Chiavari Chairs: Initially confirmed as part of our package, they later claimed the chairs were not included. Angeline Nouhoumon stated, “We don’t own them,” and insisted we would need to rent them at our own expense, despite clear documentation showing they were included with all ceremonies and discussed during our initial planning. • Champagne Toast: Our wedding package included a “Champagne toast for all guests”. Despite this, Angeline refused to serve champagne at the tables, suggesting instead that we announce to guests that it was time for the toast and instruct them to walk to the bar to get their own champagne. She explained that if we wanted the champagne poured at the tables, We would have to pay an additional fee. • Audio and Setup Items: Wedding packages include two microphones, two speakers, and easels, but were later told these items would not be provided. Angeline again used the excuse, “We don’t own them,” despite these items being listed as part of our package. Even after we provided evidence of these commitments in writing, they refused to honor them, showing a blatant disregard for professionalism and accountability. The financial manipulation we experienced was unacceptable. Some of the most egregious practices included: • Cake-Cutting Fee Increases: Initially set at $3.50 per person, they doubled it to $7 per person and later reduced it to $5.00 per person, leaving us feeling like policies were being made up as they went along. • Change Fee Policy: Our original contract stated that a $250 change fee would only apply to changes made less than seven days prior to our event. However, Brian Fenwick, the Managing Director, insisted we sign an addendum that would impose the fee immediately for any changes, five months before our wedding, well before we would even have a final guest count. When we questioned these fees, it seemed like he was threatening us by implying that if we didn’t sign their punitive addendum, we would face price increases based on their future rates. The Marker took their overreach to a new level by requiring us to turn over all communication to our month-of wedding planner a full five months before our wedding. This was absurd, as the venue only required us to hire a planner for month-of coordination. Angeline, the Director of Sales, dismissed our concerns at every turn, even when we provided irrefutable documentation of the agreements made with the Catering Sales Manager. In one week alone, Angeline suggested annulling our contract three times, despite the fact that our wedding was less than six months away. We eventually felt forced to ask for our deposit back, leaving us without a venue just five months before our wedding.