In Reply to: Legends posted by Twinnies on Tuesday, 11. December 2007 at 11:47 Bali Time:
I don't know how wedding parties are celebrated in Australia, but as one of your „guests' I'd rather gone somewhere else and left the party.
After reading this thread, I'd like to agree anada's first statement, what's all the fuss about - for lousy 500k Rps?
There went some things wrong, so let's see why.
First mistake:
A wedding is private, so you should have accepted or even demanded to close the restaurant for this party, not only that the staff will lose the overview who is a guest of the party and who is a normal customer; I also wouldn't like to have strangers on MY party.
Second mistake:
It will ALWAYS cause problems, misunderstandings, useless discussions when you handle money on such an event - on a wedding party there is no money involved!
I will not comment the fact, that your 'invited' guests had to pay for their food and drinks, but (maybe a suggestion for the next wedding) if you have difficulties to afford such a party, then it might be a good idea to ask your wedding guests for money instead of presents in advance, but no-one should be charged for anything on the party.
For Bali, after talking about the food and other arrangements for the event with the management, I'd have paid the buffet in advance, you ordered a buffet for 50 people, then pay for 50 people.
For the drinks get an extra bill and pay it the next day/days.
Third mistake:
Let's assume the manager was definitely wrong when charging extra 500,000 Rps (every story has its two sides), was it worth to skip your wedding party for it?
Even when being overcharged, I would have paid and avoided further discussions that night, there is always the chance to discuss this another time, but to cancel the whole event due this is really strange, to involve your 'guests' into this excitement is, let's say unskilful.
Fourth mistake:
'We have supported the bar and restaurant staff for years, not to mention the bands that play there.'
What does this mean?
You went there, you consumed something, you paid for this, you tipped them -or?
That's business, but where is your support, helped to harvest rice in the family paddy, or did you fixed a leaking roof, did you nurse the grandma for a while?
What makes you believe to have a friendship with restaurant staff or management in the Garlic Lane - because they will remember your name from previous year?
Sorry, there went a lot of things wrong on your party and it's certainly not nice to argue about money issues in a wedding dress, but I think your reaction was exaggerated even when you were right.
Best regards
Thorsten