Rocking J Venue — Attraction in High Ridge Township

I debated writing this for a while but ultimately decided to post because I am still shocked by how I was treated. I am also engaged to be married so this had so much more of an impact. Sharing this is important to me because a wedding is one of the only places where I feel safe leaving my personal belongings unattended. I think many people feel the same way and I would like my own guests to also have that feeling when they attend my wedding next year…. I attended a wedding here a few Saturdays ago. I sat in my seat at the dinner table from 6pm-9pm where our table was not bussed a single time nor did I see anyone walking around busing. I got up shortly after 9pm to help with the sparkler photo shoot and returned to the table to find my personal belongings were gone. I only had car keys and a pair of sunglasses with a few party favors (forgot to bring a small purse.) They were placed in a clean, short, clear cup. It was neat and obvious, or so I thought, not looking like trash. But then again, I can see where there could possibly be some misidentification and I know that we are all human and make mistakes… I made some too by not bringing an appropriate purse and not making my own belongings more secure. The manager kept telling me, “your keys are your responsibility and should be kept on your person” over and over again. This is why I mention that I feel like weddings are the ONE place I feel comfortable NOT having them on my person. But maybe that is an unpopular opinion. But that is not where the issue lies despite the inconvenience that these car fobs are NOT cheap nowadays and I was stranded The issue was when I tried to ask staff for help. I first asked the bar tender who hadn’t had anyone turn them in and said to check back in 15 when the girls returned (who were bussing tables). I spent the next 20 minutes or so trying to look for my stuff. I had an AirTag on them and they were pinging at the venue but the service is was spotty so it wouldn’t refresh the location nor would it audibly ping them. Upon returning, the girls who were bussing had not seen them and I was directed to the “event manager” I found the manager, and told him my situation. This conversation was about 2 minutes long at most. I was basically told that they would help me look when the wedding was over. Side note, he was also taking shots while this conversation was happening and was focused on taking his shot than helping me. It was about 10pm by this time. Unfortunately I knew not a single person at this wedding other than the bride and groom. I just so happened to spark up a conversation with some lovely people who happened to be traveling very close to my home which is about 30-40 minutes away from this venue. They graciously agreed to give me a ride home after helping me look for the keys for another 30 minutes or so. When I woke up in the morning I called up there and began to explain what happened. I spoke for less than 20 seconds before the “event manager” started cursing me out, making accusations, belittling me, and ending the conversation with threats and then hanging up on me. I was not able to get a single word in except for “Sir, can you please calm down”. I was unable to speak for myself and felt helpless. I was EXTREMELY uncomfortable at this point. I was shocked by this behavior, and never had someone speak so recklessly, especially in customer service type business/role. Called back and left a voicemail because he offered to help look for them, before verbally berating me, and never received a call back. Luckily I had a spare key and was able to recover my car in the morning even though I was so uncomfortable after our conversation. I would like to say that my experience with this company was horrifying, unprofessional, and handled so inappropriately that I can’t confirmed that this situation was even handled at all. I am very embarrassed for this company and almost didn’t write it because it is so cringy just to think about it. Air tag was eventually tracked to Maryland heights landfill a...

Unorganized with payments. Tried to collect on money already received. Good thing the bride kept a record. Lost a check, the bride had to pay to cancel a check and then drive an hour there and back to deliver it by a certain date per the owner. The next day the owner called and told her she had it the whole time, it was just misplaced. Tried to work reasonanably with the owner after the pandemic hit, but she would offer no amount of refund whatsoever. GREED. Forced the couple to reschedule or be out 100% of the money. GREED. The couple asked for Sunday dates and were told there weren't any unless they moved it to 2021 (but not w/out a 10% upcharge) GREED. They were given Friday dates to choose from so they chose one and informed family and friends. Some rescheduled flight and travel plans. Then a month later the owner emailed to ask the bride if she would mind altering her stay at the house that we paid to rent for the night before. The couple agreed and the owner replied ok thanks, BTW, a Friday wedding will be an additional $1000. GREED. What?!?! The couple stated they would offer not an additional dime. Then all of the sudden she had a few Sundays in 2020 available...hmmm. Some family members were not able to attend the rescheduled event as they had already changed their itinerary. The night of rehearsal the couple was told they would have no more than 30 minutes and that everyone must be there at the scheduled time. When the owner didn't show we took things upon ourselves and planned and performed a run through. Then the owner showed 20 minutes late, throwing out orders and changing up everything, which in turn made us late for the rehearsal dinner scheduled directly after. Just when I thought there couldn't be more, on the day of the wedding, the owner opens the door from upstairs and yells down to ask if she can bring a couple through for a tour??? Really? We paid to use the space, getting ready for OUR special day, some of the ladies were half dressed or still in pj's and she wants to bring people through?? I had guests tell me the staff was rude during the event 😕. I don't even know if I'm missing anything. There was so much. Our bride said it was the most horrible experience ever up until the event actually took place. One issue after another. The venue is beautiful but if you have to deal with all the nonsense leading up to it, it's most certainly NOT worth it....🙁 The couple are gagged by contract which States no negative reviews. Ask yourself, What kind of company would need to put that in...

I went to this venue for a wedding at the beginning of the month. I can tell you from personal experience the venue is ok. The staff, specifically the lady who owns it, is quite rude. She argued with both the bride and groom and the brides mother in front of the guests. The food was ok. Some tasted like it was straight from a can no seasoning. During the buffet, only a few tables had been called to get their food when the owner got in front of some guest, me included, and got herself a plate. A lady from our table had to make a plate for her wheelchair bound husband, and by the time she let the other guest get their plate, the venue started putting the food away. Now, during a buffet, you expect the food to be out a bit longer. With the small portion they gave you with your first plate, you would expect some to want to get more but not there. You were done. Then, the dessert was an absolute nightmare. Dinner finished early because they didn't want you to have more. We went to get dessert, and it was gone put up, shortly after dinner (like 10-15 minutes).Now keep in mind people are talking and just enjoying the night. No one knew you better rush to get dessert or it would be gone. The bride and groom talked to the owner and then had to argue with her about the dessert being put away early. (It was cake and pie it could have stayed out for quite a while.) So they put cake out again. Once again, it was only out a couple of minutes again. So here we go again another argument with the owner in front of the guests. So once again cake comes out, but this time it's frozen. I can only assume the desserts come from either Costco or Sam's. They were ok but not great. I at least didn't get the frozen cake.My biggest takeaway from attending a wedding at this venue is if you plan on having your wedding there...... check around at other places first. The lady who owns it will argue with a bride and groom during the reception in front of guests which is so unprofessional. Let alone butt into the buffet line to fix herself a plate before all the guest had been served a very small portion.

Also I found out it's true. People sign their contract with this venue and there is a clause where they can't give a bad review to the venue. So that's shows you why she has such a high reviews. The venue keeps their deposit if anything bad is written by the parties that signed the contract. Very deceptive venue to have people sign that. She must know what people would say if...