Private Location Not So Private

JayBee · July 30, 2009

So we rented Moloaa Shangrila for our wedding, and we rented the Main House for the week we were there (6 guests total). We also rented the honeymoon cottage (entire property) for our wedding night, and the night after. We did this back in Sept. 08. Paid for everything in full 90 days prior. To make a long story short, we had a couple guests back out, and my MOH is leaving right after the reception, so I emailed the owner on July 3, 2009 to see if we could cancel the cottage for the last two nights. (I figured there weren't going to be as many people staying in the house, and we'd have an entire wing to ourselves anyway.) I was an idiot and checked the contract after I sent the email. It stated that cancellations had to be made 90 days prior. So I thought her answer would be "No, you can't cancel, it's too late."

I received no response from her. So I resigned myself to the fact that we had this cottage, and whatever, regardless the $$ is paid, at least I can guarantee our privacy, haha! Well.... She emailed me YESTERDAY (actually 9pm my time) and said she had cancelled our res. for the cottage and RENTED TO SOMEONE ELSE. So, not only do we not have our own place for our wedding night, We have to share the Property with strangers on our Wedding DAY!!!!! I paid freaking a good amount of $$ to have privacy, and she rented part of the property to someone else!?

I have seen this property. I know how close the cottage is to where our reception is going to be, and how close it is to the house where we are staying. And I know if the situation was reversed, I would feel like an intruder on someone's wedding. The owner keeps trying to reassure me that it is far enough away that it will still be private, but I don't think that's true. It's far enough from the house, yes, but not from where we are setting up the tent for the reception. To be reasonable, I do not think the people renting the cottage will ruin our wedding, but I never imagined she would rent it out on our wedding day. I never would've asked about canceling it in the first place! Also when I didn't hear from her, I offered to let someone else join us because we were under the impression that we had extra space.

There's really nothing more I can do at this point, she's giving us our money back for it (there's no way she can't), but I'm a little stunned she would do this without first telling me she accepted my cancellation (although I shouldn't have been able to cancel in the first place). I am So Mad at Myself!!!!

julzcabo · July 30, 2009

I think you might be overreacting just a tad bit. You have the right to be upset because she didn't respond to you when you first told her you didn't want the cottage, but I don't think it is worth growing a brain tumor over. I do agree that it sucks to loose complete privacy, but you will be so busy on your wedding day and the day will go by so fast that you probably won't even notice them. Maybe ask the manager to leave a note that asks them to be respectful of the wedding reception? Or if you meet them ahead of time and you like them, invite them to join the reception after the dinner is served and the dancing starts? It's your wedding, if you keep focusing on the bad then you will only have bad memories of your special day.

*Lo* · July 30, 2009

In my opinion it was a little ridiculous for her to go ahead and cancel your reservation and book other people. You said you were just asking if it was POSSIBLE to cancel the res. So typically you'd expect a response like:

"yes we can cancel it for you but we will then be renting it to other guests". Or at least something instead of going ahead and doing it.

I'd be irritated for sure.

Your wedding will be beautiful regardless and you probably won't notice others around and most likely they will be respectful of your wedding and just keep their distance!! If she's assuring you everything will be fine, I'm sure they will do their best to ensure that it is!

Can't wait to see photos when you return

*tanga* · August 30, 2009

Omg I have found Kauai home rentals a nightmare. I hope you can resolve it. Good luck.

JayBee · September 23, 2009

I was waiting till I got the photos back to post anything about my wedding experience, but I should have them in a few days. Anyway, everything worked out alright. The location was absolutely beautiful and we had a blast. I guess the owner just wanted the cottage for her friend, and it wasn't a bother. The people who own the property are plenty nice and accommodating. But I will say that if I had to do it over again, I would want to know up front what the event fee covered, as it does not include the cottage as I had believed. It was definitely ambiguous, and lead to frustrations that could've been avoided.

I'll be writing my full review as soon as I get the photos!! Glad to be back!