If I could post zero stars, I would've. When first...

If I could post zero stars, I would've. When first booking the venue, I was assigned and worked with an event specialist. I was given a contract, details, and a "We'll touch base as it gets closer, call me if you need anything". As the event came closer, I hadn't heard from anyone. I called to find out the specialist was no longer on staff and they did not have me on the schedule. I had already sent invites and had all of my guests (including myself) coming in from out of state. We got past that and I feel I was pretty understanding of the situation. Even after they changed prices and details from what I had discussed with the original event coordinator, by approximately $2000. I did not really have an option at this point. The week prior to the event, Hurricane Irma was approaching where I live. For any of you that watched the news (first, I'm sorry that any of us did), It went from hitting Friday, to Saturday, to Sunday, to actually hitting Monday. My event was scheduled for Tuesday. I kept in contact with the venue all week prior letting them know, we want to do everything we can to be there. Even if a good portion of our guests can't, we want to still make it work. They wanted final payment by Friday at 5pm, AND stupid me, I went ahead and gave it to them because they told me they wouldn't hold it if I didn't. I live in Bonita Springs (the second place in the US that the hurricane made landfall and hit directly) where Irma came on Monday. All flights were cancelled and you were not allowed on the roads from Saturday-Tuesday. We unfortunately were unable to have the event. I let them know on Sunday that all flights were cancelled. They would not give me any sort of refund even though the contract says "uncontrollable events" are an exception. I told them I understand that they had to order food, I am willing to pay for any food that was ordered for the event and other like costs they incurred, but did not feel it was fair for them to keep the entire $7,828.21. They did not care. ON TOP OF THAT, they had the audacity to call me and let me know that "if I'd like to reschedule the event, they would apply the $1500 deposit to the next event"!!!! Not a joke. They called to basically tell me I'm welcome to come back and pay double for an event. The event insurance they recommended is still trying to "work with me" on what they'll cover, there were hidden terms on how far in advance you have to have the insurance prior to the event. I'm not even trying to get reimbursement for decor or anything they say they'll cover in the policy, just some of the venue costs. It's a shame, it looks like a cool venue. And please, 12th & Porter, save your generic apology on google and just practice decent business antics.