Mission Point Resort Hotel Mackinac Island

Wedding receptions on Mackinac Island (sometimes referred to as Mackinaw Island) should be flawless. Most brides have their engagement at one of the many banquet halls in Mackinac Island because of the casual atmosphere and gorgeous surroundings. The last thing you should worry about would be the service that the hotel would give your wedding vendors and guests attending the celebration. Since my recent wedding reception at Mission Point Resort Hotel in Mackinac Island Michigan, I was very disappointed with the service and unnecessary stress I received.

Mission Point Resort Hotel

Personally, I have had the pleasure of entertaining thousands of wedding receptions here in Michigan. We take a very personalized approach when dealing with our clients and wedding vendors. From what I can recall, I have never experienced a situation so unpleasant when working with a so called reputable banquet facility. Mission Point Resort almost ruined my entire weekend by costing me hundreds in avoidable travel expenses and canceled meetings. I feel that our 200,000+ visitors a year might find the following Mission Point Resort Hotel Mackinac Island review beneficial.

Vendors beware; Mission Point Resort in Mackinac Island is a headache for dealing with logistics. Before arriving on the Island, our client told us that the company equipment would be delivered directly to the Summit Room. Our equipment was left outside in a damp environment (can you imagine if their negligence would have affected your reception). Since we were not allowed to use the elevator, we had to carry the equipment to the room ourselves. The assistance that we were guaranteed was not available and after talking with the staff, they were not forthcoming with help.

Mission Point Resort Hotel in Mackinac Island Michigan is Unorganized

One word for Mission Point Resort Banquet Hall <– them unorganized. Honestly, there is no room to drop the ball on a couple who are investing time and money into your facility for their reception. One of my main concerns when dealing with the wedding reception was the logistics of our equipment. I remember talking with several employees and getting several conflicting answers. One employee told me we would have to come back to the hotel in the morning JUST to carry the equipment onto a dolly to be transported to the dock. Another employee told me that the bell staff would take care of this entire inconvenience for us. Since he was a representative of the company we took his word for it, knowing everything was handled.

We were prepared to dock the Arnold Line ferry at 3pm the following day. I had a business meeting in Detroit at 8pm with a bride so our equipment was already suppose to be in Mackinac City. At 2:55 I decided to make the phone call to Mission Point to make sure that our equipment was delivered to the dock on time.

And guess what.. the equipment was never delivered! Why should I have to worry about this? I was told by two different employees it would be there at 2pm. My company name and phone number were placed on every bag. They had two hours to reach me if there was any issue, no follow-up procedure was done! If I would have went on the ferry, Mission Point Resort would have:

A.) made me take the last ferry back across to the island my equipment was still on
B.) walk 20 minutes across the island ONLY to carry it onto a dolly since it was an insurance liability
C.) since we would have missed the final 4pm ferry, we would of had to spend money on an over night hotel/bed & breakfast
D.) cancel my meeting with my bride in Detroit at 8pm

Why is this considered an insurance liability, when you can take care of my equipment in transit between the dock and your hotel? For your info, we had to wait several hours for the next ferry which cost me my meeting with my bride… thanks Mission Point.

One person that could have rectified this entire situation was Mr. James Salem (aka Jimmy or Jim). Manager James Salem could care less about my dilemma. I made attempts to contact him about what I should do. Jimmy Salem of Mission Point Resort was very reluctant with providing solutions to the problem. My understanding from our conversation was that if I was a guest he would of helped me. Since I was a wedding vendor Jim did not have time. This very impersonal approach towards weddings is the complete opposite of professional integrity. If Jimmy treats wedding vendors like this, how do you imagine he would treat guests on your special day? I think Mr. James Salem needs to go back to customer service school :(

Guest Review Mackinac Island Mission Point Resort Hotel

We were told from locals on Mackinac Island that the service we encountered was not uncommon for Mission Point Resort Hotel. Bags are constantly lost and damaged when falling off their shuttle. Guests have often missed their ferry due to lost luggage at docks and bags left behind at the hotel. Guest missing ferry rides are forced to find alternate solutions. This includes having to stay an additional night on the island which completely screws up someones vacation. How would you feel if this happened to you after trusting them with your personal belongings? No bride, vendor, or guest should have to deal with the confusion that Jimmy Salem put me through.

Bottom line Book your wedding reception at ANY place besides Mission Point Resort Hotel in Mackinac Island Michigan. I would never treat a bride or wedding professional in any way comparable to their standards. They care about your money and not your memories.

Also visit this link for our review of Lilac House Bed and Breakfast in Mackinac Island

Lilac House Bed & Breakfast in Mackinac Island

Lilac House Bed and Breakfast

When walking up the stairs to the second floor you will notice a community bathroom for the 8 to 10 rooms. In my opinion, privacy was limited because of how small the thin walled bed and breakfast is. I was a first time visitors to Mackinac Island, and she assured me it was okay to call her cell phone number on her business card anytime for any reason. I actually tried to conversate with her over the phone and she was impersonal with responses to my appropriate questions about the island. As a matter of fact she sounded more annoyed than helpful. LoriAnn why would you give guests your business card with your contact number if you care nothing about their questions?

Review from Others at Lilac House in Mackinac Island

This unsatisfactory service was evident with others that stayed at the Lilac House Bed and Breakfast. I was told by a recently married couple, that had went to Douds Corner store to purchase a bottle of wine, and that they were not sure if they should have purchased the wine because they did not have a wine opener. The couple called the number printed on the front of LoriAnns business card to see if she had one or if they had to spend $15 on Douds last wine opener in stock. She was short with answering questions about the Bed and Breakfast and if they had a wine opener or not. Does LoriAnn wish she did not have her phone number listed on her business card at all? Obviously if you are a business owner and your guests have a question about your bed and breakfast you should be more than forthcoming with information. Word of mouth referrals and recent reviews might possibly affect those considering your services. I feel that our 200,000+ visitors a year might find the following Lilac House Bed and Breakfast review beneficial.

When people came downstairs to have coffee in the morning, coffee was gone. There were other hotel guests that drank the last of the coffee and when more guests came downstairs there was none left. When I got ready to checkout at 11am LoriAnn was not available and I was unsure where to go or how my luggage was going to get to the ferry on time. After this confusion I knocked on the back door for several minutes and got no response. It was not until after calling her personal cell phone that she finally opened the back door.

After leaving, I accidentally forgot the ticket for my bags on the living room counter (next to the pop tarts). I was not sure if I needed it or not until the porter asked for them, so I came back looking for the tickets. Her husband unlocked the door and said… do you need something… and guess what, the ticket was thrown in the garbage. I had to sift through dirty garbage to find it and he was not very hospitable when he said are you done yet?

Lilac House Bed and Breakfast Resolution

The owners of the Lilac House Bed and Breakfast (Ken and LoriAnn) recently found this post and followed up with me about my stay. They were very apologetic and understanding of my experience. They wanted to stress the fact that the Lilac House Bed and Breakfast in Mackinac Island Michigan is their family home and a labor of Love to them. Like any responsible customer orientated business owner, they took the criticism above seriously. I posted a small excerpt from their e-mail response below:

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You know Rob, in retrospect I believe we all just had a lot going on that weekend; you with the difficulties with your gig and equipment, LoriAnn with it being the end of a long season running the whole operation by herself and then having to leave overnight to come pick me up since my flight arrived after the last scheduled boat back that night, and me after 20 hours worth of flights and six hours of jet lag who knows, a true confluence of negative circumstances perhaps.  What I do know for a fact is your experience was not even close to typical for any of our other guests. And we are truly sorry you had a bad time, as we would be for anyone who stayed with us (or visited the Island for that matter).
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Feel free to contact Lilac House Bed & Breakfast in Mackinac Island below:
http://mi.local.yahoo.biz/lilachouse/
LilacHouseBandB@aol.com

Bagpipers in Michigan

There are many talented bagpipers in Michigan, that will add flare to your wedding reception. Bagpipers are great since they add a certain vibe to your special day. They work with any ethnicity, and will leave a lasting impression on your guests.

There are many wedding receptions in Michigan every year that have Bagpipers in Michigan performing for their wedding reception. They can do a great job by creating a dramatic entrance for the bride and groom while entering into the facility or any other formal portion of your celebration. Besides these times of the reception, you could also choose to have your bag piper play for 20 minutes during dinner or cocktail hour. The most popular choice by clients is to have the piper play before and after the wedding ceremony.

Before the Ceremony

This is not a popular choice by newlyweds. However, depending on your tastes a piper can play a song or two while guests are arriving. They can even play a tune and walk down the aisle. This is usually a special requests, that you would have to mention to the piper you have reserved. Most pipers stay very busy due to the scarcity of their trade, if they are seasoned professionals, then they should have some recommendations for you.

During the Ceremony

An appropriate time to have a piper play during your wedding ceremony is half way through during a candle lighting ceremony. This is called many things, and depending on what tradition you are going with will determine the style of your piper. A common recommendation is to play Amazing Grace. Music during this part of the ceremony should be kept to a two song maximum. Please keep in mind that most ceremonies only last fifteen minutes.

Receiving Line

This part of your wedding happens after your ceremony and before cocktail hour. This is when guests will walk up and congratulate you on the commencement. This typically last ten to fifteen minutes. Your goal for the piper should be ambient background music as guests make their way through the line.

Cocktail Hour

This is a favorable time for the bagpiper to play during your reception. This part of your wedding happens while you are taking pictures with your photographer outside. The piper will supply forty-five to sixty minutes of continuous music. This is great if your family is expecting a piper at your special day. They will have enough time to soak in the live experience while mingling with your family and friends.

Grand Entrance

What better way to start your new life together than with a bag piper to highlight your formal recognition in front of all your guests. This is a common choice by clients and a wonderful time to utilize your piper’s rental time. You can have them play and march two songs during the grand entrance. It is easy to segue into dinner music; the piper can play for an additional twenty minutes here. Either way regardless of tradition, if you think this is a perfect time slot go for it.

Bag Pipers in Michigan

Fees will vary across the board. You will get what you pay for. These rates differ on travel time, hours of employment, and songs requested. A few important rules of thumb is to get by several recent references and to interview with several professionals. There is a lot on the line for your special day, go with the bag piper in Michigan that makes you feel comfortable with the entire process. Good luck, and congratulations!

Billboard Hot 100 All-Time Top Songs

Now we have played thousands of songs at wedding receptions in Michigan over the years. We have a pretty good idea of what your guests want to dance to (Pick n Play), and I am sure that you have some favorites you would like to hear as well. So, what are the most popular wedding dance songs ever? A study was done from cnn.com and they ranked the top 10 songs that people enjoyed and can easily identify with. I agree that Twist can rank as the most popular single in the 50 years of the Billboard Hot 100, but just check out the list below you may be surprised. I was shocked to see that Elvis and the Bee Gees did not make the cut.

Billboard Hot 100 All-Time Top Songs

1. Chubby Checker The Twist Listen
2. Santana Ft. Rob Thomas Smooth Listen
3. Bobby Darin Mack The Knife Listen
4. Leann Rimes How Do I Live Listen
5. Los Del Rio Macarena Listen
6. Olivia Newton John Physical Listen
7. Debby Boone You Light Up My Life Listen
8. The Beatles Hey Jude Listen
9. Mariah Carey We Belong Together Listen
10. Toni Braxton Unbreak My Heart Listen

Encore Rewards Program

A majority of our business comes from previous clients. So why not take advantage of our Encore Rewards Program? The best compliment that you can give us, is referring us to your family and friends. For every booked client that you send us, we will mail you a $25 gift card to your store of choice. For more information about our rewards program, visit our refer a friend page. We are looking forward to seeing you on their dance floor!