I just had a SOG renewal in may. Who is your ''planner'? I had Virginia and would not recommend her at all.
I don't want to turn this into a pro/con post but I will say this about the package. The cake was only so-so. I requested ginger ale instead of champagne as we had many non-drinkers and Virginia reacted as if I asked for the finest wine in the world (even though mentioned in email before). She DIDN'T call the reverend even after we discussed who should call. (I have the emails from her telling me I didn't need to) As we were about to walk down he wasn't there and she had to call him. This resulted in waiting 40 mins for him to show and then another 15 minute run down on who the bride and groom were and what we wanted. The photographer that comes with the package is pretty good. I traded my photo package into a family shoot and used Randy Chapman for the ceremony. If you put Shades 80 pictures we got up next to Randy's 300 it was worth the extra for Randy. The one good thing I can say is I got the email address for the woman that supplies the flowers. She was willing to switch it up from shades options with the package and add things for extra price. (to add feathers to bouquet was $20)
Okay since I am complaing
Virginia not only critiqued what my husband and I chose to wear (shoe wise, we wore plain tennis shoes) she berated her helper (waiter) so much that our guests even complained. You get the gazebo for 2 hours and she rushed us out after the ceremony. Also after I made the half payment I could not get ahold of her by phone or email hardly at all (even complained on here about it) I couldn't even track her down to give her our final payment when we were at shades. I ended up dealing with someone else in the office, who is also a planner, and she was VERY nice and friendly. Virginia was always seeming put out when I met her in person.
BUT
If you go a'la carte you could solve half these problems on your own for a lot cheaper. You could supply your own cake, or use your choice of bakery. You can bring you own drink choice. If you want music with shade it's $100+ to rent their speakers but they have no way to play the music. The reverend you can pick and assure he'll be there. They do not decorate the gazebo for you so that is an added expense regardless. They DO supply table and chairs but you could probably add that in the a'la carte. You could hire your own photographer.
I don't want to scare you off. I did have a great event at the end of the day.
Luckily we were all a real laid back easy going bunch, so we took everything in stride. If you have a ton of people coming and are stressing about the day you might be better off handling a lot on your own rather than risking it to the hands of shades.
. I will now remove my mind from the gutter and leave you to plan your wedding, LOL.
