Reviews for Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

Reviews

• C. L. Sent on 04/05/2017
  3 out of 5 rating

  3.0
  • Quality of service
    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0
  • Response time
    2.0 out of 5 rating
    2.0
  • Professionalism
    3.0 out of 5 rating
    3.0
  • Value
    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0
  • Flexibility
    2.0 out of 5 rating
    2.0

  The gardens is a beautiful location, but expect to chase them on communications. Make sure to get everything in writing, preferably while you're still there talking in person.
  
  My husband and I chose the gardens as our ceremony venue because of our cultural heritage, and the fact that it's beautiful and offers covered and uncovered options for our ceremony. We ended up renting just the Scholar's Courtyard and Study during the off season so we were able to go in earlier and cheaper.
  
  When we first engaged them, it took a while for them to respond. In general, I had to be on them and follow up both through email and phone calls. During visits, they were very courteous. However, there were lots of misunderstandings between the services and areas of rental that were being offered verbally and in writing. Part of the problem was that the first person we worked with was unable to continue so when the second person took over, understandings on our side had to be renegotiated. It was an extremely frustrating experience. (To be fair to the gardens, the second person was completely new. I'm sure it was very trying for them too.) They did try to make things work in the end.
  
  Regarding flexibility, because the garden is also a museum - everything from the walls to the floor - there were a lot of restrictions. We didn't have many decorations so this wasn't a problem for us. They provided tables and chairs as part of the rental fee, as well as a rehearsal which we appreciated.

  The gardens is a beautiful location, but expect to chase them on communications. Make sure to get everything in writing, preferably while you're still there talking in person.
  
  My husband and I chose the gardens as our ceremony venue because of our cultural heritage, and the fact that it's beautiful and offers covered and uncovered options for our ceremony. We ended up renting just the Scholar's Courtyard and Study during the off season so we were able to go in earlier and cheaper.
  
  When we first engaged them, it took a while for them to respond. In general, I had to be on them and follow up both through email and phone calls. During visits, they were very courteous. However, there were lots of misunderstandings between the services and areas of rental that were being offered verbally and in writing. Part of the problem was that the first person we worked with was unable to continue so when the second person took over, understandings on our side had to be renegotiated. It was an extremely frustrating experience. (To be fair to the gardens, the second person was completely new. I'm sure it was very trying for them too.) They did try to make things work in the end.
  
  Regarding flexibility, because the garden is also a museum - everything from the walls to the floor - there were a lot of restrictions. We didn't have many decorations so this wasn't a problem for us. They provided tables and chairs as part of the rental fee, as well as a rehearsal which we appreciated.
• Tiffany S. Sent on 15/10/2014
  4.6 out of 5 rating

  4.6
  • Quality of service
    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0
  • Response time
    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0
  • Professionalism
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Value
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Flexibility
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0

  I'll start by noting the couple issues I had with the venue, but it did not sour our event whatsoever. When we first booked Dr. SYS, we had a few issues of miscommunication because they were in transition and we were getting passed to a few different people. In the end, 3 people later, we ended up with Katherine, who was PHENOMENAL. She definitely made up for anything negative we experienced in the beginning.
  
  We had our wedding in the Hall of One Hundred Rivers. Firstly, the venue is beautiful. No matter where you look, you see a piece of history and natural beauty. The greenery, rocks, architecture, water features - all amazing. We had set all of our chairs outside and right before the ceremony, it was raining on and off with sprinkles here and there. We weren't really sure what to do. Katherine was flexible and was telling me that we could move the chairs in anytime I wished to and she could be able to do it quickly. Unable to make up my mind, because I really wanted to get married outside, we decided last minute to move all the chairs inside. She did it so quickly most people didn't even notice! Luckily we did because it started to POUR about 5 minutes after. Katherine was so quick and efficient at doing so that it didn't even affect anything.
  
  Everything went smoothly and it turned out better than I had expected. The photos in the garden turned out spectacular and some of our best pictures were taken there.
  
  Thank you, Katherine, for jumping in and smoothing things out. We couldn't have done it without you!

  I'll start by noting the couple issues I had with the venue, but it did not sour our event whatsoever. When we first booked Dr. SYS, we had a few issues of miscommunication because they were in transition and we were getting passed to a few different people. In the end, 3 people later, we ended up with Katherine, who was PHENOMENAL. She definitely made up for anything negative we experienced in the beginning.
  
  We had our wedding in the Hall of One Hundred Rivers. Firstly, the venue is beautiful. No matter where you look, you see a piece of history and natural beauty. The greenery, rocks, architecture, water features - all amazing. We had set all of our chairs outside and right before the ceremony, it was raining on and off with sprinkles here and there. We weren't really sure what to do. Katherine was flexible and was telling me that we could move the chairs in anytime I wished to and she could be able to do it quickly. Unable to make up my mind, because I really wanted to get married outside, we decided last minute to move all the chairs inside. She did it so quickly most people didn't even notice! Luckily we did because it started to POUR about 5 minutes after. Katherine was so quick and efficient at doing so that it didn't even affect anything.
  
  Everything went smoothly and it turned out better than I had expected. The photos in the garden turned out spectacular and some of our best pictures were taken there.
  
  Thank you, Katherine, for jumping in and smoothing things out. We couldn't have done it without you!
• Millie B. Sent on 02/06/2010
  5 out of 5 rating

  5.0
  • Quality of service
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Response time
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Professionalism
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Value
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Flexibility
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0

  How often does an anticipated event turn out far better than what you'd imagined it would be? Our wedding was just that.
  
  Our ceremony at SYS was magical in a way we could have never dreamed. The setting of the ceremony itself was fabulous and the opportunity to explore the garden was an unusual and lovely treat, many of our guests told us later. The silent star/maestro of the whole event was the gracious, uber-capable Sacha Chin, the garden's event manger. She made our wedding phenomenal.
  
  Years from now, when I remember how fabulous my wedding was, I will attribute most it to the players and the stage (Sacha and SYS).... and, of course, my wonderful husband, family and friends.

  How often does an anticipated event turn out far better than what you'd imagined it would be? Our wedding was just that.
  
  Our ceremony at SYS was magical in a way we could have never dreamed. The setting of the ceremony itself was fabulous and the opportunity to explore the garden was an unusual and lovely treat, many of our guests told us later. The silent star/maestro of the whole event was the gracious, uber-capable Sacha Chin, the garden's event manger. She made our wedding phenomenal.
  
  Years from now, when I remember how fabulous my wedding was, I will attribute most it to the players and the stage (Sacha and SYS).... and, of course, my wonderful husband, family and friends.
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• Nicole L. Sent on 27/12/2011
  4 out of 5 rating

  4.0
  • Quality of service
    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0
  • Response time
    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0
  • Professionalism
    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0
  • Value
    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0
  • Flexibility
    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0

  A beautiful setting. Our guests are still talking about it!

  A beautiful setting. Our guests are still talking about it!
• Sandy Y. Sent on 05/04/2009
  4.8 out of 5 rating

  4.8
  • Quality of service
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Response time
    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0
  • Professionalism
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Value
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Flexibility
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0

  I highly recommend the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden for a wedding. Witnessing a wedding take place on my site visit, I knew instantly it was definitely the place to have the intimate, special and picturesque wedding I've been visioning in my mind. On the day of my wedding, all my guests were amazed at the beauty and privacy of the Gardens. No one imagined such a beautiful place existed in the in the heart of Chinatown! The Gardens was also a perfect backdrop to all my wedding photos! Finally, working with Sacha Chin was also a great experience, she was very knowledgeable of the wedding industry in Vancouver, very patient with all my questions and always delivered her service with a smile.

  I highly recommend the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden for a wedding. Witnessing a wedding take place on my site visit, I knew instantly it was definitely the place to have the intimate, special and picturesque wedding I've been visioning in my mind. On the day of my wedding, all my guests were amazed at the beauty and privacy of the Gardens. No one imagined such a beautiful place existed in the in the heart of Chinatown! The Gardens was also a perfect backdrop to all my wedding photos! Finally, working with Sacha Chin was also a great experience, she was very knowledgeable of the wedding industry in Vancouver, very patient with all my questions and always delivered her service with a smile.
• Jen S. Sent on 04/04/2009
  4.8 out of 5 rating

  4.8
  • Quality of service
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Response time
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Professionalism
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Value
    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0
  • Flexibility
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0

  The gardens were an absolutely spectacular place to hold our wedding. We had to make the booking before seeing the venue as we were doing this all from Holland (8,000 kms away!!!), but even booking from far away was extremely easy. My emails were answered quickly and professionally. I was given a choice of ceremony locations as well as the option to change if necessary (after seeing them). They took care of everything for me including the last minute chair additions. The wedding coordinatior Sacha made sure that everything went smoothly. She was so unbelievably helpful. I definitely recommend this venue, it was a great experience

  The gardens were an absolutely spectacular place to hold our wedding. We had to make the booking before seeing the venue as we were doing this all from Holland (8,000 kms away!!!), but even booking from far away was extremely easy. My emails were answered quickly and professionally. I was given a choice of ceremony locations as well as the option to change if necessary (after seeing them). They took care of everything for me including the last minute chair additions. The wedding coordinatior Sacha made sure that everything went smoothly. She was so unbelievably helpful. I definitely recommend this venue, it was a great experience
• Sukhpreet S. Sent on 10/12/2009
  4.8 out of 5 rating

  4.8
  • Quality of service
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Response time
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Professionalism
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Value
    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0
  • Flexibility
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0

  We held a special religious ceremony to celebrate our wedding with our family and freinds at the Dr. Sun Yat Sun Garden. It was an absolutely amazing atmosphere. The staff at the garden worked with us very well as this was the first time such an event had been held there. They worked with me to make the event fit within the budget and they were very kind and curteous.
  
  Our guests talk about this event all the time, and it was a unique experience for everyone.
  
  We hope to hold another such event in the future for our anniversary or something. Such a peaceful, beautiful, and unique atmoshphere no where else to be found in the Lower Mainland.

  We held a special religious ceremony to celebrate our wedding with our family and freinds at the Dr. Sun Yat Sun Garden. It was an absolutely amazing atmosphere. The staff at the garden worked with us very well as this was the first time such an event had been held there. They worked with me to make the event fit within the budget and they were very kind and curteous.
  
  Our guests talk about this event all the time, and it was a unique experience for everyone.
  
  We hope to hold another such event in the future for our anniversary or something. Such a peaceful, beautiful, and unique atmoshphere no where else to be found in the Lower Mainland.
• Gabbie S. Sent on 06/05/2009
  5 out of 5 rating

  5.0
  • Quality of service
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Response time
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Professionalism
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Value
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
  • Flexibility
    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0

  I absolutely loved having our ceremony at Sun Yat-Sen garden. Even now, more than a year later, we still get compliments from family and friends on how gorgeous the venue was. The garden is so photogenic that every picture we took turned out beautifully. Despite being in Chinatown, it was serene and quiet once you step into the garden. It really was like stepping into another world.
  Sacha was great to work with. She made everything so easy and on the day of the wedding, she was on top of things. As a bride, I didn't have to worry about anything other than running mascara. =)

  I absolutely loved having our ceremony at Sun Yat-Sen garden. Even now, more than a year later, we still get compliments from family and friends on how gorgeous the venue was. The garden is so photogenic that every picture we took turned out beautifully. Despite being in Chinatown, it was serene and quiet once you step into the garden. It really was like stepping into another world.
  Sacha was great to work with. She made everything so easy and on the day of the wedding, she was on top of things. As a bride, I didn't have to worry about anything other than running mascara. =)