My Husband and I booked the Shakespeare Hotel for our evening wedding reception (held November 2011 after a wedding abroad). We now wish that we had saved our money and taken our guests to the pub instead!

The catalogue of errors begins: We booked The Shakespeare as we were told that they were able to cater for up to 150 evening guests, had overnight accommodation available and - most importantly - were able to arrange a late music license allowing entertainment until 01.30am.

When I asked if I could see the 'bridal suite' I was told it was in the middle of being decorated/occupied by a guest/being cleaned.

Between booking the event and leaving for our wedding (8 months), there were THREE changes of 'event co-ordinator'. Each time the information we had given on our wedding requirements had been lost or recorded incorrectly. Our main point of contact left 3-4 weeks before our wedding. Unfortunately the owners failed to tell us this. We had been given an email and telephone number, but our messages concerning final numbers, room requirements and 'finishing touches' went unanswered.

The Big Night(mare): The day before the reception, I called the hotel as I had not heard from them AT ALL. I asked if they had got my emails and messages -deathly silence. I had to explain that we had book a large catered function the following day. I had no idea that I was speaking to the new 'events co-ordinator' and had I realised, would have been distraught at his lack of knowledge of our event.

On the day of the function, my husband and I arrived, with wedding attire, decorations et al. On trying to check in, we were told that they did not have a bridal suite, and had failed to reserve a room for us. Receipts of payment were produced, and we were told they had found a spare room. Issue 1: The room was not only outdated, but filthy. My wedding dress hem was covered in lint, the bathroom was vile with mould and rust. The bedding smelt damp. Issue 2: This was a 'double' but not big enough for more than one person to stand on either side of the bed meaning that I had to be laced into my dress with the room door open. Issue 3:the door did not lock, meaning our belongings (incl wedding cards and presents) were at risk. Our photographer asked if I would like photos in the room, and I was forced to decline.

What followed was an absolute farce: A bride and groom, in full wedding attire having a mexican stand off with the owners and staff. We had booked both function rooms due to the size of our party, to be told that we hadn't and would be 'banned' from entering the smaller lounge. A DJ turning up demanding payment (we had arranged our own). A lone barman running between two bars. The owner shouting at my Husband for inviting too many guests for them to deal with and the event co-ordinator telling the photographer to take photos 'only when he really has to' and hiding his tripod!

At 12.25 we were informed by staff that they had instructed our singer to stop, as they did not have a late license. Once again receipts were produced, but there was nothing we could do. Our guests were reluctantly shown the door an hour early, with a warning from the manager that if they made any noise, the police would be called.

In the interest of fairness I must add a 'good' point, the breakfast in the morning was not as bad as I thought it would be.

We have contacted the hotel, who have chosen not to respond. Our evening reception cost £2000 for the room hire, and basic buffet for (allegedly) 100 people. Heartbreaking.