The Sage Venue

We chose The Sage (currently known as The Palazzo, still the same owner) in August 2013 because they rolled the venue cost and food cost together in one per-head rate, they allowed us to bring in our own hard liquor, and they added a dessert table (a supposed $500 value). The wedding coordinator, Christina, was very helpful in arranging for our needs. The total cost for 5 hours at the venue, 4 hours of open bar (beer wine, mixers, and soda) and food for 80 guests was roughly $7,700. The Sage (Palazzo) allowed us to make a $1,000 deposit and pay a monthly charge on my credit card so we would not have to pay the entire amount in one installment. During the time between August 2013 and November 2014, the venue would forget to charge my credit card. I would have to remind them to charge me so that my wife and I could afford the wedding. For a period in the early winter, they neglected to charge my card, so the payments went up accordingly. This was annoying because we had carefully budgeted for the wedding. Later they had credit card issues, so I had to send them checks. Periodically, I would need to inform them of the payments made and the balance. They did not keep very meticulous records. I sporadically received invoices, and they were often missing a payment. In May of 2014, we learned the coordinator, Christina, had left The Sage (Palazzo) when we tried to contact her. I cannot comment on how busy they were at this time, but from my personal point of view it would have been polite to let us know whom to be in contact with for any wedding issues. Our new contact, Ellie, had to get up-to-speed with us very quickly. She tried very hard to make sure everything was going smoothly. She informed us in either August or September that our previous agreement to bring in hard liquor could no longer be honored. The venue decided to tell us this at nearly the last minute. They said they could still do the open bar portion, but made no serious attempts to correct the situation until I sent them a scanned copy of the contract. On the day of the wedding, the venue looked very nice. The Sage (Palazzo) has a Mediterranean feel. There is soft lighting which made for an intimate setting. Overall, the ceremony went off very well. The acoustics were nice, and there was enough room for our 80 guests to sit comfortably and watch the ceremony. The Sage (Palazzo) opened the bar and served appetizers while my wife and I took pictures. We did not get a chance to enjoy the appetizers, but our guests said they were good. Our DJ did an excellent job as master of ceremonies throughout the night. I initially did not want a DJ, but he proved his worth. The dinner was adequate. My guests enjoyed their meal, but I thought the food was just so-so. Our free dessert table was... tolerable. It was a bit odd because there were desserts like cannoli near bowls of smarties. There was also a mixed bowl of skittles and M&M's. I have no idea why someone would mix those two. The dessert table was listed at $500, and I would have been upset if it were not a free addition.I brought home-brewed beer for my guests (which I cleared with the venue well in advance) and they served it during the reception. At one point, they claimed to have run out. It turned out they had just left half of it in the back. They also claimed to have run out of the Gentleman Jack, Kaluha, moderately-priced scotch, and Bailey's when we collected our liquor at the end of the night. I am not suggesting any impropriety, but I am curious why the most expensive liquors were gone (especially when only 2 or 3 guests mentioned drinking the Kaluha and Bailey's). My father-in-law called about this, but did not hear back.There was also an unpleasant smell during the reception that nobody could pinpoint. I have no idea what it was, but it was distracting at times. Synopsis: I think the people at the Sage (Palazzo) are nice. The atmosphere is enjoyable. Downtown Clearwater is a nice area with lovely beaches and affordable hotels. If we could go back in time, my wife and I would have chosen another venue. I cannot recommend this location to anyone planning a wedding. While it is convenient to have the food and venue costs lumped together, I do not feel like I was able to trust them to keep their financial records straight. I personally did not have a high opinion of the food or the way the wedding was coordinated.

SAVE YOUR MONEY!! STAY HOME!! My wife and I like to support local talent and restaurants. We heard this place has a new owner so we decided to go. The evening was suppose to cost $37.50 a person. I paid $100 for both of us in cash and the owner, Vincent, who said he would bring the change to my table, NEVER brought it over. Instead he gave us some if his bottled pasta sauce. The meal was mediocre at best. The talent was worth it, but weeks later, I heard the owner stiffs the talent on multiple occasions. These kids work hard for their money, and I have zero tolerance for weasels like him! I have urged my friends to not support this place. You'll get better Italian food at Carrabba's!!

Food was great had my wedding their three months ago and had no complaints.Mr Vincent and the staff went above and beyond to make my guests comfortable.I am having my company christmas party their 2014 and cant wait to go and have a great time again.Dont listen to the negative things that people who hide behind a computer have to say. OBVIOUSLY there is probably more to these losers whining.From the Torres Newlyweds. keep up the good work.cant wait to eat some real authentic italian food.

My wife and I originally booked this Venue When it was Known as the "Sage" August of 2013 for a wedding December 2014. The owner "Vince" is a total SALESMAN whom over promises and under delivers. Our event was to be for 75 people, the Venue upon arrival advised us that they had three people call in sick so they were staffed with a cook, DJ and bartender!!! No one to serve food or attend to guests!They also did not have a large number of "normal" liquors or any sangria that was promised. There explanation was that "they had a huge party the night before whom drank more than they expected!" How was this the current party's concern?!The food was horrid. Came out cold and with no thought as to how to serve guests in any particular order.The was a rotten sewer smell throughout the entire place the whole night.The staff was rude. They told a black friend in my wedding party that he "deserved to sit in the back of the bus" and the owners wife had the audacity after all the issues to tell us" we should be thankful that they put on our event" THANKFUL!!!?? If the event was free, I still wouldn't have been thankful for how it all went off. When you pay, and pay an exorbitant amount of money, you expect to be catered to, this DID NOT HAPPEN!The owner promised desert bars and candy bars which never materialized and hid in the back room refusing to come out and talk to us even though he promised to 5 times throughout the night. DO NOT waste your hard earned money on these scam artists!!!! The Venue is very appealing to the eye and with different owners, may be a destination. DONT BE FOOLED!!!! GO elsewhere!!!!

I was in the wedding party for my friend who got married at this venue. Before the event even began there were problems. No one was supposed to be allowed in the venue until 30 min before the ceremony so that the bridal party could take pictures. However people were arriving and inside an hour and a half prior. The bridal suite bathroom had no paper towel, minimal toilet paper, and there weren't enough chairs. The valet also never showed up for the arriving guests. The ceremony was beautiful and we made the best of the reception to spite additional problems with The Sage. The AC wasn't working and so all evening people were fanning themselves and sweating. They ran out of food and had people waiting in the buffet line for over 10 minutes before asking them to be seated. They also ran out of glasses and served me wine in a small vase. As a result of the temperature, the cake and party favors (small cookies) melted. Guests also left early because of the heat and lack of food. Lastly the tables were packed very closely together and some people couldn't get to their seats or fit in their seats without rearranging chairs. Although I have not had personal contact with the owner, I have heard he is very difficult to work with and has not responded to my friend since her event. To me, this is unacceptable, you only have one special day and he was responsible for making good on his contract, which he failed to do. The venue is beautiful but I would think twice before booking this for your special day.