Open Question: When Things Go Wrong At Your Wedding…
July 31st, 2006 @ 3:29 pm by Mrs. Bee
After a year of meticulous planning, some things did go wrong at my wedding– I spent three hours and thousands of dollars with a florist who decided to do her own thing, ignoring my three page typed document of requests she agreed on, and delivering wilted bridesmaid bouquets.
My bridal party had to drive in a limo with no a/c because the driver was too cheap to turn it on, and it was 90 degrees….
And, my HIGHLY recommended day-of coordinator was rude to some guests and just overall not that good.
Is there anything I can do now? I am not suggesting legal action, and I have posted these things on theknot, but I don’t think it’s fair that people can get away with this. I called the florist the morning after the wedding, and she said she would not refund anything because I signed a document saying that she could substitute flowers as needed.
Any advice?? Thank you!
NewMrs
~~~
Let’s not focus on the names of the vendors, but more on general advice. What do you do after the fact, when you’ve been burned by a wedding vendor?
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7 Responses to “Open Question: When Things Go Wrong At Your Wedding…”
i think she’s doing the right thing by posting very honest reviews on the knot. also, i would suggest writing a very professional letter to each of the vendors - their managers, and mail it to them. not in an email, but via certified mail at the post office with tracking. this way, there is a clear record that the mail was sent and received.
vendors have to remember that their business comes from word-of-mouth recommendations. if they didn’t satisfy one customer, then that’s their fault. i dont think you’re being picky.
finally, i would suggest asking each company for a refund. if the florist works for herself, she probably will not give you a refund, however, you could probably write the car company and get the money back. whenever i have problems with any customer service (major problems, not minor ones) - i find out the name of the top guy - the CEO - and write a letter directly. it definitely helps…. just keep it professional, and detailed. remember, its not a venting letter, its a critique and complain about their service.
That is very helpful, thank you.
The florist and day-of coordinators both won “Best of” awards in my home state’s bridal magazine. So that goes to show you, PEER references are the most important.
As for the limo company, I will take your advice and try to talk to the owner of the entire company. I spoke with the manager who was no help.
It is frustrating when things that I would have never expected went wrong. I mean, who needs to remind the limo company that they should turn on the a/c on sweltering heat? I guess that is good advice for future brides!
Also, I think it is important to remember that wedding vendors are ofen friends, and sometimes they recommend each other because they are friends–not because they are the best choice.
I guess the safest bet is to use only the people you have had direct experience with?
The sad thing is…you don’t get a second chance on this.
Thanks so much!
Its a bit too late for this, but one thing you can/should do on the day of is not tip the vendor.
i watched one of the court shows earlier and a limo company got sued and lost because of no air conditioning but they also left the people but its no excuse.
You could also try reporting them to the Better Business Bureau.
Be aware in the future that you can only trust magazines’ “Best Ofs” so far- they quite coincidently happen to be major advertisers, friends of editors, or packaged to look hip to lazy reporters. Wedding & fashion magazines are some of the worst because they have publicists constantly sending them free stuff all the time in hopes of getting in print, and its much easier to stick that stuff in than really investigate what is out there. My favorite example was a few years ago when Working Mother named some major corporation as one of the top companies for working moms, said company was 1) a major advertiser in the issue and 2) involved in a class action sexual discrimination suit- neither was mentioned in the article.
BTW- Mrs Bee, I like the way you actually take the time to go out there, see what’s offered and talk with the vendors. It really sets this bee apart. Wish we had someone like you in Oregon.
Mrs. Bee, New York
Age and Occupation: 29, Weddingbee Publisher
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Internet
Engagement Date: May 7, 2004
Wedding Date: March 5, 2005
Venue: Westside Loft, New York
About Me: Yes, my name really is Bee! I love my blogging, wikis, and tabasco sauce!
Mostly I just let it go if it was something small. Big things like that I wrote up in my knot bio and I keep up with my local board to advise people for and against my vendors.
You can also submit a complaint to the better business bureau so if brides are looking up their vendors there you can see it.
Also if there is a local bio on the knot for your area see if you can get a note to see your bio in there for your review of that vendor. Hopefully that bio will be easy for furture brides to find long after you have left the knot behind.