We had our table mock up appointment yesterday at 11:00 AM. I had made arrangements with our reception venue, wedding planner and florist for this day about a month ago. We walk in at 11:00 AM. Yeay! My centerpiece is there. In the middle of an empty table. Yup! That’s right. Empty!I was really quite disappointed. I was told by our event coordinator that we would have 2 full rounds completely set up. Then to make matter worse, our coordinator was nowhere to be found. When they realized they had screwed up, they all scrambled to set the table, how do I put this nicely, half-assed! Instead of 2 full tables, we got 5 place settings that were thrown haphazardly together. I am not a table setting expert but I don’t think cutlery is optional.
My wedding planner had another appointment so by the time we got everything going she had to go. And the cherry on my rapidly melting sundae, was when the event coordinator waltzed in with no apologies offered for the unprofessional service.
I thought I did pretty well hiding my disappointment. It wasn’t until I got home that I realized how upset I actually was. I guess I am not a bridezilla quite yet. Needless to say, after speaking to Mr. Jelly Beans, who was surprisingly more irate than I was, I composed and sent off an email to the Catering and Sales manager.
I feel really bad doing this but at the same time it worries me that we have placed all our trust and faith with a reputable venue only to be disappointed in the end.
What would you have done if you were in my place?
Pics to follow. Although they aren’t the best so why should I even bother. I sound like Eeyore! 
eeeek, thats a rough beginning. I would have done the same thing. Don’t feel bad. -)
it is unfortunate that i can say been there done that. I’m really sorry for your dissapointment. lesson learned confirm confirm and confirm again. next appointment you have confirm it 3 times and each time mention you are just confirming to avoid the mix up from last time - she’ll get the hint.
it sucks that the only appointments that caterers take seriously are for the events that are hottest on the burner. it seems the entire industry just doesn’t give a crap about brides that are ahead of the game….
i think you did the right thing - i’d have been ticked off too. is it common to set up a mock table setting? how soon before the actual wedding date do you usually set one up?
If everything else with her is good, I’d say forgive and forget (but now she nows she’d better be on her best game with you!).
I think you did the right thing. Almost every wedding vendor I am working with is extremely unprofessional and forgetful. When I call them out on it, they offer no apologies or anything!It’s so frustrating because this is their job! I try and contact vendors and after 6 weeks I still do not hear back from some. So yea, go ahead and complain to them. It might not help (like in my case) but you’ll feel better.
Well Eeyore - the only thing you can do that you haven’t already is nail it back on and show us those pics. I would say most of us have pretty good imaginations!
I would have been irked, too. I’m sure it’s just a minor snag. 
Thanks everyone *hugs all around*.
I seriously dont want to turn into a bridezila by any means so I was kinda on the fence before I sent off the email. But I did feel soo much better after the fact.
Katie- alas, I did confirm, confirm, confirm to the point where I felt like a pest… lol
Didi- Im not sure if its common practice but the venue had that option and it helps to see what your table will potentially look like. It doesnt hurt to ask your venue. I would suggest setting one up a month or 2 before the wedding. Take pictures!
Iris- I am keeping my fingers crossed *fingers crossed*
gj17- pics to follow soon, just trying to block out the repressed pain when I see them…. jk… or maybe not!
Thanks Miss Lovebug- I sure hope so!
Aww..Miss Jelly Beans, I actually admire you for being composed throughout the meeting! I would have already been so irritated and probably giving everyone attitude for the unprofessional behavior. And doing so doesn’t mean you’re a bridezilla. It’s just the reaction of an unsatisfied customer! I hope they felt bad because they made YOU feel so bad!
I’ve never heard of places letting you do a table mock-up. Sounds like a nice idea though. At least you got a sense of how everything will look. Our venue does not offer this as far as I know.
[...] really much more to say that I haven’t already. My therapist says the sooner I post a picture the closer I am to getting back into tip-top wedding [...]
You did the right thing under the circumstances, but your wedding consultant should have stepped in and been assertive about what needed to be done while you were there. I agree that you (or, actually, your wedding coordinator) should call to confirm all appointments in advance and make clear what is expected at that appointment. Also, this should be done several days prior to the wedding so that there are absolutely no questions as to what is expected on the day of the wedding. This applies to all of your vendors. As a former professional bridal consultant, my brides never had to make any calls except to me, and I handled every detail for them. Expect no less from a bridal consultant! That is what they are being paid for.
[...] my “failed” mock table appointment, I received an email response from the Catering and Sales Manager. She was quite apologetic and [...]
[...] 4. Second Table Mock-Up. This time all the tables were set up as promised. [...]
Mrs. Jelly Beans, Ottawa
Age and Occupation: 28, Pediatric Registered Nurse and full time bride to be
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Investor and very supportive groom to be
Engagement Date: July 7, 2005
Wedding Date: August 25, 2007
Blogging Since: June 20, 2007
Venue: Cathedral Ceremony and Rooftop Tent Reception
Honeymoon: Italy
About Me: I have been in wedding planning mode since Mr. Jelly Beans popped the question almost two years ago. I am a very dorky and sentimental person. I love laughing and living life alongside my husband-to-be. We have been in a long distance relationship for over 6 years - he is in California and I am presently in Canada, so you can imagine how excited we both are for our upcoming wedding.
awwww, i’m so sorry! sometimes these people just do not care to keep track of these “minor” appointments. but great job on staying calm. i’d probably be livid in your shoes.