Weddingbee Blog

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When I made a trip home in July, we found that our caterer’s food and demeanor was not up to our standards after all, and scrambled to find a new caterer who rocked. Luckily, we did just that and couldn’t be happier with Jody’s Pantry Catering.

Last weekend I went home again, and like the first trip, I encountered a huge unexpected bump in the road. I was going to be in Cleveland the last day of my visit, so I scheduled to meet with our photographer, primarily so we could meet before the big day and avoid the feeling of, ‘Hi stranger, would you like to take some photographs of me being emotional and getting dressed?’ We arrived to the meeting spot about 45 minutes early, so I called up our photographer to let him know we were there in case he could come sooner.

He answered, bewildered, and said, “Did RAD Photography not get a hold of you? Our meeting has been canceled.” What!? I had no idea what he was talking about. I had emailed RAD the week prior to ask a minor question, and received an email in turn saying he’d call me, but no mention of any cancellations. Our photographer said he’d call me back, but didn’t. Swarming around my brain for the next 20 minutes was panic, and the belief that we suddenly didn’t have a photographer. Finally, a call came from Rob of RAD Photography. He informed me our photographer had somehow been double booked for our date. **BUMP**

Mind racing I thought, ‘How will we find a good photographer with 6 weeks to go?’ I could not believe it, but then I’d spent the last 20 minutes preparing myself for this. Luckily, after a story of finagling, Rob said he himself would be our photographer for no additional charge, about $1k less than he normally charges, if we were okay with it. Joy started mixing its way into my feelings of irritation. Rob’s work is awesome - how could I not be happy about this news!! This particular bump in the road was brief, and like the first, turned out for the better (our new caterer’s food is so delicious!). While I was stewing about having driven to Cleveland to meet with no one, I had to appreciate how lucky we were to get such a great photographer for our wedding day.

Let me also say, before you react like I did and get upset that Rob had not called me in time, that besides having to work, there was an unexpected death that week, which understandably put my call on the back burner. Arriving in Cleveland two hours early was not the end of the world for me. Rob did offer to meet me, but I was catching a plane to CA after my next appointment and couldn’t hang around, so we’re going to ’meet’ via webcam.

I have to say fellow brides, you have to roll with the punches! No matter what you may think you have worked out, or what contracts you have signed, that there are so many people that have to come together for your wedding that you can’t expect things to go according to plan. It’s just not in your control sometimes. If it does - great! If not? Do. Not. Panic. You will find a way to work through it, and maybe come out in a better situation than you were in before.

While our bumps in the road turned out for the better, I’m not sure I can take many more! Let’s all just be on board from here on out, okay?

Have you experienced any major bumps in the road with your vendors, or otherwise?