By Momof2awesomeboys March 30, 2014
What else can I say? Everything was said and done from previous review... Ridiculously outrageous rental fee. Few minor things... From my experience, if you reserved the place and paid using a credit card/ debit card, she charges $5.00 extra. When we got there, told us about the cleaning rules but dumpsters wasn't mentioned. After our event, we cleaned the place and threw our trash in the trash can, NOT in the dumpsters because that's what our friends did the last time they had to rent the same place....mind you when we got there, trash cans were not empty. Guess what? Owner texted me for not throwing trash in the dumpster. Really? Owner got paid lots of money and couldn't let it go?! It was an honest mistake but one thing for sure... Worst mistake ever is renting the place and dealing with people like the owner. It will not happen again!!! ...read more
By Bpangan March 30, 2014
First of, I called to reserve the place in March for my son's birthday and the person I talked to said that I can do all that from their web site. Are you kidding me? I'm talking to someone already yet I still need to go to their web site... Talk about work ethics, none! Unprofessional! Going on line making a reservation, $375 on weekends, $300 on weekdays and a deposit of $150.00 that goes straight to your rental fee per contract. One week before the event, I get a text... Balance due in CASH only $275 Rental $375 ($100 dept. /$50 refundable cleaning deposit) not counted toward balance. If you choose to clean this will be refunded ($50)at the end of your party. NONE in their contract says that you have to pay in cash only. In their contract from their site, it says your deposit goes directly to your rental fee unless she revised it now. The day of the party, you have to sign a waiver and know all the cleaning demands: sweep the area, put up all the chairs, throw your trash and take them to the dumpsters. For the amount that you are paying,you would think cleaning is included and that you will get something free like a birthday banner, ice, balloons or a cake, something!!! The place has extra amenities like pop corn machine, jumpers for toddlers, etc but again, you have to pay extra. Money hungry!!! I realized that nothing's free now a days but as a business owner, show that you value your customers and appreciate their business. One thing for sure.... NEVER again that we will use or rent this place. I completely agree with the other review... Scam artist. ...read more
By 2011 August 28, 2012
The deal that was made through talking and text messages was changed thirty minutes after the down payment was given. I was given the most ridiculous reason for the price to go up $200.00. I gave up several places to go with this one and got treated with disrespect. NOT A VERY GOOD WAY TO DO BUSINESS. ...read more
This week features a bride that had issues with a venue and the crazy demands and substitutions that she had to go through for her "perfect day." Brittany LoP: Hey Brittany ! Thank you so much for joining me and for allowing me into your "perfect day." I know that we've had several discussions on this subject, but I do have to ask. What were the circumstances behind your "perfect day ?" Brittany:I customized a lot and did it myself because that’s what I wanted. Everything was so “cookie cutter” and used colors that I didn’t like, but I did like the ideas that they used. Other vendors were offering more generic things and nothing specific to what I wanted. LoP:Was there one particular thing that made it “not so perfect” and why do you think that happened ? Brittany:With me putting all the details into it and putting it together and making sure that everyone knew what I had planned for the timeline. For things to just not work out was disappointing. For one, with the decor vendor, the vendor wehadto use their services, I felt like I had put a lot of time into going to see her once or twice a month leading up to the wedding. Still, even at the last meeting, there were things that were agreed upon that were going to be there, but they were missing and there was no one there from the venue for me to ask them for it. I honestly feel like that someone should be there, as it was promised, at least up until before the wedding. I could’ve noticed that something was missing ahead of time or when I did notice it, I could’ve went and asked for it or had someone else ask for it, but if there’s nobody there, I can’t. LoP:So, it wasn’t a total loss. There were just some elements about your décor that were missing that you thought were going to be there that you had made arrangements for that weren’t necessarily there. Brittany:I think a lot of it had to do with the person that was coordinating the décor. She made it seem like the details were just as important to her and any changes that need to be discussed, to set up a meeting time with them. We went over it several times. I was assured everything would be taken care of, they really saw my vision, and that they were able to supply the items I wanted, but for it not to happen the day of and I was never told ahead of time, even with substitutions, I was disappointed. That was never really discussed or talked about. LoP:What do you think caused this situation to happen ? Brittany:I think they have too many irons in the fire. LoP:What do you mean ? Brittany:They have a flower shop. They have rentals. They have the event space. Just because my wedding was going on that day didn’t mean they weren’t doing flowers for another event. Who’s to say my petals didn’t go out to another event that day ? The things I was missing in my rental décor, who’s to say they accidentally get delivered to another wedding or event that day ? I just felt like there was only one person handling all the different events and that there was no one overseeing what she was doing to check the schedule and availability. Like a “check and balance.” LoP:That's interesting. I've always find that when you have someone who claims "to do it all," a huge red flag goes up and I have to question the integrity of the final product. Afterall, you can't be an expert or professional ineverything.Knowing what you know now, what do you feel like you would’ve or could’ve done differently ? Would you have gone with the same venue ? Brittany:I think I would’ve done more research and maybe ask for clarification up front. I was very picky and I wanted something that was about as close as a fairytale setting that you could get in west Texas. LoP:What advice would you give to someone or what knowledge would you like to impart before they look at a venue ? Brittany:Know what you want. Don’t let someone push you into deciding something that you’re totally against. In the end, it’s your day and those are your pictures that you look back on. If you’re not happy with it, you’re not going to have a happy day. Never let them tell you “it can’t be done cheaper” or to “fit it into your budget.” I think if that’s what they’re there for, to make your dreams come true, they can give you a substitute or another idea that you’re satisfied with and not just something that is just easier for them to do. Let them know that they are not theonlyoption out there. If it doesn’t feel right to sacrifice what you really want, don’t do it. I think you can be overwhelmed with all the planning and all the work that you’ve done so much of yourself, you get to a point where you don’t care anymore. That is very dangerous for you (as a bride) because that sacrifices what you wanted from the start. Also, you have to be wary of those that have been in business for 50-60 years, exaggerating of course. The rental items they’re using are 100 years old, they’re not going to change no matter how times are changing, they want to try to do these cookie cutter weddings, and they want to charge ridiculous prices for ideas that have been used in your grandparents wedding pictures. LoP:Thank you so much, Ms. Brittany, for helping to give our readers some good advice on how to avoid the pitfalls that some of us have already gone through. And for sharing your story and some of the process you had to go through yourself. I’m sure that our brides will have things that will go wrong and at least we can help them get through it and be a little closer to perfection with that help. Helpful Tips/Questions To Ask Your Venue: When shopping for that “perfect” venue, make sure to ask for the rules and policies set forth by the venue. If you find there are some policies that aren’t clear or you are confused about, ask for clarification. Don’t be afraid to speak up ! It might be to your dismay if you don’t and then you’re wedding will be a disappointment. Ask the venue (if it has several halls/spaces/ballrooms to rent) if there are other events going on that day that might be in the same proximity of your event’s area and if there is a common space that you will have to share. That way, you know, up front, what space you have to work with and any obstacles or potential issues you will have to account for and have a back-up plan to deal with those issues. Always be suspect of any venue that insists on using “only what is offered” by the venue itself. Too many times, I’ve had brides tell me of these types of restrictions and outrageous demands being placed upon them at their venue. If a venue insists on only usingtheirservices (i.e. linens, flowers, rental items, etc.), maybe that venue isn’t for you. Most brides today know exactly what they want and will pay extra to acquire those items from their chosen vendor. I’m all for finding ways to increase your sales, but not at the cost of being unethical. Consider this act of “take it or leave it” a mild form of extortion.Better yet, or when a venue charges the bride a fee for moving chairs/tables if they don’t plan on using all the ones that are already set up within the venue. If a venue “demands” that extra money be paid for moving items such as tables and chairs,walk away. When this happens enough, the vendor will stop placing such ridiculous demands on clients, knowing that it should be the vendor’s normal responsibility to set up the necessary items that they supply for any events that they will have at their own venue. This outrageous form of “nickel and dime” to take more money from a client is wrong on so many levels. Don’t let someone prey upon your need for a place. There are always options and alternatives out there. Again, a huge "thank you" to Brittany for her time. Also, thank you to everyone that has liked or commented on Claudia's story. Keep those comments coming ! Until the next story... CG ...read more
By Life of the Partie April 14, 2012
For a while now, I've wanted to start a series that helped brides or just those in general that are planning a wedding, party, or other milestone event. Thanks to others, especially Claudia, I now have a topic and a title for my helpful hints. Claudia LoP:You and I have talked about weddings and all the things that can and do go wrong. However, we've also discussed the things we thought made weddings/events "perfect." What made your wedding day perfect ? Claudia: Well, what made it perfect was having everyone being there and having the dress that I wanted, the bouquet I wanted and the ceremony and everything went smoothly. Just the reception was... LoP:Ok. Obviously, there was something you didn't like or that was wrong. Did you get to see the reception before your guests ? And tell me what you saw when you first open those doors and walked in the doors to your reception. Claudia: No, I didn't get to see it. The first thing when I walked into the reception, the cake was on the guest table. LoP:What was it doing on a guest table ? Oh my gosh ! You poor thing ! What was it that caused this cake to be on the guest table ? Claudia: The people who made the cake didn't follow instructions. And they listened to some other person who wasn't the planner. The lady decorating [the reception] she told her that she had to put the cake there because that's what I wanted. LoP:So, It was one of your other vendors that told the cake vendor where she thought it should be. Wow !! For you, was that the one thing that kept it from being perfect or was there something else that was bigger and more important than that ? Claudia: Some other things. The person who decorated she didn't do the arrangements how I had asked. I had asked for some tall arrangements and some small arrangements and they were supposed to be nothing but roses. She added others flowers, in like colors I didn't ask for. Basically, she didn't do what I wanted. That's what made me upset. LoP:Now, I'm sure you already paid her for the job. Do you feel like she just had an agenda for what she saw fit or maybe other events booked on the same day ? Claudia: She didn't put any time into it. Earlier that week, she was out of town and had no other events. We had trouble with her bringing flowers to the ceremony. She asked us to go pick them up and that wasn't part of the deal. Then, we told her we weren't going to do it because we had to get ready to go to the church and that's what I paid her for. It was five minutes until the wedding started and there they [the florist] were running around brining in these huge arrangements. LoP:Was this a person you were recommended to or was it a relative of the family ? Claudia: It was actually relative. Another relative she told me about her. We weren't close, but now I don't talk to her at all. I think I'm still upset about the situation. And I think that she's upset because she thought she could get away with that. LoP:What would be the best advice you would give someone when it comes to decor/flowers when planning their event ? Claudia: I would say deal with someone that can place all of those things in front of you. Go to someone who's professional, not your aunt or other family. I would want to see the actual items because the things on the picture aren't always going to be the same as in person, just like the dirty, ugly columns I told you about. I didn't really look at all my options. I think they [vendors] do need to be into it [their craft]. I would go with better quality instead of cheaper. And someone who doesn't run their business out of their home. LoP:Well, thank you Ms. Claudia, I appreciate it. Hopefully, people will read this and heed the advice that you've given from first hand experience. Helpful Tips/Questions To Ask Your Decor(Flower) Vendor: Recommendations are good, but not always reliable. Set up a consultation with your decor vendor. This way, you can really see if the vendor's business is legitimate or not and how they handle their business (if they take pride in their shop or if it looks like a disaster zone that should be condemned). Ask to see swatch samples or actual examples of the product (chair covers, sashes, tablecloths, runners, napkins, etc.). The last thing a bride wants to see is the wrong colors at her wedding/reception. Check to see if the vendor has an online presence. With modern technology, it's a must for vendors to have no less than a Facebook page and a blog. This will help with their credibility, past client reviews which are IMMEDIATE feedback directly from the client, and it helps to know if their philosophy and style are aligned with your own. It has to be a perfect fit in order for you to be able to be understood and to understand your vendor. Not only that, you sometimes can get FREE advice from the vendor...free is good when you're planning a huge event like a wedding, right ? Well, I hope that you've gained some insight through Claudia's story and by the handy tips I've given. Thank you Claudia for your time and your story. Until the next story... CG ...read more
By Life of the Partie April 14, 2012
Do you ever wonder if you're the only person going throughbridal insanity? Or is it just something that will pass once "everything's done?" As a bride planning you're big day, you want it to be perfect and special. And to finally have your "princess moment." Well, of course you do !!! However, sometimes that one thing that would make the entire day perfect goes horribly wrong and you're left with that feeling of panic. anger, and all of a sudden you break into uncontrollable hysterics and then the tears start to fall. Never fear...you're not the only one who has had or will have that moment. This page is dedicated to those brides that have had their perfect moment compromised or ruined by the one thing that they looked forward to the most. These are a collection of interview I've done and the stories from other brides who had a not-so-perfect-wedding day and why it wasn't "perfect." The best part is that I offer tips on how to avoid certain situations before they become wedding day problems. And how to ask the right questions and what warning signs to look for when dealing with a vendor. Enjoy !!!! CG ...read more
By Life of the Partie April 14, 2012
Corporate events are an excellent way to build loyalty among your current customers, suppliers, vendors and others within the community. These type of events range from catered luncheons to evening black-tie galas. Making your next corporate event stand out will require proper planning, an excellent v... ...read more
Event planning is a business that requires attention to detail, customer service, problem solving skills, and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations. Event planners execute every detail of corporate meetings, weddings, reunions, parties and other events. Event Planning can develop into a v... ...read more