theDame's reviews

I had planned to elope, but that was backfiring! 4 days before our elopement day, our families "encouraged" (more like "guilt-ed" !) us into having a wedding. So there I was, SCRAMBLING for a location.

I was running out of options and getting desperate. Someone who works in the wedding industry mentioned the winery as a gorgeous, picturesque spot. I called and the wedding coordinator Beth, who listened to my tale of woe. She told me that both wedding spots were booked (of course, it was a popular wedding date) but offered my small group a place in the tasting room- basically an area of the grassy, outdoor wine tasting area.

I went to check it out, and I decided it wouldn't do for my needs. BUT: Beth came to meet me, offered solutions and even said she could help pick anything up for me locally to help out. Her warmth, concern and offer to help a stranger who wasn't even a client was amazing. Can you imagine the level of customer service for a bride who books a wedding? If I ever get married again (kidding!) I'd certainly look here first.

Creativity, presentation, concepts: A+
Business methods and practices: C-

I met with Laura of Poppy's Petalworks and my initial reservation was the meeting. She didn't listen to me. She'd ask a question, and then interrupt- constantly. I attributed it to an odd enthusiasm; as if the ideas she was coming up with had just jumped into her mind. It made me uncomfortable but I focused on her work which was amazing. I told her my budget and for 30 minutes, she proposed many ideas and options that I loved, only to have her calculate that they would double my budget. I understand that people are trying to 'sell' you more but it was rather disheartening to learn that 1/2 of these amazing ideas were outside of my budget. Her ideas and her work are unique, distinct, varied and beautiful.

She refused to give me a copy of the proposal that we had just worked out. I found that uncomfortable but I accepted it. She claimed she didn't want someone to take her proposal and have another florist beat the price. Her style is so unique and distinct that I thought it was a bit paranoid but I accepted it. No other florist had this policy.

I decided to book her and she said she would not draw up a contract until I sent a 50% deposit. Payment without receiving a contract? I'm going to agree to terms before I even know the terms? In all of my years of contract negotiations; that's never been requested, it's not standard and it's not acceptable.

I chose another florist.

Here's what I have learned:

there's an "old school" coordinator and a "new school" coordinator.

The Old school is a bit like Franck from "Father of the Bride" . I don't know the ages of these women but they just seemed like "aunts". Not exactly cool, probably very skilled at coordinating but it felt to me like these women had no idea where I am coming from. There was just a slight air of 'uptight-ness' about these women.

And then the new school: largely, recent brides who were very good at planning and decided to do it professionally. These women seem to get that the old rules are old rules, to DIY is not shameful and funky ideas can work perfectly.

I have my DOC and I am booking PW's very own Lori Wright. We all know how helpful and knowledgeable she is on the PW forums and after meeting her: her energy, sincerity and enthusiasm made it a very easy decision for me. Lori has ideas, great instincts, passion and she communicates it well.

I'll update this review as we go. Now, I 'm just happy and grateful to have her as my DOC.

I was referred to them by someone prominent in the wedding industry as a great source near my wedding location. She recommended Richard who the previous reviewer raved about. Richard is out of commission- since December with no eta for his return.

I know exactly why they continue to be successful: they're the only game in town. there aren't many florists around and they are the "preferred florist" of the Sonoma Mission Inn- a popular wedding location. So they count on referral business, not recommendations.

They have no website. I asked if they could email me examples of their work... nope. In 2008, that's just... lazy? crazy? nuts.....

I contacted them on numerous occasions. For every 3 attempts (email, phone calls) I'd get a response. After FINALLY setting up a meeting: the designer was late (when I called to ask for the cross street they said she was not coming in. wth??) and she was rude.

And the nail in the coffin? The work they showed me was Floral 101. The presentation was TERRIBLE. Old beat up books, loose photos, some of them old Polaroids. You could call it classic but I would say basic, ordinary. I want modern, clean, fresh, innovative. Even if their work wasn't my style; I'd still give them a 1 star based on their level of customer service and care.

Update: I finally got my estimate;a full 2 weeks after our meeting and 8 days later than they said they'd get it to me. The final straw: the estimate is double than my quoted budget.

I ordered and paid for samples. 6 weeks ago. No samples. No response to my emails or call.
I've already chosen my invites so I basically made a $10 donation to Lucky Paperie....

Update: after 3 or 4 attempts at contact: They responded. They apologized and said they'd refund the money.
What I got was the 3 samples I ordered rather than the refund they said they'd give me. Long after I found a vendor.... completely useless (I really liked 1 sample. If they'd have sent it sooner, I might have chosen them)

I think if you are have a lower budget or you're young and your sensibility is more on the 'cute' side; than My Candy Paper would be good to check out.

Maria was great about correspondence- prompt with replies.

But I felt the paper options were thin and the custom design she came up with was not very good. She put the text within a bubble (think cartoon bubble) and it felt like an art school "B-" project. Also the sample she provided was spray mounted and the edges were not secure- so it felt glued together.

But the prices are reasonable and it would have been fine for a baby announcement or a birthday party; just not MY wedding.

I worked with Truly Your's on a large party and like Lottfish, the pros and cons were similar.

The food was fine, rather "common" catered food for a decent price. They charged $65 pp and there was a meat carving station, a pasta bar, a quesadilla station, an ice cream bar and a served salad. The food was good, in no way amazing, but what you would expect for the price point. The crew was efficient, professional, and polite. They were well-staffed in the size of the team. They also accommodated a last minute request from the venue to have felt pads on the wood chairs and did not charge.

But the cons were big. The table arrangement did not work. Despite coming to the site and planning a table arrangement, it did not fit the venue. I pointed out several times during the meeting that I thought it would not work. They insisted that they knew what they were doing. They changed it once they arrived and set up but did not consult us and threw the seating arrangement completely off causing a major last minute scramble. They also told another vendor to move his set up (again without consulting anyone), interrupting the floor plan, and it caused that vendor to not be set up until the very last minute.

Like Lottfish, Chris balked at feeding some of the the coordinators (basically me and another friend of the family who were working all day) despite being told it was "ok" and seeing us there for hours. He had to be convinced telling me "coordinators can get in trouble" Even if this was the case, it would be between me and the host. It'd be like me telling his crew they could not take a break; it would not be my place as they are not my crew.

They would not provide an emergency contact phone number. When I asked, I was told they don't give out cell phone numbers but I could call the office up until 2 PM to reach someone. 2 PM, 2 hours before set up and 5 hours before the event. I was told 'nothing can be changed now anyway".

And their Coordinator and Chris were not pleasant or nice. Their demeanor was gruff. And you really want to deal with pleasant, nice vendors.

I know these 2 personally and I would recommend them in a heartbeat. Their work is clean, pretty, modern and their work ethic is amazing. I've watched their wedding business flourish quickly because of the quality of their work, the ease of their personalities and their passion. In a few short years, they've been featured in In Style weddings and they've already worked on celebrity weddings.

I did a tasting with Stephanie and I thought she was fantastic: sweet, a great designer and an amazing baker. I thought her cakes were just a little heavier than I wanted for my summer wedding but very luxe, gourmet options. She presented a gorgeous design as well and her price is reasonable, I am certain she'll be going up in price soon!

I did 5 tastings and I Dream of Cakes had the most gorgeous cakes but not the best tasting.
The price was $17 a slice and I thought is was really good but just not amazing. Shinmin and Kelsey were lovely; Kelsey actually came up with a design on the spot. I chose another cake vendor with amazing tasting cakes.