Decorator Woes - The PASH Wedding Forums and Message Boards

Becka01 · #1 10-17-2007, 01:26 AM

Ok, wedding plans have been going great so far, with one exception. The decorator!

She came very highly recommended by the Catering Manager at the country club where we're having our reception. I guess the CM had worked in catering under the decorator at a hotel before she started her own decorating business. The CM just couldn't say enough good things about the decorator!

I emailed her, and we made an appt on 7/25 at the country club to look at pictures, talking details, etc. I loved her stuff, and her ideas were great! She had everything we wanted, and great suggestions so that we could stay in our budget. At the end of the meeting she asked me to create my list of what things I wanted her to do and email it to her, and she would get back to me with an official quote.

So I emailed her on 7/28 with the list. No response. Emailed again on 8/7 to see if she got it. She replies that she had gotten my email over her phone so it came across as read, and she didn't see when she got back to her office. She apologized, and said she'd get the quote to me right over to me! That was the last time I heard from her.

On 9/19, I emailed her and very nicely said that if I don't hear from you, do I assume that you're not doing my reception? I also told her that I loved what she had suggested, and was really looking forward to working with her, and to please get back to me. No response.

I emailed the Catering Manager and said that I wasn't able to get ahold of the decorator, and did she have another recommendation? She emailed me back saying that she'd never had anyone complain of not being able to get ahold of her, and gave me her phone number in case I had the wrong one. She also gave me the name and number of another decorator.

I called and left the decorator a message. Now what? I know that the first reaction is ditch the decorator, but I really loved what she had suggested and her prices were reasonable. But is that worth it after she hasn't gotten back to me? The CM loves working with her and has never had complaints. It just ticks me off, because she had the best ideas for making the reception site really look amazing.

Do I give her the benefit of the doubt and try again, or just make a run for it??

maroki13 · #2 10-17-2007, 01:35 AM

Honestly, you've already given her more chances than I would have given her.

If she doesn't respond to you now, in the initial planning stages, how do you know she would respond when it gets down to the wire.....i.e. 2 weeks before the wedding?

I'd let her go.

Do you have to pay a decorator? Can you decide to decorate the venue yourself? (I'm just trying to figure out if it is a requirement of the venue.)

Becka01 · #3 10-17-2007, 01:50 AM

I know, I just really loved what she did. Grrr.

Its not a requirement of the venue, its our choice. I happen to have been witness to some miserable hours of decorating reception halls as a bridesmaid, and I think I'd rather be shot than do it again.

TheaterDiva1 · #4 10-17-2007, 03:09 AM

I'd "break up" with her as well... she doesn't seem very dependable.

You did get some ideas from her... can you run with them anyway - maybe put your own spin on them?

m_t_rose · #5 10-17-2007, 03:59 AM

I am not sure what I would do in your situation. You really loved her ideas so I would say go with her but you not sure how reliable she is. I guess it comes down to whether or not you can handle the stress of having a unreliable decorator.

Marksbride · #6 10-17-2007, 12:54 PM

Well I'd probably let her go to. You've given her plenty of chances.

So what if you keep her and you play cat and mouse until a month before the wedding??

Can you decorate on your own?

GOOD LUCK!

Julz518 · #7 10-17-2007, 02:10 PM

I think you shuold at least start talking to other decorators... who knows, you may like what they have just as much, if not more than her.

If she does ever get back to you, I would be up front and say "I had a really hard time getting ahold of you, and I don't want ot have to worry about that closer to the big day. Do you have another phone I can reach you at? Ar eyou sure you have the time to do my wedding?" And DEFINITELY get EVERYTHING in writing if you decide to use her... dates, prices, what's expected on her end and what's expected on your end.

NovemberGal · #8 10-17-2007, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julz518

I think you shuold at least start talking to other decorators... who knows, you may like what they have just as much, if not more than her.

If she does ever get back to you, I would be up front and say "I had a really hard time getting ahold of you, and I don't want ot have to worry about that closer to the big day. Do you have another phone I can reach you at? Ar eyou sure you have the time to do my wedding?" And DEFINITELY get EVERYTHING in writing if you decide to use her... dates, prices, what's expected on her end and what's expected on your end.

I agree with this. I would check out the other decorator that the CM gave you, get a quote from her if you like her stuff. Who knows, you may like her ideas just as much! And you could also insert some of the ideas the other woman had, too, to see if this second decorator could use any of them.

IF you ever hear from the first (and at this point, it really seems like she's not that interested in your business), explain that while you LOVED her ideas, you are EXTREMELY concerned by the difficulty you've had in getting ahold of her, and what this means for how she'll manage your wedding. Because, come on, 2 1/2 months is ridiculous for just getting a quote back to you.

I think it's very important to check out others. Right now you're so torn because of how much you loved her stuff. That would be mitigated if you found someone else that you also like, if they respond to you in a timely manner.

Mary2008Weds · #9 10-17-2007, 08:17 PM

I have to agree, I am sure you can find someone willing to cater to you and make your day special. They should have to work hard for you not you working to hire them. Your the one paying. Theres bound to be another decorater out there if you can remember the ideas let them do it.