Wedding Planner Troubles.

[JerseyGrl81]

I am having a difficult time getting my wedding planner to respond to my emails. Since I am getting married in Bermuda I thought having a wedding planner would make things a lot easier. She was great when we first hired her and now she is MIA. When she does respond to me she is rude and dodges the questions I ask. Here is just one example- I asked her if my menu was finalized yet so that I could go ahead and order menu cards and this is the response I got from her:

"This is the last eMail with respect to Menu Cards and I was of the thinking you had already ordered them from Custom Programs. We finished that conversation and you were either going to select either the Pink and Orange or the Green and Pink. We went backward and forward on this. Either one of the two would work. I think the Green and Pink would be fabulous."
I had to explain to her that I wasn''t asking what one to pick, but if the menu was finalized so that I could order.

There is only five weeks until my wedding and I feel that so many details are not taken care of. What do you ladies think I should do. My fiance is nervous that if we get her mad she won''t do a good job.

 

[SapphireLover]

Woah- that is not the sort of communication you need with 5 weeks to go! I''m sorry, I can''t think of any helpful tips as ignoring it might mean she will carry on with this attitude, but then confrontation might lead to making things worse. Is there anybody else in the area that could step in last minute or are you stuck with her?

 

[CaliCushion]

Wow, that sucks. Have you paid your wedding planner in full yet? If she''s really giving you such trouble, you might consider just letting her go and cutting your losses right now.

 

[honey22]

I would get rid of her and take over yourself. Even if you had paid her, you don''t want to have things not done. The money is gone either way, I would take back control of the wedding if you want to ensure things are done properly.

And wow! She sounds like a real cow!

 

[JerseyGrl81]

I really do just want to cut ties with her. But I don''t know how to go about booking vendors in Bermuda with less than 5 weeks to go. I am hoping she will give me the names of the vendors she booked, so that I can contact them myself. I have been asking her for the names for months now and she still hasn''t gotten them to me.

 

[Rock_of_Love]

That really sucks! You should not have to deal with this at all when this should be a happy process for you. One of the main reasons to get a wedding planner / coordinator is so that you can have peace of mind and relax. Obviously she is not doing this for you!!

Can you contact the venue where you are having the ceremony and/or reception? Maybe they have spoken to the vendors to make arrangements already...for when to set-up, deliver, etc. If so, you could get the names from them.

 

[honey22]

Date: 6/28/2009 9:22:49 PM
Author: JerseyGrl81
I really do just want to cut ties with her. But I don''t know how to go about booking vendors in Bermuda with less than 5 weeks to go. I am hoping she will give me the names of the vendors she booked, so that I can contact them myself. I have been asking her for the names for months now and she still hasn''t gotten them to me.

Warning bells are ringing here! Are you sure she is legit? Have you got any proof at all that you are booked with anything? How do you know she hasn''t just taken your money and run?! I would very worried!!!!!

 

[cindygenit]

FIRE HER A** OFF!!!

you''re paying her money and you deserve better.

 

[wannaBMrsH]

JerseyGirl, I am so sorry that you are going through this!

I agree with PP who suggested contacting your venue directly. My wedding coordinator started off very strong and then fell off the face of the earth a few months back, I waited two weeks and called the venue directly. I''ve been dealing with the coordinator on site at the venue ever since then and my original planner is now scrambling to try to give me SOMETHING!!!!!

IIRC, you are doing a cruise to Bermuda, correct? Is it possible for you to contact the marketing and sales team on the cruise ship? or the group sales director? They go there often and surely, they have other weddings. They can probably be a great resource to you as far as contacting vendors on your own.

Unfortunately, we sometimes learn VERY expensive lessons the hard way. I have been there and I feel for you...

 

[JerseyGrl81]

Thank you girls for your support. We are going to Bermuda by cruise, but having the wedding at a hotel. I will contact the hotel coordinator and see if they can help me. I just sent the WP an email

"I am working with a seller on etsy.com to make my programs, menus, and seating cards. We need the menu finalized so that she can get started. Should I contact Coco Reef directly to get this taken care of?

Can I please have the names and contact information for the florist, D.J., photographer and minister we are using for the wedding. There are details I would like to work out for the wedding.

I hope all is well with you. I sent you a few emails and haven''t heard back from you. I hope you are still interested in coordinating my wedding. I hope I am not bothering you with my questions."


Lets see how she responds to this. If I don''t hear back from her today I will call her tonight. Any idea how much it costs to call Bermuda?

 

[katamari]

Date: 6/29/2009 11:58:37 AM
Author: JerseyGrl81
Thank you girls for your support. We are going to Bermuda by cruise, but having the wedding at a hotel. I will contact the hotel coordinator and see if they can help me. I just sent the WP an email


''I am working with a seller on etsy.com to make my programs, menus, and seating cards. We need the menu finalized so that she can get started. Should I contact Coco Reef directly to get this taken care of?



Can I please have the names and contact information for the florist, D.J., photographer and minister we are using for the wedding. There are details I would like to work out for the wedding.



I hope all is well with you. I sent you a few emails and haven''t heard back from you. I hope you are still interested in coordinating my wedding. I hope I am not bothering you with my questions. ''



Lets see how she responds to this. If I don''t hear back from her today I will call her tonight. Any idea how much it costs to call Bermuda?

First, I am very sorry that you are experiencing this. It has been very difficult for me to plan our DW, too, and we are not doing it to the scale that you are, so I can imagine you are experiencing my frustration, only multiplied.

But, I do want to point out that you are paying her! Your boss (or at least my boss) would never say "I hope you are still interested in doing your work. I hope I am not bothering you by making you do your job." Etc. I am not advocating you be a jerk to her or non-respectful/thankful. However, she is failing at her job, and I think you have every right to be more forward when you talk to her. Does this make sense?

Just try to keep in mind that your guests will still have a great time no matter what! But, even so, it is fully in your right to demand the service you are paying for.

 

[JerseyGrl81]

Katamari- you are so right. I don''t know why I feel bad about asking her to do her job!

I just called her on her cell phone and she answered and said she is going out with her husband for their anniversary and she will call me tonight. Let''s hope she gets back to me.

 

[tyty333]

Wow, all I have to say is that message she sent you was really rude. Do you think that she was mixing you
up with another wedding she was planning?

When you talk to her I would say "I''m assuming that you mixed me up with another bride
because I really didnt understand the tone of your email.

First of all I''m getting my invites, etc. from an etsy vendor - not Custom Programs and
second of all I was asking if the menu had been finialized not which colors of menus
I should order."

Well something to that effect...see what she says. I also think you should get all your vendors
phone numbers/emails. Doesnt sound like you can leave it up to her. What a bad attitude.
Be sure to leave her a bad review (after the wedding) where ever you give wedding planners
reviews???