JBD was hired to coordinate everything for the day of the event. I had developed my theme and communicated my vision and wishes to Ms. Lopez very clearly. I designed my own centerpieces, purchased all the materials including decorations needed to bring my vision to fruition. I communicated with Ms. Lopez via emails with explicit details as to what I wanted and exactly how I wanted everything laid out. I even included pictures so that there would be absolutely no confusion as to what I wanted and how I wanted everything set up. I brought Ms. Lopez to the venue to physically do a walk through in order to be crystal clear on what my expectations were.
About a month before the ceremony Ms. Lopez expressed that she needed more people in order to accomplish setting up the venue which was to hold approximately 100 people. Throughout the process it became clear to me that through constant redundant questions, that Ms. Lopez was not reading or comprehending the updated emails which described everything I was providing and how it was supposed to be set up. About two weeks out it became clear that she couldn't provide the full service day of the event planning and management that I desired and understood when we first contracted her. Then began the back and forth arguments with me as to what decorations she wanted to use versus what my wishes were and what I had already created. I arranged for additional people to help Ms. Lopez setup. Then it came to light that was would not be providing the "Day of Wedding Coordination" which was originally discussed and contracted, but rather simply setup the hall and then leave and then return to break it all down. Note: we are having two ceremonies and my Event coordinator for the second event is literally handling everything from beginning to end.
Ms. Lopez's demeanor throughout this process became increasingly confrontational, judgmental and demeaning and simply rude.
On the day of the event we had arranged to have Ms. Lopez, her staff and the additional help that I arranged to meet at the venue at 3 pm to set up. Her staff and my helpers including my adult children were there to set up. Her staff asked my daughters how to set up the centerpieces, the Champagne flutes, napkins, etc... One of her crew called Ms. Lopez and asked where to place the napkins and she told them to use their better judgement...
There was no coordination with the other vendors at all which is also in the contract: "Planning, coordination, management and execution of event details!!!!
I worked hard at creating "our vision" She arbitrarily changed things. I specifically told her I did not want flowers as table centerpieces, but rather I wanted the candles and glass candle holders that I bought and provided. She put her own decorations with flowers on the table anyway!
Souvenirs, specialty cups, other materials that I bought and boxed and labeled specifically with what should go where was not put out. Cups with the Bride and groom's name written on it that I provided (and detailed in my email) weren't placed on our sweetheart table.
I have never had such an unprofessional experience with a vendor. Her lack of etiquette (on All levels) decorum, and just plain kindness was appalling. How dare you make disparaging remarks about items we chose as part of our theme. It's our wedding and our vision NOT her's!!! Perhaps she is used to working with people that tolerate that condescending, mean, and unprofessional behavior. We are not and my guests and family members that I sent to help her do HER job didn't expect or deserve that kind of treatment either.
Ms. Lopez was contracted to provide a service. While her thoughts and ideas may be solicited and considered, the final decision belongs to the client. We hired her, not the other way around. Moreover, the attitude and sarcasm was atrociously disrespectful.
Her job was simple: take the client's vision and execute it. I went to extreme lengths to provide her specific details on how I wanted things set up. All she had to do was read. Ms. Lopez complained that she had other events at the same time. Project and time management is her responsibility, not mine. She should not take on more jobs than she has the bandwidth to accomplish successfully. She literally failed in every aspect of professionalism, planning, ability to organize and project execution. read more