I am writing this review as a very dissatisfied paying customer who did not receive the level of…read moreservice, professionalism, or quality that I was promised and paid in full for. My Dad found this business online and suggested we go with her after. talking to her and having a pleasant first contact. My experience, thereafter with Annod and the owner, Donna, was frustrating, disappointing, and completely unprofessional from beginning to end.
After paying my invoice in full to host my graduation party at her Accokeek location, Donna went completely silent for long stretches of time throughout the planning process. She ignored numerous texts and calls from me asking questions for my vendors (DJ, caterer, bartender, etc.) who needed important information to prepare for my event. When I finally reached her, I was told not to call and to only text because she was dealing with personal issues. Despite me needing information, she didn't put me in contact with someone else who could assist, and she was constantly active on social media. That is unacceptable behavior for someone running a business.
Trying to plan a party brings a lot of anxiety and Donna nor her team did anything to alleviate that. Having no contact with you until FOUR days until the event, when she ought to know planning takes weeks and months to execute shows her lack of care and concern for her customers once she has your money.
To make matters worse, Donna waited until just two days before my event to update my invoice, which added unnecessary stress and confusion right before my celebration. For someone who claims to have 30 years of event planning experience, her lack of communication and organization was shocking. She demonstrated zero regard for my time, concerns, or the fact that I was paying for a professional service.
The balloon garland I was charged for looked nothing like the reference photo I provided- Not worth the $275 paid. On the day of the party, Donna didn't even show up. Instead, she sent a family member (or someone on her team- not completely sure) who had no idea what was required or discussed. Good thing some of my family went early to make sure the setup looked how I envisioned (which it did not), and they were able to tell her the table requirements and things the vendors needed that were discussed with Donna just 4 days prior. My vendors were missing tables and accommodations. They wanted to set my DJ up on a highboy table instead of the 6-foot table, previously discussed. Insane.
The colors were completely wrong and mismatched, and the centerpieces were nothing like what I ordered. I paid for a backdrop, and she couldn't even provide proof of the backdrop before I got there. It was $150, and when I got there, it was my first time seeing it. I would have liked to have viewed it before she printed it. Same with the template on the photo booth. She did not provide anything, and I asked MULTIPLE times. The request was ignored. It ended up being a lot of floral, and that was something I told her I did not want.
And speaking of the photobooth, less than 24 hours before my event, Donna informed me that the 360-degree photo booth I had booked was no longer available. I was forced to accept a different booth at the last minute. Although she extended the hours to compensate, the last-minute change showed a total lack of planning and respect for her clients.
The situation only got worse. The bathroom ran out of toilet paper, the lights went out, and my guests had to use the bathroom in the dark, with no way to contact anyone from Donna's team. It was embarrassing and unacceptable.
I also paid for setup and cleanup services, but because Donna was not on site to manage her staff, my family and guests had to assist with setting up and cleaning up, even after paying for those services. At one point, a member of her team asked my mother to help clean, which was beyond unprofessional.
The tablecloths were dirty, the floors were not mopped (or even swept, it seemed), the decorations were not as promised (I wanted nudes, pinks, and soft purples and got blue, purple, and pink), and overall, the execution of my event did not reflect the package or price I paid for.
Donna frequently promotes lavish, well-coordinated events on social media, but that is not what I received. What I got was disorganization, lack of accountability, and poor communication from start to finish.
I would not recommend this company to anyone who values professionalism, reliability, or quality service. My family and I spent our hard-earned money expecting a stress-free, well-executed celebration, and instead, I got disappointment and frustration. She may provide better services if it is not in her event space and she is only responsible for a small portion of the setup. Do your research and read the reviews before booking...I wish I had.