I debated writing this review, but I felt compelled to share our experience. This review is not to…read moreslander Queen Bridals in any way, but to offer honest feedback that may encourage some reflection.
Like many couples, we approached our wedding with excitement. A friend referred us to Vicky, and we didn't think twice. In hindsight, perhaps we should have done more research, but we are easygoing people. We communicated our vision, gave Vicky creative freedom, and trusted her as a professional. We weren't difficult. We asked for something simple, elegant, and meaningful. Instead, we experienced stress, embarrassment, and disappointment.
In the weeks leading up to the wedding, Vicky voiced concerns that our venue, Koi Palace, was too small. We reassured her we had attended several beautiful weddings there ourselves, space doesn't seem to be an issue. While she eventually said she'd make it work, her lingering doubt was noticeable.
On the day of the wedding, I arrived at the venue at 5:20 PM and found our guests waiting outside due to the venue not being ready. Inside, I observed Vicky and her team still working and did not wrap up until 6:00 PM, the scheduled start time of our reception. Later, Vicky insisted she had finished by 5:30 PM and had time to mingle with our vendors, but that version didn't align with what I witnessed or what our vendors shared.
The most heartbreaking part came when my wife and I stood before the photo backdrop to take pictures with our guests.
Instead of our correct monogram, the backdrop displayed the letters "V & A," despite my wife's name starting with a "J". Our guests noticed and pointed it out. We were stunned. To us, this wasn't a minor mistake, it was a glaring and deeply embarrassing moment. We ended up removing the initials ourselves.
Even then, we didn't lash out. We waited, hoping Vicky might follow up to ask how the day went. She didn't.
Two days later, I reached out and met with Vicky in person. I calmly asked how she thought the event went. She indicated everything went great and didn't recall any issues. When I showed her a photo of the incorrect initials, she looked at it without immediately recognizing the mistake. Only after I pointed it out did she acknowledged it and offered to Photoshop the images as a solution.
That moment was disheartening. It showed a lack of understanding of what her role meant to us. This wasn't about a photo, it was about how we felt in a moment that can't be edited. It was about getting the basics right on a day that only happens once.
After expressing our disappointment, we asked Vicky for a 30 percent refund. Not out of spite or anger, but because we truly felt the value of the service fell short of what was promised. The emotional weight of her error left an unsavory impact throughout our evening. We didn't demand the refund on the spot. I encouraged her to sleep on it and consider our perspective, to put herself in our shoes. She appreciated how non-confrontational we were and ultimately verbally agreed to the refund via Zelle.
Three days went by. Nothing. I followed up with a message. No response.
Eventually, Vicky replied and asked to speak. During our conversation, she reversed course and said she no longer felt the refund was warranted. She maintained the decor had been finished well before 6:00 PM and sent us a video of guests taking their seats at 6:01 PM, which only confirmed she or her team were still at the venue at that time. Technically, she completed the decor by the start time, which falls within the contract, and while we shared our plans for pre-reception desserts and snacks, we cannot fault her for that aspect.
As for the wrong initials, to her credit, Vicky was apologetic to some degree and acknowledged the error, but indicated a 30 percent refund was unrealistic. I explained again this wasn't about a backdrop, it was about my wife being displayed by the wrong name, in front of everyone, on her wedding day. It was about the emotional toll and the lapse in attention to detail, especially when Vicky had worked almost exclusively with my wife during planning. How that mistake happened is still beyond me. Candidly, Vicky admitted to mixing up my wife's name with another bride.
In the end, Vicky refunded 7.5 percent, stating since we removed the initials, it didn't technically ruin the wedding.
No, it didn't ruin the wedding. But it undoubtedly affected how we felt. It cast a shadow over the night. It made us feel discounted, dismissed, and ultimately shorted of a service we were counting on.
I believe Vicky put effort into her work. I believe she cares to a point. But her unwillingness to follow through on her word or genuinely consider the emotional impact of her mistake left us deeply disappointed.
Mistakes happen, but how you respond to them matters just as much as the service you provide.
