St. George Catholic Church
Well, I don't really consider this a vendor, but I guess technically they are. We have had great experiences with Fr. Mike. His team also did an excellent job of working with us to get the church set up the way we wanted for our ceremony.
Final Grade: A
Final Grade: A
Elegant Affairs
First Meeting: Our first meeting was okay. I liked the services they offered, but I was concerned about the venue being too much like a cookie cutter "everybody gets the same reception" type operation. However, I did not feel like we should completely rule out the venue because of that. As a result, I emailed the owner to inquire about some of the things that concerned me, she was great!
Second Meeting: Second meeting was much better. I felt more comfortable asking quesions. And I was assured that they would be more than willing to meet us halfway to create the type of reception we desired. At that time, we booked them.
I have emailed Ms. LaNita Braud several times with questions throughout the planning process, and each time she has responded promptly. She has done an excellent of job of helping us make this wedding a reflection of our personality.
I received an email from Elegant Affairs, inviting us to their first ever bridal show. Mom and I decided to go to sample the food and cake, since we had not been to an event at the facitlity before. It was wonderful! I am truly excited about having our wedding here.
POST WEDDING UPDATE:
Our wedding was truly a blast! Elegant Affairs took care of all the small details and allowed us the oppurtunity to enjoy every moment of this special day. Their team has these operations down to a science! The food was good, the cake was awesome! I will recommend this place to everyone.
Final Grade: A
Second Meeting: Second meeting was much better. I felt more comfortable asking quesions. And I was assured that they would be more than willing to meet us halfway to create the type of reception we desired. At that time, we booked them.
I have emailed Ms. LaNita Braud several times with questions throughout the planning process, and each time she has responded promptly. She has done an excellent of job of helping us make this wedding a reflection of our personality.
I received an email from Elegant Affairs, inviting us to their first ever bridal show. Mom and I decided to go to sample the food and cake, since we had not been to an event at the facitlity before. It was wonderful! I am truly excited about having our wedding here.
POST WEDDING UPDATE:
Our wedding was truly a blast! Elegant Affairs took care of all the small details and allowed us the oppurtunity to enjoy every moment of this special day. Their team has these operations down to a science! The food was good, the cake was awesome! I will recommend this place to everyone.
Final Grade: A
Jeannine's Bridal
I will admit, at first, I did not want to go to the bridal salon. I had visited their website prior to my dress shopping weekend and noticed that they had become an off the rack only store. My concern wasn't buying a dress of the rack, my concern was whether or not they would even have something available in my size since I am a plus sized lady. However, after passing up the store several times, mom said, "Let's go in, what do you have to lose?" She was soooo RIGHT! I tried on a few dresses that were pretty, but the last one I tried on, was BEAUTIFUL! I didn't purchase right then because I was a little uneasy about their strict no return policy and excellent price on the gown. I slept on it for a night, but sure enough, I woke up in the middle of the night to look at the picture of the dress on my phone. When mom and I met up the next day, I told her I needed to go back and try that dress on again. We ended up purchasing the dress when we went back to the store. I love the dress!!! And it was an excellent price. I also purchased my veil, headpiece and necklace from there. The service was fantastic, they couldn't have been more helpful. Unfortunately, the store closed about two months after I bought my dress. The owner said she had been running the store for twenty plus years and wanted to do something else. Before they closed, she recommended a great tailor, who would also be willing to steam the dress for me.
Final Grade: A
Final Grade: A
The Photography Shoppe
I am going to reserve judgement until we have received our wedding photos from them. The owner seems to talk a good game, but I continue to hear questionable reviews about the company. Our photographer Kristin is AWESOME. We love her! She has a great artistic eye and offers honest input about how to carry out your vision. We enjoyed our engagement photo session with her. She told us it would take about two weeks to get our proofs posted online, and they were posted in about a week and a day. She even allowed us to contact her regarding special editing of some of the pictures. However, we did have an unpleasant experience with one of her co-workers when her computer was out of commission for a bit. But she came in and reassured us that all would be taken care of. Turns out something went wrong with their burner and they were unable to burn the pictures CDs. We received our proofs two months after we took our engagement pictures.
I would work with Kristin again without a doubt. I am just not sure I would work with the Photography Shoppe again, I will let you know how the rest goes.
POST WEDDING UPDATE:
Kristin seemed extremely stressed the day of our wedding. I'm not sure if she was worried about getting all of the shots, or if something personal might have been the issue. However, she was short and slightly rude when dealing with us. At the reception, around the cake table, she lost her cool and yelled at my wedding party when
In the end, her pictures were fabulous, but her attitude left something to be desired. Additionally, it took us a year to get our pictures from The Photography Shoppe. I ended up having to file a report with the Better Business Bureau to get the digital negatives. As a result, I forfeited the wedding album for us and the two parent albums that would have been included in the package. It was worth it to just be finished with The Photography Shoppe and cut our losses. Also, the last time I spoke to Ken Ramsey, the owner, Krisin no longer worked with them. I think she has started her own photography business, but I am not sure. I am giving them the grade of "D" because their work product was great, customer service skills sucked.
Final Grade: D
I would work with Kristin again without a doubt. I am just not sure I would work with the Photography Shoppe again, I will let you know how the rest goes.
POST WEDDING UPDATE:
Kristin seemed extremely stressed the day of our wedding. I'm not sure if she was worried about getting all of the shots, or if something personal might have been the issue. However, she was short and slightly rude when dealing with us. At the reception, around the cake table, she lost her cool and yelled at my wedding party when
In the end, her pictures were fabulous, but her attitude left something to be desired. Additionally, it took us a year to get our pictures from The Photography Shoppe. I ended up having to file a report with the Better Business Bureau to get the digital negatives. As a result, I forfeited the wedding album for us and the two parent albums that would have been included in the package. It was worth it to just be finished with The Photography Shoppe and cut our losses. Also, the last time I spoke to Ken Ramsey, the owner, Krisin no longer worked with them. I think she has started her own photography business, but I am not sure. I am giving them the grade of "D" because their work product was great, customer service skills sucked.
Final Grade: D
Flawless Creations
Mrs. Ross did my makeup for our engagement photo session. She did an airbrush application. I like the way I looked for the most part. The only thing I didn't like is that she penciled in my eyebrows, which I would never do ordinarily. I just wiped that part off and everything else was perfect.
I will most likely book the same vendor for my bridal portraits and the wedding.
UPDATE: I have tried for the last month to contact this vendor to schedule her for my bridal portraits and wedding, however, my attempts have been unsuccessful. She used to have a website where I could just book services online, however, the website is now down. I called twice and left messages and also tried corresponding by email. I needed someone to do my makeup for my bridal portraits, so I have decided to book another vendor.
Final Grade: C
I will most likely book the same vendor for my bridal portraits and the wedding.
UPDATE: I have tried for the last month to contact this vendor to schedule her for my bridal portraits and wedding, however, my attempts have been unsuccessful. She used to have a website where I could just book services online, however, the website is now down. I called twice and left messages and also tried corresponding by email. I needed someone to do my makeup for my bridal portraits, so I have decided to book another vendor.
Final Grade: C
The Hair Gallery
Ashley at the Hair Gallery did my hair for our engagement photo session. She did a fabulous job! We practiced the hair style once before and I liked it, she was easily able to duplicate it.
Final Grade: A
Final Grade: A
Alfred Angelo
Alfred Angelo is where the bridesmaids dresses will be ordered. Our consultant Erin is great! I tried on dresses there for myself as well, but did not find anything I just had to have. (Sidenote: If you go there to try on bridal gowns, you cannot try them on unless an associate is available to assist you, they will not let you just try on the gowns on your own. And you must have an appointment to do so. But for bridesmaids, it is a whole different game, you can try on whatever you want without an appointment at all.)
Unfortunately, Alfred Angelo has decided to discontinue the Seafoam color. I was disappointed in how I discovered this. Rather than receiving a call from the store, I happened to be browsing the website look for dresses for something else and attempted to click on the seafoam color preview of the style, only to find that it was not listed. So, I went to a couple of other styles and tried to view them in seafoam and it was not listed for those styles either. So I called my local store here in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I asked to speak to my consultant Erin, but she was out, so I spoke to Wanda instead. I inquired about the possiblity of the color being discontinued. Wanda informed me that she had received a memo that the color was discontinued and my bridal party would not be able to order it after the end of the month, which would be about 17 days from our conversation. I asked why I was not informed and was offered some inadequate excuse for why they could not notify me in a timely manner to give me ample time to decide if I wanted to go forward with the decision.
All in all, I decided to choose a different vendor to purchase our bridal gowns, it seems that with Alfred Angelo we were already starting off bad. Additionally, I was concerned with the fact that I would not be able to reorder or correct any mistakes, should something go wrong with the order. We will be ordering dresses from Gabrielle's Bridal.
Final Grade: D
Unfortunately, Alfred Angelo has decided to discontinue the Seafoam color. I was disappointed in how I discovered this. Rather than receiving a call from the store, I happened to be browsing the website look for dresses for something else and attempted to click on the seafoam color preview of the style, only to find that it was not listed. So, I went to a couple of other styles and tried to view them in seafoam and it was not listed for those styles either. So I called my local store here in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I asked to speak to my consultant Erin, but she was out, so I spoke to Wanda instead. I inquired about the possiblity of the color being discontinued. Wanda informed me that she had received a memo that the color was discontinued and my bridal party would not be able to order it after the end of the month, which would be about 17 days from our conversation. I asked why I was not informed and was offered some inadequate excuse for why they could not notify me in a timely manner to give me ample time to decide if I wanted to go forward with the decision.
All in all, I decided to choose a different vendor to purchase our bridal gowns, it seems that with Alfred Angelo we were already starting off bad. Additionally, I was concerned with the fact that I would not be able to reorder or correct any mistakes, should something go wrong with the order. We will be ordering dresses from Gabrielle's Bridal.
Final Grade: D
Gabrielle's Bridal
I went into Gabrielle's Bridal after receiving the bad news from Alfred Angelo, seafoam green color swatch in hand and asked them if they sold any styles in a similar color. They had several to choose from, so we will be using their services and I will arrange for my bridal party to come in and get measured and try on dresses. Hopefully round 2 of bridesmaid dress shopping will go better.
UPDATE: All dresses have been ordered. Our sales assistant Ms. Linda Gail has been wonderful, however, the store owner was quite rude to her in front of my entire bridal party when we went for our fitting. Aside from that awkward incident, all of our dresses have been ordered and paid for without any problems and should arrive in store in mid May.
POST WEDDING UPDATE:
Due to a mix up when ordering, the dress for the Matron of Honor (who was 9 months pregnant at the time of the wedding) was ordered incorrectly. She specifically stated she needed a maternity version of the dress we chose. Everyone knew, as she was obviously pregnant at the fitting. Somehow, a regular dress was ordered for her. When the dresses came in, she could not fit the dress. Gabrielle's immediately began troubleshooting the issue. We came up with a solution, they had a local seamstress completely remake the skirt. I have no idea where she got the fabric from, or how she did it. But the dress looked tailor made for my Matron of Honor. It was perfect! Thank you to Gabrielle's for their prompt solution to our dilemma.
Final Grade: B
UPDATE: All dresses have been ordered. Our sales assistant Ms. Linda Gail has been wonderful, however, the store owner was quite rude to her in front of my entire bridal party when we went for our fitting. Aside from that awkward incident, all of our dresses have been ordered and paid for without any problems and should arrive in store in mid May.
POST WEDDING UPDATE:
Due to a mix up when ordering, the dress for the Matron of Honor (who was 9 months pregnant at the time of the wedding) was ordered incorrectly. She specifically stated she needed a maternity version of the dress we chose. Everyone knew, as she was obviously pregnant at the fitting. Somehow, a regular dress was ordered for her. When the dresses came in, she could not fit the dress. Gabrielle's immediately began troubleshooting the issue. We came up with a solution, they had a local seamstress completely remake the skirt. I have no idea where she got the fabric from, or how she did it. But the dress looked tailor made for my Matron of Honor. It was perfect! Thank you to Gabrielle's for their prompt solution to our dilemma.
Final Grade: B
Al's Formal Wear
We met Greg and Renee at a bridal show in July. They gave us an offer for a great deal. We ended up getting three free tuxes and the other groomsmen and ushers that needed attire ended up only have to pay $108 each (including tax) for everything.
POST WEDDING UPDATE:
Everything was ready and on time for our guys. And, returning the tuxes was quick and easy also.
Final Grade: A
POST WEDDING UPDATE:
Everything was ready and on time for our guys. And, returning the tuxes was quick and easy also.
Final Grade: A
High Rise Productions
We booked Randy Rouyer with High Rise Productions for videography services. Dealing with Randy has been a breeze and we look forward to seeing his work.
POST WEDDING UPDATE:
This was truly the easiest vendor I worked with. He gathered our ideas for the type of video we wanted and he provided just that. He was easy to communicate with and his prices were quite reasonable.
Final Grade: A+
POST WEDDING UPDATE:
This was truly the easiest vendor I worked with. He gathered our ideas for the type of video we wanted and he provided just that. He was easy to communicate with and his prices were quite reasonable.
Final Grade: A+
The Golden Needle Tailor - Danny
I've heard rave reviews of Danny at the Golden Needle on Florida Blvd. in Baton Rouge. Once I purchased my dress, I went over to the shop to ask Danny if he would be able to fit my dress in. We scheduled the first fitting for January 23, 2010 so that he could have the dress ready for my March 30th bridal portraits.
UPDATE: Danny did an extraordinary job with my dress. And his prices were rather reasonable for all the work he did. He is going to re-alter my bra since the bra shop was not able to cut the wire down to make it fit under my dress properly. And he is only charging $10 to do it.
Final Grade: A+
UPDATE: Danny did an extraordinary job with my dress. And his prices were rather reasonable for all the work he did. He is going to re-alter my bra since the bra shop was not able to cut the wire down to make it fit under my dress properly. And he is only charging $10 to do it.
Final Grade: A+
The Cut Flower
My mother and I met with Stephen at The Cut Flower twice. He was very creative and accommodating. I guess what most attracted us to his business was that he seemed to give us the most honest feedback about what would and would not work well for our event. So far, we have had a great experience working with his company.
POST WEDDING UPDATE:
The Cut Flower did an awesome job! And, they were easy to work with.
Final Grade: A+
POST WEDDING UPDATE:
The Cut Flower did an awesome job! And, they were easy to work with.
Final Grade: A+
Bridal Boutique
I chose to not shop for my bridal gown at this store because I did not like the owner's pushy approach I had encountered at a local bridal show. In passing, I mentioned that I thought the bodice of a dress on display was pretty to my aunt, the owner (who was standing near the dress) overheard our conversation. Immediately she emerged from her booth with a pen and a clipboard and said, "here, fill out this form and we will set up an appointment for you to come in and try on this dress". I was taken aback by her forward sales tactic. It was smothering to say the least. I informed her that I was not interested in trying on that particular dress. She said, "well why not? You said you liked it!" Her tone was as if she were annoyed because I did not want to try on the dress. Truth be told, the top of the dress was gorgeous, but I hate dresses with pickups (I think they make me look even bigger tahn I already am, and frankly was not interested in having to deal with that much fabric on my wedding day. The owner of the Bridal Boutique couldn't seem to grasp that concept. And she lost the sale for herself with her overbearing sales pitch.
Although I had informed my future mother in law of my experience with the Bridal Boutique, when shopping for her dress we decided to give them a second chance. Ms. Rose was quite helpful in assisting my future mother in law with her dress selection. The dress was ordered on Thursday, January 7, 2010 and it is expected to take about three months to come in. And although they do not do alterations, they recommended a few people.
UPDATE: My future mother in law went to the Bridal Boutique to pick up her dress because she received a call that it was in today. When she entered the store, she stood at the front counter for about five minutes. The young lady sitting behind the desk never once asked her if she needed any assistance. So, another customer came in after my future mother in law, and immediately, the girl behind the counter asked her if she needed help. My mother in law excused herself and told the woman that she had been there first and needed help. The clerk proceeded to help the other customer as if my future mother in law was not in the store. Someone from downstairs came to help her. But the question remains, why was she not helped before the two women from upstairs came to assist? What was the problem? Thankfully, future mother in law's dress fits without any issue.
My final verdict, this place is really not worth the trouble.
Final Grade: D
Although I had informed my future mother in law of my experience with the Bridal Boutique, when shopping for her dress we decided to give them a second chance. Ms. Rose was quite helpful in assisting my future mother in law with her dress selection. The dress was ordered on Thursday, January 7, 2010 and it is expected to take about three months to come in. And although they do not do alterations, they recommended a few people.
UPDATE: My future mother in law went to the Bridal Boutique to pick up her dress because she received a call that it was in today. When she entered the store, she stood at the front counter for about five minutes. The young lady sitting behind the desk never once asked her if she needed any assistance. So, another customer came in after my future mother in law, and immediately, the girl behind the counter asked her if she needed help. My mother in law excused herself and told the woman that she had been there first and needed help. The clerk proceeded to help the other customer as if my future mother in law was not in the store. Someone from downstairs came to help her. But the question remains, why was she not helped before the two women from upstairs came to assist? What was the problem? Thankfully, future mother in law's dress fits without any issue.
My final verdict, this place is really not worth the trouble.
Final Grade: D
Lyn Tuck "Hair Guru"
I had seen Lyn doing someone else's hair years ago when she was a student at the Aveda Institute and thought she was wonderful. I didn't know how to contact her, but ended up coming across a facebook page she had set up for her business through a friend of mine. So I sent her a message and we got in contact. She did my hair trial for the wedding twice in under two hours. I was impressed. And she is very much into "whatever the customer wants". We have decided to make a few changes to the hairstyle from the the trial and I am excited to see the outcome.
POST WEDDING UPDATE:
She did a good job on the updo. But there was a scheduling conflict the day of my wedding. She had not realized my wedding was on a Friday, a day that she works in another city. So, I had to go in super early for my appointment. I was really disappointed that she was rushing me in an out. However, my hair did look gorgeous.
Final Grade: B
POST WEDDING UPDATE:
She did a good job on the updo. But there was a scheduling conflict the day of my wedding. She had not realized my wedding was on a Friday, a day that she works in another city. So, I had to go in super early for my appointment. I was really disappointed that she was rushing me in an out. However, my hair did look gorgeous.
Final Grade: B
Paula Hutchinson (Airbrush makeup)
Paula Hutchinson is my new makeup artist, she is a recommendation from a woman I went to school with. I have seen pictures of her work. The first time she will do my makeup will be for the bridal pictures. But after talking to her on the phone, I felt quite comfortable with the service she was planning to provide. And I was pretty happy to discover her price was half of what I payed for the engagements with my first makeup artist.
POST WEDDING UPDATE:
Paula did a great job the day of the wedding. She arrived on time and was very professional. She did the makeup for everyone that desired to have their makeup done that day. I actually used her services again for our Trash the Dress session. She did a wonderful job for that photoshoot as well.
Final Grade: A+
POST WEDDING UPDATE:
Paula did a great job the day of the wedding. She arrived on time and was very professional. She did the makeup for everyone that desired to have their makeup done that day. I actually used her services again for our Trash the Dress session. She did a wonderful job for that photoshoot as well.
Final Grade: A+
Locked N Loaded Photography
Iboro Udoh with Locked N Loaded Photography took our pictures for the Trash the Dress photoshoot. He was a breeze to work with and the pictures were creative and fun. We took them downtown and he took his time with us. The only down side was that it was SO HOT the day of our pictures. However, we all made it work and had a great time in the process. I would definitely recommend his services to others.
Final Grade: A+
Final Grade: A+