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WHY VENDORS HATE PLANNERS

3/27/2021

For the record we don't HATE planners.
YES I am a planner too, So why would I even say that?
Here's what prompted me to write this post

A REAL CALL form a REAL PROSPECTIVE CLIENT

Caller: Do you have anything like this (photo attached) and are you available on a my wedding day. These are the tables and chairs that I want, but my planner said she works exclusively with another rental company. I called because they don't have some items you have and I thought it might be easier to get everything from you if the price is right.
Me: Yup, we have that, in fact that’s a photo of an event I designed and that’s all our stuff.
Caller: Now I'm confused...
Me: Why are you confused?
Caller: My planner said that SHE designed that event and an unnamed vendor provided the rentals for this wedding.
Me: well no…. I can send photos of my crew setting it up. We were even published and I can provide you with the publication that it appeared in, so you can see the vendors credited with this work.

As it turns out this customer did not hire us to provide rentals, nor did they hire the unnamed planner/vendor team. They simply eloped and expressed their disappointment in the ALOHA state for producing such a bad customer experience. Using words like deceitful and "no aloha spirit" to describe her experience.

If this isYOU just STOP!

If you don’t work with, or prefer not to work with a particular vendor, then don’t use photos of work they did and say it's belongs to another vendor, simple as that.
Don't take credit for a design if you didn't design it.

Are all planners like that . . . NO!!! Most are NOT. I'm proud to say we work with some of the best , right here on Hawaii Island and we're happy to provide you with a referral to one that consistently delivers honest aloha.

CHARGER OR NO CHARGER

9/4/2020

Weighing your options:

Cost
Design
Long Lasting impression

First let's address COST. The factor that comes to mind, is the cost for rental and set up, but you should also know that there may be additional cost on your caterer's tab. Their staff will have to remove and handle those delicate show plates. COST isn't just the take away, it's a hard ADD to your overall design. The question is, how valuable is that detail to YOU.

Next up is DESIGN. From a design perspective, I'm all about the WHOLE look. Details are important to me because it completes the thought, so to speak. The charger also anchors the napkin and other touches that would take on a whole different effect without a charger plate.

LONG LASTING IMPRESSION. I develop a relationship with my couples so staying in touch is natural. I can't tell you how many have expressed that they "wished they added a charger". Small detail, big impact. You'll look back on those images for years to come, don't regret your savings.

YOU CAN DO THIS, WE CAN HELP!

2/9/2017

How hiring a wedding coach takes you from DIY to DIWOW...
You're organized, you're an excellent planner.
No one can grasp your needs, desires or style like YOU can!
Your family and friends can provide all the support you need on your special day,
and we know the venues, the power situation, and vendors.

T h i s i s a r e c i p e f o r s u c c e s s

Allan didn't have the budget to wow his new wife for her birthday, like he did for his recent wedding. So instead of hiring a planner, as he did for the big day (who was fabulous by the way!), he called us and said "what can you do with my budget"? I need linens, chair covers, napkins, flowers, and design. Anne's YAKUDOSHI required lots of good fortune.
Knowing that red is the color of good health, vitality and long life in Japanese culture, we used that as the base for this design. Family members offered gifts in the form of "good luck" favors for each guest
How can we turn your thoughts into triumph?
Call us to find out!

PLAN B

11/21/2016

Switching gears because weather is imminent, will already test your limits. The last thing you should be doing is designing a plan b, hours before the start of your event.
How should you plan for weather related changes? Think shelter, food service, and flow.
Our professional planners will ensure transitions, such as these, are carefully curated.

GETTING WHAT YOU WANT, EVEN WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS

8/28/2016

We work with some genuinely powerful women, who know what they want. I am constantly amazed by their depth and thoughtful design ideas. Sometimes we work with brides who aren't able, who for whatever reason, can't to speak up and voice their opinions or can't envision the two very different styles and color palettes blending. The worst thing that can happen, is a bride isn't heard and is disappointed on her wedding day. I think this is sadder than a cat with no meow.
Rely on these tips to ensure success.
01. Hire a professional who is an expert in reading people and can recognize when a bride seems unfulfilled
02. #1 really is the only solutions. A professional will help you navigate all of it

WHAT TO DO IF THE VENDOR YOU HIRED ISN'T WORKING OUT

8/21/2016

"Don't panic, there is always a solution.
We'll help you find it."

Realistically you will never be able to fully research, each vendor and must rely on reviews and advice. Despite your first impression and "good feelings", you may end up hiring one that you find particularly hard to deal with over time.
What do you do? Refer to the Chinese proverb “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” Since you cannot go back in time, look closely at the terms and conditions portion of the contract you signed, typically there is a non refundable portion. Here is where you have to decide, is it worth being out $200-$1000 to preserve your sanity..or is the loss too large for you? Don't put this off because as more time lapses you could enter into the cancellation period, where excessive fees come into play. Like I always say...(don't shoot me) DO YOUR HOMEWORK! We may not be planting a tree, but we ARE planning a wedding. It is already too late to do more research, you're now in damage control. This may very well be the first financial crisis that you both can tackle together. Make a list of pros and cons. Decide together, is the "loss" really a loss or a small fee for a valuable lesson? I like to think positively about any situation so chalk it up to lesson learned and do your due diligence the next time. We'll be here for your anniversary planning.

WHEN THE VENDOR YOU REALLY WANT ISN'T AVAILABLE

8/6/2016

Oh no, You've finally paid deposits for the venue, the caterers, your planner, . Some vendors are so specialized, offering items and services you just can't get from other vendors. What now?
Knowing the area and familiarizing yourself with every vendor is even more overwhelming and unfamiliar.
How do you discern who is right for you? Does it just come down to price? Don't mind the french but we've seen weddings take the unfortunate turn to a shit show because the couple just wanted to save a few hundred dollars. Is it really worth the savings?
An experienced, certified, planner is not just a wise investment, it is most certainly your best investment...unless you have a rental company with a full time designer/planner at the reigns. We can help you DIY without the woes. Don't be fooled by "professionals" who re-create our looks but don't understand the venue rules, set up criteria or who haven't even taken the time to know your vision.

SHOULD I TRUST ONE STAR REVIEWS

8/6/2016

I am writing this as a result of receiving my FIRST one star review since opening our doors, It was like a knife in my chest! I read it over 10 times trying to make sense of the incident. We believe bad reviews are a teachable opportunity, so we take them seriously, but this was a total bash fest.

How do you know when a review is biased? The honest answer is, we never really will. The best advice I can give, is to do your homework. I know I say that ALL the time. I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it.

If you're like me, when deciding where to eat, see a show, find a place to crash... (especially when traveling) I look to yelp, the bbb, trip advisor and other sites dedicated to business reviews. For the most part, I look at the pictures and the first 3 or 4 reviews. If a review intrigues me, I dig in, so to speak, Narrowing down my choices to 3 or 4 helps me decide. Then all that's left is to experience it myself.

Testing the waters is not an option when it's your wedding. Reviews become our window into a company's soul. Having said that, reviews tell us three things, 1-who the consumer is, 2-who the business is and 3-what customers SAY they have experienced. It is your job to find out if the gripe is real, perceived or was handled satisfactorily.

I say... TRUST that you can find intel from reviews. Prepare your questions and contact the business. Express your concern over negative reviews and listen to what they have to say. Sometimes a business won't even know the review exists until you tell them about it. Like in my case.

For the record I disputed that review and it was subsequently taken down by the blog it was submitted to. It was determined that the reviewer was never a customer of ours, nor did they have proof they ever contacted us. They also mentioned in their review how wonderful our competitor was and that everyone should go to them instead. OUCH!

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