Vendor Beware: Update

The Toronto Star posted a follow-up today to its Saturday article. Click here to read.

Previous Post: Vendor Beware

Vendor Beware!

via The Toronto Star

The above article appeared on the front page of this past Saturday's Toronto Star. The pictured couple, along with several others, were allegedly left high and dry by a Mississauga-based decorator, Affairs With Flair, when it claimed bankruptcy and 'backed out' of its contracts days, in some cases even hours, before their clients' weddings. The kicker? This decorator was still demanding payments from clients while it was emailing others to let them know they were 'bankrupt.' According to the Toronto Star, The Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada has no record of Affairs With Flair filing for bankruptcy. Outrageous. I really feel for all those couples out there who paid this company hundreds, even thousands, of dollars and were left with nothing on their special day.

After reading this article, I contacted Alison of Toronto-based A Hot Pink Petticoat for her advice on how other couples can avoid this vendor nightmare. Here are Alison's comments:

• First off, if a vendor is aggressive, almost forceful, about getting your 50% deposit up front, then walk away. Receiving emails along the lines of "pay your balance or else" is a huge sign to just cut your losses and run!

• Like we hear all the time, if the prices are too good to be true, they are. This vendor was offering decor at prices that undercut their competitors by too much. Reputable vendors will not under price their value as much as this vendor did.

• Make sure your contract is air-tight. That is, make sure it states that if the vendor does not provide the services as per the contract, that you will be reimbursed 100% of payments already made.
  

• Ask your other vendors about vendors you have yet to hire. If someone had asked me about this vendor, I would have told them how there has been some talk in the industry questioning this vendors' ethics.

Alison also recommends those individuals looking to hire a decorator to read this article, 7 Questions to Ask Your Decorator, written by professional decorator, Vivian of Vivian's Decor & Designs.

A big thank you to Alison for sharing her wise advice with us. I would just add that if you are in the beginning stages of your wedding planning, you may want to consider hiring a event planner or an event co-ordinator. I know that this is an expense that many couples cannot afford especially in these economic times but the benefit of having someone 'in the know', who can guide you towards reputable vendors, may save you a lot of heartache and money in the long run. Finally, elaborating on Alison's comment above, make sure you read all your vendors' contracts. Legal contacts can be daunting sometimes and as easy as it is to just sign and file away, step up to the plate and read the contracts. You'll find that often times, it's in plain English disguised in 'legal font.' And don't be afraid to ask for clarification if you don't understand a provision. After all, it's YOUR money and YOUR big day on the line here!

If you are or were a client of Affairs with Flair, I encourage you to contact the author of the Toronto Star article, Nick Kyonka at nkyonka@thestar.ca.

The Green Elephant, er, Curtains in the Room

Happy Monday. Hope you had a great weekend! I was busy cleaning and stocking the fridge as the BF is coming in this Friday. YAY!

My friend Anita will be getting married this summer at the luxurious Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg. Built in 1913, the castle-like hotel is a designated historic landmark and has hosted many high profile guests*. It is the perfect place to have a grand and elegant affair.

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I remember how ecstatic Anita was when she booked the Provencher Room at the hotel. Unfortunately, Anita's excitement was short-lived. She would soon find out that the Provencher Room would not fit her (and her finance's, her parents' and future in-laws') guest list. Luckily, the larger Crystal Ballroom in the Fort Garry was free and so Anita took that date. Problem solved, right? Well, for the most part. You see the Crystal Ballroom has these green curtains and Anita, well, she rather they weren't there. See for yourself.

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The green curtains themselves are not that bad. Actually I think they're quite regal and complement the elaborate chandeliers in the room. However, they certainly do not go with the 'Tiffany blue' colour scheme Anita had envisioned. So, how does a bride compete with such, um, regalness? Well, one option, is to let the green curtains, the chandeliers and the rest of room's ornateness be the focal point - which is what the event planners in the above photo did. White, plain linens adorned with tall white & blush centrepieces took a back seat in this event. I'm not going to lie. I'm not of a fan of this approach, especially for a wedding. (The bride would blend into the linens!!) So I set off to find images of the Crystal Ballroom to show Anita she could work with the green curtains and hopefully inspire her to find colours that complement them.

Here's what I found:

I really like how the brown and champagne linens work with the curtains here. Unlike the event above, it brings the focal point down from the ceiling to eye level.

Photo by Joel Ross Photography via Weddings in Winnipeg

The below wedding shows how you can indeed make the green curtains take a back seat! The abundance of red combined with the tall floral centrepieces takes the focus down to the tables.

Photo by Joel Ross Photography via WeddingBells.ca

The next two photos are from Madelaine's Weddings and Events. Madelaine, a talented Winnipeg-based wedding planner, assisted her clients with choosing ivory pintuck linens (I just learned that those criss-cross seams are called pintucks), ocean blue chair sashes and napkins. Who would have thought the ocean blue would go with the green curtains? I love the use of the different sized pillar candles on each table. How cute are the monogrammed chair sashes?

Photos by William Au

The next few photos are from, I believe (Anita - let me know if I'm wrong), another room in the Fort Garry Hotel, the Concert Ballroom, which also houses the green curtains. Anita will be having a traditional Jewish ceremony which means there will be a 'chuppah' (canopy) present like the one in the below photo. I like this simple white chuppah, each of its four posts adorned by orange and green flowers.

The orange and green flowers are used again in the reception decor, accompanied by brown pintuck linens, matching chair covers and tea lights. Beautiful no?

Photos by Joel Ross Photography via Weddings in Winnipeg

And let's not forget the importance of lighting. The use of LED lighting at the head table in this wedding definitely takes away from the green curtains.

Photo by Jeremy Hiebert via Weddings in Winnipeg

I definitely think Anita should play around with lighting, perhaps using LED lighting, coloured lighting, and/or candles. Also, I think tall centrepieces will help take the focus away from the green curtains. What do you think? Any advice for Anita? What accent colour(s) can you envision working with the green curtains?

* Apparently, the 2nd floor of the Fort Garry is haunted. Interesting, Anita has yet to tell me this. ;)

Tabletop Fashion

Before my bridesmaid stints, I had never given a second thought about table linens, never mind the role they can play in decor. I truly had no inkling that a talented individual had designed and created the linens before my eyes, and that another talented individual had use these linens to create the stylish tabletops and chairs I was seated at. The many weddings that I've been to have certainly changed my attitude! I now know that linens, if chosen carefully, can personalize your event and even set the event's tone,

Youngsong Martin, the owner of the L.A. based Wildflower Linen, not only designs luxury linens but also offers her services as a 'tabletop designer.' Here are some of Youngsong's designs:

Stunning right? Are you choosing to focus on linens to enhance the decor of your venue?

All images via Wildflower Linens