The Venue adventure - Part 1

As soon as we set the date, Mr. Flamingo and I started searching for venue spots. I was really excited about the whole thing.... Mr.F let me do majority of the deciding on this one... but that's because he knew, subconsciously it would be best. :) Honestly, I was already picky with what type of site I wanted and so the search began...

First thing first, both Mr.F and I knew we didn't want to get married in the big city (Montreal - that is)... where everything seemed so cold to us. (Don't get me wrong - we heart Montreal) but we also live about 35 minutes away from the down town core... and we didn't want to go nuts on the travel the day of our wedding.

Secondly, we knew we didn't want a venue where more than one wedding occurred at the same time. It seemed impersonal to us, and frankly one of my biggest pet peeves is having one wedding party doing the Congo line into another wedding.

Images courtesy of :Be creative photography

Both daddy flamingo and sister flamingo got married at the same place, Congo line and all. Don't get me wrong, the Congo line is a classic in any wedding... but I don't want Congo line crashers at my wedding. Is it so wrong?

This is a picture of my sister flamingos (I'm in green) at the reception site when Daddy Flamingo got married (2 and a half years ago). Eldest sister Flamingo - in tangerine got married there too - (almost 5 years ago.)

Images courtesy of : Starwood hotels (Sheraton Four Points)

They got married at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel - Near the Montreal Airport The place itself was nice... the food was good and the service was excellent - regardless, it wasn't the place for us - so that venue option was out of the question. I'm all into traditions... but this one stops here. Sorry ;)

Another thing we both agreed on, is not to have our reception in something we call here a sugar shacks / sugar house (Cabane à Sucre). These shacks are very popular, especially for french Quebecers, but I wanted a vintage glamour wedding... and there is no glam in there what so ever...Its more of a rustic and country style decor.

Mommy Flamingo got married in one of those when I was 13, and that was okay for her... but it certainly wasn't the place for our wedding. Again, I'm not passing on the tradition... sorry.

Next post... the places we visited.
Has anyone opted for the same reception site as their parents and/or siblings? Any special traditions which will be carried on to your wedding? Share them.. I'm really interested.

Vendorzilla Part 2

As we all know, planning a wedding can be a mess, especially when you a planning way ahead. Just so we all understand here ... when I mean a mess, I am talking about the percentage of not-so-nice wedding vendors out there. After the huge success of my first Vendorzilla post, I thought it was time for part 2.

I still can't believe how many of yous had stories to share. It really amazes me to see the reaction of certain vendors... so without further a-do here is vendorzilla part 2. (oh how cute, it rhymes)

Video/Photo Combo (#1):
I contacted a video/photo company which was referred by a girl of a local wedding forum. She kept telling me that they were really kind, and that there prices were unbeatable. So I decided to email the company. Being an organized bride-to-be, I already had a email template with all my questions. I admit, I had a lot... but it only showed that I knew what I was talking about. Now to put you in the context, I'm a graphic designer and my emails have a signature. Basically with my name, website ...etc.

Not long after I sent my email, I get an answer back this is what it said: "I think this is for commercial reasons, I found your online portfolio when I google-ed you!!! Call me for re-seller information." What the heck was he talking about. I was really wondering what he was accusing me of exactly. Yes I am a graphic designer, and I didn't try to hide it (it was in my signature) but what, graphic designers, can't get married and want to hire a photographer and videographer??? I was really offended so I called. (Ya I know, I shouldn't of)

The guy starts giving me crap over the telephone for these non-sense reasons... I explain to him that yes I am a graphic designer but that I was indeed getting married and looking to hire someone. Doesn't he reply by saying, "Well, you're asking for many options, quite demanding I see... this will be expensive - Combo 5000$" WHAT??? I couldn't believe it. These questions were sent to other companies previously, and they quoted me 1/3 of that amount. I wasn't shy to tell him. Of course he wanted to know the names of those companies ... no way buddy!!! If then starts his famous speech " I have the best prices in town, I don't understand how there could be such a difference in price... but I can do it for you for 2000$" Does that make any sense to you? In a matter a 2 minutes he went down 3K! Ya, definitely makes me want to do business with you. I told him not thank you and hung up.

Later than night I realized he emailed me again and left me a message on my cell phone. Doesn't he understand what no means? I never called back obviously! I couldn't believe how rude this guy was!

Like they say in french "Jamais deux sans trois" (direct translation : Never 2 without 3 - or saying translation: When it rains it pours) so I thought I would continue my vendorzilla stories with a final chapter of this saga. I will become sort of a trilogy. M.Flamingo would be so proud of me for making this a trilogy - don't forget he's a movie freak!!! lol)

Part 3 to follow shortly.

SMP - Little Black Book

Abby from Style me Pretty has launched her Little Black Book . It's basically a highly edited collection of wedding service providers. They are recommended by our closest girlfriends, industry insiders and Style Me Pretty readers. What's great is that each city has three, hand-picked listings per category.



Over the next few months, Abby will be adding vendors to the cities listed, as well as adding a nice handful of new cities. So make a stop at Style Me Pretty and share your oh-so-fabulous vendors. Canadians cities are not part of the list just yet... in hopes they will be next time around.

Vendorzilla

I've been engaged for almost 3 years. Yup, I know it's a really long time, but when I got engaged, I wasn't really ready to take the plunge. Both for monetary reasons and because I felt I was still too young. Nonetheless, I started planning my wedding a good year and a half if not two years in advance. Yeah, I know that's a long time in advance, but I'm a very organized person and I wanted to get everything done as soon a possible. From choosing my theme, colors to my vendors.

I started calling vendors left and right to book appointments, I was not lucky when it came to the people I've called... so I have labeled every single one of them a VENDORZILLAs! I even made them an official logo!!!



Here are some of my vendorzilla stories- just to mention a few:

Reception site:
The first place I called for a reception site was a beautiful winery on an island. Perfect location for my vintage glam wedding. I spoke to the lady to schedule an appointment and we decided on a date. I received a call 2 weeks before the appointment I had booked 2 months prior to find out that they were doing renovations and I needed to change my appointment. This was understandable, so we moved the date. Next tentative date, 1 week before I receive a call saying that because of the snow storm, it was impossible to go the winery. Again, I understood... so we re-scheduled again. Next date is near by, 3 days before I receive again a call... and this time it was the hot weather which was the issue... the appointment was in march and they were afraid that the ice would melt. At this point I was fed-up!!! So this time I cancelled the appointment! What is this!?! Aren't they suppose to offer a service??? Don't I receive a call 4 months after the appointment I cancelled saying that they would be ready to see me??? Are you kidding me? That's almost 8 months from the first time I spoke to the lady...

Bridal dress shopping:
Being anxious to start dress shopping, I wanted to start trying on gowns. So I opened my phonebook and started making calls. The first place I called was Creations Vezina. They happened to be highly reputed for their service (according to some local brides in my area).When I asked the lady for an appointment to try on some dresses, she was extremely nice and opened up her appointment book. She took down all my information and asked me my wedding date. When I mentioned June 21st 2008 her tone of voice changed drastically. She refused to give me an appointment. I could understand that they don't want to waste their time with brides getting married over a year away, but I clearly mentioned I wanted to find my dress now. She still refused and told me to call back in 6 months from now. What kind of service is that?

Florist:
Now here is my florist story. I was still a year in advance at the time, but either way... I tried (even with all the crappy vendor stories). There was this one florist... who was so extremely rude. I called to make an appointment for my flowers, again she asked me when I was getting married. When I gave her the answer to the famous question, she said that she would not meet with me. I told her even though I was in advance I wanted to book my florist... now. She still said no! Then she started asking away "Well do you have your dress???" YES. "Well do you have your bridesmaid dresses?" YES "Well you need to do research!" YES, I am aware and I have. She was trying to find a way to prove that I wasn't ready enough... I almost wanted to hang up.

Oh and I have more... maybe I will do part 2 of Vendorzilla...
Have you had any vendorzilla stories???