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I deal with Shavon on almost a daily basis....I have to say she is a great lady!! She helped me out of a crisis today. I'll try to shorten the story because all this happened today and I'm still frazzled about it.... I had a bride order her flowers only 3 weeks before her date. I finished the set and it was gorgeous. I hadn't heard back from them from the approval photos I sent and it was cutting close to their date, so last Friday I sent the flowers with Purolator. I told them they NEED to be there BY THURSDAY because her wedding was on Saturday. They were going to Florida. So they charged me for express shipping and promised me they would be there on the 7th (Wednesday). I was confident with that considering I nailed it into them 4 or 5 times how important it was, etc, etc. I got an email today from the planner that the flowers hadn't arrived yet. I called Purolator and they said that the people at the depot where I sent the flowers from.....sent it REGULAR GROUND and the shipment wouldn't be there until the 13th. I think I blew a vein in my head I was so shocked and angry. I demanded something be done. The lady on the phone told me that in all the 5 years she's been at Purolator, she has never once seen them do anything like pull over the truck and grab the package and throw it on the plane. I told her to hold her hat because she might just see it yet!! So we traced the package and it was in Nebraska this morning. Purolator called me back to tell me they couldn't do anything about it. I think there's only so much yelling and eventually you realize it doesn't get you anywhere. So the bride's planner was also on the phone with them. In the meantime, I'm definitely NOT having one of my brides without flowers on her wedding day!!! I remembered that the florist I chat back and forth through email with and share secrets with was in Florida as well. SHAVON!!! I figured I might as well give it a shot. She's been nothing but help with me in the last few weeks. Sure enough, withing 2 hours Shavon has emailed me a picture of what she was able to do with what she had on hand. Although it wasn't exactly what the bride ordered from me, it was damn good!! Shavon was amazing and so calm and helped us out. The planner said she still wanted to see if my shipment came, but I told Shavon to go ahead and ship the flowers to her at my expense because I couldn't bare thinking of her not having flowers at all. So if mine show up, great....if not, she has a backup. Shavon has finished the flowers already and has them ready to go. She's only an hour and a half away from my bride. I'm amazed at how kind she was today. Not something you get from some vendors....but that lady is an angel!!! I can't say enough kind words!!! So as a side note, PLEASE ladies, if you are ordering flowers online, ESPECIALLY out of country, allow alot of time!!! It's never too early to order. Although neither the bride or myself were at fault, you never know when someone else along the way will screw something up (like the shipping company!!). I'll keep you updated about how things pan out...I'm just sick to my stomach over the whole thing!

I do have to make a comment here too....I have dealt with Roberta and she is great. SUPER fast shipping! She was very prompt and easy to deal with!! The Natural touch plumeria is my favorite!!

I'm trying to post a few...but everything keeps saying invalid file.....how the heck do I post a picture? LOL!!

I think that's one of my downfalls...i try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt! Believe me...I sent alot of emails and called alot. I believed them every time they said it would be shipped out tomorrow. Paypal wouldn't do anything about it because I waited until after 45 days to complain. I think I've learned my lesson though!

UGH...ok so I know not many of you will be bringing along big centerpieces on your destination weddings...but in case you do...or in case you are just a bride that is browsing the site and happens to run across this... There is a company ( Wedding Centerpieces, Wedding Reception Centerpieces and Accessories - Buy or Rent aka Wedding Centerpieces, Wedding Reception Centerpieces and Accessories - Buy or Rent ) that displays the WORST business practices I've ever come across! I ordered a ceiling hoop for the draping back in July. I just got it yesterday. The entire time they wouldn't return my emails or phone calls unless I blocked my phone number and called. Each time I got some lame excuse as to why it wasn't shipped. 4 MONTHS!!!! I'm not sure why they finally sent it...perhaps it was the last call I made where I lost my mind and said a few choice words. I'm not sure. But I finally got it and it's so shoddy that my 7 year old son could have made it!! Please beware if you plan on purchasing ANYTHING from this vendor!!

I just got home from Thanksgiving to see this thread and I'm completely flattered. Thanks ladies! I'd be more than willing to help anyone out...and I do ship if you need. (hoping that isn't breaking a forum rule!!) Thanks for the compliments though....and Kristin was a charm to work with! )

Quote: Originally Posted by 2bebridejamaica I love it ... and I airbrushed out my dress lastnight to show Jay it because at first he just thought the whole idea was corny and I couldn't wait to show it to him ... but now after yesterday he really really likes it ... He says " I love my nappy hair" and "This is the skinniest I have ever been in my life".. LOL.. I love how she has copied my dress to make sure the blue stands out. We 2 had a hair change the other day.. I went and had my hair foiled pretty blonde after I was more of a super light brown.. LOL.. It all worked out and LYNN IS THE BEST!!!!!!! Etsy :: lynnslittlecreations :: Reserved for MandieNJay OMG those are adorable!! That is definitely the cutest thing I have seen in a long time!!! Thanks for sharing!

Hey!!! Congrats Melissa!! Is she in AB? I decorated for a Melissa yesterday...GORGEOUS wedding!!! I wonder if it's the same Melissa (although there are probably a few tha got married yesterday! Love weddings!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by chickadee024 Ooh, I've just started to think about flowers and am having the same debate - real vs. artificial. Thanks for posting some ballpark cost estimates for us! I think that is the one question that people could argue forever! I've decorated so many weddings and have seen so many different types of flowers. Personally, if I could do it all again myself, I'd go with artificial. For example...I just decorated a couple of weeks ago and watched the bride cry her eyes out because the place that did her flowers totally screwed them up. Colors were all wrong...it looked like the bouquet had been drop-kicked or something. I think with artificial, you are at least able to have them EXACTLY what you want. And they'll look just as perfect all day and night long! When I got married, the quality of artificial flowers wasn't like it is now....I met with a lady that did silk bouquets. They were the ugliest things I'd ever seen. I went with real flowers...but they also weren't exactly what I wanted. Real flowers are great...but I think if you want to make sure everything is perfect for your big day, artificial is the way to go. Good luck in choosing....looks like alot of ladies on here have some good advice to share to help you choose!

Quote: Originally Posted by albertabride One is in New York and the other in Alberta Canada. I can't see them working together. Hey! I'm new here...but just wanted to clear this up...I do actually sell Sharon's flowers for her here in Canada. Crystal