To think this wedding planning company take the piss with sending forms etc?

[EasterBunnyFuntStoleAllTheEggs]

When I received the invoice for sending the deposit, it was dated 21st March, but the postmark was dated 27th, so I didn't receive it until the 29th. The invoice stated that I had 14 days from the date of the invoice to send the money and because I didn't receive it until 8 days later I had to send the cheque straight away with no time to think about it.

I got a letter off them today saying thanks for the money, the letter was dated the 11th, postmark was 19th! Is it just me or is that really taking the piss??

Are they this shit on purpose to rush you into things??

I would have thought that if you were a reputable wedding planner pretty high on your list would be being organised. this doesn't sound like it. either get someone else or do it yourself. wedding planners are a bit of a "thing" /fad. save the money and splash it out on the honeymoon instead.

No, but take it as a warning that they might treat suppliers as casually. Sending a cheque due on the 5th on the 10th might cause you to lose out.

Unfortunately I have to use them, they're 'in charge' of the venue we're using for the ceremony. Luckily we're having the reception elsewhere so hopefully they won't have much to do with suppliers, just chairs and chair covers!

I'd wonder if they had a part-time admin or they only do all their admin on a weekly basis, but date everything as they go along so they can put everything on their books earlier rather than later. I suspect this is about making their books look better in someway and in a worse case perhaps suggests cash flow issues too (they have to get money in asap, even if they don't have the time to send out the paperwork as promptly as they should be).

Its not necessarily something that sets off alarm bells but I would keep an eye on them, for anything else that doesn't seem right.

How big are the company? It smells of being 2 maybe 3 person business with people doing several different jobs and they are over stretched.

I know it's run by two sisters, I think there's an admin there as I've spoken to her before. Not sure about anyone else although I do know they share their office with a photographer.

better check what protection you have if they go bust with your money!!

If they are linked to the venue then I would be less worried as they have a certain amount of guaranteed business. I would bet this is possibly their busiest time of year and are struggling to keep up, but need to keep things dated earlier rather than later to ensure that the books look good and they can pay their suppliers promptly (and possibly upfront to get a discount).

Personally I can't stand the practice of doing things like this as it tends to create ill feeling with customers, but I do understand why if it is a small business. Plus they have the luxury of a captive market who don't have a choice if they want to use the venue. Given the business they are in, as long as the day is good, they don't have to worry about customer service and repeat business in the same way as other companies - any new clients are either unlikely to see that side of the business or wouldn't be concerned about it, if they love the venue that much.

But yeah, wedding insurance, might be an idea to look into...

It's a real PITA. The weddings at the venue used to be organised by the people that actually worked there, office inside the building etc, but they've handed the wedding side of things to this company who, so far, have proved to be almost totally incompetent. Apart from when I enquired about why my invoice said £200 more than previously agreed, they said the council or English Heritage were supposed to ring me to inform me of the price increase which they didn't, so the WP got them to honour the original agreed price.

I don't understand why they've chosen this particular company to take over the weddings though. The WP is based in Derby, and the venue is miiiiiiiles away in south Lincs