AR WEDDINGS N EVENTS

     

I'm writing this review after having tried to communicate with AnnaMarie directly about this over the phone and email, the last message of which went ignored. We had a 40-person wedding reception that was actually made worse with AnnaMarie's involvement both during and after the fact. For example:

DAY OF COORDINATION
What AnnaMarie promised: Our wedding party was not supposed to stress or 'work' the event ("That's my job," AnnaMarie told us); she'd be the first one on-site and the last to leave.

Instead: AnnaMarie referenced an outdated version of our reception layout, which left our wedding party members scrambling to rearrange furniture. There were so many other coordination mistakes that my matron of honor ended up being the last to leave the venue rather than entrusting AnnaMarie with that responsibility; my MOH was too exhausted and delayed as a result that she ended up entirely missing our after-party.

CAKE-CUTTING
What we asked for in person in advance and also in writing: AnnaMarie was supposed to bring the cake to the back, slice it, and have it served to tables; the table where the cake had been on display was supposed to be used for self-serve coffee/tea.

Instead: The cake was cut in front of guests and passed out to standing individuals like an informal backyard barbecue (rather than how we had asked), and the remaining cake was left out sloppily the rest of the night; coffee/tea items were placed in a dark corner where guests could't access it as readily.

SEATING ASSIGNMENTS
What was expected: AnnaMarie was supposed to set out guest names and favors for each guest according to our seating chart.

Instead: AnnaMarie referenced an outdated version of our seating chart, which left a guest table especially crowded and an empty seat at our head table (suffice it to say that no one wants their head table to appear bare!). The favors that were noted to be placed at each seat were not put out, making the time/effort/money we put towards getting customized items a waste since they weren't given out.

BRIDE/GROOM ENTRANCE
What was expected: AnnaMarie would coordinate guests to create a welcome 'tunnel' for us to go through upon our arrival; in advance, I gave her names and phone numbers of our matron of honor and best man because they were our trusted go-to contacts day of.

Instead: After arriving to the venue via a side entrance to freshen up in the back, we didn't hear from or see AnnaMarie 'til she came to tell us our guests were all lined up -- but we weren't ready yet. She immediately blamed a groomsman (who wasn't a designated contact!) for telling her we were there, and she added panic/frustration/stress for us just before our celebration started.

GUESTBOOK
What was expected: AnnaMarie was supposed to direct guests to sign our guestbook.

Instead: A number of attendees have told us they had no idea that there was a guestbook, which makes it no surprise that one-third of them didn't sign it. With only 40 guests, the majority of them who we rarely see as they are from out of town, missing one-third of them from our guestbook was a major letdown.

VENDOR MANAGEMENT
What was expected: We had communicated with our vendors certain preferences and AnnaMarie would ensure things went off without a hitch.

Instead: AnnaMarie wasn't even paying enough attention to know when obvious mistakes were made and didn't intervene/troubleshoot as a day of coordinator should have -- e.g., I had to text her to ask where the bread was, and the dish we insisted should be served first was served last.

Afterwards, I spoke with AnnaMarie on the phone and she was rude and combative. She even suggested that our wedding guests were lying about a number of the issues they had observed. She also took no responsibility for referencing outdated documents or promising things she didn't deliver.

AnnaMarie said she would think about compensation for us and be in touch the next day. However, it took her several days before anything came of it and the mere $100 she refunded was insulting given all the issues that arose because of her. We had contracted her for on-site management and coordination, but we would have been better off without hiring her at all. I hope others read this review and don't have to deal with such tainted memories of their big day.