Team Betty, Set, Go!

Hi Readers,

I know that we just met but I am writing to you as one female to another female. Several times a year I commit my time to participate and fundraise for non-profit organizations. Earlier this year I ran in the Violence Against Women, raising funds for women in the Houston area who are trying to start over from an unhealthy relationship. My aunt has just been diagnosed with breast cancer a few weeks ago and on her behalf I will be running in the Komen Race for the Cure next weekend.

One in eight women will be stricken with breast cancer in her lifetime and the more we raise, the more the Komen Houston Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure can give back to the community. The Komen Houston Affiliate funds vital breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs in our own community and supports the national search for a cure.

• Every $100 raised will help someone without health insurance receive a much-needed mammogram
• A donation of $250 will pay for 5 clinical breast exams
• $1,000 will help pay for 1 round of the chemotherapy drug Taxotere

If you would like to donate, your tax-deductible contribution will fund innovative outreach and awareness programs for medically underserved communities in Komen Houston and national breast cancer research. Please click on the link below to donate.

http://rfch.convio.net/site/TR?px=1778362&pg=personal&fr_id=1080&et=Gr98JWGhcvzQP7-gbQgfdg..&s_tafId=36810

Thank you so much for your time and support.

Warm regards,

Betty
Team Captain

Team Betty, Set, Go!

ahead of the game

I do not remember what my last post was about or when it was. However, I can safely assume that since the last post we have checked off majority of the items on our "things to do list".

• Photographer- DONE
• Videographer- DONE
• Florist- DONE
• Linens- DONE
• DJ- DONE
• Bridesmaid dresses- DONE

Cake will be booked in January...maybe as late as February. We have several bakeries in mind but may have narrowed it down to two.

Pros and Cons- Bakery 1

• Well known in wedding industry
• Aesthetically beautiful
• Great quality
• Taste amazing
• Expensive
• Just a cake

Pros and Cons- Bakery 2

• Different than regular cakes
• Interesting flavors (fruit offering)
• Taste amazing
• Well know in Vietnamese community
• Cheaper
• Business not ran well

Yes, I am well aware that we have over ten months until the day...BUT- I am a planner by nature, like to have things done ASAP and am very nit-picky. Do not, for once, think that I am this way because of the wedding. Unfortunately for those that are close to me knows that I am a control freak and micro-managing individual. Just last week I had a dream that I was late to my own wedding because I was too busy making sure that all the vendors did their job and did them to my expectation. I know that will not happen on the actual day because I am such a stickler to time as well.

On another note, early last month I found out that I had a lateral patellar subluxation (fancy term for dislocated kneecap). How did this happen? Maybe it was one of the hundreds of lunges or squats I did earlier in the summer, or it could have been the Zumba class, OR it could just be me goofing around. Whatever the case may be, I am suppose to be doing physical therapy and laying off of the knee- meaning, no running, dancing, jumping, squats, etc...until I get the okay from the doctor. With that said, I have been spinning that last month and this weekend I am re-starting my Zumba class- not to mention, I signed myself up for a 5K in 10 days...and after that I have another run Thanksgiving. I have not loss any weight BUT more importantly, I have not gained.

OH, before I forget, Congratulations to my good friend Anabelle and her fiancé, EJ. Finally engaged! I am so happy for them both and look forward to being there to celebrate their union.

Knot rescheduling

We had a meeting with the best wedding décor company in Houston. Our meeting was Monday, August 2^nd at 6. We get an email at 2:30 saying they need to push it back because the guy we are
supposed to meet with ran behind on his stuff. We rescheduled for August 11^th for 6. We get an email today indicating that they have a bridal show on August 11^th and cannot meet with us. SERIOUSLY? Did you not know you had an event when you rescheduled us? I’m not a genius, but when I book stuff on my calendar, whether on Google or Outlook and it shows that there is another event going on, my first thought is “Hey, I am busy at that time”. Needless to say, the meeting is canceled and I made it clear to our planner that I have no interest in meeting with the company or dealing with them ever again. The only bummer is, this company is located near this awesome Thai grocery store that has a small restaurant in there. We were planning on having take-away from there after the meeting for a delicious dinner….

OH, random discussion between David and me the other day “How do vendors get chose for those The Knot awards?” We honestly think that they have to pay for some advertising or pay something to get one of these plexiglass “awards”. We have met with some vendors that have these “awards” who we find are very questionable….

DIY

Over the past several weeks David has been exchanging emails with a Photography/Videography company. One of the last emails asked about expedited turn around time for the video (approximately 5 months time). The reason I wanted the video this fast was because approximately 5.5 months after we are wedded, we are planning to take our honeymoon/trip to Vietnam (VN) and wanted to take the video to my grandmother. The company indicated that they did not want to jeopardize the integrity of the final product and would not be able to finish in that short amount of time. I called my mom last night to ask her if we were still planning to go to VN around the tentative date, since she would be with us for the first week before we take off to go exploring. I explained to her the video situation and she responded with, “Well, we didn’t want to worry you and this is why I didn’t say anything sooner, but your dad is getting laid off. The VN trip may be delayed now.” Not worry? It’s instinctual to worry! My dad got on the phone and try to tell me that is was not a big deal and the main thing that we (including them) should worry about is the wedding. How can I possibly think about the wedding and spending this kind of change when my dad will not be working? My dad will be 60 this Sunday and it will be much harder for him to find a job, especially with knowing only 1 trade. Well, I am grateful that at least my mom got over her illness while they had medical insurance.

I think (and am almost positive) that the day that David asked my dad for permission to marry me, my mom and dad have been planning and putting all of their interest and energy into the matter. My mom got her entire outfit planned out for the day of almost 2 years in advance. My dad had his own checklist for us almost 2 years out. My mom and dad made a guest list almost immediately after we got engaged. I am overjoyed that they love David so much and want the best for the event, but I really want them to step it down a notch now with what has transpired.

These next couple of weeks David and I will really have to think about what to do as far as vendors goes and what is a necessity for the wedding. Although my parents are not paying for the wedding, they have offered us a monetary gift. We need to reassess the overall game plan so that we can help out my parents. This most likely means to re-evaluate each vendor (thank goodness we have not signed major contracts yet with the exception of the venue and planner) and maybe visit some more for the better price or consider a lesser quality. Maybe now I can find my inner Martha Stewart.

Counting down...

Whoop! Whoop! 365 days from now we would be in the middle of our Vietnamese Ceremony at this very moment.

I've been trying to gather up some information from my mom to do a post about the ceremony – or at least the ceremony that we will be doing. Hope to have it soon.

Not so desperately seeking...

Dear Potential Vendors of all sizes, locations, and types:

In order to earn our business and our referrals, my (ours) requirement from any vendor is promptness. Promptness for correspondences, appointments, and turnaround time for final product.

Correspondence: I have worked with customers/clients my entire life. Regardless of my schedule or workload, I ALWAYS respond to the client within 2 business hours. I feel that it is one of the most essential factors that keeps the clients happy and keeps them returning to the business. Even if I respond to the client indicating that I will need more time to look into the item, at least I give them the assurance that I have acknowledged their request.

Appointments: Nothing is more disrespectful than to think that one person’s time is more valuable than the next person’s. “If you are early you are on time. If you are on time you are late. If you are late- don’t bother coming”. I wish everyone lived by this rule. My parents, however, takes this to the extreme. One time we agreed to meet at a restaurant at 5:30 for dinner. My parents called me at 4:45 and says “We’re here, where are you at?”. REALLY? Despite the stereotypes of Asians are usually late you can always count on my parents to be there and ready to go at least 30 minutes early. David and I are usually at least 15 minutes early. Nothing bothers us more than someone that is late. Wait, cross that out. Nothing bothers us more than someone running late and informing us after the fact that they are already late to let us know they are running late.

Turnaround:

Us: How long will this take?
Them: About 2 weeks.
Us: Great, thanks.

3 weeks later….(insert chirping crickets)

Us: Hi, is my item ready?
Them: Sorry, not yet. Maybe another 2 weeks?

**sigh** If you give me a time table of when an item will be completed, please stick to that time table. Ideally (and this is what I always do), if something generally takes 2 weeks add some cushion time, like an extra week. No one can predict problems that may come up such as weather, delivery, technology errors, family emergencies…but with the cushion time everyone should end up satisfied. If you cushioned your table to 4 weeks and I get my product back in 2, extra double fudge brownie points for you. If you tell me 2 weeks and it takes 6 weeks to get the item back, 1) you better had called me to let me know there will be a delay so I can make arrangements; 2) you better have a pretty good excuse; 3) if 1 & 2 was not done, you better hope I am happy when I come and pick up my product. #3 is not a threat, just more of an FYI ;)

Sincerely,

Not necessarily Wedding Vendor seekers but all general vendor seekers

Customer Service FAILED

Met with another videographer this weekend. We saw some stuff online and thought maybe the final product on the disc may be better. It was one of the worse meetings we have experienced during the wedding planning process. Our wedding planner wasn’t able to attend the meeting but followed-up with us soon after. I had my FH respond to her because it may have seem to be exaggerated by me or that I had Bridezilla syndrome. Here is a copy of the response. I “XXXXX” names/Company and such out to avoid slander/libel accusations.

Audrey,

Have you spoken with XXXXX yet about the meeting? We are about 99% sure we won't be using XXXXX for video.You can stop reading now or continue for an in-depth breakdown of the meeting.

I am wondering if his body language would have been the same if you had been present. He was almost ten minutes late, and when he arrived, he seemed to be a bit standoffish. He began our discussion by saying you weren't sure about the date of our wedding, which I had a hard time believing. And, he said that you didn't provide him with any information other than our name, a $1500 budget and two possible dates, of which you couldn't verify the actual wedding date. One of the next things out of his mouth was that he would go over our day with us, but we couldn't get much for a $1500 budget. He made no attempt to say what he could do, and let us decide if we saw the additional value in that service.

He said that he had done Vietnamese weddings before and was clueless as to what the table toasting was. Additionally, in regards to the table toasting, he said that we would be very lucky people if we could get someone to video the entire thing. I have an additional problem with that. Why on earth would it matter WHAT he was videoing so long as it was all in the expected time of our reception?

Again, he suggested that with a $1500 budget, we wouldn't be getting much. I was just short of needing to coerce him into giving me an actual quote.

Then, he literally wanted to argue with Betty about whether she wanted a Lion dance or a Dragon dance as if he knew so much more about her culture than her. And, to be honest so what if he did (which he didn't). Arguing with the bride to be didn't seem like any way to draw in business. After, finally conceding it didn't matter whether it was dragon or lion dance, he said he could film it for an additional charge. I'm still wondering what is additional about it. I'd like to add that he never conceded that she MAY be correct - only that the correctness wasn't of importance for our discussion.

Betty and I know lots of smokers, and we are fine with smokers. We aren't fans of the actual cigarette smoke, though. He smelled like he smoked an entire pack of cigarettes in a closet right before walking through the front door. That could have been what he was doing with his extra 10 minutes while we were waiting.

We watched his videos online and both thought they lacked lighting. At the conclusion of our meeting he asked if we could think of anything to make his video/products better. Betty noted that she would like the option for continuous play of the documentary from beginning to end without being forced to watch three highlight videos. And, I noted that I thought they lacked light. He dismissed our input by saying he's been doing video for X number of years, and he's never had a single complaint; so, they must be fine. Why ask if you aren't taking it to heart. He said it must be my monitor (I watched on three different machines before the meeting.); however, the final product DVD he brought also lacked light. He said it was probably the device (His portable DVD player). So, I asked if I could take the DVD to my home to watch it on my Tv. He gave it to me free of charge, but added that it looked great on his 52" plasma; basically, to me, saying that if it doesn't look good at my home, it is probably because of inferior equipment.

ALL in ALL he wanted $4500 to shoot the wedding, and later said it may only be $3500 because he refused to shoot at Hotel Derek in HD.

To be honest, we haven't seen the DVD on our TV yet because we pretty much decided to not go with XXXX ONE second after walking out the door.

Sincerely,
David (and Betty)

P.S.: I did not exaggerate. You can discuss it with him if you like, but that's his it went down. If you do discuss further with him, I'd be very interested to see/hear any rebuttals he made to my claims.