Wedding Photography and Videography Forum

Bella Pictures is DESTROYING my wedding!

Does anyone have the name and contact information of someone at Bella Pictures who is actually responsive or customer service oriented?

I've been having an absolutely TERRIBLE experience with Bella Pictures.  Since I signed my contract with them about a year ago, I've had my "Associate" switched on 4 separate occasions!!!  So, each time that I get a new "associate" I spend the time to detail what I've gone over with the others, and sure enough I find out the the prior associate has lied to me about something "basic", not worth putting into the contract.  Apparently I should have known to write EVERY single detail into the contract, but instead I assumed that somethings were just "part of the experience."  Also of note, they no longer even give you an associate to work with before your photographer... they're taking a "team" approach.  "Team" really means, e-mail our queue, and someone unfamiliar with your "case" will respond within 2 business days.  I get better customer service from my bank.

Before choosing Bella my biggest concerns about them were:
1. I feared I would be assigned a photographer that had never worked at my venue before.
2. I feared I would not have enough time to build a strong relationship with my photographer once assigned.
3. I feared I would not be able to take advantage of being one of the first to choose from the photographers available on my wedding day.

My associate at the time assured me that they could picke a photographer that had worked at my venue since it's a very popular venue.  She also assured me that I would have plenty of time to meet with my photographer and build a relationship.  Lastly, she let me know that I would be assigned my vendor as soon as I had deposited 50%.  She also told me that Bella bosts a 100% satisfaction guarantee and if at any point I was dissatisfied they'd make it right.

1 year and 3 other associates later... "Bella does not guarantee that your photographer will have worked at your reception site." "Your photographer will be assigned after you've deposited 50% and NO SOONER than 6 months before your wedding." "Actually meeting (in person) with your photographer prior to your wedding is an additional charge.  They'll call you once.  Oh, and no photographers will do a pre-event walk-through."  "100% satisfaction guaranteed only applies to things specifically mentioned in the contract."

It has been, by far, the absolute WORST decision in my entire 1.5 year-long wedding planning process.  If you have a chance to avoid thsi vendor, do so now!!!

Re: Bella Pictures is DESTROYING my wedding!

  • woodfrogswoodfrogs member
    Knottie Warrior 100 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011

    Would it be worth it to just write off whatever $$ you put down and just walk away? Just to save your sanity? Your photog spends the most time with you that day, you should be able to have the person that you want, not what someone assigns to you.

  • ng2011ng2011 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I'm SO SORRY for your experience as well. I just had a horrible weekend experience with them (a breach of contract), contacted management right away and spoke w/ Customer Service. To my complete shock and frustration, we were turned away and no company apology was issued. We are NOT trusting Bella or any Bella-linked associates for the actual ceremony and would encourage you to reconsider.

    For other readers, I write personally: 

    DON'T BELIEVE IN BELLA!!

     

    The criticism of larger corporations are that a client receives less personal attention, is shuffled around a number of staff and receives less individualized concern. But, WOW, Bella seemed to care VERY LITTLE about us. The actual time we spent shooting in San Francisco was less than what was promised by the first consultant, and it wasn't because our first shots were perfect. Far from it, we had hair flying in face, eyes closed, etc. The "finance guy" spent more than an hour talking about the hard numbers, which thank you, we want to know. But, in a follow-up email, what he shared in person directly contradicted the "fine print" slipped in at the bottom (in regards to privacy rights, access to photos, etc). When we expressed our disappointment in the whole procedure, the management said it was "regrettable" that our "expectations were too high." Clearly, if what you expect are honest business practices, genuine care for the client and wholesome customer service for what's arguably one of the biggest days in life, Bella is NOT your match.

  • beimagedbeimaged member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Can you back out of your contract? As a photographer myself, I am appalled at how horrible this company sounds. You should definitely look for another company if you are able to take the loss - it is not a good sign that they have given you this much trouble before the wedding. You definitely do not want to be stressed out by your photographer on your wedding day.

    Good Luck & thanks for the heads up on the company!
    Melissa & Dave thecameraandtherug.blogspot.com
  • KatMoonKatMoon member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Back out of this as soon as you can. Yes, you're going to forfeit your deposit but they can send you pretty much anybody they want to. Not having been to the venue before woldn't be my main concern, I regularly photograph at new venues and it has never been an issue. However, getting to meet your photographer before the wedding is essential to see if you can actually stand being arond him or her on your wedding day.

    My biggest concern with a photo factory such as Bella would be that you have never seen the work of whatever photographer they're going to assign to you. You have no guarantee whatsoever as far as quality and/or style are concerned.
  • edited December 2011
    BACK OUT NOW! I used Bella almost 2 years ago for my wedding and I am still pissed to this day. My photographer sucked! Unfortunetly for me everything up until the day of my wedding was fine, so I didn't have any clues that my photographer was going to be so uncreative and boring. Bella gives full refunds before the actual wedding date. Get a refund for your deposit and run as fast as you can. Why put yourself through what you have been doing for a year and a half? You should've fired them a long time ago. Your photographer is one of the most important vendors and you need to feel confident in who you book.
  • BrianDelia84BrianDelia84 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I hear issues similar to this all of the time when I sit down with clients... If you still need a photographer please let me know... I have packages starting at $999... Thanks in advance for your consideration...


    Brian Delia - BDelia Photography
    www.TheNewJerseyWeddingPhotographer.com
  • edited December 2011
    Buyer beware! I worked for them for one day-I am a professional photographer. They told me to just go shoot candids. The day I got there the main photographer told me he's never shot a wedding as a primary photographer, before and asked if I would do it for him. We'd been given no list of times for the events that day.......that's just the beginning of a list a mile long....he even left before the bouquet toss!
  • edited December 2011
    I have heard some bad things about them. I am going with video/photo company that is small and owned by the videographer. They usually are better about standing by their work.
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