Shadi Paradise (decorators) reviews?

TravelMal3

Anyone use or meet with Shadi Paradise for decor? 

If so, what were your impressions?  Do they have fresh ideas?  Do they have quality rentals?  How neat are their florals?  Did you rent their linens?  If so, how nice were those? 

Most importantly, how reliable are they?  I need them to show for a wedding in Jersey City (they are based in Long Island). 

Thanks.

EDIT:  I'm a little scared, based on their awful yelp review from a bride who really seemed tormented by certain of their behaviors.  I'm also scared because their reviews on Google are all 5 starts and some of them sound a lot alike.  Especially the they don't consider it just a "job or a gig" language.  Repeated in at least two reviews... ick. 

trueleo818

A fellow knottie used Shadi Paradise and her wedding looked fabulous!

TravelMal3

I'm so glad.  I am having a nervous breakdown here.  Received a proposal from one vendor with "sequined" table cloths and all kinds of similarly awful things when I asked for a "modern" and "clean" design.... I need to breath. 

Any thoughts on some of THE BEST indian wedding decorators in NY/NJ... I am going into I will pay what it takes panic mode...

trueleo818

Elegant Affairs Inc. - Event Decorator & Florist

www.elegant-affairs.com

Event Decorators

www.alleventdecorators.com

I always thought Shadi Paradise was the best in that area. 

TravelMal3

Elegant Affairs were the ones who put sequined table cloths on my proposal.  What's next, balloons?

Also, I told them I wanted a few carnation pomanders and they decided to decorate my wedding with 90% carnations... Carnations galore.

The same lazy "trees with crystals" everyone uses... etc...

Maybe they're having a bad day. 

I will still talk it out with them and meet with them as a follow up.  But man did this make me panic.  I have been hearing they are in the category of the "best" in the area.  Geez. 

Anyone use a non-desi decorator they can recommend?

raangoli

We used Event Decorators that True linked to and were very happy with them. We didn't want anything over the top, guady, flashy, etc. and they delivered. We worked with Pawan and she was fabulous.

They did both the ceremony and reception decor and all our floral. They partner with someone else for the floral, but it was all through them and seamless to me. Pawan was more than happy to put together a mock up of the centerpieces for us too a few weeks before the wedding and herself admitted that the orchids weren't the best, but that was because they ordered them last minute and it wouldnt be that way the day of the wedding. She was true to her word and everything looked great.

I'd recommend them in a heartbeat.

bridetobeee

TravelMal,

I TOTALLY know how you are feeling. I also saw that horrible review on Yelp and was super scared. But, a good friend of mine used Shadi Paradise last October and told me she had a fantastic experience with them and had no issues at all. She said they also threw in lots of extras for her. So far, I signed with them and I have been happy. They def gave me an amazing deal. In addition, I mentioned that I couldn't find a single good makeup artist and their wedding planner who also coordinates their meetings totally came to my rescue. She called me immeditely and gave me referrals and was super sweet. I thought that was very nice because I didn't hire her as a planner so she didn't have to do that for me.

I went with them because they gave me a good deal and also, my friend had great things to say. I even confronted Nauman about the bad review and I felt he was very professional with his answer. 

I can't vouch for them yet because my wedding is still a month away but they have responded to my emails and requests and helped me out when I needed to reschedule my venue meeting like 5 times. But, its up to you. If cost is not an issue, you can also try Shangrila Occasions in the south and if you want to stick locally, I liked Mandap Designs website but their quotes were too high so I didn't go for it. I loved their portfolio though. My friend had Kailash Decorators and I thought they did a beautiful job. I also contacted Elegant Affairs but they wer too pricey and also took forever to get back to me. The main woman Sharada was quick though.

Emmie802

We met with them a few mnths ago and did not have a good experience.  They seemed pretty annoyed with us, like they had no desire to have our business.  I have family members who have met with them as well and said similar things, but thier worked looked nice so I wanted to give it a shot.  Unfortunataly, I was proven wrong.  I did not have a particular idea in mind, except that I wanted particular colors and they laughed at me!  They could not believe that any bride didnt have it all planned out, which I thought was wierd - isnt that what they should be for?  They were also really pushy, trying to get us to buy all these extra things that we did not need.  I felt they just wanted us to spend a lot of money when we keept telling them that it would not work with our venue.  

I am glad that you are having a better experience but I really did not think that tehy are so good.  

Best of luck, fellow brides. ;*)

manishakapoor

I just met with Shadi Paradise and had a overall great experience.  I read these threads on the knot, but still went to them because unfortunately there aren’t too many good decorators out there. Most of them do the generic pillars and backdrops.  I saw their work on there website, blog and facebook and was fairly impressed.

 

In our meeting before showing me any of their previous work, we talked about what I wanted, my expectations and what my dream wedding would look like.  This was different than most other vendors I met with and I appreciated it.  They put together multiple concepts for me at different prices, all of them were centeralized around my theme.  Their décor is definitely different and unique, and I felt like I was actually talking to a designer rather than a salesman.  For a girl that’s important.  Many of the vendors I met with so far have just been trying to sell their props.  Many of them are men unfortunately and its just a business to them, Which is completely understandable, but talking to person who knows more about colors, concepts and can tell me no that’s not how you should do it, its very reassuring.   

 

I haven’t signed with them yet, but am definitely planning on it.  My cousin and one of my friends used them as well and had great experiences so Im counting on them to bring the wow to my wedding also.

[Deleted User]

Shadi Paradise just did my wedding and I did not have a good experience with them. They are also just changed their business name so don't get fooled ladies. New name is "The Design House". 

Here is my story:
I did not have an Indian wedding.   Nauman was all talk and no action.  During the planning process, and most of the time, Nauman did all the talking and rambling on, he barely allowed me to talk. If I did talk, he would interrupt me constantly. I always had long conversation, because I had to let him talk himself out - then I could discuss my needs.  He likes to hear himself talk the business up for the contract.  Do NOT trust them.  Sign the contract at your own risk.  After signing the contract, they didn't care as much and weren't as nice.  On the day of the wedding they were disrespectful, rude and unprofessional.  

Don't be fooled:  They wills send you images of centerpieces but they are digitally enhanced with colors.

- If you see centerpieces in person, make sure they have the real flowers (alive) and have the colors and the type of flowers written in the contract (1st page of contract)! Very important. Then have the option last pages of contract omited - where it states they may use any other color flower if your color flower is unavailable!!!  * Take pictures of the live flowers and add those into contract.   They will change your centerpiece design on you if you don't physically attach a picture into contract.  

- Also be careful with the bouquet and boutonnieres, they have an in house freelance florist, they don't use a real florist and they are extremely inexperience.

- They book multiple weddings in one day, and will try to drop off the the flowers as early as possible depending on size! My boutineers were dead and weren't even finished with floral tape, it was just a bud. I could of cut a flower form the ground for the same look they offered. It was terrible.

- Don't be afraid to change or amend the contract!  I changed the wording and everything.  A contract should be written 50/50 to protect both parties always. Be specific on colors, flowers quantities, times, locations, use wording  "as per picture";   Add this page 1, 'Services'.

- Add the times you expect them to set up and deliver flowers between. No later than and no earlier than.  Very important! Specify colors for bridesmaids, bride, and groom and groomsmen.  That is how sloppy this company gets.  Most florist already know this, but not them!

-  Warning with using their in house Wedding Coordinator Hasina, she is flaky, she walked away from my wedding after we were in agreement and in contract.  Again, they are all talk.

- Negotiate and get them to lower their prices at least 20-30% or walk away if they don't.  Because you can get far better quality, treatment, customer service from anther vendor.  

- Don't be fooled by their facebook, website and blogs (like I was)!!!

-  They will push you to pay cash, so you can avoid  "paying taxes".  The real reason they want is cash is very obvious.  They are trying to avoid paying taxes to the IRS.  If you know they are cheating the US Government, then they are probably cheating you. Unethical business practices.

I would NOT recommend them Shadi Paradise AKA The Design House.