Pretty Sure I Just Stole a Vendor

Kati0105

So I finally found a hair and makeup person who has great reviews and is very reasonably priced.  I emailed her yesterday and she wrote back that unfortunately she was already booked for my date but that her two assistants were both available if I wanted to book them.  She also asked for more information about what services I would need.  I responded that I would definitely want hair and makeup for myself and that I anticipated that my 9 bridesmaids and flower girl would also be interested in having hair and makeup done.  I just received an email from her saying that the other bride decided to move her wedding date so she is now available for my date.  A little too convenient, no?Should I feel guilty?  Should I be concerned that she would dump another bride for me?  Or should I just believe that the other bride did in fact change her date and be excited that I am getting a great deal on hair and makeup from someone with stellar reviews?

vicmo5

Here's my thought.  She called the other bride to make sure they were still on for that day (because 10 people is a lot to pass up if you're not certain), and the other bride had already changed it without calling her.  I hope that's the case.

mrsLesGrossman

Yes a little too convenient and it is because she never had another bride to begin with.  She probably didn't want to be bothered when she first heard about what you need and when she heard how many people, it was an opportunity to make more. 

lillianchameleon

That is quite possible.  I flew out to Vermont for a formal function last year and I booked a hair dresser for an updo.  A couple days before the date she called saying she couldn't do it because she had a family emergency.  I called the salon she worked for to book a different stylist and the girl told me that the previous stylist was doing hair for a wedding the day she originally booked me.  I was so mad.

Soon-to-be Mrs. Vogt

yes, it's too convenient. I would say one of two things happened: 1. She never had another bride like E said. 2. She did, but they wouldn't bring as much in as your wedding, so she dumped them. I would make sure you have a contract for her services so she can't bail out on you should something better come along.

Kati0105

Yes a little too convenient and it is because she never had another bride to begin with.Huh, I hadn't even thought of that.  I guess it is very possible she just didn't want to drive out to Marina del Rey for the day until she found out it would be worth the trip.

mrsLesGrossman

I don't know if I would trust her based on this.  It seems a little odd.  You should have your trial and talk with her, get a feeling for her. 

SwedishChick2011

Even if she dumped the other bride, don't feel bad.  She mentioned having two assistants, so she'd probably have one of them do the other bride's hair and makeup.  I mean, it would still be kind of sneaky on her part, but it's not your fault.

Kati0105

I don't know if I would trust her based on this. It seems a little odd. You should have your trial and talk with her, get a feeling for her.Yeah if she didn't have unanimously great reviews I would probably think twice.  The unfortunate thing is that since I am growing my hair out it doesn't make too much sense to have my trial this far out so I'm probably going to have to go ahead and book pre-trial.  I'm waiting to hear back on how much I have to put down for the deposit.  If it's more than $100 I'm going to have to think on it.

[Deleted User]

I had a similar thing happen to me.  I emailed a stylist about hair/makeup for myself and probably my 9 bridesmaids (yeah, FI wanted 10 as well).  She told me she was booked but a few weeks later emailed me to see if I still needed someone and she would work me in.  I already found someone by that time but it made me wonder how in the world she could "squeeze in" 10 people. 

mrsLesGrossman

You trust reviews online?  I don't always trust them.  Vendors can request bad reviews removed from sites like yelp and city search, I am sure from more.  They can also add their own reviews.  I go to one of the best salons in NY and even they are not across the board perfect in reviews.  There will always be someone who doesn't like something and it is odd that every review is good. 

Kati0105

I generally trust sites like projectwedding and similar sites that I know are mainly used by brides.  I exaggerated in saying it was unanimous - 2 out of maybe 25 brides wrote negative things but in both cases the vendor responded to the brides apologetically and made it clear that she had not realized that the brides were unhappy with their trials and offered them free second trials.  I don't really have any other great options at this point, so I'm willing to be a little bit more "benefit of the doubt" than usual I guess.

Sooles

excuse my interruption but... NINE bridesmaids?? yikes.

Kati0105

excuse my interruption but... NINE bridesmaids?? yikes.Interruption excused - I totally agree with you.  If only I'd discovered the knot sooner and realized the sides didn't have to be even.  I've never seen a wedding where they weren't but honestly you would think I would have realized they could be.  Fail.

BecW2be

All's fair in love and bridal hair. I wouldn't feel bad at all, no matter what happened.