Welp, the wedding was yesterday and it was just about everything I could have asked for. Everything went smoothly overall and the mistakes that were made, the guests didn't notice!!
Nellie's Catering and Wedding Coordingation - A
Nellie's has been fantastic the whole time. They were on top of everything for the planning process, often asking what I wanted for things I had never thought of! The food was delicious and everyone loved it. My first complaint with them is that pre-wedding planning, I saw too many people. Every meeting I saw a different person. It didn't change anything because they were SO organized, but it did make it a little confusing. They admitted that they are trying to change that and part of the reason it happened to me was that I booked them so far in advance while they were in the middle of changing locations. My only other complaint was that they miscounted and forgot a salad, but someone gave up their salad and didn't seem bothered. They told me that they would take that charge out and return the money for that salad ASAP. They set up the tables and did the centerpieces exactly the way I wanted them, they were absolutely beautiful!
Cakes by Ron - A++
The cake was exactly what we wanted it to look and taste like! Nothing else to say really :-)
Sarasota Garden Club - Pre-wedding A+/Wedding day C+
They get two grades. Pre-wedding they were very nice. I have no complaints for that portion. I always went there during their business hours (M-F 9-1pm) to get things done, and Jean was always happy to show me around or talk to me about any questions I had.
Wedding day they did something that was very disappointing. They scheduled other couples to come look at the place while Nellie's was getting set up and while I was trying to get ready. First it was a lady from the Sierra Club that we had to forcefully tell to leave as she was interrupting my bridesmaids getting ready and she was extremely rude. Then they had a couple walking around and about twenty minutes before guests started arriving we asked them to leave as they were peeking their heads in while I was getting dressed. Then the lady from the garden club had the nerve to tell me that she had scheduled another couple to come at 3:30pm, which is when guests were scheduled to arrive. She told me that they were from out of town and that's why they were doing it. I told her "Look, I planned my wedding from out of town during my last year of vet school. I made it here during business hours. I don't have any sympathy for them. Not only that, but I rented this place today. The business is closed, hours are 9-1pm M-F, it's just not acceptable to use the place for business stuff while I've got it rented. They can't come." So, she told them to go away. Maybe that's bitchy of me, but when the first couple was watching me get dressed, I had had enough.
Rose Garden Florist - A++
The flowers were just what I wanted, simple and clean :-) Joey picked them up on his way down that morning and they looked great!
Rev. Georgeann Butler - A+++++++
The ceremony was beautiful, she did a wonderful job. Everyone raved that it was the most beautiful ceremony that they had ever heard!! Absolutely amazing!!