Feragne Villa & Wedding Contracts what you need to know…
This blog is regarding “emergency coverage” of a rehearsal dinner and ceremony that involved a pre paid “wedding package” at a venue in Hurst that I was called into after the previous minister (who had been paid) backed out and refused to take calls from the Bridal Couple.
Monday afternoon I received a phone call from my friend John regarding a wedding at this location the officiant apparently backed out of AFTER BEING PAID in a “Package” offered by this company to a darling couple and their families, many of whom had flown in from out of town to attend this event!
I told John that I would rearrange my schedule to accommodate this family and to have them call me to discuss ceremony details as I have done numerous other occasions to ensure an event will run smoothly. Normally, I have an opportunity to at the very least- speak with the couple prior to the event and, finally discuss fee structure and payment.
An issue that has become rather expected during these “emergency calls” is being paid. This event would be no exception dear and loyal readers!
Many readers recall the wedding last June that I was called to step in and complete with over 275 guests waiting in the Chapel that I was informed upon arriving “we only have twenty dollars to pay you as we paid the other officiant and have exhausted our budget.” Which was when “emergency” or “last minute” needs was added to the fee structure at an additional cost for many reasons that include my not having an opportunity to properly prepare for the ceremony or, be paid in advance so the issue does not create more stress at an already “rushed” event.
The details below will better explain the ridiculous manner the wedding planner behaved upon the arrival of myself and my associate Ann Alexander at this venue:
Less than fifteen minutes later, I received a call I believed to be the Bride, when in actuality, it was the EVENT PLANNER who failed to identify herself as such.
Undisclosed to me were several facts that I should have been made aware of:
1. The Bridal Party had prepaid for a complete package that INCLUDED a minister.
2. The failure of contract obligations was at the venue and not disclosed to the Bridal Couple.
3. Contacting an Emergency minister to cover their ass and failing to advise either the Bridal Party or the minister of the circumstances created unnecessary conflict.
4. The vendor is well aware or at least should be that a rehearsal dinner and wedding ceremony constitute two separate services on the part of the minister which include a trip charge due to the distance.
5. A “wedding planner” should have at the very least taken the time to introduce the minister to the Bridal Couple, the parents and the Bridal couple!
6. I’m certain the vendor demanded payment well in advance as is customary.
7. Elaine getting angry at being questioned regarding service fee agreements or attempting to negotiate after contacting me only contributed to the complete disregard of circumstances that this establishment failed to honor when making unkept promises to this couple and their families.
8. When Bridal couples file suit over services arrangements pre paid- 98 percent of the time, they win.
9. Offering services and failing to honor them is the fault of the vendor and most assuredly not the fault of whomever they’ve contacted to keep their contract in effect.
Arriving this evening at the venue at a few minutes prior to the time requested (as I always do) with my associate, Ann Alexander, we were greeted by Elaine. The same person I had spoke with twice since the initial call from John on Monday.
For over thirty minutes, I believed the Bride was either waiting for family or her fiancé to arrive.
You can imagine my shock and horror upon learning several factors not disclosed prior to a one hour drive immediately upon completing my Proctor & Gamble daytime job with no time for dinner or a shower, that not only was Elaine not the Bride- she had failed to advise the Bridal couple AND their family that I have no affiliation whatsoever with this organization OR THEIR package!
Dashing over to cover a FTA (failure to appear) Minister without a deposit, it would later become clear to me that everyone except myself believed that I had been paid “in the package.”
Furious that Elaine not only had nearly forty minutes to advise me of the names of the Bridal Couple and details of the ceremony, her deliberate and evasive impression that my fees had been paid would make have me look foolish when I asked who was responsible for my fees only to have Elaine nearly scream at me “it’s in the package!”
Ministers with an affiliation with certain venues work at a discounted rate for many reasons, mainly because the venue gives a large percentage of their business to the Minister.
Failing to advise couples of the actual reasons for not honoring contractual obligations is perhaps one of the most deceiving and dishonest acts of a business I’ve witnessed lately.
There is a reason “emergency” situations are more expensive- the reason is that someone else was hired, paid and prepared. Factors that I’m on the receiving end of when coming in to “save the day” rearranging my schedule during our busy season to accommodate others has become a fact of life for Texas Twins Events.
We are reliable, professional and under any reasonable situation well prepared by at the very least having an opportunity to speak with the couple- something that should have been provided by the exchange of phone numbers that Elaine had access to since Monday.
My heart goes out to couples who trust that their hard earned money is well spent when buying a “package” but, not asking key questions about failure of the “package” falling apart because one key element of the “package” flakes out of them is a sad affair for everyone involved. Make certain demands when agreeing to the “package” as I’m one of the very few officiants who will rework my schedule to accommodate you. Last minute Ministers are hard to come by “in season.”
Having a wedding planner deliberately fail to advise the couple and myself what the hell is actually going on- infuriating! Elaine could have saved all parties involved a lot of conflict if she had simply told me the truth regarding payment and an opportunity to speak with the couple and better understand their wishes prior to a rushed rehearsal she continued to interrupt and throw me of rehearsing with a bad attitude and obvious desire to get the wedding party out if the building ASAP!
Tomorrow, after I’ve calmed down from the rude and hurried rush of Elaine on top of the deliberate misrepresentation that myself or any member of the Texas Twins Events Team has been paid through “a package” this Texas Twin will advise Elaine that payment is due prior to the ceremony.
Although I have often hoped for the best on the forgotten wallet, mailing a check the next day or, will get you paid as soon as we return from our honeymoon. I’ve been often disappointed at trusting folks to do the right thing and, whether I’m paid or not, find paying my associates a responsibility that I do not take lightly.
Finding a responsible and dependable Minister or Events Specialist isn’t as easy or inexpensive as you might think and believe me when I tell you that an Officiant backing out happens everyday- everywhere. It has not and will not ever happen with Texas Twins Events!
Securing a date will now require a deposit with NO EXCEPTIONS. I’m sorry to require this but, events this past month leave me no other choice.
My suggestion to Bridal couples finding themselves in such an unfortunate circumstance is to DEMAND at least a partial refund due to inconvenience, or should your event be ruined due to the failure of another who has been previously paid to provide a service to you, to sue for damages. Should you need assistance with suggestions for resolving issues, feel free to call me and discuss options available that you may not be aware exist.
Personally, I find this type of behavior in the wedding business an embarrassment for the rest of us who conduct ourselves in a professional and reliable manner!
