I got a distressing phone call from a bride today. The bride told me that she had been talking with a ‘coordinator’ who she found online. They began to talk over email and the ‘coordinator’ told her a few things that turned out to be VERY false:
1. She had been coordinating weddings for 5 years.
2. She had coordinated over 50 weddings.
3. She lived out of state when she did these weddings.
4. All the pictures on her site were from weddings she had worked on.
5. She is a full time wedding planner.

The bride asked her for some vendor references as well as client references and the ‘coordinator’ said she had a list of a vendors that are available in Columbus (not what the bride had actually asked) and would get her letters of referral. When the bride asked her for this info before they met, the ‘coordinator’ didn’t respond. And hasn’t responded.

The bride got suspicious did a little checking on Myspace.com about this ‘coordinator.’ Turns out EVERYTHING this person told her were complete, blatant lies – she has never lived out of state (based on the fact that she just graduated from school and went to school here in Ohio). She has another full time job and has never worked for another wedding company or coordinated a wedding. This person basically decided one day that she was a coordinator and hung out her shingle and she has been lying about her experience level. Oh, and all the pictures on her website from weddings “that she worked on?” All stock photos that she copied from other sites!

Why do I care about this? Why does this upset me so much? Because this person is trying to pass themselves off as an experienced coordinator and lying to brides. If you are new to the business, don’t try to make yourself out to be something you aren’t – there are NO do overs in this business and every bride deserves to go into working with you with all the facts – the actual facts about you!

The moral of the story for all you brides out there? Do your research on your vendors! Here are the questions I think you should ask any coordinator before you hire them. And trust your gut – someone who is 22 years old probably hasn’t been in business for 5 years.

Kudos to this bride for having a good head on her shoulders and asking the right questions. And shame on that other coordinator for lying so blatantly – now those of us who actually are professionals will have to work to gain the trust back from brides you lied to and vendors whose job you have made more difficult.