Wedding Coordinator Issues?

[U2FanHfx]

Hi All,

Rant ahead, flame jacket on. You know this has to be bad when the groom is posting about being frustrated as the bride is way past lol.

How has your experience been with your DFTW wedding coordinator? Do you wait months to get responses to phone calls and emails? Do you have billing information provided? Do you know what you are supposed to do, when do pay, where to go?

We have been working with a coordinator (CI) since September, and I must say that this is the most unprofessional organization I have ever delt with. Come on Disney, get your act together! We wait over 3 - 4 weeks for responses, if any. Approximate pricing or billing information ("I think it's about") has always been provided to us and then about 2 weeks ago, my TA stated that a new 'charge for your wedding' had been applied. Which I have no issue with, just a little communication because obviously we are going to pay at some point. Then the whole photo fiasco in January. A new 2006 contract came out and the photo package we wanted was $200 more and she asked us to re-sign. I said NO WAY and they finally after over a month they agreed to the old price. Only now they don't have it on our reservation and here it is again another 3 weeks and still no response on when or how to pay for it. At this point we are about 1 nerve away from cancelling WDW/Cruise/Wedding to go with a competitor for 2/3 price.

Anyone else feel this way about the lack of service?

Regs,

CJM

 

[Tinkerbelle14]

Wow, I'm sorry you've had such a bad experience. Maybe it is just your EM, b/c I have always gotten a response almost immediately from ours if she is in the office and, if not, I get a automatic response saying that she will be back a certain day. If you continue to have problems, it might not be a bad idea to voice your concerns or ask for a new EM. Don't let this one person influence your opinion on Disney.
Good luck!

 

[Cinderella Fan]

I am sorry to hear that you are having scuh a hard time with your EM. It might be beneficial to speak to another. Please don't let this deter you from having the wedding that you want. I know things seem bothersome now, but with any luck, they will change for you.

My EM is great, she is always quick with responses and prices. When I call, she always returns my call within hours and is prompt with emails as well. Maybe the EM that you are working with is new, not that that is any excuse.

Good luck and sending you lots of that you are able to find an EM that works better with you....

 

[Luvndisney]

i hate to ask this question: are you an intimate wedding?

I am sorry you are having such a bad experience. Sometimes this just happens and DFTW just don't work well. I have had a wonderful experience so far.

Good Luck.

 

[engagedatWDW]

I have the slow response problem the majority of the time. At this point, I'm still far enough out so that the questions I'm asking are just for information rather than a month away and I need to know. Also, I'm an Intimate - eventhough they have different coordinators for each, I realize I'm not spending as much as other people therefore may not need as much attention - not to say that you are wrong for being upset, because there really should be no difference. If there is something I really need an answer to I keep calling but if I know it can wait I email.

 

[allisonswonderland]

I too am sorry to hear of your experiences....who is your coordinator? Mine has been wonderful so far, very quick with the responses and seems to be concientious. I would chec into getting someone new. I have been very happy with my EM-

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

I am very sorry to hear about your frustrations. How far off is your wedding? Disney will do what they need to do. Please remember that they are doing over a 1,000 weddings a year. They are very busy men and women. Additionally, you never know what's going on in their personal lives. If you're having problems to that degree, you may want to consider being reassigned to work with a new coordinator.

Please- just a note. The coordinators all know about this website. In fact, they can check it and lurk just the same as you and me. Post like this (sorry hun!) drive me crazy.

I too am sorry to hear of your experiences....who is your coordinator? Mine has been wonderful so far, very quick with the responses and seems to be concientious. I would chec into getting someone new. I have been very happy with my EM-

Firstly, please do not post their full names here. It's like nails on a chalk board for me. How would you like your full name plastered all over the internet? Our EMs are people and could be subjected to the same types of nasty fishing and identity theft that we can. Secondly, please don't post anything here that you aren't willing to say, or wouldn't want your EM to hear, on these boards. It makes for a very awkward business relationship when you're talking about thme behind their backs.

My suggestion would be to write to your EM, and let him/her know your concerns. Hopefully, you will hear their side of the story, as well. If at that time, you cannot salvage the relationship, perhaps you should consider being assigned to a new EM.

:::Steps into flame suit of her own:::

 

[sajetto]

Okay my flame suit is on

Jill, I'm with ya. I've had some issues with my EM (actually I've had 2) and others have asked me who my EM is. I have never given anyone the satisfaction of knowing who my new EM is b/c I know that if I were them I will be really upset if I knew my name was on the net. Also, my new EM even told me that they were not happy about some of the stuff on the DIS. BTW I've had my identity stolen before I know I would never want to put anyone through that.

 

[FutureAshleyDukes]

I could be wrong, but I think maybe he is planning a DCL wedding. Not many of us are familiar with how they do things, and it might be a little different.

I know my planner mentioned The Disboards in one of our e-mails.

 

[allisonswonderland]

Underthemistletoe has truly made me feel unwelcome here this evening. I was so happy when I found this board. I thought I had finally found a fairy godmother, a place to be educated on the process, get tips from others and in general find a supportive environment. While I have found that, I have also been met with many sinde remarks that are just meant to be hurtful for no reason. This seemingly wonderful forum can very quickly be turned into a place with a bunch of catty women trying to outdo each other. I have said this before, we all come from different places and I would sugguest that you think about things before you write them. Example: Mad Hatter Post UTMTOE- tells me that I can not very well throw myself a bridal shower. Think!

I think you are reaching a bit on the name posting....poor Randy Chapman, his name is posted all over this board!

You had to know that I would be hurt by your post! My advice to you is "if you can't say something nice do not say anything at all! Nails on a chalk board to me....people who intentionally hurt others!

****Please note the edit in names- sorry - I did pm you sajetto and hope you understand how I felt and why I felt that way.

 

[U2FanHfx]

Hi All,

Thanks for the suggestions. My DF is going to change our coordinator as she is just frustrated and worried all at the same time. She's got so many other things to do that swe were trying to help by having a coordinator but it's become more work.

I agree with not posting the full name, and have and will not do so.

BTW - We are having a cruise wedding.

Regs,

CJM

 

[Laurafoster]

Allison i really dont think that Jill or Sajetto were tying to make you feel unwelcome or to upset you. They were merely voicing their own opinion. I cannot see anywhere in either of thoses posts where they were deliberately looking to be hurtful! Sajetto did not even mention your name in her post.

 

[sajetto]

Sajetto did not even mention your name in her post.

Yeah, I'm really confused. I can't recall ever saying anything to that poster in this forum or any other for that matter. What on earth???
I'm sorry if I hurt someone's feelings, but I'm not sure how I did it.

BTW thanks for sticking up for me Laura, you're a sweetie

 

[hiwaygal]

allisonswonderland

I'm sorry you feel unwelcome...message boards can be the best thing in the world, and then they can seem very cold and "catty". Try not to let the cattiness get to you.

I disagree with not posting coordinators names. They are business people (i.e. Randy Chapman and Rev. Jack Day) and business people are always "at risk" of having their names "out in the world for all to see". It's part of the job and even more so when you work for a high visibility company like Disney. Now, having said that, if I had something bad or negative to say, I definitely wouldn't post a name (that's just rude). It is true, they are "watching".

The ladies on this board have ALWAYS talked about coordinators and we always use their names (just do a search for your coordinator...chances are there will be MANY posts where they are mentioned). I don't see the harm.

And don't worry about what is "right or wrong" to one bride...do what is right for YOU! What is traditional in one family, area, or country is not the same as what is traditional in your family, area, or country.

I hope you will continue to stick around and have fun!

 

[sajetto]

[
I disagree with not posting coordinators names. They are business people (i.e. Randy Chapman and Rev. Jack Day) and business people are always "at risk" of having their names "out in the world for all to see". It's part of the job and even more so when you work for a high visibility company like Disney. Now, having said that, if I had something bad or negative to say, I definitely wouldn't post a name (that's just rude). It is true, they are "watching".

The ladies on this board have ALWAYS talked about coordinators and we always use their names (just do a search for your coordinator...chances are there will be MANY posts where they are mentioned). I don't see the harm.

hiwaygal....I'm not trying to stir the pot and I'm honestly a very nice person but this is something we've got to disagree on. I made the mistake ONE time of putting my old EMs first name on the boards. Turns out that they are very aware of these boards and when I got my new EM b/c of issues with my old one she made it very clear to me that they visit the DIS and they do not want to see their names posted. They work for Disney and are not like Randy or Jack Day...they are in buisness for someone else and do not advertise their services. Disney advertises weddings but you notice that they do not post an EMs name anywhere. My new EM explained to me that they are glad that brides have found a place to converse but they are not happy to see that they are brought up in conversation. My EM said that it is an issue of saftey and bad buisness.

So in closing... Yes, I have made the mistake once. Did I learn my lesson?....You bet I did.

That phone conversation was so embarrasing that I almost wanted to change EMs again and I think that it has made my EM have a permanent opinion of me that I wish wasn't there.

 

[hiwaygal]

sajetto

I totally understand your opinion!

I am very aware the coordinators know about this board...my coordinator and I talked about it several times. Never once did she mention not posting names, as is par for the course with Disney, it seems it depends on which cast members one is talking to.

But, there are other sites where names are posted...this is not the only one.

It's okay to disagree! If we were all alike, this world would be very boring!

 

[sajetto]

sajetto

I totally understand your opinion!

I am very aware the coordinators know about this board...my coordinator and I talked about it several times. Never once did she mention not posting names, as is par for the course with Disney, it seems it depends on which cast members one is talking to.

But, there are other sites where names are posted...this is not the only one.

It's okay to disagree! If we were all alike, this world would be very boring!

You're right, it probably does have something to do with the coordinator's personal feelings. Thanks for understanding and not flaming me

 

[Laurafoster]

It's okay to disagree! If we were all alike, this world would be very boring!

i totally agree with that, if were all the same this board would not be as interestingas it is, people hang around even after their wedding as its a nice place to have a chat etc!

 

[FutureAshleyDukes]

I have to add that most of their names are already on the internet, even the unofficial wedding guide lists quite a few. Also there are plenty of posts asking if others have the same co-ordinator, or raving about what they have done.

I know when my planner and I converse about the Disboards it is only about a question about applying something to my wedding, such as a customized cake, etc. I'm sure she expects her name to be mentioned in a trip report, or in some other form. It's part of what they do.

 

[Codie]

Just as a point of clarification--is it that the EM's don't ever want their names mentioned? Or only in relation to bad things? I can understand if they never do...but to pick and choose...i don't know. I guess too--some brides can have an awful experience with a coordinator and other brides might have an awesome experience with the very same one.

As far as the original purpose of this post...I do think that all the dftw staff is over worked and over whelmed...we, as a whole family, reached your point of frustration at one time...thankfully i was determined to be a disney bride and was able to keep my mom in check for long enough until it passed. I will promise you that no bride (or groom) has ever come back here after their day and been anything but thrilled with their coordinator. As it gets more towards your time, you'll get lots of attention