Kristen Steele stole my prize.

Recall me "winning" an online giveaway for the destination photographer? Recall my utter bliss at winning? and saving money?
Oh me too.
I remember the excitement over budget bliss and the sheer excitement of being chosen.
It was almost too good to be true.

Because it was too good to be true.
No, really. The rug was pulled out from under me.

Read:

See, this photographer waited until something else panned out, as in another bride with a wedding the day before ours.  Obviously that conflicts right? You can't shoot a wedding the night before and fly to DC the next morning to take my getting ready shots.  That's quick turn around.  This photographer told me she didn't think that the bride would sign the contract. Then why even give her the contract?
But she did. And she signed it. And it conflicts with this photographer coming to our rehearsal dinner.
In further email correspondence she said would take the first flight out the morning of our wedding.
She seemed to think this would work out fine.

So I asked it to be put in writing.
I wanted to see that she would take the first flight out the next morning and fly into DCA.
Because whoever offers something free and then goes and schedules something conflicting is out to make a buck.  I didn't want to get screwed over.

And then I got this email:

 

So the bridezilla in me lashes out with a "WHAT THE FRICK?!" Except it wasn't "Frick."  Followed by some more characters I can't repeat on this respectable blog.  

Wasn't SHE the one who first suggested flying in the morning of?

Didn't SHE meet with this other bride, schedule the other wedding all while KNOWING she offered me the prize for service on  June 19?

And what's this "avid blogger" crap that promotes me saying "The prize is no longer available"?

Let's say it like it is, Kristen Steele: YOU SCREWED ME OVER.  You offered me a prize and then decided not to follow through.  You devised a contest, picked a winner, and then went and scheduled something else.

Ok, yes, I had yet to sign a contract and had no real rights to her yet, but let's remember I didn't even receive a contract to look over, until after the other (paying) bride had her contract.

I can clearly see where the priorities are.

I was offered no consolation prize, nor means to reconcile her mistake.

So we need to let the people of Nashville and the world know, that this photographer they have in their midst need not be trusted.  Sure she can take pretty pictures, but at what price? If she offers you something, sign your contract before she can change her mind, especially if she offers a discount.

Because professionalism is not part of her services.

You'll pay a pretty penny for that.

If you even get it.

We're out a photographer.

Love me? "Like" me!

Last week my Google Friend Connect (GFC) followers crept up over 100!  Amazing!

AND my Facebook likes are up to 99!  Ninety-nine, folks!

If we can get those Facebook likes over 100, then I have a little celebration up my sleeve. I'm waiting for the right time to reveal a giveaway extravaganza. (that might have a LOT of Etsy sellers participating!)

Thank you to all my followers and friends who have come so far with me!
And if you don't already "like" my Facebook page.... well, why are you still here?
Get over there!

 

I'm talking "celebration" here!

{that's my photo, it seemed loosely appropriate and fun}

Pretttty Please?

I entered a contest for this here lovely blog to become a Weddzilla Blog Guru.  If all my wonderful, faithful followers vote for me - then I actually have a chance!  Honestly though, I would love my hard work to help others and for brides to be to find my blog with this "guru" label.

Click here to vote

Then scroll through to find Crowning Victoria (the logo is there, too).
Last I checked I'm around #6 in popularity!!!
WOOT!

[EDIT: To vote you simply click on the arrow next to "Crowning Victoria."  Simple and no email or creating a log-in required.  I believe you can vote once a day - so every time you vote, leave a comment and that can be an extra entry into the giveaway! Or you can just vote for funsies!]

The top 25 vote receivers will win the title of "Blog Guru 2010" from Weddzilla.com
I really want to win so other DC brides can use my (and Mike's) research to make their wedding planning easier. 


Oh and if you vote and come back and comment here saying you did, I will give you an EXTRA ENTRY for the Green Nest Cleaner giveaway!  If you already voted, comment and tell me that too!
(I can track the number of votes I get so no fare saying you voted and didn't!)

PS:  Meagan, my high school bestie and bridesmaid, is coming into town this weekend!!!! AHHH!!! yay!!!

Ultimate Wedding anyone?

Mike and I are trying our hardest to win an "ultimate wedding" worth $100K from Crate N Barrel. We only need to be in the top 50 vote-getters to move on to the next round, so help us out! Click on the link above and vote for us! If you have multiple email addresses then delete your cookies, or sign out first, then vote again!