The Perfect Dessert was one of the vendors that I wish I had worked a little closer with throughout the planning process. We had our initial meeting and consultation almost 1 year before our wedding event. We were initially really unsure of what we wanted, but knew it was not cake. Heather was fantastic at this point, offering up many many different options, really showcasing her ability to provide more than just wedding cakes. I was very impressed with her abilities to design different desserts to cater to our needs, not only offering a menu of services.
Over the course of the planning year we met only twice again and communicated primarily through e-mail. She was okay responding to e-mail, sometimes flighty and slow at responding, but I knew her responses were complete when I got them - she showed a thorough response each time I had a question, leading me to believe she made sure she had accurate information before replying which I appreciated.
The only complaint (if you can call it that) is that Heather did loose our client folder once, not even mentioning it until I had questioned what our balance due was. I was not sure she would have remembered all of the smaller details of our event otherwise, but I knew she had an understanding of what we wanted from her. :-) Since most of the file was not electronic, I knew she depended on me to retrieve the information - I wish she had taken notes electronically to back up her handwritten notes, so everything was not dependent on my recollection.
Her dessert product for our wedding turned out great, it was beautiful and perfect for what we wanted. I ended up ordering way more dessert then I had to, not thinking about the timing of our reduction in guests from 350 to 250.
To those planning, I recommend checking the amount of dessert ordered near the deadline to change, asking for a refund at that time if count has been reduced - we ended up with piles and piles of tartletts and cookies leftover.
It was easy to see Heather took great pride in the work that she did, and it was apparent when we saw her work. Everything was perfect and she was very meticulous when putting together our dessert (Bavarian cream tartletts with raspberries on top, chocolate fudge, and sugar cookies). She even worked with us to modify the table set up, to more closely match our winter theme - her design capabilities really were brought to the surface, she is a great designer.
Our wedding was in January and we did not want cake - she was very accommodating to us wanting something different, and more close to our budget then a cake. If we had told her about the lowering of the count, we would have saved even more! I would recommend working with Heather if you are able to maintain electronic communication on a regular basis. She is very creative and willing to listen if you want things changed or modified.
Grade - A
*****EDIT******
As a curtousey to Heather, I wanted to reiterate that the over-estimate of my order was all my fault. I did not update her when our RSVP's started coming in, and that had nothing to do with her work or final product.
I also told her I would provide her response to my original review, noting that her efforts put into the final product and the dessert itself was great. I did and do expect a lot from vendors, probably more than they are used to in a day to day basis.
Here was her response to my original review:
Rebecca, Please re-write our review of your wedding day. I deserve better
than this. Flighty and slow are not good things to share of someone's
hard work. You are in the Corporate office Mgr. field, in your world you
all email each other as quick as Instant Messaging. I'm in the dessert
world where we email back as soon as a baking project is done. I was very
efficient
with our communications. There really was not much for me to do now was
there before your wedding? A Dessert maker is not on stage really until
the two days before the event. When we had your final meet with Tony and
the Mother's I asked you guys if you wanted to change anything. You wanted
to leave everything as was. I remember saying to you that 750 dessert
petites were plenty and let's not do any more which I also reminded you of
that at our second meeting earlier in the year. You had such a large food
buffet that all your guests were simply too full to eat much. Your group
really was more about fudge. I bet if we did just chocolates or a
chocolate fountain with fresh fruits it might have been a better out come
for you. You are looking at how much money you wasted, but it was not a
waste, it was your day and you did'nt want to be short. I also gave you
an extra 200 petites and 75 extra pieces of fudge as alittle gift from me.
You were seeing
extra petites and cookies because of this very reason. You were seeing my
final gift to you. Please re-write our review. I only asked for a review
on our efforts and did the desserts taste great?
Thank you for your time.
Heather
If you have any questions regarding this review, please do not hesitate to email me at beccajt920@hotmail.com.
Thank you!
