When I moved to Louisville, I also moved my wedding planning business. I am a member of the local Association of Bridal Consultants which allowed me to meet lots of wonderful wedding professionals. It quickly became clear that my business was one in a many here in Louisville and there was a particular service that some businesses were not focusing on. I revamped my business name and plan to specialize solely on wedding day coordination (vs full planning services). This is for the couple that wants to plan their own wedding, but wants some guidance on the way and wants to have a professional there for the rehearsal and the day-of to make sure everything goes perfectly.
When revamping my business, I new I needed a great logo and design to help me stand out and get the word out about my company, Weekend Wedding Warrior, LLC. I got a few difference quotes, but the company that had the best price and the best website was "Makespace!" in Old Louisville. I sat down with the owner and explained my vision in detail and he assured me that it would be done exactly how I wanted and in a short period of time. I paid a significant deposit and waited. Long story very short, the job was never down correctly or on time. They sent me a few designs, but they were nothing like the samples I gave them and honestly they looked like they were done by my 17-year old cousin who is obsessed with video games. A bride warrior? Definitely not the way to attract the customers I want. Every time I asked things to be changed or corrected they were not done well or on time. Finally, it got to a point were I needed the design done...so my husband did it. I have to say he did a really good job too.
Considering the job was not done to the specifications of the contract I signed, I wanted my deposit back. That's when they stopped returning my calls. I left multiple messages for multiple weeks (through email and phone) and no one ever called me back. After three weeks of being ignored, I put a claim in with the Better Business Bureau. I received notice today that Makespace! never responded and therefore my claim is dropped. There is not much more I can do at this point and in my opinion they stole that money from me.
Makespace! also operates under different business names (this should have been one of my first clues that something was strange); Ikon Box is one I know of for sure.
I think it is important as a Louisville Newbie to share this information so no one else gets scammed. When you are new to a city it is hard to know what businesses to use and who is reputable. You don't always know someone who can give you a good recommendation. You just guess and sometimes you get screwed.
Maggie moved to Louisville from Buffalo, NY in Dec. 2009. She has also lived in London, Chicago, and Louisiana. Find out more about her business Weekend Wedding Warrior, LLC and her private counseling practice.
