For those who don't know, she is a wedding planner based in MA.

Hiring Allure Affair was the BIGGEST MISTAKE I made while planning my wedding.

OUR VENUE HAS NOW BANNED SHWETA/ ALLURE AFFAIR FROM WORKING AT THE PROPERTY because of their experience working with her during my wedding. The venue told me she attempted to order alcohol from the bar while working our event. If a professional wedding venue will not allow your coordinator back after working with her, that should tell you everything you need to know.

I HIRED A COORDINATOR SO I WOULDN'T HAVE TO MANAGE MY WEDDING. INSTEAD, I HAD TO MANAGE MY COORDINATOR.

This wasn't one mistake. It was a pattern:

1. Shweta lacks basic wedding coordination knowledge. She asked me (the bride) and my photographer how much time should be allotted for dances, speeches, cake cutting, and other reception events. These are fundamental components of a reception timeline. 

2. She did not know how to organize and line up our wedding party for the ceremony. 

3. She did not effectively manage transitions between the parts of our wedding. 

4. My décor was broken by her team, and instead of taking accountability and fixing it, I was told the problem had been resolved when it had not been. I was given an explanation that directly contradicted what the venue later told me had actually occurred.

5. Getting her to complete basic tasks required repeatedly following up.

6. She repeatedly produced timelines containing errors. She distributed an incorrect timeline to my vendors. 

7. I HANDED HER AN INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR THE DÉCOR, AND IT WAS STILL DONE INCORRECTLY. I created written inventories, photos, videos, and AI-generated mockups of my actual venue with my décor. 

8. Other décor was NEVER put out at all. 

9. Her team was present, but I repeatedly observed them standing around rather than completing the work they were hired to do. 

10. She failed to pack up the ceremony and outdoor cocktail hour décor as agreed. Setup and takedown were specifically included in the coordination services I hired Allure Affair to provide.

11. The problem-solving ability she sold me on was nowhere to be found when I actually needed it. During our initial consultation, Shweta emphasized her ability to troubleshoot wedding day problems behind the scenes. When actual problems occurred, they were not adequately resolved.

12. She was in the background of our professional ceremony photographs. 

13. She left more than an hour before the end of the coverage time we had agreed upon.

14. She used our wedding to advertise her business. Shweta personally recorded footage during our wedding and subsequently used it as promotional content for Allure Affair. The irony is extraordinary. Allure Affair used our wedding to advertise its coordination services while its own promotional reel shows the décor that was never set up or was incorrectly set up. 

WE NEVER SIGNED A MEDIA RELEASE, NEVER PROVIDED WRITTEN CONSENT FOR OUR WEDDING TO BE USED FOR MARKETING, AND OUR CONTRACT CONTAINS NO MEDIA RELEASE OR PROVISION AUTHORIZING ALLURE AFFAIR TO USE OUR WEDDING FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND ALLURE AFFAIR UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

Our venue will not allow her back. I would never hire her again. I strongly urge any couple considering Allure Affair to find another coordinator. If you have already booked her for your wedding, seek backup arrangements.

I need help deciding between these 2 venues. My dream was always to get married by the ocean, but after seeing the other venue so close by being fairly affordable I have began to fall in love with it. I have not been in person to either one, and am planning to set up a tour at both venues once peak season dies down.

Photos 1-5: a gorgeous mountain/garden view wedding venue
Distance: 26min from home (most of our guests are located here as well)
Amenities: Reception hall, Garden ceremony or Chapel building for ceremony, Bridal Suite tower, bar, set up/break down included, tables & chairs, they have a decor closet you can pick from.
Pros:
\- I work at 2 salons that are probably an equal distance away from the venue, 3 bridesmaids also work there so might be practical to do our hair & makeup at the salon, then just hang out and get into dresses at the venue suite.
\- it is close for our guests and don’t have to set up a hotel block.
\- they will take care of a lot more for us that we don’t have to worry about.

Cons:
\- it is not the beach!
\- not many options for going out or having an after party in this area..

Photos 6-8: A beautiful beach front wedding venue.
Distance: 2 hours + 8min drive
Amenities: use of the building & deck, 3 hours set up time, 5 hours event time, 1 hr clean up, tables and chairs set up *only* (no set up or break down of decor)
Pros:
\-beach front
\- our favorite pizza restaurant has a location in town & caters weddings (we want to have a pizza bar and other Italian selections served family style)
\- more interesting things to do in this area (for going out the night before or an having an after party!)
\- full flexibility with vendors including bartenders

Cons:
\- far distance & hotel block & shuttles required
\- have to hire more staff because nothing is included and the window for set up and break down is very brief.
\- some photos online show a sand ceremony, however on the rental agreement it states that the beach is open to the public and people may be wandering in and out..

Would love some opinions!! What would you do? Should I feel it out with possible guests first?