Mrs. Oliver's Weddings & Event Planning

r "business." She is nothing but a fraud and is only in it for the money. My then-fiancée, now-wife, was both completely new and had no idea how to plan a wedding. We went to a bridal show and signed a contract with the first person to say they'll help. Honestly, a great plan on their part, preying on newly engaged couples that are vulnerable and easily persuaded with the right words. Everything started out fine, and we didn't think anything of it until there was an exchange of money at which we agreed I would pay her bi-weekly to distribute the money by things of top priority. In exchange for DETAILED receipts and statements from the vendors and what she used the money for. All I ever received was "DJ payment" as a memo on the pay-pal receipts from me paying her, no actual receipts from any of the vendors. Luckily, we paid majority of the deposits and large lump sums directly to the vendors. After the wedding we had called our vendors to thank them and to get some feedback on Mrs. Oliver. The vendors that dealt with her, all said that payments were an issue. She either wrote personal checks, or her business checks would bounce. She even specifically instructed them not to contact us about these issues. In the end, our DJ was not payed at all for his services by Mrs. Oliver. We had paid her directly over $500 to pay to the DJ, and he never received a cent of it. Where did that money go?? Was the amount she told us that the vendors and items for the wedding, the actual price? We never received a single receipt from her, and it honestly frustrates me so much. I trusted this lady with my money to pay for our dream wedding, and she scammed us. Another red flag: Her ideas and talk of decorations and how grand it would be, was all a lie. Yeah, she incorporated our theme, but most certainly not at the price we paid her for. The decorations were tacky looking, and just embarrassing. It was like something you'd see at a middle school dance. We even paid her to buy bowties that were hand made. They looked like a 5year old made them, hot glued together with Velcro to hold it around the neck. We ended up taking the Velcro off and using safety pins to try to make it look as normal as possible. I was instructed by her to remain in my room for almost four hours. I wasn’t allowed to help with decorating nor making sure things were set up correctly. Right at the official start of the wedding, we realized our custom-made isle runner was never set out, which we told her and reminded her to do. I later learned that the flower bouquets were not what we wanted either. We had sent her multiple pictures and ideas of exactly what we wanted, but what we received was totally different. How hard is it to show a florist a picture to see if they can match it, and if not at least tell us instead of going with a design that was unwanted and did not match. The ceremony was the only part of the wedding she did not have any part of or planning and was the only part that went according to our plan. After the ceremony, we let our guests eat and enjoy each other’s company while pictures were being taken. After the pictures, we went inside to eat ourselves. The food that we paid to have catered in was cold, like she didn’t even turn on the warming burners on underneath the pans. There were absolutely no drinks, which she agreed to provide. She ended up blaming it on the Caterer as a “miscommunication.” Even though we have messages stating that she would provide the drinks. She didn’t even try to right her wrong, and we had to have my father-in-law buy $100 worth of drinks from the local grocery store. I felt completely embarrassed and made the whole experience even more tacky. That’s when we noticed the decorations, and we tried to ignore them throughout the night, but it was just so bad. Designs printed on paper and hand cut, then glued on fabric. YUCK! Flowerpots glued together and spray painted to look like a gauntlet. We were just unhappy. The next day, we decided to just send Mrs. Oliver some honest feedback about our disappointments from her services and coordination. Completely not expecting anything in return but for her to maybe try harder for the next couple, she offered us a partial refund. We thought it was fair to cover the major items that was either completely left out or did not hold up to her promises. This is were we ran into another big issue with money. She would tell use she would have a check by this date, and when that day came it was some excuse and she told us to come by her business shop on this date. That day would come, and nothing. It was excuses after excuses, ranging from: being out of town, not being top priority, even went as far as her bank account was locked and she had to ask her kids for funds to keep her business running. Oh, and she said she was in the hospital over a panic attack. This went on for four months, and not a cent of the refund was paid back. Finally, I filled for small claims court. All while keeping in contact with the DJ that provided their services at our wedding, they still didn’t get paid and took her to court as well. They even won their case, and Mrs. Oliver was instructed to pay them. From what the DJ told us, she wrote them a check for a future date, then closed her account prior to that date. Even after the court instructed her to pay, she still found a way to not pay them over $500 that she gladly took from us. Still to this day, that money is unaccounted for. After hearing about the DJ’s experience, I was a concerned that she would do the same to us. As the court date approached, she tried to play it off as we signed a contract stating there will be no refunds no matter what. Luckily, I had a copy of the contract and provided that to the judge as evidence, along with detailed conversations, statements she sent us (with the lack of details), and the receipts I received via pay-pal (also lacking details of where the money went). The contract did not have any clause for no refunds. After that it was easy, judge ruled in my favor but only on the agreed upon reimbursement from what she offered after our constructive criticism to her 5 months prior to the court date. She then agreed to write us a check after her monthly payout date, at which the judge agreed and made it mandatory. Luckily, we didn’t have any issues after that. All communication has ceased between Mrs. Oliver, her Business, and us. We know, from former reviews and conversations from vendors and clients she has worked with, that she has a history of scamming brides and not paying vendors. So why is she still allowed to have a business? Why doesn’t the court system or police force do something? I am personally limited on the knowledge of what can be done. But I know its not right. Angela Oliver, and Mrs. Oliver’s Wedding and Event Planning, should not get away with this. I highly recommend using another Wedding planner. I will never recommend Mrs. Oliver’s Wedding and Event Planning to anyone. She is a fraud, a scam artist, manipulator, and nothing good will come from her or her business. Reply: Validated We tried to create an amazing day for this couple. Wedding date was moved up 5 months, and budget went from a small $6000 to $3900 Floral $250 Catering $1100 Cake $219 DJ $550 Photographer$500 Rentals (tablecloths, runners, cloth napkins, plate chargers, lanterns, candles, candle sticks, photo op backdrop and themed props) $190 Planning $850 = $3659.00 Remaining for decor $241 Yes we did go to court. I offered a good faith gesture by offering a refund for bouquet and isle runner. After requesting full fee and filing a case to try to receive that I again offered the initial amount and client declined we proceeded to court The Judge heard both sides. The judge actually ruled in my favor and it is on record that I had completed my job and informed the client that he was not going to receive my entire feedback as I had completed my job. He also informed the client that the good-faith reimbursement that I offered was admirable as I was not obligated to do so as I had completed my job and this was very respectable of me and my business to do so. He asked the client if he agreed to the initial offer, client confirmed and the judge then stated that a verbal agreement in the state of Missouri is the same as a contract so I I would pay him that amount. Case closed. it is very unfortunate that this couple feels this way as we started out with one budget moved up the wedding five months went to an extremely small budget and I was able to give them all the decor that we had discussed on the same budget and the same effect that they were looking for. which with an experienced photographer and if the mood lighting had been left the way it should have been set would have been an amazing look. As with every couple I only wish to make their day an amazing event and a great beginning to a wonderful Life and marriage. I truly enjoyed working with this couple. And wish them nothing but the best!

d the others. One could not attend at last minute due to a health emergency that required immediate surgery and several months recovery. However after I was informed by the vendor I found information on a replacement for you. This was after you had decided to go on your own. The invitation proofs were sent to you for final print approval as we do with all clients to double check dates, times, spelling, names are correct, location is correct etc.. You approved so unfortunately the name was overlooked by both of us. However myself and my staff pulled a all nighter printing and creating your replacement set. We had to remake all pocket envelopes for over 80 invitations and they were done as quickly as possible. You did not however pay for 2 sets as I stated I would remake at my own expense and did so. You received all services that I received payment for as I still have all receipts and correspondence showing that as well as our conversations. I had sent a text message 2 times that was meant for another bride it was simply a matter of touching the wrong name when beginning text. I apologized for this and explained that on both ocassions I was talking to 2 clients at the same time which both happened to be named Hannah. A simple mistake for anyone to make. I had your day completely designed and layed out including floral and bouquets. When you decided to go at it on your own I informed you that you would have to aquire multiple items yourself as they were items from our rental services as well as floral was to be made by our service and we hadn't received payment for those services. As far as the overall design I never disclose my designs in full to clients at least until complete payment is made. This is to protect the company as clients will pay a deposit and if we disclose plan before payment clients will use or plans without paying for them. However I did make you a extensive list of what you would still need and of what areas I had planned on using the decor items that you already had. I had wished you a beautiful day and hope you had that.

ly does. I enjoyed writing your ceremony also! I would like to respond to a few of your concerns. The doors: We have 4 sets of the doors, the picture that was sent was for confirmation of what you wanted the doors to look like when standing, however, I do believe that I informed you that mine were all either a natural color or brown. You also said that a conversation was had between my husband and yours about the making of the doors. This is a very popular item at the moment and we had all sets rented out that we had "Built" however we have many doors that we use for many things in regards to wedding décor. I had a bride wanting to rent a set for the same day(the night before the wedding) so knowing I had all the doors, hardware and supplies to complete another set we let her rent and pick up the last "Put together set" and after rehearsal we returned to our shop and painted the door frame wood to match the set of doors that were going to be a beautiful feature for your event. of course paint has to dry so the morning of we arrived at 5 am to the shop and while my staff loaded the other supplies for your event my husband put together or "Built" the door framing. Payment: I do apologize if you felt pressured about payment, not my intention at all, nor did I in anyway feel like you could not make payments. I work with a large amount of clients for weddings and events and the majority take advantage of our weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly payment plans. When I am setting up those payment invoices I contact everyone with a balance to see if they were intending any type of payment so all invoices can be done at the same time and done with. You were signed on for over a year so if I contacted you 4 times that's once every 4 months or so. And each time you were informed I was sending invoices and if you didn't wish to make a payment it was no problem as you were due 2 weeks prior. So I apologize again if you felt there was a push for payment. Again it truly was a joy to work with you, and my staff all stated that even though it was cold it was a very fun event and everyone was very sweet and easy to work with! I wish you both an amazing life together.

nning, and this could be quite awhile from the time of the original consultation. Respectfully, Angelia

of it!

many ideas coming at them from excited friends and family. Your day turned out just like we planned together, beautiful and fun! I'm very proud to have been a part of your day.

ed call I immediately messaged you and apologized. Asked to reschedule explained the situation and for the missed call I even offered to discount the day of coordination fee as a sincere apology. You decided to go ahead and cancel services as our contract and most all contracts read deposit is non refundable. Even though. Per my contract I did not have to refund the deposit but because I had missed the call in a good faith gesture I refunded the deposit. Best of wishes to you!

onsultation I feel like you were very open and you were very eager after that. Thank you for giving a planner a chance and thank you for allowing me to be that planner!

e party! I'm glad I was allowed to get to know such a great couple and their families!

o still make all the choices and handle parts she chose on her own with some DIY projects she really started to relax. I love at the end when she came and hugged me. That truly lets me know I have done my job!

ssed to me that he was a bit worried as you looked so nervous he was afraid you were going to fall. When I talked to you about it immediately following the ceremony you said it was good that you were so nervous that you just wanted it to hurry that you didn't like being in the spotlight. Through out this process our budget kept shrinking and you wanted a DJ for less money. I informed you because of the price you wanted to pay for the DJ I could not recommend his work because I had never worked with his service before and you were ok with that because it met your budget you wanted to pay. During the wedding I had almost all your guest say to me that they had such a great time and this was a beautiful wedding, some even said the best they had ever been to. I was so happy for you that the guest were going to truly remember your day being beautiful and fun. After the reception was over as you were gathering your things and we were cleaning up your new husband had a 1 hour conversation with my husband about how everything was fantastic and even invited us to Joplin to have dinner and have a evening out together. I came into the brides room with you to discuss the day you expressed to me at that time everything was perfect except for some personal issues with some family that left early and brought a couple guest you didn't want to attend and were upset about that but everything else was great. So again I'm completely caught by surprise and sorry if you truly feel this way it was not expressed to me at any time before this review.