Patty's Flowers & Baskets

As our wedding gift to a sweet young friend, my husband and I offered to host and cater her wedding at our lakeside back garden. Weeks before the wedding, The Bride happened to drive by Patty's shop and decided to go in to look at possibilities for her nuptial flowers. Ultimately The Bride chose Patty to do the job, but unfortunately The Bride did not ask for references nor check reviews. As I was coordinating the event for The Bride, and had not received any communication from the florist, I phoned Patty to request an appointment for her to inspect the premises as a custom wedding arch was contracted to be installed on our waterside deck/dock. May 31st was our first appointment and Patty did not call to advise that she was running late (I initiated the call to inquire about the delay). She eventually showed up 55 minutes late, accepted multiple phone calls from her son and was utterly distracted from the job at hand. Two subsequent visits were made to the property for the purpose of determining how the arch would be constructed = three visits total. Patty neglected to bring a measuring tape on every visit - a necessary tool. On one occasion, when giving driving directions for her assistant to meet her at our property, Patty rudely argued with me (the resident) on the correct directions. On each of the three visits, I told Patty that her team could begin construction of the arch on the wedding day as early as 6:00am if they so chose, but I was VERY specific in advising at EVERY meeting and on EVERY telephone conversation that they MUST be finished the construction and off the property by 12:00 noon on the day of the wedding. The morning of the wedding was dismal and raining. Fortunately, we had installed two 16' tents installed on the upper deck. Early that morning, my husband and I changed the seating arrangements to accommodate an area for the arch/ceremony area inside the tents, and were ready for the arch and flowers to arrive. At 10:12am I called Patty's cellphone to inquire about her delivery schedule. Voicemail. She called back, and eventually arrived some time after 11:15am, without assistance, nor flowers, nor materials for the arch. Eventually the assistant arrived with the arch materials and Patty disappeared. I was somewhat steamed by this time and reminded the assistant of the noon deadline, and was met with a reply of utter nonsense. I planned to have the florist off the premises prior to setting up the tables, chairs, linens etc - but the florist did not complete her job until approximately 2:00pm. Wedding party to arrive at 2:00pm and guests at 3:00pm. We were backed into a corner by Patty's lack of professionalism. Patty's Flowers created a very difficult and stressful situation for everyone involved in the set up, without apology or remorse. I advised Patty's assistant that she could return as early as 7:00am the day after the wedding to disassemble the arch -- and pointed out that the arch must be removed prior to the rental tents being disassembled. Since neither Patty nor her assistant had arrived by 9:30, my husband disassembled most of the arch so that the rental company staff would not be delayed. The job was done for them, but there was no acknowledgement or thanks for that help. Patty's assistant arrived alone and moved the equipment to her car. She started to remove the double-sided foam tape which held the runner to the wooden deck but clearly felt it that to be too much trouble, so she just left the mess and drove away. We certainly won't be recommending Patty's Flowers & Baskets to anyone.