What Went Wrong at My First Bridal Shower?

[raebates]

The Furry Guy calls them twiddleheads.

 

[pc_cindy]

I love bridal showers. I've had very good luck with my bridal showers. Two $800 showers during the last weekend of April. I do not use the PC bridal shower invite...instead I create one that I print on a decorative paper that I buy somewhere like Staples. I also bought some inexpensive recipe cards from Target's $1 bin and give a handful of those to the host to send with the invites.

I attached a PDF of the invite that I use (the white box behind the logo doesn't appear when I print the information directly onto the paper).

 

[raebates]

That's great, Cindy!

 

[pcchris]

So is she going to tell the people that purchased items for the bride that the order is cancelled? I would be so mad if I was a guest and actually purchased something and then was told the bride cancelled my order!

Some people just make your head hurt!

Yep, that's her plan! It's just such a bummer, because I know that there was one guest that ordered the new measuring cup and spoon, and was very excited about them. This whole thing was a zero from the moment I got there!

The worst part of it all is, I lost 5 hours of family time on a Sunday, and for what? N-O-T-H-I-N-G! GRRR......

I had thought about asking her for some sot of reimbursement for my time, but both my DH and my director told me I should just let it go. It's just aggravating!

oh well...nothing I can do about it now!

Thanks everyone...you always make me feel better about things!!

 

[PCGINA]

I love bridal showers. I've had very good luck with my bridal showers. Two $800 showers during the last weekend of April. I do not use the PC bridal shower invite...instead I create one that I print on a decorative paper that I buy somewhere like Staples. I also bought some inexpensive recipe cards from Target's $1 bin and give a handful of those to the host to send with the invites.

I attached a PDF of the invite that I use (the white box behind the logo doesn't appear when I print the information directly onto the paper).

THIS looks GREAT!! I wish I were computer savvy enought ot make it into a WORD document -- cuz I would steal it

 

[tlennhoff]

THIS looks GREAT!! I wish I were computer savvy enought ot make it into a WORD document -- cuz I would steal it

Here you go.

I've also created a PDF that does not have personal information so people can write in the information if they do not have word.

 

[Skye]

Yep, that's her plan! It's just such a bummer, because I know that there was one guest that ordered the new measuring cup and spoon, and was very excited about them. This whole thing was a zero from the moment I got there!

I would contact that guest that was excited about her order and maybe she will still want them, or better yet, maybe she will host a show to get them for FREE!

 

[PamperedPeggy]

Different Spin on Bridal ShowsI have had good luck with most of my Bridal Shows but I do mine a little differently. First of all, I do my own invitations and explain that guests are invited to bring a gift of cash, in an unmarked envelope, for the bride and I have a gift box for the guests to put their envelopes in. That way, people can give whatever they like and no one has to know who gave what. The bride gets to go on a PC shopping spree and choose gifts of her choice. I also explain in the invitation that everyone is welcome to purchase products for themselves, if they wish.

The bride chooses products at retail value with her cash and this goes through as a guest order, along with any other orders from guests at the show. The bride then receives the FREE product from the total sales. If the bride wishes to take advantage of the half-price benefits, she can do so with her own personal money but not from the gift money. I like to do it this way, rather than the guests trying to figure out who is buying what off the bride's wish list. I have found it to be very successful.

The only thing you have to be careful of is that the bride realizes ALL of the gift money is to be spent on PC products. Make sure the host gives the envelopes to you and you can count the money together with the bride at the end of the show. At my very first bridal show, the bride and a few girls counted the money in a bedroom and I had no idea how much she got. She had given some of the money to one of her friends to buy concert tickets. The bride ended up putting money on her VISA to make up for that. Now, when my brides ask if they have to spend all of the money on PC, I explain that yes.....the guests gave that money with the intention that the bride would use it for that purpose. I find my brides are usually thrilled with all that they get.

 

[GourmetGirl]

Chris that is so frusterating. I wish I had some advice for you, but unfortunately (or maybe not fortunately) I haven't had a shower yet. So all I can say is good luck resolving this and may good things be in store for you in the near future!

 

[pcchris]

Wow...I'm falling off of my chair as I type this. I just got off the phone with HO. Apparently this psycho beast that cancelled her shower orders with me not only emailed HO to complain about me, she gave all her orders to ANOTHER CONSULTANT! I guess I was "Unorganized (maybe), unprofessional (yeah, sure, right, whatever), I didn't call her back until Tuesday (but I left a msg on Monday), and only gave her 10 min notice that I had to leave. Here's the deal....was I unorganized? Maybe...but that's me. Unprofessional? No way! I had supposedly made a comment to the bride saying "I don't know why we're doing this, no one's watching". Well, maybe I did say that, I don't reember saying that, but if I did, it was jokingly...I did call her back Monday, but she did not answer, so I left a message and called her Tuesday, and during our several coaching calls, I did tell her that I had to be back home by 5:30 for a Girl Scout meeting. (I left at 5:00, it took me 25 minutes to get home.) I explained everything to the kind lady I talked to at HO, and she thanked me for calling her back. When Anna at HO told me that this psycho beast placed the orders with someone else, I lost it. I haven't cried like that in a long time. so, then I called my director and she is trying to calm me down, but honestly, I'm about ready to hang up my apron. If I don't hang it up, I will NEVER do another bridal shower. Thanks for listening.

 

[raebates]

Oh, Chris, you have really been through it with this psycho beast. (Great moniker choice, btw.) I understand your reaction. I would be upset, too. Once you think about it, though, I think you'll realize that you are well rid of this, well, psycho beast. I mean, do you really want to have to deal with her over and over?

Trust me on this, the HO gets calls from whackos all the time. You've explained things. They've chalked her up as the nut-job she is.

Take all the time you need to whine, cry, and get this out of your system. Don't hang up your apron. I mean, she's not worth it.

It may be a while beofre you accept another shower, but I bet the next one will be with a wonderful bride who is thrilled with wonderful you.

 

[jrstephens]

I am so sorry Chris! I have followed this thread from the beginning and cannot believe the disaster this has turned out to be. Not all bridal shows are bad though, my first one was great and my second one is this week, so, I guess I need to withhold judgment on that though!

I say bless and release! Although I know that is very hard b/c I would personally want to go slap this lady upside the head!!! You do have us and apparently your director behind you though! So, remember you do have people in your corner!!

Just curios, do you know the consultant she gave the orders to?

 

[StacieB]

So sorry to read all this. How horrible!! HUGS!!!

 

[pcchris]

This poor-excuse-for-a-human psycho beast does not even deserve a blessing. She's been outright released. Thank you SO much for your support. My director is going to find out who the show was given to...she thinks she knows who it might be. Still doesn't take the hurt away. for now, the apron is packed away for a while. we'll have to wait and see if it gets "hung up" for good. Again, I just want to thank all of you who have given me support through this whole disaster...I really do appreciate it.

 

[quiverfull7]

Oh... don't put your apron away... put it through a good batch of laundry and get it fresh and clean. Please don't let this creep steal your joy! Try to think about all the times that hosts have blessed you... and let those rise up in your thoughts instead of this sad person. We're here for you!

 

[tlennhoff]

Ugh chris, that really stinks. I'm so sorry. May you never go through anything like that again.

 

[chefann]

Oh, darling, I'm so sorry that this happened on top of everything else. At least now you have a real reason to completely sever all ties with the psycho beast.Take a break if you must, but know that we're here to help you get back into the swing of things when the time is right.

 

[pamperedbecky]

Oh wow, these situations get me so mad! I think some people just make it their mission to make others' lives miserable. I must've missed the beginning of this thread when it all happened because I was gone, but just read through it all today. I'm still shaking my head in shock.

I would also say NOT to quit because of this numbskull!! She doesn't deserve to have the memory in your mind as to why you quit! Just take a few days to cool off and vent (this place is great for that!). Don't spend anymore energy and time focusing on this person. I do feel SOOOO badly for you because I would have been crushed too, but you've got so many other strengths to get past this. Good luck to you.

 

[pcchris]

Thanks again, everyone, for helping me get through this. Now I'm beginning to think this whole thing was a"set up"...how ironic that this psycho beast has a PHD dated 5/8...the same day she supposedly "cancelled" the show. or day after, or whatever. Grrr...some people sure have a lot of nerve. (I don't have any more nerves...they are all exhausted and fried because of this.) what a dog. (female dog...you know the term...)

 

[pcchris]

sorry - i just don't know how to let this go.

 

[pampchefrhondab]

Oh gosh, I'm so sorry to hear the latest news! I just can't believe the nerve of some people. The poor man she is marrying!! Just look at it that way. Once she's married she's someone elses problem (LOL)! Maybe that will help you let go.

It's also not a complete loss, you have helped many of us learn from your experience! Thank you!

 

[raebates]

Chris, you may want to reconsider the whole "bless" thing. The bible says that by praying for our enemies we heap burning coals on their heads.

Just a thought.

 

[pcchris]

Rae, that's a great revelation! oh, about a million blessings for the psycho beast!!!!

 

[Teresa Lynn]

I love bridal showers.

on the bringing a gift to a PC shower. When I talk with the person booking it I ask if the bride has a sense of humor. If she does we ask each guest to bring thier favorite recipe and a canned food with the label removed and wrapped in pretty paper or gift bag. The food must be used in the recipe she provided. When the newlyweds return home from their honeymoon they can cook dinner with cans from their "mystery" pantry.

IF they think she would be offended I ask the host to divide the invites into 3 groups. 1 group gets a note asking them to bring a cookie cutter (or 2), one group a kitchen towel the other a spice.
The bride gets to open things but the guests know they will be purchasing at the shower.

I encourage them to order products for their own kitchens and then the gifts for the bride is entered under the grooms name.