Hi all,
I've been a long time reader of this board- and have found it SO helpful in planning my June 2014 wedding in Toronto.
I'm posting this- because it's MY experience with Shirley Wu beauty concepts.
First off- Shirley has done countless brides I know- and two of my best friends' weddings. One in 2007 and the other in 2010.
Shirley herself is really nice. I think she's great. She did an absolutely amazing job on my friend's wedding in 2007. However the one in 2010- the work didn't seem to be up to her regular standard.
That being said- as soon as we finalized the date for my ceremony- I called her salon and spoke with Ronnie- I told her my time, and the exact location of my parents place- I made sure to say that I wanted to get ready at my parents. I mean- given that I was paying $450- you expect the person to come to your house, no? Also- I'm hindu, and in our culture, once the dye/tumeric is rubbed on the bride- she cannot leave her home until she goes to meet her groom.
Anyways- as per Shirley Wu's practice- they make you do an interac e-transfer of 1/2 the cost- $225 within five days of when they send you the email. It looked fine- I didn't read the fine print which said I was supposed to go to the salon- that was 100% my fault. But given the conversation I had with Ronnie- I didn't see the need. This is where I went wrong- I'm a lawyer and I should know not to pay anything without reviewing the contract first.
They send you the contract after you pay the deposit. When I received the contract- I noticed that it said I had to go to her salon in Mississauga. That was NOT going to work with my schedule- nor- again for $450- you're not even going to come to my house?
I contacted them immediately- they said there was nothing they could do and the deposit was non-refundable and non-transferable- this was in October- 9 months! You're telling me as busy as she is- she couldn't rebook another bride in 9 months on a Friday afternoon? Even if she couldn't- why not let me transfer it to my sister or another of my bridesmaids???
To date- they have yet to offer any type of solution.
Was it partly my fault? Yes- but her business practices are completely unreasonable and Ronnie blatantly misrepresented her services.
After this whole fiasco- I was talking to some friends who told me some other eye-opening stories about her company- including doing shoddy work and not listening to a bride's request at all.
She may have been the best in the game at one point- but she's not anymore. The day is stressful enough as is- you want someone who you feel is completely worth it. I've rebooked with another makeup artist- actually- since my reception is on a different day I've rebooked with two different artists- I'm confident of both will be amazing. And while they are on par price wise- I've found dealing with them very transparent.
Be careful about booking with Shirley. Read your contract upfront- and refuse to pay the deposit without first reviewing the contract.
I've been a long time reader of this board- and have found it SO helpful in planning my June 2014 wedding in Toronto.
I'm posting this- because it's MY experience with Shirley Wu beauty concepts.
First off- Shirley has done countless brides I know- and two of my best friends' weddings. One in 2007 and the other in 2010.
Shirley herself is really nice. I think she's great. She did an absolutely amazing job on my friend's wedding in 2007. However the one in 2010- the work didn't seem to be up to her regular standard.
That being said- as soon as we finalized the date for my ceremony- I called her salon and spoke with Ronnie- I told her my time, and the exact location of my parents place- I made sure to say that I wanted to get ready at my parents. I mean- given that I was paying $450- you expect the person to come to your house, no? Also- I'm hindu, and in our culture, once the dye/tumeric is rubbed on the bride- she cannot leave her home until she goes to meet her groom.
Anyways- as per Shirley Wu's practice- they make you do an interac e-transfer of 1/2 the cost- $225 within five days of when they send you the email. It looked fine- I didn't read the fine print which said I was supposed to go to the salon- that was 100% my fault. But given the conversation I had with Ronnie- I didn't see the need. This is where I went wrong- I'm a lawyer and I should know not to pay anything without reviewing the contract first.
They send you the contract after you pay the deposit. When I received the contract- I noticed that it said I had to go to her salon in Mississauga. That was NOT going to work with my schedule- nor- again for $450- you're not even going to come to my house?
I contacted them immediately- they said there was nothing they could do and the deposit was non-refundable and non-transferable- this was in October- 9 months! You're telling me as busy as she is- she couldn't rebook another bride in 9 months on a Friday afternoon? Even if she couldn't- why not let me transfer it to my sister or another of my bridesmaids???
To date- they have yet to offer any type of solution.
Was it partly my fault? Yes- but her business practices are completely unreasonable and Ronnie blatantly misrepresented her services.
After this whole fiasco- I was talking to some friends who told me some other eye-opening stories about her company- including doing shoddy work and not listening to a bride's request at all.
She may have been the best in the game at one point- but she's not anymore. The day is stressful enough as is- you want someone who you feel is completely worth it. I've rebooked with another makeup artist- actually- since my reception is on a different day I've rebooked with two different artists- I'm confident of both will be amazing. And while they are on par price wise- I've found dealing with them very transparent.
Be careful about booking with Shirley. Read your contract upfront- and refuse to pay the deposit without first reviewing the contract.