An update on Gina

Original post by Lil OC

Aug 23, 2010 09:38 AM

Hi girls,

I just wanted to give you all an update on Gina (Flowers & Designs by Gina). We are using her for my shower this Saturday and also for my wedding. I live very close to her and my mom and I have been in close, weekly contact with her throughout the past few months. I have gone to see her countless amounts of times and she has always been so amazing. She has always responded to any calls, texts, and emails within minutes, which is why I was so shocked after reading that she did show up for that girl's wedding. My mom went to her house yesterday to see what happened and her dad was there taking care of her. She was asleep at the time and could not come downstairs. She did text me late last night when I was sleeping and I spoke to her this morning. She sounds HORRIBLE. She has a broken rib which makes it very painful and hard for her to talk, and it was very hard for me to understand her. She was in a car accident on Union Tpke with an oil truck and her daughter was in the car with her. Her daughter was rushed to the hospital. Thankfully her daughter is now home and is alive because she had her seatbelt on. This has been a true nightmare for her as I'm sure you can understand.

Gina's phone got messed up in the accident and has now been replaced by her brother. She lost some contacts but wanted me to tell everyone that she will be returning all emails today and tomorrow (she has over 200 angry and neurotic emails from brides). Again, because of the broken rib it hurts to talk so she will be emailing everyone, not calling. She is really upset about causing grieft to any bride. My mom and I are going over mid-week to see how she is and I can give you all an update then. She wanted me to assure everyone that everyone will be taken care of. She has 3 men florists coming in this week to help her with everything for this weekend and her brother and boyfriend will be helping her with deliveries since she is in so much pain. She told me that after discussion with her brother, she plans on having assistants help her with EVERYTHING from now on so that nothing like this ever happens again. I just wanted to keep everyone in the loop.

Obviously we all feel horrible about what happened to the poor bride who had no flowers for her wedding, but there are 2 sides to every story and I just wanted to tell you all what i found out about Gina. If you have any questions feel free to FM me because I will be visiting her this week.

amandamichael Posted: Aug 23, 2010 12:46 PM

Re: Up update on Gina

oh man- shes doing my flowers---- im so nervous now, this is terriblee

103005FallBride Posted: Aug 23, 2010 12:52 PM

Re: Up update on Gina

I've been debating on whether I wanted to respond to this situation because I'm friends with both parties involved. I also feel partly responsible because I was the one who HIGHLY recommended Gina to Kerri as a florist.

No one adores Gina more than I do - you can see that in my past post where I said I would have no doubt that I would use Gina if I were getting married at this point & time. BUT...Kerri is also my friend and when I stepped foot into the church on Friday I was not welcomed by a hello, but a frantic MOB telling me 'Gina didn't show...Gina didn't show!' I was floored. Again, going through the receiving line & hearing from the bride herself that Gina didn't show - then again from both at the reception - this was clearly something that bothered everyone.

Kerri's photographer had to put together a bouquet for her from flowers in her house for bridal portraits while someone ran down to the local florist to get bouquets & bouts for the ceremony. Thankfully Kerri rented CPs from her Catering Hall so that was not affected.

What bothers me most about this is that I've left several messages to Gina on the 19th, 20th & 21st, e-mailed too - and have not heard back from her - not upset - checking to see if she's ok because like I said she's a great friend and this is completely out of character for her.

Yet, no response - and here I read other's have been in touch with her - and Carol has been in 'close contact with her'. I just don't understand....

I only hope & pray that Gina & T are healing and know that I’m still here for them and always will be.

As for Kerri – I’m hoping she’s forgotten all about this & is having a great time with Miguel in Aruba. I just fear that she’ll never truly get over this because each time she looks at her pictures she’ll be reminded of this.

QueenPeach Posted: Aug 23, 2010 12:53 PM

Re: Up update on Gina

Posted by luckycouple05

this is all sad to me..I am using her for my wedding this Saturday 08/28 and I am completely just most concerned for her then about my damn flowers. Yes its a business and I agree with the backup plans and etc etc..But I just came off the phone with her, and its so saddening, she is the sweetest person ever. She is the one true vendor that made me feel she was in it more for our happiness than for the money. I just wish her and her family strength in getting through this.

She is the sweetest person ever and she was my absolute favorite vendor to work with. You said it well how she makes you feel like she is all about making us happy.

BTW, We're date twins and we have the same florist too. I thought someone else said she does one wedding a day but she and her new assistants have a really busy Saturday coming up with our 2 weddings and someone's bridal shower.

luckycouple05 Posted: Aug 23, 2010 12:56 PM

Re: Up update on Gina

Shallots Posted: Aug 23, 2010 01:06 PM

Re: Up update on Gina

She's doing mine on 9/5, and I'm not worried at all. She's been spectacular this whole time. I'm just glad she and her little girl are okay.

CarolAnn721 Posted: Aug 23, 2010 01:12 PM

Re: Up update on Gina

Posted by 103005FallBride

I've been debating on whether I wanted to respond to this situation because I'm friends with both parties involved. I also feel partly responsible because I was the one who HIGHLY recommended Gina to Kerri as a florist.

No one adores Gina more than I do - you can see that in my past post where I said I would have no doubt that I would use Gina if I were getting married at this point & time. BUT...Kerri is also my friend and when I stepped foot into the church on Friday I was not welcomed by a hello, but a frantic MOB telling me 'Gina didn't show...Gina didn't show!' I was floored. Again, going through the receiving line & hearing from the bride herself that Gina didn't show - then again from both at the reception - this was clearly something that bothered everyone.

Kerri's photographer had to put together a bouquet for her from flowers in her house for bridal portraits while someone ran down to the local florist to get bouquets & bouts for the ceremony. Thankfully Kerri rented CPs from her Catering Hall so that was not affected.

What bothers me most about this is that I've left several messages to Gina on the 19th, 20th & 21st, e-mailed too - and have not heard back from her - not upset - checking to see if she's ok because like I said she's a great friend and this is completely out of character for her.

Yet, no response - and here I read other's have been in touch with her - and Carol has been in 'close contact with her'. I just don't understand....

I only hope & pray that Gina & T are healing and know that I’m still here for them and always will be.

As for Kerri – I’m hoping she’s forgotten all about this & is having a great time with Miguel in Aruba. I just fear that she’ll never truly get over this because each time she looks at her pictures she’ll be reminded of this.

She has absolutely no speaking voice. If she answers the phone, you can't understand her. Send her a text message. I know that from a little bit of family drama, she had no computer and couldn't check the e-mails. When I said 'close contact' meaning that I spoke to her more than 1 time over the weekend.

GR2010 Posted: Aug 23, 2010 01:17 PM

Re: Up update on Gina

Posted by luckycouple05

Well yeah of course thats a given that the flowers from the local florist are going to be whack..

I think im the only one that believes in human compassion more than something materialistic.
At the end of the day you are getting married to the man you love, flowers or no flowers...then deal with the issue at hand later, IMO...

I feel very bad for Gina, I have heard great things about her and I hope she and her daughter have quick recoveries.... but as far as human compassion and vendors go... if you had a personal problem where you couldn't pay for the balance of a contract or god forbid your wedding was called off how many of your vendors would have enough COMPASSION to say ok and let you out of your contract or refund your money? Not many. Trust me. Why? Because you had a CONTRACT. And for that very same reason there should be NO reason for anyone to be left without flowers on the day of their wedding.

Yeah flowers are a material item and won't make or break a wedding... you can still get married without them BUT if I'm paying for something it sure as shyt better be there on my wedding day.

Every business needs a contingency plan... no matter how big or small the operations is.

Lisalana Posted: Aug 23, 2010 01:32 PM

Re: Up update on Gina

Posted by GR2010

Posted by luckycouple05

Well yeah of course thats a given that the flowers from the local florist are going to be whack..

I think im the only one that believes in human compassion more than something materialistic.
At the end of the day you are getting married to the man you love, flowers or no flowers...then deal with the issue at hand later, IMO...

I feel very bad for Gina, I have heard great things about her and I hope she and her daughter have quick recoveries.... but as far as human compassion and vendors go... if you had a personal problem where you couldn't pay for the balance of a contract or god forbid your wedding was called off how many of your vendors would have enough COMPASSION to say ok and let you out of your contract or refund your money? Not many. Trust me. Why? Because you had a CONTRACT. And for that very same reason there should be NO reason for anyone to be left without flowers on the day of their wedding.

Yeah flowers are a material item and won't make or break a wedding... you can still get married without them BUT if I'm paying for something it sure as shyt better be there on my wedding day.

Every business needs a contingency plan... no matter how big or small the operations is.

Well said!

Drues_Girl Posted: Aug 23, 2010 07:52 PM

Re: Up update on Gina

im having severe reservations and nightmares about no centerpieces and flowers for my wedding..... I hope to god that Gina has a speedy recovery but in any case a back up plan needs to be in effect and for situations like this needs to be implemented. I have no idea what to do.... She was supposed to be answering emails today??? I never got a email

my stomach is in a knot about this flower situation

elp6421 Posted: Aug 23, 2010 09:23 PM

Re: Up update on Gina

This whole situation is horrible.. I can't help but really feel for the bride in this case. Yes, flowers are materialist but what if that happened to you on your day?

The day wouldn't be ruined, but I have to admit I would be pretty devastated. I am sure everything will get back in order (and I hope Gina and her family are well), but I just hope this doesn't happen to any other brides!

Lil OC Posted: Aug 23, 2010 09:35 PM

Re: Up update on Gina

Posted by CarolAnn721

If I was in a car accident, where I got smashing into by a truck, my phone was broken in the accident AND my daughter had to have surgery, I wouldn't care about someone else's flowers. And that is why I am not a florist or any type of vendor. I couldn't even imagine what she has been through and I have been in close contact with her and wish them both the best for a speedy recovery.

agreed.

I am so sad for the whole family. And like you said, if God forbid my child was in a car accident, my mind would be a frantic mess, only focused on the situation at hand.

I am hopeful that this was just a single horrible freak incident---a horrible tragedy that hopefully will be a lesson to Gina that she needs to really have a backup plan. She mentioned to me that now she plans on having employees work with her rather than do everything herself. I guess we shall see. As a business owner and being a vendor for other types of events myself, I started off with some bumps in the road and I made my fair share of mistakes in the beginning, but I learned from them and was able to make my business stronger (the only difference is that you can NEVER truly make it up to a bride). Hopefully this will be the case with Gina. Hopefully she will realize that she cannot be a one woman show. I obviously have my hesitations but am trying to stay positive.

Mrs Z To Be Posted: Aug 23, 2010 10:10 PM

Re: An update on Gina

Posted by AngnShaun

I absolutely feel for her... and i know its not easy to go through a serious accident like that...

but being a sole proprietor... its inexcusable that she didnt have anyone get in touch with the brides that were relying on her...

ITA!!!

luvly73 Posted: Aug 24, 2010 09:25 AM

Re: An update on Gina

Babs said she was contacting Gina all week before the wedding through text and email. so even if Gina lost Babs contract, and did not have her phone, she should have still checked her email and saw that Babs was contacting her.
If you are aware that you lost contracts,and dont have a phone, why would you NOT be checking all other sources for contact from clients?

I really dont think there is any valid excuse. It su c ks but its true.