Sweet Paper Studio

10.31.08 update
Grade: Sadly, not so good
My second experience with Sweet Paper Studio was very different from the first, and I am deeply saddened to have to write this. Although Phyllis was very helpful for our first set of paper items, she has been unprofessional and non-​responsive since then.
After our wedding, Phyllis agreed to design our thank-​you cards as well as another set of wedding invitations for our 2^nd reception in the bay area. Her e-​mail responses were very sparse and quotes would come in weeks later, but I was not too worried since I knew she was very busy with autumn weddings as well as planning her own nuptials next year. She kept pushing back the dates on when she’d provide the design for our thank-​you cards, but as I trusted Phyllis, I was not too concerned as she had always pulled through for me.
What turned the situation sour was when we chose the date for our 2^nd reception. She originally said she’d provide the design in September or October, especially because I was using the same template as our first invitation. Just wording changes and no complicated motifs. I wanted to keep things very simple.
Unfortunately, instead of taking a moment to let me know she was unable to design the invitations, she ignored e-​mails and calls. Weeks and weeks of no responses. At first, I gave her the benefit of the doubt. She could have easily been out-​of-​town, sick or just completely swamped. I just hoped everything was OK. However, the kicker was that she had time to respond to a photographer blog that we both read. I had sent Phyllis several e-​mails and left a few phone messages letting her know that it is OK if she isn’t able to complete our invitations, but that if she could just let me know so that I know to move forward and find another avenue since our date was approaching. I would have totally understood, as I know she has been very busy. I was already so grateful with all that she done prior. I was met with silence. If she has time to respond to blogs, I would think she can spare a minute to respond quickly to her clients, even just to say «Hey, I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to get your invitations done this time around — so yes, please check with your local printers.» Instead, I had to rush order through a different printer and our invitations are now just being sent out for our December reception (7 weeks prior).
When other brides expressed the exact same concerns with Phyllis on various wedding forums (her unresponsiveness, being late with invitations), I was very quick to defend her. But I finally understand how these brides feel. Weddings are so time-​sensitive, and it is understandable when projects are overwhelming or life gets in the way, but a simple e-​mail or call would have sufficed so that the bride can search for alternatives (especially when you have time to read blogs and comment). My sister also wanted to order business cards through Phyllis. Phyllis gave us a quote (after a lengthy amount of time), but that was the last we heard from her as well.
I wish Phyllis would have just sent me a quick e-​mail or call. It would have been so understandable. I invited Phyllis and her fiancé to our wedding, because she was so great throughout our first wedding. But I’m sad to say that I can no longer recommend her to families and friends, because I cannot stand behind her 100%. I don’t think I’ve worked with any other vendor who has disappointed me like this. As far as her work, her designs are wonderful. She designs beautiful invitations; however, I think she simply needs more time to work out the roadblocks of starting up a business. I wanted to shower her with accolades and recommendations, but now, sadly, I can’t because of this experience. Hopefully, when she works out the kinks in her business, no one else will have to go through this.
I’m keeping up the original review, because I truly think she deserved the first one. I’m just sad to have to follow up with a second review that may cancel out the first.