Blu Couture Wedding Films

contract states hours of wedding day coverage (time is consecutive) Their package has cinematographer to cover the event during this timeSof equipment needed to film events within the wedding such as the ceremony and reception requires time to setup which is considered a part of the coverage timeclients events during the wedding were in different locationsThere is no magic way to teleport and setup camera equipment to film these eventsThis takes time and this time is taken from the coverage timeIn over weddings this is the first time a client suggested to us that setting up equipment for their wedding should not be counted towards the coverage timeCustomer requested an additional associate to be at the wedding to aid in setup and filmingThis was available to them at an additional costThey declined and demanded it to be freeThen they canceled the contract knowing that it does not allow for any refunds of moneys paid to dateNo refunds are issued due to the nature of our servicesWhen a client reserves a date, we hold it and have limited availability for that dateAlthough no refunds are issued, we are happy to hold the funds for future services should they be requested and the studio is available for the dateThe contract has been attached for your review

Revdex.com: I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted] , and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.Taking an hour in EACH location is not hours consecutive timePrior clients are irrelevant to this contract as they were probably in same boat as we wereThey didn't find out until weeks prior to wedding that setup time is meant to be part of the filming timeAlso, it is completely incorrect that they offered an assistant for free or for any costThey wanted to take an hour when the locations were only a minute walk away from each otherSetup time between ceremony and reception was never stated in contract as part to be included as consecutive time of the hour filming Regards, [redacted]

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ***, and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me. I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved***,
Thank you for your responseIndeed my issues were taken care of by the businessPlease close the complaint as resolvedThank you,
***
Regards,
*** ***

We did suggest a second cinematographer as an option although we stated it would not be freeWe also informed the customer that hour is the time suggested for set up to ensure that everything is ready for the next eventIt does not always take hour (also explained to the customer) and that as soon as everything was set up for the next event (ceremony and or reception) that we would resume getting shots needed for the weddingThe customer was not interested in any of the options suggested by studio and made it clear that their intent is to cancel the contractThe customer was informed that in the case of cancellation by customer the studio would issue NO refunds of moneys received at that pointweeks prior to the wedding is when we send out our "tips" document to help ensure the best film possibleFilming a live event is subject to vairaibles that can be different from event to eventthe hour set up is again, what is suggested and not always needed (as explained to the customer)We need to do what is required to ensure capturing the various events of the weddingObviously the ceremony and reception start are the prioritiesWhen shooting throughout the day the various events such as bride and groom preparations, 1st look, ceremony, receptions, and other events, this requires the transport of equipment to the event location needed to shoot these events and then the set up for the specific eventThe customers package indicated clearly that personnel from studio is included.That one person is responsible to set up and capture these eventsThere is no argument here as these facts are clearFurthermore the client cancelled the services, which is there right to do soHowever, there are terms to the cancellation which are also clear in the agreement that NO retainers and payments will be refunded and that no further scheduled payments (the balance of the contract) will be collected by studio

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ***, and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear belowTaking an hour in EACH location is not hours consecutive timePrior clients are irrelevant to this contract as they were probably in same boat as we wereThey didn't find out until weeks prior to wedding that setup time is meant to be part of the filming timeAlso, it is completely incorrect that they offered an assistant for free or for any costThey wanted to take an hour when the locations were only a minute walk away from each otherSetup time between ceremony and reception was never stated in contract as part to be included as consecutive time of the hour filming.
Regards,
*** ***

This review of Blu Couture from Mr*** contains informationBlu Couture remains in contact with Mr*** and is remaining progressive in resolving this issueThese matters take time to resolve and Blu Couture remains active in the processThis review is an attempt to damage the
reputation of Blu CoutureBlu Couture stands behind its dedication of making wedding films that inspire emotion and serves couples who want their story told in that manner

We did suggest a second cinematographer as an option although we stated it would not be freeWe also informed the customer that hour is the time suggested for set up to ensure that everything is ready for the next eventIt does not always take hour (also explained to the customer) and that as soon as everything was set up for the next event (ceremony and or reception) that we would resume getting shots needed for the weddingThe customer was not interested in any of the options suggested by studio and made it clear that their intent is to cancel the contractThe customer was informed that in the case of cancellation by customer the studio would issue NO refunds of moneys received at that pointweeks prior to the wedding is when we send out our "tips" document to help ensure the best film possible.Filming a live event is subject to vairaibles that can be different from event to eventthe hour set up is again, what is suggested and not always needed (as explained to the customer)We need to do what is required to ensure capturing the various events of the weddingObviously the ceremony and reception start are the prioritiesWhen shooting throughout the day the various events such as bride and groom preparations, 1st look, ceremony, receptions, and other events, this requires the transport of equipment to the event location needed to shoot these events and then the set up for the specific eventThe customers package indicated clearly that personnel from studio is included.That one person is responsible to set up and capture these events.There is no argument here as these facts are clearFurthermore the client cancelled the services, which is there right to do soHowever, there are terms to the cancellation which are also clear in the agreement that NO retainers and payments will be refunded and that no further scheduled payments (the balance of the contract) will be collected by studio

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.Taking an hour in EACH location is not 8 hours consecutive time. Prior clients are irrelevant to this contract as they were probably in same boat as we were. They didn't find out until 2 weeks prior to wedding that setup time is meant to be part of the filming time. Also, it is completely incorrect that they offered an assistant for free or for any cost. They wanted to take an hour when the locations were only a 5 minute walk away from each other. Setup time between ceremony and reception was never stated in contract as part to be included as consecutive time of the 8 hour filming. 
Regards,
[redacted]

contract states 8 hours of wedding day coverage (time is consecutive) Their package has 1 cinematographer to cover the event during this time. Set-up of equipment needed to film events within the wedding such as the ceremony and reception requires time to setup which is considered a part of the...

coverage time. clients events during the wedding were in different locations. There is no magic way to teleport and setup camera equipment to film these events. This takes time and this time is taken from the coverage time. In over 200 weddings this is the first time a client suggested to us that setting up equipment for their wedding should not be counted towards the coverage time. Customer requested an additional associate to be at the wedding to aid in setup and filming. This was available to them at an additional cost. They declined and demanded it to be free. Then they canceled the contract knowing that it does not allow for any refunds of moneys paid to date. No refunds are issued due to the nature of our services. When a client reserves a date, we hold it and have limited availability for that date. Although no refunds are issued, we are happy to hold the funds for future services should they be requested and the studio is available for the date. The contract has been attached for your review.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND BLU COUTURE. If I could go back in time, I would have chosen a different company. It took a year to obtain my wedding videos. ONE YEAR. One year, countless moments of frustration, and ignored emails.

We have been placed in a difficult position, not wanting to pressure the company for fear of rushing the product, but as newlyweds, we were so eager to share our special day with our friends and family again. The lack of performance from Blu Couture left us with an inability to trust that Blu Couture has anyone’s best interests in mind. 

The wedding industry is unlike most fee-for-service industries in that companies request payment before the project is complete. This would never happen, for example, with home renovations. We work very hard for our money and it is incredibly unsettling to pay a significant amount and not see the finished product (or even a glimpse at a work in progress, which Blu Couture was able to provide via their Facebook page for two other weddings on 09/09/15 and 10/12/15).

In May of 2015, we signed a contract with Mandie and Marty of Blu Couture for their videography services. We paid several thousand dollars for a two-day coverage of our wedding (06/2015), plus extra coverage to request them to stay longer towards the end of the reception (13 hours of filming total). They require you to pay in full, so we did.

08/2015 - Received an email saying they were moving, caring for their child, and in back pain. Basically, an email of excuses, but they promised to keep the delivery date under 90 days.

09/2015 - I check in, since it has passed the 90 days. They reply and tell me more excuses (traveling) and assure me I don’t want them to “rush through it.”

10/2015 - I receive an email saying the highlight film will be ready in a week. We verify what audio tracks to use.

TWO MONTHS GO BY WITHOUT A WORD.

01/2016 - I send an email at the start of the month, reminding them of the contracted promise of six months’ delivery. I send another email the following week and try some phone calls.

Near the end of the month, Marty tells me there was a storm, but includes a link to the videos. For Day 1 of the wedding, the events were backwards. For Day 2, although we explicitly asked them to record for the last hour of our reception (obviously the most fun part with family), it was hardly included in the video. Additionally, the highlight video did not contain the songs requested.

02/2016 - Since I hadn’t received a reply to my concerns, I send the email again at the start of the month. He replies with excuses of extended family member’s hospitalization, but requests to arrange a phone call. He doesn’t call me nor answers my calls, so I follow up with an email mid-month. He responds in a week about how his phone was “on the fritz.”

03/2016 - I receive an email about corrections being completed, but no link to finished product.

04/2016 - Marty says his computer crashed and he “lost the notes that we discussed.” That makes no sense, as emails are typically on a server, but whatever. He confirms my requested corrections. Mid-April, still nothing. At the end of the month, I send a stern email about his lack of delivery, unavailability, and suggest I will consider small claims court. I receive a next-day reply with another excuse.

05/2016 - Marty was still unable to make the correct edits to the video, despite his own confirmation of my requests. Towards the end of the month, I receive an edit of Day 2. While watching the edit, I notice he REPEATED SCENES. For a ~7-minute clip, he found it necessary to repeat scenes from 1-2 HOURS of recording. Perhaps he thought I wouldn’t notice, or maybe if he just mirrored a scene I would think it’s different. Either way, I NOTICED. It was incredibly disappointing, but since it was a week before my ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY, I just wanted to be done with Blu Couture forever.

06/2016 - 11 days after my one-year anniversary, I receive the finished product. The editing he did of Day 2, he left as its own file, so now I have two files for Day 2. I don’t even have the willpower to deal with Marty, so I’ll leave everything as it is.

In the end, dealing with Blu Couture is enough to fill a newlywed with regret. And who wants to feel regret about one of the greatest milestones of her life? I hope future couples avoid Blu Couture and find a worthwhile company to share their special day with.

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
The business response to my complaint did not propose a settlement offer or proposed action to resolve the dispute. They only said that they are trying to resolve it and that "these matters take time to resolve".
Our video was lost on July 1st, 5 months ago. We asked for a refund on Sep 15, 2 1/2 months ago. We believe we gave the business more than enough time to resolve their issues and provide us with a refund. We are requesting an immediate refund.
Regards,
[redacted]

Review: SUMMARY:

We hired Blu Couture Wedding Films (owned by [redacted] and [redacted]) to film our wedding in Miami on November 23rd 2013 and paid them in-full. They have not yet delivered any videos or any footage from our wedding. We are extremely upset and fear that the only filmed recording of our wedding might be lost forever. They have refused to refund us.

DETAILS:

The wedding and filming went on without any problems on 23 Nov 2013.

Per our contract with them, we expected to receive a film teaser around Jan 2014, and the full 20 minute movie 6 months after the wedding date, around May 2014.

By Feb 2014 we had not received the teaser from them so we started contacting them regularly to get an estimated delivery date. They kept excusing themselves and promised they would deliver everything within the 6-month timeframe. By May 2014, we still had not received anything.

On July 30th 2014, they let us know that they had been the victims of a break-in/burglary that occurred on July 1st 2014 during one of their trips. Someone broke into the house they were renting and stole their equipment (laptop, backup drive, cameras), including our video and any existing back up. They had not backed-up our video anywhere else. All existing copies of our wedding video and footage were gone.

Blu Couture never offered to refund any of our money. On Sep 15 2014, we asked them for a refund and they told us they needed a few days to set up a payment plan. Since then, we have had to ask Blu Couture numerous times for our refund and have gotten nothing from them except excuses and attempts to delay. To this day we have not received any refund and are still contacting them periodically, trying to get refunded.

Through the police department, we contacted 2 other couples that were in the same situation as us: Blu Couture claimed their videos as being stolen and refused to refund them.Desired Settlement: A full refund of the entire fee we paid them

Business

Response:

This review of Blu Couture from Mr. [redacted] contains false information. Blu Couture remains in contact with Mr. [redacted] and is remaining progressive in resolving this issue. These matters take time to resolve and Blu Couture remains active in the process. This review is an attempt to damage the reputation of Blu Couture. Blu Couture stands behind its dedication of making wedding films that inspire emotion and serves couples who want their story told in that manner.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

The business response to my complaint did not propose a settlement offer or proposed action to resolve the dispute. They only said that they are trying to resolve it and that "these matters take time to resolve".Our video was lost on July 1st, 5 months ago. We asked for a refund on Sep 15, 2 1/2 months ago. We believe we gave the business more than enough time to resolve their issues and provide us with a refund. We are requesting an immediate refund.