G D.
VERY DISAPPOINTING EXPERIENCE. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR WEDDING DECORATIONS.
Since I couldn't directly reply to Smart Flora's response, I'm adding my clarification here. This is based entirely on OUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. We paid around Rs.700,000 for a CUSTOMIZED decoration package, but the decoration became one of the biggest headaches of our wedding. During our discussions with the manager, Aravinda, almost everything we requested was confidently agreed to. If something cannot be delivered, simply tell the customer BEFORE taking the full payment so they can choose another decorator. Even getting LIGHT PEACH became our responsibility. We physically gave them a RIBBON with the exact colour. We were told they couldn't properly identify/source it and needed a bigger sample. So WE had to go to a fabric shop and buy a bigger piece of cloth. Surprisingly, THE SHOP OWNER IDENTIFIED THE COLOUR USING THE SAME RIBBON. After paying Rs.700,000 for a customized package, why were we finding fabric samples for the decorator? Regarding portfolio photos, Smart Flora has now clarified that Pinterest/international photos are used as “inspiration references.” There is nothing wrong with inspiration, but customers should be CLEARLY told which photos are SMART FLORA'S ACTUAL WORK and which are Pinterest/reference images. Customers shouldn't have to guess. The level of supervision required was another major issue. THE GROOM, HAD TO COME TO THE VENUE AROUND MIDNIGHT BEFORE HIS OWN WEDDING TO CHECK THE DECORATION. After paying for a professional customized service, I should have been preparing for my wedding, not supervising the decorator. The biggest disappointment became clear after receiving our professional photos. The BACK DRAPING BEHIND THE SETTEE WAS NOT PROPERLY FINISHED/SECURED. I contacted Aravinda DIRECTLY, sent him the photo, and he apologized and acknowledged there was a mistake. THAT CONVERSATION IS ATTACHED. However, Smart Flora's public response now suggests “air conditioning or airflow.” Why is something previously acknowledged as a mistake now being explained differently? Even in SMART FLORA'S OWN EVIDENCE PHOTOS, which they say were taken in the morning after completing/checking the setup, the same issue appears visible. Anyone can compare the photos. Also, if normal hotel air conditioning can move the main backdrop, shouldn't a professional decorator secure it properly? We paid for it to look good DURING OUR WEDDING, not only when photographed in the morning. They also questioned why I reviewed months after our April wedding. Simple: WE RECEIVED OUR PROFESSIONAL WEDDING PHOTOS LATER. During our wedding, we were there to get married, meet our guests and enjoy the day, NOT inspect whether every cloth was pinned correctly. Finding an issue in our photos later doesn't change what happened that day. Regarding their WhatsApp screenshot, YES, I appreciated Tharindu and STILL DO. He supported us very well. But THARINDU WAS OUR WEDDING-DAY COORDINATOR, AND WE PAID SEPARATELY FOR THAT SERVICE. His coordination and Smart Flora's decoration are TWO DIFFERENT SERVICES. Appreciating him does NOT mean every decoration detail was perfect. I can appreciate good work while still criticizing what went wrong. I also don't understand why my GOOGLE REVIEW HISTORY is relevant. Whether I've posted 100 positive reviews or none does not change our experience. Judge this review based on MY EXPERIENCE AND EVIDENCE, not how many other businesses I've reviewed. Instead of analysing my review history, please focus on the concerns raised. And this was NEVER about one loose cloth. It was the COMPLETE EXPERIENCE: communication issues, colour matching, finding fabric samples ourselves, portfolio/reference concerns, constant follow-ups, supervision, the groom visiting the venue around midnight, and finishing issues visible in our wedding photos. I NEVER SAID EVERYTHING WAS BAD. Tharindu did a good job and we liked aspects of the design. But APPRECIATING THE GOOD DOES NOT CANCEL THE PROBLEMS.
