Pinocchio Syndrome
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This interview starts calmly enough, with Wedding Channel Co-Founder and Bella Pictures Co-Founder and VP of Business Development, Jenny Lefcourt being interviewed by Fox 5 Chicago TV Personality, Jan Jeffcoat.
The segment is purportedly about ‘saving money on your wedding in today’s economy. It quickly degenerates into a badly conceived infomercial for Bella Pictures, accompanied by a mish-mash of largely bad advice and misinformation about a whole range of choices to be made by the bride.
Fox’s Jeffcoat overly credits Lefcourt’s association with the Wedding Channel. That is a past incarnation, no longer current at the time of the interview. Lefcourt never corrects her, leaving some uncertainty as to whether she is a neutral expert or representing Bella Pictures.
After this interview aired, the Wedding Channel had to issue a firm disclaimer, stating clearly that Lefcourt was no longer associated with their firm, and they were in no way endorsing her on-air comments.
After a few days and a fair amount of heat from various directions Lefcourt wrote a very soft apology letter (pdf) (Dear Wedding Industry). The retraction is never as helpful as the original sin, however. It is clear (at least to me) that the interview (like most interviews) was prepped with talking points and planned questions. There is nothing spontaneous about the questions or answers. To suddenly have wedding industry professionals believe that, in retrospect, mistakes or misstatements were made, is pure bunk. It was not until outside pressure was applied, after the fact, that Lefcourt and Bella took even a half-step back.
I encourage you to view this two to three times to get the full effect of it. Please share this with every wedding professional you know. It is the worst kind of propaganda and disinformation. Things like this should never go unchallenged (more to follow).
Andy Ebon
The Wedding Marketing Authority
WOW…if she wasn’t vested in Bella…she would probably have said you can do the photography yourself or have your uncle do it! The industry needs all of the vendors to make the day come off! Geez…iPod wedding, how lame! She is a wedding expert??
So if you follow her advice you would have flowers that you have made yourself, alcohol from a sam’s club(sure the venue will be excited about that), an iPod instead of a live band and worst of all a photographer who you might not have ever met or actually seen their work….she is why our industry gets a bad name.
Sorry for the rant…
J…
The rant is understandable. Thanks for chiming in.
Andy
I really enjoy your blog…today’s post blew me away. I’ve never seen so many potential liabilities suggested by just one person…and worst of all, she is portrayed as such an industry leader.
Ludicrous! I’ve already posted on my Facebook and my blog linking back to yours so I can warn every possible bride I can. Anything less would be irresponsible.
Thank you for what you do!
Patricia
B*lla is the worst. They’ve been screwing over brides AND photographers for too long. Soon or later the public will catch on.
Brides who hire them get the crappy photography they deserve and photographers who shoot for them will never be successful running their own businesses.
Bob
Patricia,
Thank you the compliments and for helping spread the word. Wait until see video #2… coming up in a couple of days.
Andy
I couldn’t find the link to the interview. Can you tell me where to listen?
My book will be released in July. While I give brides tips as to how to plan a wedding and save money, I devote an entire chapter to not asking friends to do the job of a professional, and cautioning them about friends being caterers, uncles doing photography, etc.
Pamela
This is nuts….I guess it is the do it yourself wedding!!!!
Tried to explain to clients over the years when you weigh out the expenses to you doing everything yourself and peace of mind having someone else do it is always better.
Michelle
Actually, it’s a DIY wedding, EXCEPT, of course, one should hire Bella Pictures for your photography.
That is the kind of self-serving, uneven advice that has made me so angry about this.
Andy
Thanks so much for posting this Andy! I’ve been writing a lot about how we, as an industry, need to “elevate” the industry: in our actions, in our pricing, in our education, in our professionalism. And, this just totally flattens it. Sheesh!
It’s the most unprofessional you can be to your colleagues.
- Michelle – Sage Wedding Pros
I actually wrote my own article about the DIY trend. It’s on my website pages, and I would love for you to read it. http://www.withthisringwed.com/TheDIYTrend.html
I think I’ve given this trend a much more realistic approach with better advice. I welcome your comments, too.
Wow, I’m surprised she didn’t suggest going to a second hand store for your gown and headpiece!
Any bride who really believes she has the time and experience to do her own flowers should look at her schedule the last 3 days before her wedding and ask herself what she is willing to give up doing pre-wedding to make her own flowers, Will it be skipping time with out of town friends who are in ornot getting her nails done? (which she will need desperately after messing with her flowers!) It’s time consuming and very stressful for someone who has no idea what they are doing.
BAD, self serving advice!
Diana
LAME of Bella… shame on her.
Telling brides to do all this stuff themselves, but hire Bella… WOW….
Tim
It’s a sad day when you see a wedding professional take such an irresponsible swing at wedding vendors in general when the very nature of her OWN business survival in this economy rests on brides choosing Bella’s own photography services over another.
But to blatantly suggest to the bride that she then take shortcuts on her “other” wedding vendors by DIY, represents the worst kind of “double talk” and propaganda we have witnessed in a very long time. Not to mention devaluing the worth of dedicated wedding professionals overall.
Thanks for sharing Andy……looking forward to video #2.
Brenda Lopez, CEO & Founder ~ AffluentBride.com
Brenda,
Thanks for your concise comment. Each time I’ve watched that video clip it sent my blood pressure into orbit.
Yes, Part 2. Coming very, very soon.
Andy
Double standards and Backstabbing!
This type of self Marketing has to be the most pathetic way to gain some extra work, whilst at the same time disrespecting your industry colleagues.
Let’s see if she holds her head up the next time she walks around a wedding expo. She deserves all the negative come-back she get’s on this one.
Unfortunately this is not the first instance I have found where a wedding professional slates the rest of the industry to better their own business.
“Save money by going DIY, so I can charge you more for my sub-standard services”
Not a good message to send out into the media!
Let’s just hope this has backfired and most people will have the intelligence to see through her sham marketing ethics and take little or no notice of her advice.
I wonder if she is a member of any Linkedin Wedding groups?
I run a wedding group on Linkedin, and I will be checking the member list for her name, I do feel that with her ethics she can only be a burden to our efforts to raise this industry higher.
Phil
Having been in the wedding entertainment business for over thirty years, it still amazes me how out of whack the bridal industry really is. Self-proclaimed “experts” tout their services over any other, going so far as to advise brides to actually ruin their party by skimping on the things that really make it a party to remember, and the means by which they can remember it.
Ask anyone who’s attended a wedding in the last year if they remember in any detail the dress, the flowers, the chair covers, the specific food, the venue, the dancing, the fun, the social interaction… most will remember if they stayed and had fun, (dj or band’s job), and the photo’s will bear that out (photographer’s job)…put your money where the memories of family/friend fun is generated and captured.
Guests won’t sit and watch an amazing cake or a breathtaking floral display for four or five hours!!! But, they will dance and have the time of their lives with you if the party is directed by an experienced professional entertainer.
DJ Ken
After viewing this video, I was mortified!.
I am a wedding planner and while I help my bridal couples save money where feasible, I would NEVER give out this type of information. Why would you ever want to even consider using Bella Pictures!
And brides are seeing this! Unbelievable!
Diane
Wow!
What a way to discredit a whole “whack” of totally necessary vendors…
Besides being illegal ot hook up your iPod for a wedding, why would you risk it?
Keep the professionals who are experts in their fields, and let them do what they do best! This will make a wedding a success.
Tracey
“Hook up an Ipod”….
To what??? So the money conscious bride has an Ipod loaded with her & guest’s favorite songs….Do they have a professional audio setup (not HOME home stereo equipment), a (preferably) wireless microphone, and lastly some to RUN the night’s music to keep a smooth flow of the event???
If a bride follows this advice, then she deserves what she gets.
Amazing
Joe
This is very irresponsible of her as a wedding professional.
This takes me on a rant of what I see as two bigger issues; one, I’m not sure anyone really understands how much it costs to DIY. There is a lot of time and resources spent DIYing, is it worth the cost? We, as an industry, need to help them understand what the true cost of DIY is.
Second, there is a place for DIY, you see this in many other industries. Home repair is a good one. The invitations business is 49% DIY. It is frustrating to see; however, that is a big chuck of the market and you just cannot ignore it. You have to adjust your business model if you plan to capture some of that business.
Why, because not every bride is a high end or even mid-upper bride. 71% of all couples spend less than the average. That leaves only 29% above and 17% of that is in the average to 100% above (average times 2) the average, leaving 9%. The highest end is 3% (500% above the average or average times 5), leaving 6% in what I would call the mid-upper market. This varies by market, but you get the picture.
DIY hurts almost every vendor that plays in this space, except, the business for which the couple purchases the supplies to DIY.
Unfortunately, DIY is here to stay, I think we need to do a better job of educating about the true cost of DIY and provide products and services that help fulfill their need to DIY, yet do not hurt the overall profession. We cannot just put our head in the sand and expect it to go away.
Andy,
Thank you for bringing this misinformation to the forefront again. Yes, it gets my blood boiling too. I know that Dr. Drax, President of the ADJA addressed this when it first aired I believe last year. She did retract part of her statements if I’m not mistaken but of course, that’s not what people remember.
Thank you for all that you do Andy. I look forward to seeing you in Chicago in July for the ADJA conference.
Mitch Taylor
Taylored Weddings
WOW! What arrogance!
One gets the message that only photography counts… and one should only hire moonlighting photojournalists from this woman’s company!
FYI: I worked with a photographer from Bella and was horrified to see him wearing a creased pair of Khakis, an old worn tan t-shirt, sockless with topsiders that should have gone to Goodwill. Not only that, but he was loud and inappropriate in his out-of-control conversations with other vendors during dinner.
I was frankly, embarrassed for him and for the couple.
Anyone who knows anything about a live dj, knows that s/he is about a lot more than playing favorite songs. S/he carefully monitors the pulse of the dancefloor, slowing things down when guests need a break, and ramping up higher and higher when guests really want to party. No Ipod can ever replace that!
I’ve seen some home made DIY floral arrangements and boy – did they look it!
Perhaps if there’s a design talented family friend and you’re having an outdoor wedding, it might work, but having seen sorry and sad arrangements done by do-it-yourselfers, I think it’s a very bad idea.
I’m disgusted that pompous people like this woman go on and on misinforming couples about how to have a great wedding. She should be ashamed of herself!
Naomi
After seeing this, why would any vendor pay to advertise on the WeddingChannel.com, the company she co-founded. And, I won’t be recommending Bella Pictures!
Jason
Event Planner
Jason,
You’ve been confused on one big point. The WeddingChannel.com has nothing to do with this. They were (are) nothing but a past business association for Lefcourt.
And that is part of the problem. The interviewer used that former relationship for credibility for the guest, leaving the impression that she still worked with WeddingChannel.com. Lefcourt never clarified that.
As I wrote in my original post, WeddingChannel.com wrote a letter, clearly disassociating themselves from the whole thing. They were appropriately irked by the confusion and getting dragged into this.
Andy
Hi Andy,
She did co-found The Wedding Channel. That’s an unchangeable fact.
Can you post or link to the letter from The WeddingChannel.com
Thanks!
Seriously self-serving! Bella Pcitures should only give information on the photography aspects of the wedding. Sad, sad, sad.
Our local wedding group (fwwedconnect) offers its members places on the website to share wedding tips for brides and grooms. DJ’s give tips on music and entertainment, caterers on food, cake people on cakes, photographers on photos, etc. These tips are more than just saving money, they are tips and hints on making their part of the wedding better.
Why that show host even took more than the photography stuff is unreal. They are directing the questions. Just makes it all that much more difficult for real wedding professionals.
June
Shame shame shame. So blatantly self-serving and propagating the myth of ‘just hook up an iPod’, ‘just throw some flowers into a vase’. Yea, it’s that easy.
Why not suggest baking your own wedding cake, sewing your own dress and veil? There is a reason people are professionals and why they are hired to to the work they do best.
How did the TV station allow her on??
She has done a huge disservice to all wedding professionals and confused many brides in one fell swoop.
I thought it was hilarious; surely Jane Public can’t be so thick that they would take such nonsense into account.
Next week she’ll be giving advice to school kids on how to save their lunch money by bullying their friends into sharing theirs!
Dominic Lee
Thanks to the efforts of all involved, this should continue to be a wake up call.
We need better people to speak for our industry.
Also thanks to the fast action of our members, within minutes of the broadcast there were actions taken. The result was extremely helpful in getting some clarity into the conversation.
Thank you ADJA and Chicagoland American Disc Jockey Association.
Thank you Andy.
It amazes me how she can say that photos are the most important part of the day, and you should hire her photography company. Insert product placement here. This interview was more like an ad than an interview.
To then suggest that the bride do everything else by herself to save money is not an uncommon topic. But when it comes from someone who has just said to not cut back on photography, because it would negatively impact her business lacks integrity. As if the bride isn’t stressed out enough. Now she is also the florist, the dj, and the bartender.
Maybe she could save money by getting her appetizers from Sam’s Club, too. Or get a friend to cook dinner.
I know people are trying to find their way through a crummy economy and need to find a balance between dreams and financial realities. But Jenny really shouldn’t offer advice when she has such a vested interest in only one portion of the day–and it’s the part she says not to cut back on. I agree that after the wedding is over, the only thing left are the photos and/or video. However, the way she just downplayed all the other vendors can really hurt her relationships with them. I could not in good conscience stab my vendor friends in the back like that. They do great work that adds to the beauty and romance of the day.
Karl B
She’s accredited with being a “Founder” and that never changes even if you leave a company. You are always a founder. The advice is horrible, but that part of this argument really doesn’t hold weight. They do make it sound as if she is still involved and representing the company, so that’s wrong and needs to be addressed, but if you discover or start a company, you are always the founder. That will never change no matter what.
I remember when this aired last year. It’s amazing that she thinks an iPod can actually orchestrate and direct a wedding reception. Obviously this lady hasn’t a clue about what is important at a wedding – CREATING FUN & MEMORABLE MOMENTS – and an iPod cannot do this….ever!
Is Uncle Billy going to create those moments? Does he know how to speak eloquently on the mic and HOW to say what needs to be said? Not if he’s not a trained professional. And to boot, when it comes time to open the dance floor, an iPod can’t read the crowd and change up the next song at the last second if needed. Shuffle is your best friend.
It’s too bad that when a couple finally realize they need(ed) a Professional Master of Ceremonies, it’s after the fact, and too late.
I’ve worked with some Bella photographers, and believe me, they are far from professional. Because Bella is a franchise, they hire any “Joe” or “Jenny” off the streets with a camera and send them on their way.
A lot of DJ companies are like this too, unfortunately. And that’s why sometimes an iPod just MIGHT be the better choice for your wedding. At least you won’t have a human being to blame for ruining your wedding…..but rather your iPod to blame. ;o)
Hire a professional DJ.
Start here:
http://www.adja.org
Hire a professional photographer.
Start here:
http://www.ppa.com/
She also failed to recognize that a great Master of Ceremonies / DJ is partly responsible for helping a photographer GET those great shots that make them look good, and in turn make the couple extremely happy when they get their proofs. Not to mention, make the photographer look good in their portfolio.
It’s a great Master of Ceremonies / DJ that can set up unique moments throughout a reception that photographers never dream of capturing. It could be the Grand Entrance, a dinner activity, something between dinner and dancing, or during open dancing. So now they have these amazing shots of the crowd doing (insert awesome moment here).
It could just be something as simple as just a packed dance floor due to the perfect mix of music throughout the night.
Don’t take this post as preaching that the Master of Ceremonies / DJ is the most important element to a reception, because that’s not what I’m trying to say. But by golly this lady better step back and remember that an iPod is DEFINITELY going to hurt the quality of photos a photographer can capture…..period.
Brian
Actually, I would argue, vigorously that the ability of a DJ or Band Leader to facilitate the festivities is the glue that holds the entire reception together.
One can argue about what is ‘most important;’ however, failure to execute and facilitate the ceremonial elements of a reception will cause it to stop and start or grind to a halt.
Again, when a quality MC does an effective job, it should is seamless.
Andy
Thanks for posting Andy.
This is terrible and I can imagine all those naive brides believing her. I’m amazed that Fox 5 decided to interview the “Co-Founder and VP of Business Development” for Bella Pictures. What does she know about planning a wedding? A celebrity wedding planner would’ve been more appropriate.
Shame on all of them.
Juliet
I’m not even going to address all the comments she made about the elements of the wedding. She’s lucky she didn’t attack wedding planners.
Bella Pictures has been the photographer for two of my previous weddings. Bad news on every level.
Lefcourt talks about photography being the most important thing about a wedding. If that’s what she really thinks, than why do the clients meet their photographer on the day of their wedding? That equals disaster.
I’ve had my vendor dinner with both of these photogs. Neither one was happy about being there, because they felt taken advantage of by Bella. By the time they arrive, they are practically working for free and can’t wait for the day to be over.
Now tell me how you think that translates into the photos?
Jeannie
Jeannie,
You have explained, very simply, what most brides are probably not aware of. Bella Pictures is, effectively a booking agency for freelance photographers and established photographers who have open dates.
From my understanding Bella books photographers at substantial discounts, with the bride paying retail. There appear to be at least two less than satisfactory outcomes.
First, as you stated, many photographers feel taken advantage of. You also point out the absence of advance communication with the actual photographer performing the service. That is critical.
As well, quality, style, and experience of the photographer assigned, would appear to an almost random outcome. I’ve heard stories of photographers with 20 years or 2 years experience being booked. Not to say that the one with two decades experience is automatically better, but given a thorough examination, those two choices are likely not of the same value.
Thanks again for your comments.
Please visit and share your thoughts more often…
Andy
Unfortunately, one person with an self-serving agenda and good PR agent or know-how to get themselves in front of brides can undo a lot of hard work of others.
This is so reckless of this woman it’s almost criminal?
I hope this video and the action you have taken here Andy to get us all in mobilized will finally do some good and get all of us to get this out to the brides-educating them for both their benefit & ours as well.
Tracey
Tracey,
Thanks for your comment.
Criminal? No. Unethical? Probably so.
You make the call.
Andy
As the owner of the boutique video company, Bella Video Productions (bellavideo.com – located in Los Angeles) NOT TO BE MISTAKEN IN ANY SHAPE OR FORM for Bella Pictures, my company has likely and unfortunately been mistaken for them by potential clients on occasion. I am always quick to retort that I am a videographer and not a photographer and I WORK NOTHING LIKE BELLA PICTURES (although it’s my understanding they now do videography too). I explain that myself (unless of an emergency) and my crew will be there PERSONALLY to shoot their event UNLIKE Bella Pictures who “matches” a freelance photographer to the couple and then goes through an automated system before ever even talking or meeting.
I have worked with several Bella Pictures photographers and never once had I heard of an individual photographer’s name in the industry prior. As a 15 year veteran in the video special event industry, the odds don’t stack up. Sure, there is always a first time to work with fellow vendors which gives me the opportunity to often browse their website before I work with them… but in this case, working with a Bella Pictures photographer IS ALWAYS THE FIRST TIME and I don’t believe there’s a way to find out much about them except through vague information from the client. That makes me a bit uneasy to find out who I’ll be working so closely with on the day of. Honestly, I’m NEVER impressed with their confidence, style or personality. To me, there’s an obvious lack of personal rapport with the clients which in return produces less smiles and emotions for the camera all day.
But what bothers me most is the term “dumping the DJ” – it’s just downright rude to use terminology like that let alone pure ignorance. Having worked merely a thousand events PERSONALLY, I wonder how many times Leftcourt has picked up a camera (still or video) waiting for the DJ’s or Emcee’s cue on the dance floor as the excitement builds for the Grand Entrance and First Dance?? There’s nothing like it! DJ’s know how to kick off parties and the enthusiasm can sometimes send chills down my own spine! I’ve seen a few weddings without a professional DJ and they were ALWAYS disasters = below average footage = below average memorable weddings. I wonder if Leftcourt even knows any DJs personally who are earning decent livings way before she came into the wedding industry as an “expert??” If so, what are her DJ friends/associates thinking now?
-Beth
Well after 20 years in the wedding biz I must say I am totally disgusted !!!!
Our industry use to be filled with craftsmen and true professionals. Now it is filled with no nothing kids that don’t no the difference between an f stop and a bus stop.
There lighting and posing skills are non existent and the public now has a “its good enough” and a DYI mentality. Sadly there is no end in sight for this and Self serving TV advise just makes it worse.
Lenny
I was shocked by the misinformation given in this interview. As a professional planner, specializing in weddings, the information that is presented is a journey on the Mishap Express. Nothing can replace the valuable experience and knowledge that wedding professionals have – photography, florist, dj’s, etc.
A bride should be enjoying her wedding and the planning not worry about putting together bouquets the day before the wedding. Only a human being can judge best what to play to get the party started at your reception not a iPod.
I am starting to question what makes a person an expert because the words that were spoken were not of expert quality.
Being a DJ myself, I can look at the video and be angry at her for making that comment… stepping aside as regular wedding vendor, one who understands the wedding industry, it is really a bad interview for both parties… There was no value to anyone… Really the interview was worthless….
Buying beer at a discount place is what most brides who cannot afford a beer tab do anyways, regardless… The whole Ipod thing, well I have mixed feelings about and I can see why brides would consider it, but I would imagine if they knew what exactly they were getting into, they would definitely re-consider using a professional DJ. Even as an infomercial, there was no value to ‘motivate’ anyone to use their services…
Thanks for posting this Andy!
|o| Simply Frank |o|
Thanks for posting this, Andy… It is truly obscene. As a professional wedding DJ, I obviously resent the comments made to “dump the DJ”, but I think that the points made about flowers were equally ignorant. This woman clearly has no clue about planning weddings, and definitely gave some very poor advice to brides in Chicago. I know the local DJ community there is very active and I’m sure they let her know it. The “apology” letter is totally disingenuous – is anyone really supposed to believe that she didn’t mean what she said?
I’ve certainly never referred Bella Pictures to one of my clients, and Jenny’s comments in this piece have guaranteed that I never will.
I actually wrote an article last year about the whole iPod wedding DJ (http://www.mydeejay.com/wedding-advice/ipod-dj-wedding) trend, which seems to have ended. I think enough brides tried it and ruined their weddings, and I don’t see much about it anymore.
Thanks for keeping the spotlight on this issue, and keep up the good work!!
Check this out. It looks like The Knot is following her lead:
http://lifestyle.msn.com/relationships/recession/articletkt.aspx?cp-documentid=18728080&ocid=RSKMoneyHUB
Beau
Beau,
I thank you for the link, and must say, I’m very disappointed.
I plan to investigate this piece, further.
Andy
Bella was a great wedding photography company 4 or 5 years ago when real photographers worked for them like own of the founders Like John Kringas, Bob Davis, George Burns and the list goes on and on. Folks with real talent.
They got rid of talent and opted for guy and gal that are just getting in to the business instead of experienced folks!
Biff
Biff,
Since you seem to know the inner-workings well, it would be nice to you have leave a longer comment.
Andy
Well, as a photographer, of course I think the photography is important.
But without all the other professional vendors doing their job, what am I photographing? Awful flower ‘arrangements’ and guests sitting in their seats? Weddings are a lot of work, and you just can’t be an expert at everything.
When I got married, I designed my own wedding invitations. Of course, I have a BS in Graphic Design. But I hired a DJ. Who has time to take several flower arranging courses, and the money to build up the equipment a professional DJ has (not to mention their experience).
It’s ridiculous to think that one person could do all this, on top of everything else you’re already preparing.
Caroline
Look what Bella Pictures has turned into.
One photographers beef with Bella Pictures
Mik