Hi everyone!
I wanted to share my experience with Nisha Chandra.
She was an absolute pleasure to work with. I had met several decorators before meeting her and she was by far the most creative and professional person. I was on a limited budget and she provided several options within my budget. I had met less experienced decorators and their work isn’t crisp…it’s initially appealing but is missing finer details. Or, they were charging much more for the same services.
Nisha was very responsive to new ideas and always quick to get back with information. I’ve rec’d so many compliments from the guests at the wedding.
Re: Review on Nisha Chandra- Toronto/GTA decorator
Thats so pretty!
Nisha Chandra is an absolute sweetheart !!
I haven't had a consultation with her yet... but from the little that I did talk to her, she's a bit more on the pricey side... her work is gorgeous !
Re: Review on Nisha Chandra- Toronto/GTA decorator
I spoke with her also MissSn and she said she could not give me a quote until she sat down with me and spoke about what we were looking for. That made me assume she might be more pricey. Anyone have any idea about her approx. charges? My wedding reception is small - about 130 guests. Anyone met with or spoke to any other good decorators?
Re: Review on Nisha Chandra- Toronto/GTA decorator
Ok, let me tell you guys my story.
Nisha was the last decorator I was going to go see as I had already seen several and it was time to make a decision. So we made an appointment and I went to her place. She asked me to look at a couple of albums and tell her what I liked. My immediate thought was, damn she's GOOD and crap I can't afford her!
When I gave her my budget I expected her to ask me to leave...lol. Don't get me wrong, I didn't walk in their with a $500 budget but neither did I have 5 grand. The props, fabrics, and designs were so exquisite and magazine-worthy that I was convinced that I couldn't afford her. We discussed some ideas and I told her what type of look I wanted. She said she'll get a proposal together and e-mail me. She was very quick to provide that and I was shocked as to how close it was to my budget. We went back and forth for a little bit and agreed on a figure. Boy was I relieved! But I still wanted to see what she's come up with on the day of and I'm so glad I got to see it all before the reception actually began and while Nisha was there and it took my breath away. Please don't think that I'm this dillusional girl who thinks this is the best anyone has ever seen! But what I saw at that moment was my vision which Nisha brought to life and made MY wedding day very special. Doesn't matter what your budget is, every bride deserves to be happy and she made me ecstatic. She added several touches/ props that weren't included in our original contract because she thought they were required to get the 'look'. She's definitely someone who takes pride in her work and understands that as an artist, her work is a reflection of her artistic abilities.
My advice to everyone is, go meet her, go meet her, go meet her! Go with a realistic budget that you can afford and let her do the work. Believe it or not, I actually went to a less experienced decorator/planner and she told me that she doesn't provide a design board/proposal UNTIL you book her. With Nisha, I had a detailed and comprehensive proposal with 3 different price points within a day or 2. As a bride I need to be satisfied before I give you any money. That's how Nisha gained my trust. You can tell her that you were referred by the July 30th bride and hopefully you'll get a great proposal :-)
Re: Review on Nisha Chandra- Toronto/GTA decorator
Out of curiousity; what's considered a reasonable budget? I personally wouldn't want to spend more than a 1000 is that too cheap? Or would nisha be able to do something great with that?
Re: Review on Nisha Chandra- Toronto/GTA decorator
^ That's a good question. This is how I figured it out. I made a list of what I had to have. With this list I went to several decorators and got an idea for how much it would be. Most decorators will provide you a breakdown for each item- i.e. table linens, back drop, stage seating, centerpieces...some will charge you more and others less. For example, the table linens I wanted (pintuck tafetta) ranged from low teens to low twenties.
Because I had done my homework, I knew what the market rate was and whose price was more reasonable. I added the costs and came up with a figure and then made room for it in my overall wedding budget.
Some decorators do the work on their own or with a partner. Their overhead costs are lower. Someone like Nisha works with team of people. When I walked in on them wrapping up I met the team, they belonged to various ages and ethnicities, and watching them reminded me of event planning shows I had seen on t.v. My point is, these people need to be paid. So her overhead costs must be higher. Secondly, these people invest into their props and materials with the intention of recovering the costs through future events. If someone buys a carton of $7 vase from the flea market versus someone else who buys good quality crystal tower lamps will obviously charge different rental fees. At the end of the day, you get what you pay for. Every bride/groom should look at their individual requirements, do some research, and then settle with a figure.
Re: Review on Nisha Chandra- Toronto/GTA decorator
Naqsa - that's really good info, thanks! If you don't mind my asking - how many guests did you have? Also, who were the other decorators that you went to see?
Re: Review on Nisha Chandra- Toronto/GTA decorator
I had 25 tables. I met with FarEast Decor, Sara Baig Designs, a white lady from Oshawa (sorry I don't remember her name), and I got quotes from Diya Decor and Dream Party. There may have been one or 2 more but I can't remember now.
Re: Review on Nisha Chandra- Toronto/GTA decorator
I was at Suhaag yesterday and they had a number of decorators there. Diya decor was there...I wasn't too impressed with their set up though they had lots of space. Dream party decor was there and while they were decent, they were really pricey. They had two set ups there and one was over $ 5,000 (very colourful) and the other about $ 6,000 (in white). I met the ladies from "A Perfect Setting" and got an appointment with them. I've heard that "A Perfect Setting" while good, there are issues with them returning calls and getting work done on time. I'm also going to be seeing Sara Baig soon - SGC, is Sara a friend of yours and / or do you guys work together? Nisha Chandra was at the Kismet bridal show - her setups there were pretty good and she had lots of space there.
Re: Review on Nisha Chandra- Toronto/GTA decorator
^ Nisha is awesome but a little pricey (atleast compared to what I want to spend). For our 3 days, she said approx $7000 (altho we haven't had a consultation with her... so we havent discussed what centrepieces, etc we want). She is honestly really good tho and we might end up going with her becuz I luv the attention and detail she gives to the couple
I wud be careful of Perfect Setting... I've heard a few horror stories... about how she turned up late (i.e. people had started arriving at the hall... so they had to wait outside in the lobby while she finished)... and that she's really unrealiable because she forgets stuff. My fiance's friend got married and used them and they were not satisfied... so be careful!
Re: Review on Nisha Chandra- Toronto/GTA decorator
Just thot I'd add - I also do kno somebody who hired 'the Perfect Setting' and was extremely happy.
Seems like a hit or miss - just something that I personally wudnt want to deal with around my weddng time!
Re: Review on Nisha Chandra- Toronto/GTA decorator
I'll be meeting with Sara Baig, Nisha Chandra & The Perfect Setting ! :)
My sister used 'The Perfect Setting' - Naphisha did an amazing job, everyone LOVED the decor!
I do recall my sister saying it was hard to get a hold of Naphisha at times...
Re: Review on Nisha Chandra- Toronto/GTA decorator
Misssn, $7000 for 3 days isn't bad at all. And I'm saying this considering the service she provides. And she's got a huge variety of options so I'm sure you'll be happy.
Re: Review on Nisha Chandra- Toronto/GTA decorator
I'm also going to be seeing Sara Baig soon - SGC, is Sara a friend of yours and / or do you guys work together? Nisha Chandra was at the Kismet bridal show - her setups there were pretty good and she had lots of space there.
Re: Review on Nisha Chandra- Toronto/GTA decorator
Misssn, $7000 for 3 days isn't bad at all. And I'm saying this considering the service she provides. And she's got a huge variety of options so I'm sure you'll be happy.
Hrm, I dunno... it seems high just for decor IMHO, or does she also do wedding planning for that? I guess the majority of it also depends on how big your wedding is and what you want. Keep in mind too, I had a small wedding so $7000 was pretty much a third of my total budget. That colours my thinking sometimes ;)
