Totally feel this, had a similar clash over seeded eucalyptus for a beach wedding. It just looked messy and out of place instead of breezy. How do you usually talk a planner down from that ledge?

Deep art" and good marketing aren't always different things.

Unbelievable. My planning is basically just hoping the permit gods are in a good mood and that my backup's backup trailhead isn't also a zoo. I once drove six hours just to find out the "walk-up" list was longer than the actual trail.

You're missing the whole point of modern building science. Proper flashing, sealed membranes, and drainage planes are designed to manage water, not just block it. Look at a well built brick cavity wall or a rainscreen system. They let water in behind the cladding on purpose and then channel it back out. It's not about being a perfect dam, it's about giving water a controlled path that doesn't lead to rot.

You're totally right, it's all about getting it done. Some places just create problems where there aren't any. Hitting the deadline is what actually matters, not how you got there. It's frustrating when people miss the big win for a small complaint.