Hello, hello!
I started this “tip of the week” thing last week with a post on how to stay on budget, so it felt right to follow up today with a how-to on the actual art of booking wedding vendors.
If you are planning your wedding, or if you are simply obsessed with weddings, you might have noticed that this industry is like a shark tank. There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of different vendors, from venues to djs and from florists to wedding planners, and everyone’s in for a piece of the pie.
So how do you decide who to work with? Picking the wrong vendors can have a pretty disastrous effect on your wedding day. I have heard all sorts of horror stories; you know, the “oh-my-god my photographer is driving me insane” and the “my cake was never delivered” stories that make you wonder whether you even want to get married in the first place.
Thankfully, none of these have ever happened to me. Well, I am a wedding planner, so if it did happen I guess I wouldn’t have that good of a rep! Here are some tips that, I hope, will help you make wise decisions:
1- Big isn’t necessarily better: Just because someone has a lot of visibility doesn’t necessarily mean that they offer good service. It only means that they have a generous account for advertising. So do your research. Ask to speak with previous clients, and get their feedback. Were they happy with the service? Was there anything they wish would have been done differently? How was their overall experience?
2- Ask yourself: Is this what I want? You might love the Queen Elizabeth Hotel, but if their smallest room fits 200 and your guest list is barely making it to 100, this might not be the place for you. You won’t believe how many calls I get from brides in distress, telling me that they booked a venue months ago and are now stuck with a hall too big/too small, not knowing how to re-arrange the space.
3- Cheaper isn’t necessarily better either: Sure, not everyone charges the same fee for a similar service, and if you are budget-conscious, you might be more attracted by the good offers and deals. However, before you jump on the discount bandwagon, ask yourself if you’re actually getting your money’s worth. Photography would be a good example for this. Depending on the photographer you’re looking at, prices can range from 2,000$ to 5,000$, and anywhere up and down from there. But what exactly are you getting in return? Do you like that photographer’s style? Are you getting a dvd with your pictures? How many hours do you get? Prints? Albums? etc.
4- Go with your heart: Shopping for wedding vendors is definitely one place where you’re allowed (and even encouraged) to be an emotional shopper. You will be sharing the most important day of your life with these people, so if someone gives you an icky or uncomfortable feeling, run the other way. Anyone who will be present at the wedding (photographers, planners, caterers, etc) should totally get your vision and share it with you. That’s one thing money can’t buy!
Happy shopping!
xoxo
