Behind every great wedding is a team of competent and reliable wedding vendors. Choosing the right pool of wedding vendors for your big day is an essential decision that could make or break your celebration. After all, they are the ones responsible for executing your dream wedding as smoothly as possible. We all know that wedding planning is not a walk in a park. It is, perhaps, a strange journey in the jungle out there. However overwhelming the preparations could be, having a set of ideas and questions to keep in mind before meeting up with a wedding vendor does the job.
Below are some of the things to think about ahead of time before your meeting. Believe us, your wedding vendors will thank you for this.
1. Make a shortlist of your preferred vendors first.
Before you even entrust your wedding to a vendor, you should take the time to meet a few set of vendors first. Of course, you do not want to work with people you are not comfortable with. A general rule of thumb is the least number of weddings that a vendor could cater to, the higher the priority. But keep in mind that this is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’. Everything depends on how important the vendor’s service is to you. Say, for instance, if you have been aspiring to wear a certain designer bridal gown or a particular band to play at your ceremony, then you would be willing to line up among their list of scheduled priorities/events.
2. Familiarize and specify your ideas.
Prior to your meeting engagements with the vendor, you must have a clear picture of what your wedding would be like. In this way, it will be much easier for you to scout for a vendor who caters to the same idea, taste, style, and experience that will suit your needs.
3. Adhere to the plan, always.
As much as you dread making last-minute changes and cram your big day, wedding vendors are no exception at all. Although you pay for their services, you do not want to be impractical and inconsiderate to your vendors by changing your theme every week closer to your wedding; especially if your vendors are already done with the previous preparations.
Related: Top 10 Biggest & Most Common Mistakes That Brides Make
4. Respect and follow the working hours.
Your wedding vendors are also employees like most of us. And just like any other, they have a life of their own outside the business. Although it is very understandable to panic as your big day gets closer, there are working and reasonable hours to follow. It is highly discouraged to call your vendors in the wee hours of the night to ask for something that can wait until the next day.
5. Negotiate reasonably.
We know that wedding preparations can be costly. And just like any other couple out there, you want the lowest price with the highest quality as much as possible. Although there is nothing wrong with negotiating, keep in mind that the price is determined by their experience, reputation, and the quality of the service that they known for. Their talent and skills are the things that cannot be bargained, and you do not want to insult your potential vendors by asking them to cut their prices by half outright, especially if you haven’t taken the time to check their branding and reputation just yet.
6. Transparency is key.
Your vendors will truly appreciate it if you become transparent with your budget first off. In this way, they can offer you better ideas and packages that will suit your budget. Skipping this very important step entails the possibility of offering you the highest quality of service there is; and of course, a price tag that matches it.
7. There is so much more than asking for a discount.
One thing that’s less commonly known to couples is the alternative (and much better!) way to bargain with your vendors. Instead of asking your vendor to reduce their price, you can ask for more services or products. For example, ask for more reception hours or if you are dealing with catering, ask for more variety of desserts.
Related: Things You May Have Forgotten To Put In Your Wedding Budget
8. Make sure that everything is written in your contract.
Being crystal clear about your contract protects you and your vendors. It is very important to put everything, we mean everything, in your contract. A carefully-written contract will help you avoid conflicts in the long haul just in case something does not go as planned. A contract must cover even the minute details of your wedding such as:
a. Detailed descriptions of everything you ordered: size, color, dimensions, time of arrival, quantity, quality, and who is responsible for what.
b. In addition, it should also state the person in charge of both the vendor’s side and your side.
c. You also want to double-check everything especially the non-refundable deposits and retainers.
d. If there are changes that were made along the way, make sure that everything is clearly written on the contract.
e. Lastly, beware of the terms regarding social media posting and copyright issues. There are photographers and wedding planners who often post their work online and print publications.
9. There is an ethical way to complain.
Just like any customer, you have the right to complain about a service that you willingly paid for. Likewise, it is your vendor’s responsibility to fix the issue right away. However, you should also bear in mind that there is a proper way of addressing your concern and make your message come across. Although it is very tempting to post a bad review of your vendor online, especially with the advent of social media, it is a must to address the issue privately firsthand. Tell them the exact problem as you are also entitled to ask for a solution. Keep in mind that your vendor’s business supports their livelihood and feeds a number of families out there. Giving honest and constructive feedback will not only save the vendor’s reputation but yours too; as it may also reflect on your anger-management area.
10. It is not that hard to thank a vendor.
At the end of the day, gratitude and a satisfied client are two of the most priceless things for any wedding vendors in the city. You don’t have to do the extra mile to thank your vendors for pulling off a once in a lifetime event. Your simple shoutout during your reception, or allowing your photos to be used in their platforms, or simple handwritten notes or postcards, or just by simply referring them to your family and friends can go a very long way in supporting the wedding and events industry.
If you’re looking for the right team to put together your Multicultural wedding in DC, Virginia, and Maryland, contact Mimi Ebichi’s team to make your dream wedding come to life! We have a comprehensive list of wedding vendors who can cater to your personal requests.
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