10 Things Vendors Want Clients to Know
As a wedding planner, I've learned that there are a few things that vendors want their clients to know. Things that will make the planning process run more smoothly for everyone involved. So, if you're a groom or bride-to-be, read on! These tips will help you avoid any misunderstandings and ensure that your vendors are happy throughout the planning process. :-)
Vendors are interviewing clients as much as clients are interviewing vendors. Many vendors and clients have been interviewing each for such a long time, which means it takes very little effort to tell if someone will be the right fit or not. You don't want to force things or land in relationships which are pointless any more than they do! The main red flags: too many questions (sign of distrust), delayed / taking a while to make a decision, redlining the contract, dictating the process or terms, having too many people involved, trying to get a lot of free advice before booking, etc.
Be Honest About Your Budget: One of the most important things vendors want their clients to know is that being honest about your budget doesn't mean you'll be taken advantage of. In fact, it just means we can be honest with each other about our services and what is realistically possible. So don't be afraid to communicate openly and honestly with your planner, caterer, florist, DJ, etc. They will appreciate your candor and it will help avoid any misunderstandings down the road.
Pinterest has plenty of tricks up its sleeve. While the images may look simple, they're often more expensive than you think and need to take into account that many styled shoots that are unfortunately, not very realistic. They're done on a smaller scale with more hours spent preparing for them-and often times at locations far away from where we live!.
Vendors offer discounts for a reason. it's important to remember that those who pay full price get more attention by default. So if you're thinking about asking for a discount, keep in mind that you may be putting yourself at the back burner; even though they should be given equal service.
Guest only have so much energy in them. After a while, they start to fade and need time to rest. This is especially true for guests who are not used to being in large groups or who are not used to being out late at night. So, it's important to keep this in mind when planning your wedding. Don't overbook your guests' schedule! They'll appreciate it in the long run.
Your planner will only go so far. If you have a great one, she or he should be doing some legwork for you in order to get the best deals available. But, understand that your planner's availability is limited because there are other brides and grooms who need help with their weddings too! Clients often complain that they've waited weeks for an answer from their planners when it could just as easily have been last minute jitters that caused the delay. Take into consideration how many clients your wedding professional has at any given time before getting angry about response times. :-).
Control the Guest List: One of the best ways to keep your event cost in check is by controlling the guest list. You can control the cost of your wedding by managing who you invite. Catering, Decor and rentals are key when dealing with numbers; the higher number of attendees will generally mean cheaper food options and higher set up cost!
We're Not Mind Readers: This is probably the most important thing to remember. Vendors are not mind readers, and we can't help you if we don't know what it is that you want. So be sure to communicate with us as clearly as possible. This includes giving us a detailed brief outlining your vision for your wedding, sending us any inspiration photos you may have, and letting us know of any changes or updates along the way. The more information we have, the better we can serve you!
Hire Professionals and not Friendors: This one is a no-brainer, but it's worth repeating. Hiring Friendors is risky, when you're planning your wedding, be sure to hire professionals for every aspect of the day. This means hiring a photographer, videographer, DJ, caterer, etc. Don't try to cut corners by hiring your cousin who "knows how to take pictures" or your friend who is "a great cook ." Professional vendors know what they're doing and will make sure that your wedding goes off without a hitch. Also, I can’t even tell you how many people lose friendships via this process. It’s not worth it.
