Let’s face it. Girls love to shop. Being able get the lowest price in the shopping department is a skill many women pride themselves in. However, when it comes to your wedding you may want to step back and consider a slightly different approach. While everyone would rather get something for nothing, when considering vendors for your event you also want to keep in mind that you are investing into a very important day of your life; quite possibly the most important day of your life.
Making an investment involves putting forth something in order to get lasting value in return. Building a strong professional relationship with your wedding professionals is a great way to add value to your overall wedding experience. “Haggling” your way to the best price is not. This does not mean you should spend more than your budget can handle. These 10 simple practices will help you receive the most value a vendor has to offer without breaking the bank...and help you know what practices to avoid:
1. First, focus your budget and time on making a list of your most important vendors. This will save you a lot of time and free you up to enjoy the planning process instead of getting bogged down later on.
2. Never haggle. Instead find out if they offer flexibility in their services ( many vendors offer a la carte services and are willing to be flexible within reason). This should be your first line of action if you truly like a wedding professional who you is slightly outside of your price range.
3. If this is unsuccessful, ask if they can recommend someone who is closer to your budget. Normally they can, however it is very important that your budget reflects the quality of services you expect. (Remember…value!)
4. Make sure you clearly understand what each vendor offers and how that service relates to your needs. This should come after you have taken the time to get to know the person. Never ask "what are your rates?" within the first 5 minutes. This is a huge turnoff for vendors and you will lose out on the opportunity to see if you have chemistry with them. So be sure you are seeking a personal connection first and foremost.
5. Setup a pre-wedding meeting with the vendors on the top of your list. This should take place after the contract signing. Make it fun! Meet over coffee, lunch or dinner. Use this time to get to know each other. This mainly applies to the photographer, videographer and wedding planner. Keep the conversation light and friendly. Having a professional relationship with these particular vendors is ideal for a smooth-flowing day. You will feel much more comfortable and as a result appear more natural with a photographer you’ve gotten to know beforehand.
6. Talk about some of your concerns early. Get them right out in the open. They can’t be dealt with and over-come until your vendors are aware of them. They may have a simple solution!
7. NEVER miss an appointment and ALWAYS be on time. Surprising as it may sound, this happens all the time and it is important for your vendors to know you are as serious about this as they are about their service. If you must re-schedule, do so at least 48 hours in advance.
8. Make an effort to return emails and phone calls from your wedding professionals within 24 hours.
9. Create a contact list of all your vendors and ask each one if they would like a copy beforehand. This tip will ensure that your vendors have the ability to communicate beforehand if need be.
10. Have fun, be yourself and seek out people who seem genuinely interested in building a professional relationship with you.
Your vendors need to see that you appreciate their service and are prepared to be proactive and responsible. What's more, actually knowing the professionals you’ve hired for your wedding and having everyone on the same page will put your mind at ease. Remember, peace of mind is priceless.
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