How to secure Vendors for your Wedding!

You have the date set, you are well organized. Now what? You will need to hire vendors that will help you make your wedding dreams come true. You can go through the phone book yourself, get referrals from friends and family or hire a professional wedding consultant to do this for you.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
    

   After you have received the referrals you need, schedule appointments to interview the vendors. Be on time to your appointment. You will also want to prepare a list of questions and take notes. Be an informed, discerning customer, not someone who's grateful to sign on the dotted line. This is your wedding, your money and you are the one who is in charge. Not your wedding consultant, maid of honor, mother or Vendor. You.
   
   Once you have arrived at your appointment, make sure to look around and see how they keep up the place. Is it clean? Would you be comfortable here. If it is a food venue, would you want to eat there? Don’t be afraid to ask for a list of references. People who have used them in the past. Even as far back as a year. If someone remembers them from a year ago, you may want to hear what they have to say.

2. 
    

   Go over menus or brochures, ask for a tasting. Also ask them if they have a mission statement. Its ok if they don’t but most companies have something they stand behind. If you don’t understand a question or have a concern, ask it again. Be sure of what you are contracting for.
   
   It can take a lot of time to find the perfect vendor. Take your time when doing so. Look for personality. Check their fingernails. Are they dirty or manicured? Believe me when I say it makes a difference. Usually, what you see is what you get.

3. 
    

   Make sure to call the references they give you. Most people don’t do this and this can be a really big mistake. A costly one. You will want to interview at least three vendors per category (bakery, DJ, photographer etc) to make sure you are getting what you need.
   
   There are lots of questions that you may not know to ask that may be important. So consider hiring a professional to help you find vendors.. Finding the right vendor can be time consuming as well as overwhelming. A professional will know exactly what vendors to use, what questions to ask and how to get the best deal. And most importantly, how to write the contract so that you are not being duped into signing your life away.

Tips & Warnings

• It is important that you sign a contract with every wedding professional you hire, and make sure the contract lists all details: dates, times, and exactly what you'll get (and what you don't want) from the person or company. That way, you'll have recourse in case something does not go as planned or contracted.

Resources

• "THE WEDDING PROFESSIONALS"