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62
ENCHANTED BRIDES ~ FALL 2013 / WINTER 2014
Developing Relationships
with Your Vendors
The
wedding industry is an in-
teresting, diverse, and complex place. It
is full with a wide spectrum of compa-
nies in a seemingly infinite number of
categories. There are large companies,
small companies, rental companies, floral
companies, high volume companies, low
volume companies, vintage companies,
modern companies, etc. It is understand-
ably overwhelming when one begins to
look at all the options available to them
for their big day. No matter what type
of company you decide on, one thing is
certain: The better relationship you have,
the more likely they will go above and be-
yond for you.
This may not seem like a revelation to
most and it is important to point out that
you will not receive an inferior level of
service if you don't happen to become
best friends with your photo booth com-
pany. The industry is full of professionals,
but it is true that people tend to spend
more time with people that they have a
more personal relationship with. There
are a number of things you can do as a
bride to ensure a closer relationship with
your vendors, which in turn could lead to
better pricing, free additions, and above
and beyond service.
The first step is a simple one, but is
often overlooked by brides in the interest
of saving time. To me, failing to do this is a
bit of an oxymoron. Be sure to meet your
vendors. Many brides think that they will
save time by skipping an initial meeting to
discuss the vendor's products or services
in person. However, not doing so may ac-
tually cause you more time and money in
the long run. There are many benefits that
a meeting will provide. First, meeting in
person will help you determine if you and
the person from the company you may be
working with are compatible. As a plan-
ner, it boggles my mind when brides are
hesitant to meet with us in person. Not
meeting with a potential planner is like
committing to a year and a half long re-
lationship on a blind date. Second, meet-
ing with vendors will give you insight into
how the company operates and how their