| Choosing the right vendor is second to choosing | | | | How much can you, are you, willing to spend on |
| the right spouse. Vendors are the reason events | | | | his or her service? Most vendors have handled |
| come off properly or not. | | | | events of varying budgets. |
| In America, the average wedding costs $27,852. | | | | Hiring on price alone can be a disaster. Dare your |
| For most couples, this is the largest event you will | | | | vendor to be creative in ways to create your |
| ever host. It is the most money you will ever | | | | vision on your budget. Ask what else they can |
| spend, for ONE day, on products and services | | | | offer to add value to their service. For example, a |
| you have never used, with people you have | | | | florist may add free greenery, fruit or ribbon, to |
| never met. | | | | enhance your simple bouquet. |
| Your wedding vendors. The people you choose to | | | | Do not hire the first vendor you talk to. Interview |
| handle the finest of details for the largest, most | | | | at least three in a given category. Do not be |
| meaningful event of your lives. Your wedding day. | | | | afraid to walk away if a vendor cannot, or, is |
| The first thing to remember is that the vendor is | | | | unwilling to work within your budget. Let your |
| not your adversary. Wedding vendors are | | | | vendor work to get your business by offering |
| professionals in their fields. The vendor is a | | | | more value to their service. |
| businessperson, in business to make a profit. Hire | | | | Get referrals. Get referrals from recently married |
| vendors who have experience in the field. New | | | | couples. When attending other weddings, take |
| vendors may be more affordable but they will | | | | mental notes of what you like and do not like. |
| offer less value. | | | | Ask for and call at least three references. Choose |
| When interviewing vendors, you must be very | | | | vendors that you can work without throughout |
| clear about your vision for your wedding. Offer | | | | the planning process. With some vendors, such as |
| pictures, fabric swatches, etc. to communicate | | | | photographers, you will spend the majority of |
| your vision. | | | | your wedding day together. Choose someone you |
| Look at photos of past events. Are they tasteful, | | | | like personally, and who you feel has your best |
| original, with various themes? You want to choose | | | | interests in mind. |
| a vendor who can create your vision, not a | | | | Make your vendor a partner in your big day. A |
| cookie cutter version of their past events. | | | | happy vendor = a happy couple. |
| You must be very up front about your budget. | | | | Cheers! |