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Ask A Bride: How to Book the Right Vendors for Your Wedding
Q: What questions should I ask vendors? I feel like they say a lot already when I talk to them, and then I’m not sure what else I’m supposed to ask. How do I find the right vendors for my wedding vision?
A: If you haven’t done your research, it can be hard to know what specifics you should be asking during a conversation. But first things first – when you decide you’re interested in a vendor, send a quick email inquiry to make sure your date is still available. If it is, ask to set up a phone consult and request more information beforehand, like price quotes and previous work. Before chatting on the phone, try to find out as much about the vendor as possible, taking notes on anything you may need clarification about.
It may help to think about that first call with a vendor as an initial phone screen (just think about that first step you take in job interviews). This is the time to double check specifics such as the services they offer, rates and, most importantly in my opinion, get to know the person! Why are they in the wedding business? What makes them passionate about what they do? What separates them from competitors?
Other questions to consider: What does the vendor specialize in (whether it’s bride’s bouquets for a florist or bilingual weddings for a DJ/emcee)? Does the vendor have any sort of insurance, like liability coverage in the case of a venue?
If their answers align with your wedding vision, get the vendor to send over samples of their work or for a link to a Yelp page and first-hand recommendations. Also have them send over a draft contract and look over all the fine print.
If possible, ask to meet in person. OK, maybe it’s not necessary or realistic to meet all your vendors, but think about it this way: You’re investing a lot in vendors. So, it’s important to do your research before, ask pertinent questions and, ideally, meet them face-to-face before casting them in a role in your big day.
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