“… you were on our Recommended Vendor list …”

There are many different factors that come in to play while planning an event. Some vendors will make the cut, and others will fall short for one reason or another. As a bride-to-be, it is important to have the utmost confidence in every decision you make. The feeling of being absolutely convinced that a vendor will do everything possible to make your wedding day a success should be a key factor in making your decisions.

Since most brides have no experience planning an event, or dealing with vendors specific to the wedding industry, it can be difficult to decipher who really is good and who isn’t. How you search for potential vendors can play a part in the type of vendors you find. A search through the phonebook may produce different results than searches of the internet, magazines or recommendations from friends and other vendors.

Most clients and potential clients I speak with go off of the “Recommended Vendor” list they receive from their reception facility. Here are some things to keep in mind when looking at these lists.
-Ask your contact if they have ever worked with the "recommended vendor" personally, that way they can give you their personal opinion of them and their work.
-Be sure to inquire how long that vendor has been on the list for. This is important because a vendor that has been working at a facility for years may have more insight into the best ways to set up the equipment, the layout of the room, the typical flow of a reception there, etc.
-Most importantly, make sure you find out how the recommended vendor list was put together. Did the facility do it themselves or did a publication company compile it for them. This will tell you if the vendor made it to the list because of their consistent good work, or if they paid to be a part of it.

Remember, just because a vendor is on a recommended list does not mean they are the best fit for you. Some vendors will pay to be in a book in order to acquire as many leads as possible. Most of these vendors do a great job, but there are a few who do not. Each facility/vendor has their own methodology when it comes to creating a list or getting on one. These very intentions will tell you a lot about the vendor you are looking into. The only way to feel completely confident in your decision is to meet the vendor and speak with them in person.

The wedding industry is filled with great people who will do everything possible to make sure you have the best wedding day imaginable. These are the people that will work hard day in and day out to be a part of the list based upon their good work, as opposed to their advertising budget.

-Matt