Planning for a wedding can definitely be overwhelming, especially when you don’t know who the best florist, caterer, or photographer are in your area. It can lead to hours of googling any and every one in hopes that you will find someone who can do a decent job. So, I’m sure that you are appreciative of any recommendations that you receive whether it’s from a friend, family member, or wedding vendor. However, when getting recommendations I encourage you to ask some questions, to be sure these list of people are being recommended because they are great at their craft, and not because they paid to be put on a “preferred vendors” list.
In the wedding industry there are companies who have what are known as kickbacks, in which vendors help one another in exchange for some type of fee or commission. One of the most popular type of kickbacks that I’m most weary of is the preferred vendors list. This is a practice in which companies will create a list of recommendations that include planners, venues, and other vendors who paid to be on the list. The creator of this list may not know what type of work they do, if they are truly raved about, or if they’ve had any business at all. These lists may seem like such a great tool, but can lead to costing you money, if you end up doing business with someone who does subpar work. What’s worse than choosing a caterer who you were told is the best in town, and all of your guests are unhappy with their meals?
So if and when you receive any type of recommendation lists I encourage you to do a bit of research and ask a few questions about why they are being suggested to you. A couple of things I advise you do to be sure you are receiving genuine recommendations are:
- Ask Questions
Don’t be afraid to ask if they were paid to be recommended or if the person encouraging you to do business with them truly admires their work.
- Look for Reviews
Google, Yelp, and other review sites are great way to find out if these recommended vendors are truly worth you spending your time and money over. Check out what previous clients have to say about them and what their experience was like.
- Check Vendor’s Sites and Social Media
Do some research! If these vendors are as great as people have claimed them to be, it will be shown in their portfolios and their work. Visit their websites and their Facebook or Instagram pages where you can find pictures of their work, and see what other’s think.
By following these 3 tips, you are more likely to get quality vendors who will do a great job bringing to life the wedding you’ve always envisioned.