Phone calls are the biggest part of my job. Whether it's a new client I'm explaining our policies to or talking through event details with someone who's already booked, I spend more time on the phone than almost anything else. Some of my biggest frustrations exist, naturally, on the phone. I know I've already done a post on how to leave the best message possible, so let me take a different route in this post and explain some phone no-nos for you to avoid.
1) Don't keep calling - I'm excited that your excited. Honestly! Your excitement is one of the things I love about my job! If I don't get back you or pick up the phone the first time you call, just leave a message and I really promise I'll get back with you. It may not be within the hour as I have other phone calls to return, emails to write and site tours to guide but I do want your business and I do want to answer you question.
2) Don't forget the details - This really goes back to my first phone post (And now for my first trick...). The more quality information I receive in that first message, the better information I can give you on that first call back. This is especially important if you also can't get to your phone all the time because I can leave you the information you need in a message.
3) Don't skip the research - This may not apply to all venues, but we put a lot of our information online. I don't expect you to read every last detail. I do expect you to have an idea of the pricing and to know what spaces you like the look of from the pictures. Most of the questions I receive on the phone can be found in our brochure so if you can't get me immediately, download our information and glance through it. You may find the answer you need before you even pick up the phone.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
To the newly engaged
It's engagement season here! That means my phone is ringing, my email box is beeping and I'm hoping about doing site tours. Just wanted to part a few words of wisdom to those lovely ladies you have just started their search:
1) Your date is taken - Sorry girls. If you were looking for a spring wedding in 2011, that ship has sailed! These are prime dates and book a year and a half to three years out. You can start shopping for spring 2012 (see why these dates fill up in advance?) or you can try off-peak times like July, August and November. Fall dates in September and October are a gamble, so be sure to have some back ups ready. The big message is don't be discouraged! You were just asked to spend the rest of your life with the man you love, so don't let a date get in the way of that!
2) Talk with your family before you talk with me - The more information you have, the more I can help you. Sometimes couples shop venues before talking about budgets, guest counts, and dates with their family thinking that they will flex the venue to these needs. It will save you (and me!) a lot of time, energy and heartbreak if you know your limits before you start booking those site tours.
3) Take site tours seriously - Yeah, it's fun to visit a bunch of new places and have all these ideas in your head, but don't book a tour at any place that hosts weddings. Site tours to me mean serious interest. Yes, it is my job to lead these tours, but they also mean I'm away from my phone, email and desk for an hour. I want to make sure that hour with you is well spent. If your total budget is the same as my rental fee, that was a waste of time for the both of us. Plan well and spend your time really focusing on the properties you like. It will save you a lot of running around town and cut down on lost lunch breaks.
4) Read up and have fun! - There are thousands of websites offering wedding advice. Read up on other people's experience in order to avoid the pitfalls and make this the most enjoyable experience possible. You're only engaged once and for a short period of time, so have fun with it!
1) Your date is taken - Sorry girls. If you were looking for a spring wedding in 2011, that ship has sailed! These are prime dates and book a year and a half to three years out. You can start shopping for spring 2012 (see why these dates fill up in advance?) or you can try off-peak times like July, August and November. Fall dates in September and October are a gamble, so be sure to have some back ups ready. The big message is don't be discouraged! You were just asked to spend the rest of your life with the man you love, so don't let a date get in the way of that!
2) Talk with your family before you talk with me - The more information you have, the more I can help you. Sometimes couples shop venues before talking about budgets, guest counts, and dates with their family thinking that they will flex the venue to these needs. It will save you (and me!) a lot of time, energy and heartbreak if you know your limits before you start booking those site tours.
3) Take site tours seriously - Yeah, it's fun to visit a bunch of new places and have all these ideas in your head, but don't book a tour at any place that hosts weddings. Site tours to me mean serious interest. Yes, it is my job to lead these tours, but they also mean I'm away from my phone, email and desk for an hour. I want to make sure that hour with you is well spent. If your total budget is the same as my rental fee, that was a waste of time for the both of us. Plan well and spend your time really focusing on the properties you like. It will save you a lot of running around town and cut down on lost lunch breaks.
4) Read up and have fun! - There are thousands of websites offering wedding advice. Read up on other people's experience in order to avoid the pitfalls and make this the most enjoyable experience possible. You're only engaged once and for a short period of time, so have fun with it!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
4 things you should tell your caterer
As a venue rep, I try to stay away out of catering as there is a lot I do not know about it. However, I do talk with caterers a lot and I hear a lot of similar stories about what clients do that they like and what they prefer clients didn't do. So while I hope to come up with some good questions to ask your caterer, let's start with the 4 things you should tell your caterer to get the best quote
1) Tell them your budget - I don't understand why some people want to keep this number a mystery. It's also the number one vent I hear from catering pals. Keeping your number a secret does not help you get the best quote. Eventually, you're going to have to tell them that you either don't want to spend $200 a plate or that there $20 a head menu of cheese and crackers isn't cutting it. Save everyone's time and sanity by being upfront with the price range you'd like to be in.
2) Tell them your tastes - Do you hate chicken or maybe love BBQ? If so, let your caterer know. If you have to have steak served at your wedding, tell them that you want that dish in your proposal. That way you avoid being disappointed with the food in your first proposal.
3) Tell them your venue - Caterers are working all around town. Your caterer may have some tricks up their sleeve for dishes that either work really well or that you should avoid at certain venues. They can also suggest some venues for you to look at if you have not booked one yet. Some caterers have venues of their own that you may also want to check out!
4) Tell them your timeline - It's another piece of feedback I get from caterers that sometimes they will talk to a client constantly and then not hear anything. Did the client book someone else or maybe they're in decision mode? It's not a requirement, just more of a polite request to keep your caterers updated on your status.
1) Tell them your budget - I don't understand why some people want to keep this number a mystery. It's also the number one vent I hear from catering pals. Keeping your number a secret does not help you get the best quote. Eventually, you're going to have to tell them that you either don't want to spend $200 a plate or that there $20 a head menu of cheese and crackers isn't cutting it. Save everyone's time and sanity by being upfront with the price range you'd like to be in.
2) Tell them your tastes - Do you hate chicken or maybe love BBQ? If so, let your caterer know. If you have to have steak served at your wedding, tell them that you want that dish in your proposal. That way you avoid being disappointed with the food in your first proposal.
3) Tell them your venue - Caterers are working all around town. Your caterer may have some tricks up their sleeve for dishes that either work really well or that you should avoid at certain venues. They can also suggest some venues for you to look at if you have not booked one yet. Some caterers have venues of their own that you may also want to check out!
4) Tell them your timeline - It's another piece of feedback I get from caterers that sometimes they will talk to a client constantly and then not hear anything. Did the client book someone else or maybe they're in decision mode? It's not a requirement, just more of a polite request to keep your caterers updated on your status.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Busy Busy!
Things have been super busy for me lately so sorry there's no post! I'll gear up for something good for the holidays. Wanna see what I've been up to? Follow me on Twitter @thefriz11
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
4 Questions for your venue
There's a lot more than four questions you should ask (I hope you ask more than these four questions!), but here are my four essential questions you need to ask your venue that not everybody does ask. Actually, you should ask almost every vendor you work with these questions, but that may be another article...
1) Will you host multiple events on the same day?
Never assume that your venue will not try to host multiple events in one day. That doesn't mean you should only book exclusive venues - many venues because of their size and policies can successfully host multiple events. The last thing you want though is to be surprised by having another event taking place. Ask this question up front and, if they say yes, ask for their conditions on how they handle multiple events at once to see if they really can handle it.
2) Will someone with the facility be here the night of the event?
If they answer is no, walk away. It doesn't have to be your sales rep and it may be best if it's not your sales rep as you want the person who is use to watching events, not just selling them. It is very important that you do have someone on hand. Something unexpected will happen (we've had lights go out once!) and you want to make sure that you have someone there to know how to handle it.
3)What is your policy for additional hours and can I add them the night of the event?
I know your budget is too tight now to consider another expensive, but when the party is in full swing and someone is asking you to leave, you may feel differently. Asking this question up front helps you prepare your budget in case you need more time to setup or if you think you may want to party longer. It can also stop you the night of the wedding from signing off on a charge that is too big for your budget.
4) What question am I not asking?
Every venue is different and the important question may be something you cannot even think of. This is a great last question to ask any vendor you work with because it lets them bring up anything that you may have overlooked. It also challenges them to think of good questions the client should be asking to have as much information as possible. When in doubt of what question to ask, ask this one!
1) Will you host multiple events on the same day?
Never assume that your venue will not try to host multiple events in one day. That doesn't mean you should only book exclusive venues - many venues because of their size and policies can successfully host multiple events. The last thing you want though is to be surprised by having another event taking place. Ask this question up front and, if they say yes, ask for their conditions on how they handle multiple events at once to see if they really can handle it.
2) Will someone with the facility be here the night of the event?
If they answer is no, walk away. It doesn't have to be your sales rep and it may be best if it's not your sales rep as you want the person who is use to watching events, not just selling them. It is very important that you do have someone on hand. Something unexpected will happen (we've had lights go out once!) and you want to make sure that you have someone there to know how to handle it.
3)What is your policy for additional hours and can I add them the night of the event?
I know your budget is too tight now to consider another expensive, but when the party is in full swing and someone is asking you to leave, you may feel differently. Asking this question up front helps you prepare your budget in case you need more time to setup or if you think you may want to party longer. It can also stop you the night of the wedding from signing off on a charge that is too big for your budget.
4) What question am I not asking?
Every venue is different and the important question may be something you cannot even think of. This is a great last question to ask any vendor you work with because it lets them bring up anything that you may have overlooked. It also challenges them to think of good questions the client should be asking to have as much information as possible. When in doubt of what question to ask, ask this one!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Twitter and you
On a social media kick lately, so I thought I'd follow up the Linked In blog with a piece about Twitter. Like Linked In, Twitter allows you to shop (aka spy) on your wedding vendors before booking and leading up to your wedding day. While I see Linked In as helping you book a vendor, I see Twitter as a great way to get wedding ideas.
Who will you find on Twitter? A bit of everyone. Planners are some of the easiest vendors to find. In the process, you'll stumble across "wedding gurus" twitter accounts. Some are true gurus and others may think they are, but they're all easy to follow if you find their tweets and links useful. Follow them to keep up to date on hot trends for the current season.
Twitter is another search engine option for ideas. In searching for "atlanta photographer" I found a link to a beautiful wedding and a damn good photographer. Be general or be specific in your keywords to find pics and advice on wedding touches.
In short, here are some uses for twitter and your wedding!
Bitchy Bride
Green Weddings
Planners who Tweet-
Toast Events
Ashley Baber
Who will you find on Twitter? A bit of everyone. Planners are some of the easiest vendors to find. In the process, you'll stumble across "wedding gurus" twitter accounts. Some are true gurus and others may think they are, but they're all easy to follow if you find their tweets and links useful. Follow them to keep up to date on hot trends for the current season.
Twitter is another search engine option for ideas. In searching for "atlanta photographer" I found a link to a beautiful wedding and a damn good photographer. Be general or be specific in your keywords to find pics and advice on wedding touches.
In short, here are some uses for twitter and your wedding!
- Follow your booked vendors for ideas and a sense of style & personality
- Search twitter for wedding advice, straight from the brides mouth!
- Search twitter for ideas and pretty pics that may otherwise be hard to find
- Stay connected to bridal botiques to be the first to know about sales
Bitchy Bride
Green Weddings
Planners who Tweet-
Toast Events
Ashley Baber
Friday, October 1, 2010
The power of Linked In
Linked In is the black sheep of social media, but that's only because people don't see the potential. I know I didn't realize it until I heard 617-Patrick but I now think Linked In is one of the coolest ways to connect with people. You have the power to search your connections and your extended network to find people in the wedding business. First, I'll tell you how to do. Then I'll tell you how to use it.
How to search your network and their connections:
How to use it:
How to search your network and their connections:
- Click on the "Advanced" link next to the search bar
- Type in your keyword (start general with "Wedding")
- Under Relationship, limit your Connection level to 2nd and 3rd network
- In your search results, you can adjust your Location filter to make sure they work in your area
How to use it:
- Get Reviews - Is your co-worker connected to a wedding photographer you were considering? Ask your contact if they worked with that photographer before and if they would recommend them to a friend.
- Get Introduced - While you can do this in Linked In, I think an email or phone call is more appropriate.
- Get a new perspective - You may already know someone who works in events, but you never asked or never realized that they came from an events background.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Vendor Highlight - Wedding Planners aka why you need one
I understand budgets are tight and we've all got to save some dough but I hope this vendor highlight on wedding planners helps you to change your mind. This job is sometimes under appreciated because when you have a great planner, a guest will never notice. Here's a few words of wisdom for finding one that will work for you.
1) Learn the packages - Planners, like photographers, have several different package levels from full planning to just day-of (really more like week-of) options. Don't run away from the idea of a planner because you heard a friend paid thousands of dollars. You do get what you paid for, so shop around and learn what options a planner can offer you. If you like a planner, but don't like a package, call them and see if they can put together something custom for you. Customizing an event for you is their specialty!
2) Learn about your planner - Not to rant, but there are a lot more "planners" out there than real planners. A real planner should have a solid events or logistics background and can give you a list of several weddings with references tied to those weddings that you can reach out. A thank you note on a website is nice, but I would take it one step further and call up past clients or vendors who worked with them. You are putting your wedding in their hands, so make sure they truly have the experience to handle it.
3) Learn to go with your gut - Did you like them as a person? Did they seem to know their stuff? Were they on time to the meeting? Little things do add up. If you don't like them, drop them. On the day of your event, vendors will be going to this person to make decisions and your planner should be making them in your best interest.
Don't leave your initial meeting with your planner without asking these questions:
1) How many weddings do you typically work a year?
2) How many assistants do you bring for a wedding? (the correct answer is at least one, a better answer is more than one)
3) Can you provide me with a list of reference from recent weddings?
4) How many times will we meet before my wedding?
Like photographers, many planners have blogs that are a great way to learn about them and get some wedding ideas. Here are a few of my favorite blogs:
Ashley Baber's Blog - ashleybaberweddings.blogspot.com
Janice Blackman - janiceblackmonevents.wordpress.com
And a few awesome planners who don't blog but still rock:
Lisa Milko (Event Perfect) - www.myeventperfect.com
Courtney SurberPaz - www.courtneysurberpaz.com
Watermark Wedding - www.watermarkweddings.com
Whole Shebang - www.thewholeshebangatl.com
1) Learn the packages - Planners, like photographers, have several different package levels from full planning to just day-of (really more like week-of) options. Don't run away from the idea of a planner because you heard a friend paid thousands of dollars. You do get what you paid for, so shop around and learn what options a planner can offer you. If you like a planner, but don't like a package, call them and see if they can put together something custom for you. Customizing an event for you is their specialty!
2) Learn about your planner - Not to rant, but there are a lot more "planners" out there than real planners. A real planner should have a solid events or logistics background and can give you a list of several weddings with references tied to those weddings that you can reach out. A thank you note on a website is nice, but I would take it one step further and call up past clients or vendors who worked with them. You are putting your wedding in their hands, so make sure they truly have the experience to handle it.
3) Learn to go with your gut - Did you like them as a person? Did they seem to know their stuff? Were they on time to the meeting? Little things do add up. If you don't like them, drop them. On the day of your event, vendors will be going to this person to make decisions and your planner should be making them in your best interest.
Don't leave your initial meeting with your planner without asking these questions:
1) How many weddings do you typically work a year?
2) How many assistants do you bring for a wedding? (the correct answer is at least one, a better answer is more than one)
3) Can you provide me with a list of reference from recent weddings?
4) How many times will we meet before my wedding?
Like photographers, many planners have blogs that are a great way to learn about them and get some wedding ideas. Here are a few of my favorite blogs:
Ashley Baber's Blog - ashleybaberweddings.blogspot.com
Janice Blackman - janiceblackmonevents.wordpress.com
And a few awesome planners who don't blog but still rock:
Lisa Milko (Event Perfect) - www.myeventperfect.com
Courtney SurberPaz - www.courtneysurberpaz.com
Watermark Wedding - www.watermarkweddings.com
Whole Shebang - www.thewholeshebangatl.com
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Contract Tips
You're engaged (yay!) and your booking all these vendors for your wedding. Some of them you may pay for, others will be covered in whole or part by your family, his family and anyone else willing to chip in! And on all of these agreements you have list quite a bit of information, but who's information should you list? There is no one right answer to this, but there are two answers I highly suggest.
1) List the parents - A lot of things are probably about to change for you including your name and your address. You don't need to worry on your honeymoon which address you listed for your damage deposits to go back to. By listing your parents on all the contracts, your playing it safe by putting down information that probably won't change. If the groom is paying for it, list his parents on the contract. Heaven forbid if something went wrong, you don't want one set of parents responsible for everything.
2) List who's paying for it - There are two reasons to make the contract match who is paying for it. One is to make sure that any refunds are sent to the correct person. The other goes back to that "heaven forbid" scenario when if things must be cancelled or changed, you are making sure the burden lies with the person who footed the bill.
Which ever way you decide, here are a few more tips to follow
1) Always ask if you can list two people on the contract, just in case you want to have both you and your fiance or maybe you and your parents.
2) Keep your sales rep informed of any address, phone number or email address changes so they can always get in touch with you.
3) Be sure to read through your contract and ask questions on anything you can not explain to a third grader.
4) If you make changes to your contract after signing, make sure it is done in writing either through an addendum that both parties sign or through an email with time dated confirmations from both parties.
Good luck!
1) List the parents - A lot of things are probably about to change for you including your name and your address. You don't need to worry on your honeymoon which address you listed for your damage deposits to go back to. By listing your parents on all the contracts, your playing it safe by putting down information that probably won't change. If the groom is paying for it, list his parents on the contract. Heaven forbid if something went wrong, you don't want one set of parents responsible for everything.
2) List who's paying for it - There are two reasons to make the contract match who is paying for it. One is to make sure that any refunds are sent to the correct person. The other goes back to that "heaven forbid" scenario when if things must be cancelled or changed, you are making sure the burden lies with the person who footed the bill.
Which ever way you decide, here are a few more tips to follow
1) Always ask if you can list two people on the contract, just in case you want to have both you and your fiance or maybe you and your parents.
2) Keep your sales rep informed of any address, phone number or email address changes so they can always get in touch with you.
3) Be sure to read through your contract and ask questions on anything you can not explain to a third grader.
4) If you make changes to your contract after signing, make sure it is done in writing either through an addendum that both parties sign or through an email with time dated confirmations from both parties.
Good luck!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Professional Review - Atlanta Bridal.com
Here begins another sub-section of this blog I'm calling Professional Review. Between my current job, my wedding, and a lot of other wedding research I've done, I've seen a lot of wedding resources out there. In Professional Review, you can look forward to me highlighting one of these resources that should help you in your planning.
My first choice I love to tell people about is: Atlanta Bridal.com
I love this site! It covers every vendor category I can think of and organizes them in a clean format that's easy to navigate. I send people who call me to this site daily for whatever they are looking for, even if it's not a wedding. Each page contains contact information, pricing range and links to the vendor's own webpage, blog and videos. Reviews are available and the community boards are another great resource for brides to ask questions and get real answers.
The site offers both a free and paid for version. If you want more choices, then it's worth your money, but there are tons of great vendors listed on the free site.
Don't live in Atlanta? Don't worry. This site has grown to host local resource pages for states across the country. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to view other sites they run including the catch all site www.weddingbasics.com
When it comes to wedding websites, this webpage takes the cake!
My first choice I love to tell people about is: Atlanta Bridal.com
I love this site! It covers every vendor category I can think of and organizes them in a clean format that's easy to navigate. I send people who call me to this site daily for whatever they are looking for, even if it's not a wedding. Each page contains contact information, pricing range and links to the vendor's own webpage, blog and videos. Reviews are available and the community boards are another great resource for brides to ask questions and get real answers.
The site offers both a free and paid for version. If you want more choices, then it's worth your money, but there are tons of great vendors listed on the free site.
Don't live in Atlanta? Don't worry. This site has grown to host local resource pages for states across the country. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to view other sites they run including the catch all site www.weddingbasics.com
When it comes to wedding websites, this webpage takes the cake!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Get your drink on!
I get more questions on alcohol service than anything else, and I should! It is the most complicated part of the billing and possibly the most expensive item. Here's a quick run through of what to ask and some questions to avoid.
Do ask about:
-Special orders: Did you guys bond over a certain type of beer? Or maybe your groom really loves a particular scotch? Even if you don't see it, ask if they can order it in. This normally comes at a premium price but if it's that important to you it may be worth it.
-Additional hour costs: Sometimes you'd like the party to keep going. Know all your costs for extending the bar before hand. If you extend your bar hours in advance, you can normally save a few hundred bucks!
-How many bartenders are provided: Every venue has a different formula for this, so ask up front. Also let your venue know the drinking level of the crowd so they staff appropriately. You may not mind your guests waiting in line, but they will mind. Take the boy scout attitude and be prepared!
- On anything you don't understand: Questions are key! Never stop asking questions, especially on beverage packages. The last thing you want is an unexpected bill.
Don't ask about:
- Why it costs X amount when you can buy it at the store for less: When you go to a bar, do you ask the bartender why that beer costs more than what you pay for a six-pack? Exactly. Don't get me wrong, be sure to know what the price is for everything and what's included because you are paying for it. Venues who sell liquor do charge more than what you would pay but the costs exist to cover the staff time it takes to order, inventory, stock, chill and serve product. We're not trying to gauge you, we're just trying to cover our costs and maintain a beautiful event space.
- What bartenders wear: If you are that concerned about the facility's ability to have staff in proper attire, I suggest you don't book the facility to start with. It's called professionalism and you should receive it without having to ask for it.
Regardless of what you ask, make sure you get:
-A list of product: Know everything that they carry in stock. Many venues offer multiple tiers of beverage. Even if you know you want house brand or premium brands, be sure to get a list of both options in case you want to mix and match.
-A list of prices: Before you ask for that top brand liquor, make sure you know your costs. Many places have different pricing levels and offer different billing options (hourly and consumption). By learning the prices, you can make the best decision for your group.
Now toast your new knowledge with a tasty drink!
Do ask about:
-Special orders: Did you guys bond over a certain type of beer? Or maybe your groom really loves a particular scotch? Even if you don't see it, ask if they can order it in. This normally comes at a premium price but if it's that important to you it may be worth it.
-Additional hour costs: Sometimes you'd like the party to keep going. Know all your costs for extending the bar before hand. If you extend your bar hours in advance, you can normally save a few hundred bucks!
-How many bartenders are provided: Every venue has a different formula for this, so ask up front. Also let your venue know the drinking level of the crowd so they staff appropriately. You may not mind your guests waiting in line, but they will mind. Take the boy scout attitude and be prepared!
- On anything you don't understand: Questions are key! Never stop asking questions, especially on beverage packages. The last thing you want is an unexpected bill.
Don't ask about:
- Why it costs X amount when you can buy it at the store for less: When you go to a bar, do you ask the bartender why that beer costs more than what you pay for a six-pack? Exactly. Don't get me wrong, be sure to know what the price is for everything and what's included because you are paying for it. Venues who sell liquor do charge more than what you would pay but the costs exist to cover the staff time it takes to order, inventory, stock, chill and serve product. We're not trying to gauge you, we're just trying to cover our costs and maintain a beautiful event space.
- What bartenders wear: If you are that concerned about the facility's ability to have staff in proper attire, I suggest you don't book the facility to start with. It's called professionalism and you should receive it without having to ask for it.
Regardless of what you ask, make sure you get:
-A list of product: Know everything that they carry in stock. Many venues offer multiple tiers of beverage. Even if you know you want house brand or premium brands, be sure to get a list of both options in case you want to mix and match.
-A list of prices: Before you ask for that top brand liquor, make sure you know your costs. Many places have different pricing levels and offer different billing options (hourly and consumption). By learning the prices, you can make the best decision for your group.
Now toast your new knowledge with a tasty drink!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
How to ask for a discount - part I
This is it. The BIG question. The thing my friends ask me the most about how to do right. How do you ask for a discount without sounding cheap AND get it?
There are several ways to bring down the cost of your event without sacrificing quality or burning bridges. Today I'm going to go over just one and I'll be honest, it's probably not the one you want to hear.
Change your date.
It's hard. You're battling family schedules, guest convenience, your dreams, and the weather. Trust me, as a vendor I get it, but I am not inclined to offer discounts on a Saturday in May. A Friday in August though? Now we're talking. Here's the quick of how adjusting your date can save you big.
1) Learn the peak seasons and avoid them. You know that spring wedding you've been dreaming of? So have a lot of other brides. Autumn is also a peak time with the cooling temperatures and fall colors. Shift your vision to the deep summer months (July/August) and deep winter months (January/February) and you'll have more date choices and ability to hussle a bargain. Remember - not all Saturdays are created equal.
2) Think outside the Saturday. Fridays and Sunday weddings are on the rise and for good reason! Everything from ceremony sites to cocktail bites tend to be a little cheaper on these days. You can always have a small, romantic Friday wedding and fill the weekend with activities for out of town guests. I am also a big fan of Sunday Brunch weddings where you can slash your food budget and alcohol budget without hurting anyone's feelings or stomachs.
3) Talk with your vendors about what dates they would be willing to discount. Go back to my article on asking questions if you have not read it yet (LINK). If you love a particular vendor and really want them but can't afford them, ask them which days they would be willing to work with you on. Prime dates do vary between vendors so you may be able to get a great deal on a great date just by asking.
There are several ways to bring down the cost of your event without sacrificing quality or burning bridges. Today I'm going to go over just one and I'll be honest, it's probably not the one you want to hear.
Change your date.
It's hard. You're battling family schedules, guest convenience, your dreams, and the weather. Trust me, as a vendor I get it, but I am not inclined to offer discounts on a Saturday in May. A Friday in August though? Now we're talking. Here's the quick of how adjusting your date can save you big.
1) Learn the peak seasons and avoid them. You know that spring wedding you've been dreaming of? So have a lot of other brides. Autumn is also a peak time with the cooling temperatures and fall colors. Shift your vision to the deep summer months (July/August) and deep winter months (January/February) and you'll have more date choices and ability to hussle a bargain. Remember - not all Saturdays are created equal.
2) Think outside the Saturday. Fridays and Sunday weddings are on the rise and for good reason! Everything from ceremony sites to cocktail bites tend to be a little cheaper on these days. You can always have a small, romantic Friday wedding and fill the weekend with activities for out of town guests. I am also a big fan of Sunday Brunch weddings where you can slash your food budget and alcohol budget without hurting anyone's feelings or stomachs.
3) Talk with your vendors about what dates they would be willing to discount. Go back to my article on asking questions if you have not read it yet (LINK). If you love a particular vendor and really want them but can't afford them, ask them which days they would be willing to work with you on. Prime dates do vary between vendors so you may be able to get a great deal on a great date just by asking.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Raise your hand in the air
I love questions! Questions means that you've really read over the sales materials and guidelines. No one should ever apologize for asking questions or needing clarifications. It also means you're communicating with me, which is even more important. I want to know what you're thinking and planning so I can assist with the logistics on my side.
I think clients sometimes refrain from asking questions because they either assume I will say no or they are afraid I will say no and rather ask for forgiveness than permission. Here's the problem with both of those lines of thinking:
1) Never assume anything! I am shocked at some of the things I have gotten passed through proper channels from banners hung in new locations to animals on property I didn't think we could have. I've taken some questions over my boss' head (with permission! I do like my job) and shocked her with the answers I get. It is always worth the ask, on your part and on mine. You have nothing to lose so ask me anything from the mundane to the ridiculous and let me surprise you with the answer.
2) Don't think I won't see what you're doing. It is always an awkward position when I have to say no to something that a client tries to sneak by. It makes you angry and offends me that you've tried, which makes me less likely to negotiate with you on other items. Happy vendors give better discounts - remember that. Then again, sometimes it really is an innocent mistake. Regardless of what brought us here, I always want to compromise but it's easier to find solutions that make both of us happy when we have a few months to plan instead of an hour.
In summary - Ask your vendors for the moon, if they're smart you'll get a beautiful picture.
I think clients sometimes refrain from asking questions because they either assume I will say no or they are afraid I will say no and rather ask for forgiveness than permission. Here's the problem with both of those lines of thinking:
1) Never assume anything! I am shocked at some of the things I have gotten passed through proper channels from banners hung in new locations to animals on property I didn't think we could have. I've taken some questions over my boss' head (with permission! I do like my job) and shocked her with the answers I get. It is always worth the ask, on your part and on mine. You have nothing to lose so ask me anything from the mundane to the ridiculous and let me surprise you with the answer.
2) Don't think I won't see what you're doing. It is always an awkward position when I have to say no to something that a client tries to sneak by. It makes you angry and offends me that you've tried, which makes me less likely to negotiate with you on other items. Happy vendors give better discounts - remember that. Then again, sometimes it really is an innocent mistake. Regardless of what brought us here, I always want to compromise but it's easier to find solutions that make both of us happy when we have a few months to plan instead of an hour.
In summary - Ask your vendors for the moon, if they're smart you'll get a beautiful picture.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Vendor Highlight - Photographers
Welcome to the start of a mini series I'm calling Vendor Highlights. Eventually I'll narrow this down to specific peeps, but right now I'm keeping my brush strokes broad. Let's start with a quick ditty on photographers.
I love photographers; they're a vendor's best friend because they make all of us look good. That and they tend to be pretty awesome people in general. Even if you care more about the music than the photos, be sure to put some time into booking this vendor - you're not going to be sharing your wedding playlist with your relatives and future children. So here are a few hints when your starting that process of booking a photographer:
1) Read their blog! Most photographers host an online gallery and a blog. While the gallery often showcases larger portfolios of a few weddings, the blogs are a smaller taste of more events. Add their blog to your RSS reader to get a feel of what type of work they currently do. Then let the photographer know what photos you like so they can better capture your day, your way. Not to mention, it's fun to indulge in some eye candy at work.
2) Keep searching through those blogs! Guess what else are in those photos? Venues, flower arrangements, cakes, bands, food, lighting, decor, you name it. Search for your other vendors in photographer's blogs. Maybe there's a great place for photos at your ceremony site that you never saw in your walkthrough. Or if you're trying to decide between different decor companies, get online and see the type of work they produce. Photographer blogs are the perfect place to see other vendors in action.
3) Talk to them about what matters to you. Did you know you can have a photographer at your rehearsal dinner? Or that you can have a private session with them to take pictures of you in your wedding dress weeks before the wedding? Photography doesn't have to happen between the ceremony start and reception end. Open up about the details and people you want captured so they can make a package that suites you.
Here's some blogs I enjoy to follow:
Picture This! Photographer - http://sandraandgreg.blogspot.com/
PWP Photos (corporate only now, but still fun to read)- http://pwpstudio.com/blog/
Fotographa-http://www.myfotographa.com/Blog/
I love photographers; they're a vendor's best friend because they make all of us look good. That and they tend to be pretty awesome people in general. Even if you care more about the music than the photos, be sure to put some time into booking this vendor - you're not going to be sharing your wedding playlist with your relatives and future children. So here are a few hints when your starting that process of booking a photographer:
1) Read their blog! Most photographers host an online gallery and a blog. While the gallery often showcases larger portfolios of a few weddings, the blogs are a smaller taste of more events. Add their blog to your RSS reader to get a feel of what type of work they currently do. Then let the photographer know what photos you like so they can better capture your day, your way. Not to mention, it's fun to indulge in some eye candy at work.
2) Keep searching through those blogs! Guess what else are in those photos? Venues, flower arrangements, cakes, bands, food, lighting, decor, you name it. Search for your other vendors in photographer's blogs. Maybe there's a great place for photos at your ceremony site that you never saw in your walkthrough. Or if you're trying to decide between different decor companies, get online and see the type of work they produce. Photographer blogs are the perfect place to see other vendors in action.
3) Talk to them about what matters to you. Did you know you can have a photographer at your rehearsal dinner? Or that you can have a private session with them to take pictures of you in your wedding dress weeks before the wedding? Photography doesn't have to happen between the ceremony start and reception end. Open up about the details and people you want captured so they can make a package that suites you.
Here's some blogs I enjoy to follow:
Picture This! Photographer - http://sandraandgreg.blogspot.com/
PWP Photos (corporate only now, but still fun to read)- http://pwpstudio.com/blog/
Fotographa-http://www.myfotographa.com/Blog/
Friday, August 13, 2010
And now, for my first trick....
In this day of email, twitter, and texting, the art of a good voice mail is disappearing. Not gone, but definitely more of a challenge than you would think! So here's a quick ditty about how to leave the ideal phone message when you are calling anyone
1) Quality, not quantity- It's great that you want to talk and share your event vision with me, but my voicemail is not the place to do it. Keep it short and sweet like your mama taught you.
2) What day is your event? - I promise I won't tie you down to it! It can be a range or it can be specific. Just let me know what you're thinking ( I know you have some idea if you're calling me) and if your flexible with it.
3) Guest count - This number is critical for me in determining if I can host your group or what spaces they fit in, but I'm convinced someone out there is telling people that every time you give this number an angel loses their wings. Once again, a range is acceptable, nay expected! I just need to know if you need a pontoon boat, a steam boat or a cruise boat to fit all your guests.
4) Most Important!!! - see how I put three exclamation marks there? That means this is three times more important than the other things. Please, say your phone number slowly and clearly. A lot of people speed through this part because while everything else is an uncertainty, this part they know; however, this is the one part I can not guess on. Saying it twice is even better, because sometimes the phone cuts out and I'm one digit short.
In short- be short, give dates because they're tasty fruit, tell them your favorite type of boat and resist the urge to say your phone number any faster than you can spell "mississippi".
1) Quality, not quantity- It's great that you want to talk and share your event vision with me, but my voicemail is not the place to do it. Keep it short and sweet like your mama taught you.
2) What day is your event? - I promise I won't tie you down to it! It can be a range or it can be specific. Just let me know what you're thinking ( I know you have some idea if you're calling me) and if your flexible with it.
3) Guest count - This number is critical for me in determining if I can host your group or what spaces they fit in, but I'm convinced someone out there is telling people that every time you give this number an angel loses their wings. Once again, a range is acceptable, nay expected! I just need to know if you need a pontoon boat, a steam boat or a cruise boat to fit all your guests.
4) Most Important!!! - see how I put three exclamation marks there? That means this is three times more important than the other things. Please, say your phone number slowly and clearly. A lot of people speed through this part because while everything else is an uncertainty, this part they know; however, this is the one part I can not guess on. Saying it twice is even better, because sometimes the phone cuts out and I'm one digit short.
In short- be short, give dates because they're tasty fruit, tell them your favorite type of boat and resist the urge to say your phone number any faster than you can spell "mississippi".
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Welcome
I've never been one for blogging. I can barely keep up with posting on Facebook and responding to invites on Linked In. Heck, I don't even have a Twitter account! But my co-workers are wonderful people and have inspired me to start a blog of my own.
The hardest part of blogging I thought would be finding a topic. My job is the one thing I would want to share stories from however, it was the first thing I thought of as taboo. But while I was driving into work this morning I thought "That just makes it more of a challenge!"
Instead of making this a ranting blog of bad experiences, I want to make this blog a place for new and future clients to learn how to navigate through one of the most emotional, stressful and rewarding events in their life. (I have to give a recently engaged buddy of mine props for that genius idea.) Names and dates will be omitted as I have personal and professional obligation to protect identities.Other than that, let the good times roll!
The hardest part of blogging I thought would be finding a topic. My job is the one thing I would want to share stories from however, it was the first thing I thought of as taboo. But while I was driving into work this morning I thought "That just makes it more of a challenge!"
Instead of making this a ranting blog of bad experiences, I want to make this blog a place for new and future clients to learn how to navigate through one of the most emotional, stressful and rewarding events in their life. (I have to give a recently engaged buddy of mine props for that genius idea.) Names and dates will be omitted as I have personal and professional obligation to protect identities.Other than that, let the good times roll!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)