Preferred Wedding Vendors
This has been on my mind quite a bit lately and is a hot topic with
many local wedding vendors and clients.
Every week I hear from new vendors who have just moved to Austin
or those that are just getting started in their businesses. I am offered
a percentage of their booking if I send them my brides. Yes, I could
be receiving an additional $150 or $500 from each vendor, but that is
not how I choose my vendors and it's not the best way to make sure
your wedding is a dream come true. I always decline and explain to
the vendors that I have a fantastic preferred vendor list that I have
created solely from vendors that I have actually worked with and
those that I can whole heartedly recommend to my brides due to my
past experience with them.
Vendors can not buy their way onto my list and my brides trust the
vendors that I have recommended to them.
There are so many fantastic bakers, photographers, florists, etc. in
Austin that I have built relationships with over the past 15 years in
Austin. They know how important my reputation is to me and they
want to continue receiving not only recommendations from me, but
also hopefully from your wedding guests because of the fantastic job
they did for you.
If they have delivered a quality product, great customer service and
made my brides happy they are put on my list. If the vendors do not
deliver the quality my brides expect and do not attempt to rectify the
situation that may have occurred, then they are removed from my
preferred vendor list. It's very simple.
A recent example of my policy is when I worked with a photographer
(Melissa of Hemera Nyx) as a second shooter at several weddings
that Tyler Schmitt was shooting for me. I got to know her personality,
photo style and how she presented herself. One of my brides interviewed
her and hired her for her upcoming August wedding. Although it wasn't a
direct recommendation, I was comfortable with Melissa on the wedding
day and with her professionalism after wards enough to add her to my
preferred vendor list.
When vendors pay commissions in order to be recommended and
coordinators accept commissions in order to recommend the vendor
it clouds or tarnishes the recommendation. I ask my vendors to pass
the savings onto my clients by offering them a discount since we are
working together.
The only exception in regards to vendors and commissions is with
travel consultations or agents. A commission is their form of payment
and is clearly an upfront arrangement they have with airlines and hotels.
Their opinions are not tainted because it's not just a bonus payment.
So, to the father of the bride and the groom who couldn't believe I don't
accept "kick backs" because "Why not, it's basically free money", it's
a choice that I have made as a business owner. Not all companies have
the same philosophy as I do. To me, being unique is good for business.
Happy planning,
Barbara
www.barbarasbrides.com
many local wedding vendors and clients.
Every week I hear from new vendors who have just moved to Austin
or those that are just getting started in their businesses. I am offered
a percentage of their booking if I send them my brides. Yes, I could
be receiving an additional $150 or $500 from each vendor, but that is
not how I choose my vendors and it's not the best way to make sure
your wedding is a dream come true. I always decline and explain to
the vendors that I have a fantastic preferred vendor list that I have
created solely from vendors that I have actually worked with and
those that I can whole heartedly recommend to my brides due to my
past experience with them.
Vendors can not buy their way onto my list and my brides trust the
vendors that I have recommended to them.
There are so many fantastic bakers, photographers, florists, etc. in
Austin that I have built relationships with over the past 15 years in
Austin. They know how important my reputation is to me and they
want to continue receiving not only recommendations from me, but
also hopefully from your wedding guests because of the fantastic job
they did for you.
If they have delivered a quality product, great customer service and
made my brides happy they are put on my list. If the vendors do not
deliver the quality my brides expect and do not attempt to rectify the
situation that may have occurred, then they are removed from my
preferred vendor list. It's very simple.
A recent example of my policy is when I worked with a photographer
(Melissa of Hemera Nyx) as a second shooter at several weddings
that Tyler Schmitt was shooting for me. I got to know her personality,
photo style and how she presented herself. One of my brides interviewed
her and hired her for her upcoming August wedding. Although it wasn't a
direct recommendation, I was comfortable with Melissa on the wedding
day and with her professionalism after wards enough to add her to my
preferred vendor list.
When vendors pay commissions in order to be recommended and
coordinators accept commissions in order to recommend the vendor
it clouds or tarnishes the recommendation. I ask my vendors to pass
the savings onto my clients by offering them a discount since we are
working together.
The only exception in regards to vendors and commissions is with
travel consultations or agents. A commission is their form of payment
and is clearly an upfront arrangement they have with airlines and hotels.
Their opinions are not tainted because it's not just a bonus payment.
So, to the father of the bride and the groom who couldn't believe I don't
accept "kick backs" because "Why not, it's basically free money", it's
a choice that I have made as a business owner. Not all companies have
the same philosophy as I do. To me, being unique is good for business.
Happy planning,
Barbara
www.barbarasbrides.com
Posted by Barbara at 9/3/2009 10:31 AM 
Categories: Wedding Facts
Tags: Bad experiences Austin wedding coordinators Austin wedding planners good wedding vendors
Categories: Wedding Facts
Tags: Bad experiences Austin wedding coordinators Austin wedding planners good wedding vendors
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