DJ Rockin Steve
11-30-2011, 06:45 PM
Although some of these are more pertinent to some wedding professionals than others, I'm sure you will get the idea.
Always remember, this is your wedding. Discuss with your professionals what you would like and they should advise you on the best path to achieve your desires. Anyone who tries to dissuade you, without reason, may not be your best choice.
First discuss with your fiancé', and the family what you would like in regards to your wedding. Create a "priority" list and try to stick with it. Put together a budget and leave room for those unexpected expenses.
In my opinion you should look at the big picture. Go to bride shows, look at magazines and search the web. Cut out of magazines and brochures items you like. Just don't get carried away and buried in indecision later on.
Now, select a date to be married and be sure your church, or place the ceremony will be held, is available along with the officiant.
Do the same with the location for your reception. Next begin the process of finding the remaining professionals to make your wedding day everything it can be, and better than you could have dreamed of. I believe if you choose the right professionals, and allow them to do what they do best, you and your guests will have a wonderful time. Give everyone something to talk about for years to come....in a good way of course.
Below are some items to consider when meeting your professionals. I suggest beginning with those that will have the greatest impact upon you and your guests and work from there. If you start to run tight on your budget you don't want to change the chicken to hot dogs.
1. Do you have my date available, and if so, may we meet to discuss the details of your service?
2. How long have you been in this business?
3. How many weddings do you do in an average weekend, and have you worked at my wedding location before?
4. Will you be involved in another event on my day? (musicians, dj's (http://web.mac.com/djrockinsteve/DJ_Rockin_Steve_Credo/Home.html), photographers, officiants etc.) or
in the case of venues, will there be another event held in "my room" on my wedding day? What happens if they run late?
5. What sets you apart from "all the others"?
6. Do you offer any other services that I may be interested in?
7. How far in advance do I need to book your services? In the case of photographers, videographers, disc jockeys (http://web.mac.com/djrockinsteve/DJ_Rockin_Steve_Credo/Home.html) etc., they can only do one event at a time. Basically it is
a first come, first serve basis. With bakery's, florists etc., they are capable of multiple events per day but they too have a limit.
8. May I have a few references to contact for a referral? This would refer to "recent" brides, not last years.
9. Do you provide "back up" in the event they should become incapacitated to work on your day? Being a true professional means they have long ago devised
a plan for the worst case scenario. Disc Jockey's (http://web.mac.com/djrockinsteve/DJ_Rockin_Steve_Credo/Home.html), photographers, videographers etc., do you have back up equipment and is it "adequate" or comparable to your
main equipment? Will it be on location or in you vehicle? Precious time can be lost while a vendor has to run outside to grab it.
10. May I/we come see you perform, or in the case of a church/reception hall, see an event similar to what we are considering for ourselves? Keep in mind if you go to see someone at another formal affair it is not an invitation to wander in and help yourself to a few drinks. Many events are held in an area where you can walk by and view thru the open doors the goings-on of the evening. Dress appropriately and be respectful. Do not bother the event performer. They are not there to impress you but to provide the best they can for their bride and groom. Keep an open mind. You are only seeing a tiny piece of the day and timelines don't always go exactly as planned.
11. Do you have a contract and is everything you have discussed, in the document? What will it cost me and if we should decide to use your services longer,
how much more will it be? Is there a deadline to notify you that we have decided to go longer? Do you accept cash, checks, credit cards? What is the total, deposit, and when are the balances due?
A word of warning. Anyone who tries to convince you that you do not need a contract, or does not use a contract should be given serious consideration before choosing them. If it isn't in writing it can't be enforced. This day is way to important to risk to verbal commitments. Get it in writing and review carefully before you sign. Both you and your fiancé names should be on the contract. Should one of you decide to call it quits instead of getting married you don't want to be left paying for the entire wedding.
These are just a few of the many things to consider and each area of expertise comes with their own specific questions. Ask around of others who had their wedding at a specific location or used a persons services, and if they were happy. If they had to "do it all again", would they do it the same. Always be sure to ask why as there may be extenuating circumstances regarding their decisions.
If at anytime you do not feel comfortable with a location or with someone there may be a good reason. I always recommend to couples I meet with, to meet others and the person or persons they feel the most comfortable with, is probably their best decision.
I hope this has/will help you in choosing the right professional(s) to make your special day, the day of your dreams.
Always remember, this is your wedding. Discuss with your professionals what you would like and they should advise you on the best path to achieve your desires. Anyone who tries to dissuade you, without reason, may not be your best choice.
First discuss with your fiancé', and the family what you would like in regards to your wedding. Create a "priority" list and try to stick with it. Put together a budget and leave room for those unexpected expenses.
In my opinion you should look at the big picture. Go to bride shows, look at magazines and search the web. Cut out of magazines and brochures items you like. Just don't get carried away and buried in indecision later on.
Now, select a date to be married and be sure your church, or place the ceremony will be held, is available along with the officiant.
Do the same with the location for your reception. Next begin the process of finding the remaining professionals to make your wedding day everything it can be, and better than you could have dreamed of. I believe if you choose the right professionals, and allow them to do what they do best, you and your guests will have a wonderful time. Give everyone something to talk about for years to come....in a good way of course.
Below are some items to consider when meeting your professionals. I suggest beginning with those that will have the greatest impact upon you and your guests and work from there. If you start to run tight on your budget you don't want to change the chicken to hot dogs.
1. Do you have my date available, and if so, may we meet to discuss the details of your service?
2. How long have you been in this business?
3. How many weddings do you do in an average weekend, and have you worked at my wedding location before?
4. Will you be involved in another event on my day? (musicians, dj's (http://web.mac.com/djrockinsteve/DJ_Rockin_Steve_Credo/Home.html), photographers, officiants etc.) or
in the case of venues, will there be another event held in "my room" on my wedding day? What happens if they run late?
5. What sets you apart from "all the others"?
6. Do you offer any other services that I may be interested in?
7. How far in advance do I need to book your services? In the case of photographers, videographers, disc jockeys (http://web.mac.com/djrockinsteve/DJ_Rockin_Steve_Credo/Home.html) etc., they can only do one event at a time. Basically it is
a first come, first serve basis. With bakery's, florists etc., they are capable of multiple events per day but they too have a limit.
8. May I have a few references to contact for a referral? This would refer to "recent" brides, not last years.
9. Do you provide "back up" in the event they should become incapacitated to work on your day? Being a true professional means they have long ago devised
a plan for the worst case scenario. Disc Jockey's (http://web.mac.com/djrockinsteve/DJ_Rockin_Steve_Credo/Home.html), photographers, videographers etc., do you have back up equipment and is it "adequate" or comparable to your
main equipment? Will it be on location or in you vehicle? Precious time can be lost while a vendor has to run outside to grab it.
10. May I/we come see you perform, or in the case of a church/reception hall, see an event similar to what we are considering for ourselves? Keep in mind if you go to see someone at another formal affair it is not an invitation to wander in and help yourself to a few drinks. Many events are held in an area where you can walk by and view thru the open doors the goings-on of the evening. Dress appropriately and be respectful. Do not bother the event performer. They are not there to impress you but to provide the best they can for their bride and groom. Keep an open mind. You are only seeing a tiny piece of the day and timelines don't always go exactly as planned.
11. Do you have a contract and is everything you have discussed, in the document? What will it cost me and if we should decide to use your services longer,
how much more will it be? Is there a deadline to notify you that we have decided to go longer? Do you accept cash, checks, credit cards? What is the total, deposit, and when are the balances due?
A word of warning. Anyone who tries to convince you that you do not need a contract, or does not use a contract should be given serious consideration before choosing them. If it isn't in writing it can't be enforced. This day is way to important to risk to verbal commitments. Get it in writing and review carefully before you sign. Both you and your fiancé names should be on the contract. Should one of you decide to call it quits instead of getting married you don't want to be left paying for the entire wedding.
These are just a few of the many things to consider and each area of expertise comes with their own specific questions. Ask around of others who had their wedding at a specific location or used a persons services, and if they were happy. If they had to "do it all again", would they do it the same. Always be sure to ask why as there may be extenuating circumstances regarding their decisions.
If at anytime you do not feel comfortable with a location or with someone there may be a good reason. I always recommend to couples I meet with, to meet others and the person or persons they feel the most comfortable with, is probably their best decision.
I hope this has/will help you in choosing the right professional(s) to make your special day, the day of your dreams.