Choosing Professionals for your Wedding!

So you're engaged!  Congratulations!  Now the planning begins!  There are so many vendors, how do you choose?  There are so many resources, which ones are the best?  Well, here's a few recommendations on how to plan and choose your wedding vendors:

1. Word of mouth - Ask your friends!  Chances are, you know a few people who have recently gotten married.  Ask them who they used.  They have personal experience.  I'm sure they would be more then happy to recommend some people who they were pleased with.  And, wedding professionals, always love recommendations!  It shows us we are doing a good job, when one bride was so pleased with our work that they suggested us to another.
   
2. Open Houses - Once you select your venue, most of them offer Open Houses.  Go to them!  First, they are a blast!  Second, they have vendors there.  Vendors who they work with on a daily basis and know their quality and professionalism.  Definitely look hard at their recommendations. 
   
3. The Big Shows - Yes, go to the Bridal Shows!  Yes, they are overwhelming.  Yes, they are busy.  But yes, they are quite fun!  Do your research before you go and make a list of several vendors you want to see.  There you can compare them side by side.  If you plan right, you can mark a lot off your to-do list.
4. Wedding Website's (knot, weddingwire, weddingbee, etc) - While I wouldn't use this as a main source, it's a good way to gather information.  By visiting these places you can learn which vendors are out there.  Visit their websites.  Usually you can get a good feel of that professional by their website and decide if you want to pursue them or cross them off your list.  It's also a good way to check out reviews.  If a vendor has all positive reviews, that could be a good thing, but it could be a little fishy as to the credibility of those reviews too.  If a company has many negative reviews, that is probably an indicator that they might not be the best place to go.  Target those with mainly positive, but a few negative reviews too.  No company has a 100% satisfaction with every bride.  Realize that and remember that those who aren't happy speak the loudest.  So, don't let a few bad reviews turn you off of a vendor you like, especially if they have a lot of positive reviews too.  If your concerned about a negative review, ask about it.  Professionals are more then happy to discuss any questions or concerns you might have.

Happy Wedding Planning!!!

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