Get it in writing. When I took Bus Law in college several years ago, I had the great fortune of having Bob Guenzel as my instructor. Bob said that "disagreements generally arise, not because the parties are dishonest, but because they don't communicate worth a darn (Bob was a 'tell it like it is' kind of guy).
So, avoid future frustrations and disagreements. Make sure you get all price quotes and so forth in writing. And, if a wedding vendor offers to throw in something extra, ask them to please write that on the price list, too. This is crucial, not because the vendor is dishonest. It is crucial because, as Mr. Guenzel said, sometimes people just don't communicate worth a darn.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Communication 001, Artful Negotiating
Is it ok to negotiate? Absolutely. In the Mid-west, there are not a lot of weddings going on between November and March. So, just like resorts, it is the off-season. You should be able to secure a discounted price.
Even in the summer months, it's ok to go for a deal. Vendors who fill specific dates would like to do just that, fill the date. There are a couple of cautions to keep in mind. First, be nice. This is a negotiation, not a haggling session. Second, be committed. Asking for a discount in your initial, e-mail inquiry is probably not going to work (unless they are desperate). Asking for a discount during your personal consultation, however, is very effective. But it is only effective if you are genuinely at a point where you are ready to close the transaction and sign the contract.
Even in the summer months, it's ok to go for a deal. Vendors who fill specific dates would like to do just that, fill the date. There are a couple of cautions to keep in mind. First, be nice. This is a negotiation, not a haggling session. Second, be committed. Asking for a discount in your initial, e-mail inquiry is probably not going to work (unless they are desperate). Asking for a discount during your personal consultation, however, is very effective. But it is only effective if you are genuinely at a point where you are ready to close the transaction and sign the contract.
Chemistry 001
Don't call your friends anonymously. If you have worked with a particular vendor before, let them know that when you make the initial contact. They will appreciate hearing from you again, and they will generally work to be extra accommodating.
Work with someone you would like to work with. Ok, that may sound redundant, but here's the thing. While your choice of a wedding vendor will be made based on talent, service, and price, also keep in mind that this is a person with whom you will be working on a very special day in your life... special and also somewhat stressful. If that vendor was a little difficult or rude during your consultation, it will only get worse at your wedding. So, choose someone that you feel will contribute to the general peace and sanity of your wedding day. Someone who will be polite and professional.
Work with someone you would like to work with. Ok, that may sound redundant, but here's the thing. While your choice of a wedding vendor will be made based on talent, service, and price, also keep in mind that this is a person with whom you will be working on a very special day in your life... special and also somewhat stressful. If that vendor was a little difficult or rude during your consultation, it will only get worse at your wedding. So, choose someone that you feel will contribute to the general peace and sanity of your wedding day. Someone who will be polite and professional.
Economics 001, Vendor Stability
I got some gift cards over the holidays. Maybe you did too. It reminded me of a news article that I read recently. The advice was to use the cards promptly while the company is still in business. Good idea.
The economic slow-down definitely affects how I choose the businesses that I work with long term. I get really cautious. So, here is how I minimize the possibility of getting burned.
I need to add that I'm talking about small businesses with whom I have a direct and extended relationship. For me, this might be a custom computer builder or a web management group. I've paid money for their services, and I'm hooked into their services, so if they go out of business, I'm out my deposits and the future services that I was counting on.
Here's the trick to avoiding disaster. I only work with services that have a business history of at least seven years. Why seven? Many small businesses fail within the first year. Most of them disappear within three years. Few of them last five years. By seven, they are at a point in their business cycle where they have the committment, the experience, and the financial solvency to ride out economic downslides.
If a business has been around for seven years, they are definitely committed to their particular mission. They are not going to say 'hey, this isn't as much fun or easy or profitable as I thought it was,' and walk away.
If a business has been around for seven years, they have been through an economic cycle before. They have survived before by developing strategies for dealing with economic downturns.
If a business has been around for seven years, they have developed a financial base for weathering out the storms. They have the cash reserve and the liquidity to perservere.
So, how do I know how long they've been in business? I casually ask. Or, I check with the Better Business Bureau. It's pretty easy and definitely worth my time.
So, when the economy gets shaky, as it is now, I protect myself and my money. I avoid the untested. I don't want to find out that the new guy with whom I made a long-term investment is no longer around. I stick with what is proven.
The economic slow-down definitely affects how I choose the businesses that I work with long term. I get really cautious. So, here is how I minimize the possibility of getting burned.
I need to add that I'm talking about small businesses with whom I have a direct and extended relationship. For me, this might be a custom computer builder or a web management group. I've paid money for their services, and I'm hooked into their services, so if they go out of business, I'm out my deposits and the future services that I was counting on.
Here's the trick to avoiding disaster. I only work with services that have a business history of at least seven years. Why seven? Many small businesses fail within the first year. Most of them disappear within three years. Few of them last five years. By seven, they are at a point in their business cycle where they have the committment, the experience, and the financial solvency to ride out economic downslides.
If a business has been around for seven years, they are definitely committed to their particular mission. They are not going to say 'hey, this isn't as much fun or easy or profitable as I thought it was,' and walk away.
If a business has been around for seven years, they have been through an economic cycle before. They have survived before by developing strategies for dealing with economic downturns.
If a business has been around for seven years, they have developed a financial base for weathering out the storms. They have the cash reserve and the liquidity to perservere.
So, how do I know how long they've been in business? I casually ask. Or, I check with the Better Business Bureau. It's pretty easy and definitely worth my time.
So, when the economy gets shaky, as it is now, I protect myself and my money. I avoid the untested. I don't want to find out that the new guy with whom I made a long-term investment is no longer around. I stick with what is proven.
Specialty Vendors, Calligraphy
Last summer, we covered the wedding of Kim Gewain and Ryan Cakerice. One of the people I became aquainted with from that wedding was Anne Sheedy. Anne is a delightful woman whose many talents include the art of calligraphy.
Most of Anne's work comes from referrals and from stationary stores in New York City, San Francisco, and Omaha. According to Anne, her clients are from all walks of life, fashion designers and event planners, construction workers and police officers, musicians and filmmakers.
Calligraphy is an art form, and as such, it takes years to perfect the skills and techniques. It also requires a true understanding of wedding protocol and etiquette.
Anne noted that "even with the most modest weddings, it is still feasible to hire a professional calligrapher to hand address some of your envelopes. The rest, you can do yourself or ask a close friend or relative with good handwriting to address." She adds, "When hiring a calligrapher to address envelopes, it's always a good idea to request a sample envelope. When you receive the envelope in the mail, you will have the same experience your guest will have."
At Kim and Ryan's wedding, we saw a beautiful guest book that Anne had created. She had also designed theme cards for the guest tables and a number of other interesting items.
Images of Anne's work are included in a feature article in 'Heartland Weddingpages' magazine (p.16-19/winter 2009 edition).
Her web address is weddingscribe.com.
Most of Anne's work comes from referrals and from stationary stores in New York City, San Francisco, and Omaha. According to Anne, her clients are from all walks of life, fashion designers and event planners, construction workers and police officers, musicians and filmmakers.
Calligraphy is an art form, and as such, it takes years to perfect the skills and techniques. It also requires a true understanding of wedding protocol and etiquette.
Anne noted that "even with the most modest weddings, it is still feasible to hire a professional calligrapher to hand address some of your envelopes. The rest, you can do yourself or ask a close friend or relative with good handwriting to address." She adds, "When hiring a calligrapher to address envelopes, it's always a good idea to request a sample envelope. When you receive the envelope in the mail, you will have the same experience your guest will have."
At Kim and Ryan's wedding, we saw a beautiful guest book that Anne had created. She had also designed theme cards for the guest tables and a number of other interesting items.
Images of Anne's work are included in a feature article in 'Heartland Weddingpages' magazine (p.16-19/winter 2009 edition).
Her web address is weddingscribe.com.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Specialty Vendors, Location Makeup Artist
So, your big day has arrived, and everything is ready. Dress, flowers, photographer. What about your makeup artist?
Ok, this is a little different in the Mid-west. But, on the coasts, an on-location makeup artist is a standard part of the bride's entourage. They make sure that she looks perfect throughout her day and on into the evening.
Here are some key points when you consider a makeup professional. A committed makeup artist will help you plan a regimen, well in advance of your wedding, for improving the natural beauty and condition of your skin.
A really good makeup artist understands the difference between daily makeup and makeup for film and photography. That's important because with incorrect technique, the bride's skin loses that natural radiance and glow in photos.
It's always a good idea to do a run-through consultation a month or so before the wedding. This will include an application of your bridal makeup. That way, there won't be any surprises on your wedding day.
Weddings run on a tight schedule. A good makeup artist will be thorough but also efficient. She or he will make sure that everything happens on time. So, in selection a makeup artist, extensive experience with weddings is a must.
The location artist that I have worked with most frequently is Natalie Bartling. Natalie's studio is called One Makeup Artistry ( onemakeupartistry.com ). And, she provides a variety of services including full day coverage. That's nice because the brides always look as perfect for their first dance as they did when they came down the aisle.
Ok, this is a little different in the Mid-west. But, on the coasts, an on-location makeup artist is a standard part of the bride's entourage. They make sure that she looks perfect throughout her day and on into the evening.
Here are some key points when you consider a makeup professional. A committed makeup artist will help you plan a regimen, well in advance of your wedding, for improving the natural beauty and condition of your skin.
A really good makeup artist understands the difference between daily makeup and makeup for film and photography. That's important because with incorrect technique, the bride's skin loses that natural radiance and glow in photos.
It's always a good idea to do a run-through consultation a month or so before the wedding. This will include an application of your bridal makeup. That way, there won't be any surprises on your wedding day.
Weddings run on a tight schedule. A good makeup artist will be thorough but also efficient. She or he will make sure that everything happens on time. So, in selection a makeup artist, extensive experience with weddings is a must.
The location artist that I have worked with most frequently is Natalie Bartling. Natalie's studio is called One Makeup Artistry ( onemakeupartistry.com ). And, she provides a variety of services including full day coverage. That's nice because the brides always look as perfect for their first dance as they did when they came down the aisle.
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