This is the third part of our six-part series on wedding receptions. Previously, we have discussed the setting of your event and getting your vendors to work together as a team for enhanced results. In this issue, we will focus on how your behavior can affect your vendors' behavior and how to be their number one client. In turn, this will cause them to treat both you and your event with extra special care. All views expressed are my sole opinion based upon my 7 years of experience performing at receptions as a professional entertainer and entertainment consultant.
HOW TO BE YOUR VENDORS' MOST IMPORTANT VIP CLIENT
Keep in Contact: This is the single most important thing to keep your vendors working to their full potential. If you have questions or concerns, then call your vendors and ask them. The more contact you have with your vendors the better. They will get to know you better and will become better acquainted with your likes and dislikes. Think of a reason to contact your vendors at least once a month. Make sure that there is a clear purpose to your contact so that you do not become a nuisance (although annoying clients often receive special treatment as well). Your goal is to keep on the top of your vendors' minds and constant contact is the best way to achieve that. Do not book an event 12 months before it happens and save all the planning for the month of. While this can turn out fine, you are missing out on a great deal of potential planning and special attention. You are paying your vendors for their knowledge and expertise so you should put it to good use.
Keep address/phone info current: This may seem obvious but if you are going to be moving, then let your vendors know well in advance. It is just as important for them to be able to get in touch with you as it is for you to get in touch with them. If you do not keep them informed and something important happens they may not be able to let you know. Also, make sure that the vendor has the bride and groom's addresses, all phone numbers, email addresses, etc. The more ways they have to get in touch with you, the more likely they are to use one. In addition, please give your vendors the address you can be reached at after your event. Many vendors will follow-up with surveys and other important news. Keep your vendors posted of any and all address changes.
Your Attitude: This is a major topic of importance. All vendors have clients that they love to work for and ones that they wish they had not accepted work from. You want to be one of the best clients, who the vendor loves. When you are, your vendors will bend over backwards for you without you even asking. This is how you get VIP treatment. Most wedding vendors are in this business because they enjoy what they do. If you are an enjoyable client, then your vendor will probably do pretty much whatever you ask because they will take personal responsibility for your event as a 'friend' rather than a client. Being courteous, friendly, and as laid back as possible will go a long way in getting the VIP treatment.
Work with Them: Here is a major shift in perspective for some brides. You should think of your vendors as working with you to improve your event as opposed to working for you. Similar to the vendor team discussed in Article II, you also form a team with your vendor. You must work cooperatively with them to get the best possible results.
Help them help you: Along with the idea of cooperation, you should help your vendors. Make it easier for them to help you. This means that you should perform any simple tasks you can and leave the major ones for them. Do as much planning as you can and then have them review your planning. Make sure your questions are very clear so that they can understand you and provide the right responses the first time. The easier you make it for them to help you, the more effective help you will receive. Cater to their needs and they will cater to yours.
Be an Asset to Them: Give your vendors a reason to value your business. Let them know that you have other friends who are getting married and you would be happy to recommend their services to your friends if the vendor performs well. DO NOT THREATEN THEM. This does not work in the converse manner where you threaten to tell people if something bad happens. If you are thinking this way, then you hired the wrong vendor in the first place. If you have engaged couples that will be attending your event, then make sure you let the vendors know. All of a sudden, they are performing for you and auditioning for many others. This will definitely make them work a little harder. Make sure you follow through on your promises if they perform well. You may also want to take a few seconds to introduce the vendor to your engaged friends at some point in the night. This goodwill will provide you and your friends with the best service/product possible.
In the previous article I mentioned how all this information is useless if you do not use it. This cannot be truer. Put your new knowledge to work for you and sit back and let the results come back. I am sure you will be more than pleased and get more than you expect if you follow my methods and concepts to create the Ultimate Wedding Reception.
As always, if you have any questions on your particular event please feel free to email me here or call my toll free office number at 877-504-0186. I will do my best to answer any questions and help you in any way possible. All events deserve to be the best they can be.
