I couldn’t have this be the “launch week” of the new ELD and NOT do a Thursday Tips post! It’s *what* I do! ;) So I welcome you to the little series of “5 Things To Know About…”! (I may post it on a day other than Thursday, but we’ll see. You’ll know if you keep coming back!) With the “busy season” upon us wedding pros, I thought I would just put a few things out there so everyone’s lives will be easier in the next few months. I’ve been over a few of these things in other posts, but let’s revisit them, shall we?

5 Things To Know About… VENDORS

1. If you call or email Thursday Friday through Sunday, chances are good that you won’t hear back until the following week. (Yes, maybe even Thursday- because in an effort to get “cheaper prices”, Thursday weddings are all the rage now.) It all depends on how many weddings your vendor has- if they have nothing, then SURPRISE, you’ll get a call back. But if they have a wedding Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, you’ll probably be getting a returned call/email on Monday. It’s just the way it is. I realize that that is a whole 3-4 days. If you are in need of an IMMEDIATE response, tell them that. They WILL get back to you. But if it’s just a general email/call, trust me, you don’t want your vendor responding to you when they’re at someone’s wedding… would you want them doing that at YOUR wedding?

2. Email is email. Flukes happen. I’ve seriously had people’s email not be able to come through to me because they cc’d someone. Weird. But things happen. So if it’s been a while since you’ve emailed and you haven’t heard back, call and leave a message. The phone still exists. :) On that note, if you know that your vendor receives your emails successfully, before you call, ask yourself, “Is this something I need an immediate answer to? Or can I email it?”

3. Contracts are important. I know, they’re mumbo jumbo and take 5 minutes to read, but read them. You’ll be aware of certain things like deadlines for telling your videographer what songs you want in your video, requirements for your band, or the importance of sticking to a timeline.

4.  Unfortunately, you’re not their only wedding. They wouldn’t be in business if you were their only wedding. There. I Said it. It’s the reality of things. :)

5. You’ve hired them, so trust them. Whoever it is, you hired them to do a job- let them do it. Don’t be at your reception venue while your florist/event designer is setting up, don’t ask photographers if they got a shot of the cake, etc etc. Trust them- they’re in business because they’re professionals. You’ll be a lot less stressed out if you just do that. :)

These are all very general things, but they definitely apply to just about every type of wedding vendor. Coming up I’ll do posts like this for more specific types of vendors, so keep an eye out! And don’t forget, if you have questions, feel free to ask away! :)

Want more wedding tips and insight? Check out ELD Wedding 101 for lots more posts!