THE WEDDING EXPERT
THE 8 QUESTIONS YOU MUST ASK EACH WEDDING SUPPLIER BEFORE BOOKING THEM!
The Wedding Expert | Bláithín O' Reilly Murphy
The 8 Must Ask Questions BEFORE Booking Any Wedding Supplier
Kudos on your upcoming nuptials! I bet this is an exciting { and perhaps a little daunting } time for you both. As a seasoned Wedding Planner { and former Bride } I know exactly how you are feeling! But believe me; it will all turn out right on the day! Especially if you ask my ‘8 must ask questions before booking any Wedding Suppliers’ of each company and individual you are considering working with! And remember, if it all gets too much for you, you can always hire me and save yourself time, stress and money and have the magical dream day you’ve always wanted! I make planning your dream wedding fun and easy! 1. How many weddings do you do per year? How much experience do you have? This is an extremely important question; here you are trying to identify two things: 1. How much experience they have; ideally, your wedding professional should have ample experience specifically with weddings. Not only will this ensure they are more skilled in their craft, this also makes them a valuable source of information and ensures that your wedding day goes smoothly. 2. It will also identify how much time in advance or, during and after your wedding day they will have for you. Obviously for some wedding suppliers you won’t need much of their time; but say if a Photographer says he does 100 weddings a year and you know he is a one man band you have to wonder about the quality of his work and whether he will be available in advance to discuss your wedding and how long it will be before he has time to do your album. 2.
How much do you cost?
Price is often relative, especially when you factor in experience, reputation and expert skill. Generally, the most talented professionals have a higher price tag because [generally] they are worth it. As the saying goes; you get what you pay for and when obtaining quotes be sure that you are actually comparing apples with apples and not apples and oranges. Some wedding prices are just too good to be true; fact! I always suggest that you compare at the very least 3 suppliers in every category you are considering. 3.
How much is the deposit?
For the most part you will be expect to pay a deposit and this is a good thing, it is an extra security feature when booking a wedding supplier. Deposits can range from €50 up to €1500, or perhaps beyond.
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The 8 Must Ask Questions BEFORE Booking Any Wedding Supplier
Whenever you do pay a deposit, mostly likely on signing a contract [see point 6], make sure that you absolutely get a receipt!
4.
What specifically is included in that cost?
Because packages often vary, it’s likely that you won’t be able to compare one vendor exactly to the next without doing a little figuring. The lowest cost isn’t necessarily the best deal; some higher quotes include services that you have to pay extra for in other packages. Make sure you take this into account.
5.
What happens if I cancel?
What happens if you cancel? Find out if your deposit is refundable under any conditions. Will you have to pay any additional fees or charges depending when you cancel. Ask what happens in the unfortunate event you have to postpone. And, what happens if the shoe is on the other foot, if for some reason they are unable to fulfil the book contract/service. Does the wedding supplier have a back-up plan if something happens to them? 6.
Do you use a contract?
If the answer is No, RUN! A contract is designed to protect both you and the wedding supplier. Don’t settle for a verbal agreement that won’t hold up in court. Some suppliers may not refer to it as a contract but perhaps a booking form or receipt. It doesn't matter what they call it. What you are looking for is a piece of paper that you all sign that details everything around the service/ product being provided, the terms of the contract, i.e. payment details/ schedules, start and finish times, cancelation policies, who is responsible for what etc. It's also important to remember that the contract is there to protect you both. If there is a clause or amendment you wish to have added, discuss it with the supplier and don't sign until you are 100% happy.
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The 8 Must Ask Questions BEFORE Booking Any Wedding Supplier
7.
Are there any additional fees?
VAT, service charges and travel fees can add up quickly. Make sure you understand exactly what is included and if there are any other fees you’ll have to pay. This should be clearly defined in your contract. 8.
Do you carry liability insurance?
The answer you’re looking for here is Yes. This protects you in case an unfortunate accident should occur on your wedding day. It’s also a sign that this is a reputable business, since most “weekend wedding suppliers” don’t invest in insurance. In addition to liability insurance you should also ask if they meet all { legal } requirements to operate as ‘…….’ and provide the service they offer. – Even ‘questionable’ individuals can look and sound valid.
Best of Luck with your Wedding Plans! If you ever have any questions, concerns or would like to know about hiring me to ensure you have the wedding day you’ve always dreamt of please do get in touch! Warmly Bláithín Tel: 00 353 87 919 0722
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Email: blaithin@theweddingexpert.ie
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