8 • 2020 Wedding Guide
The preferred vendor By Jenni Bjurstrom
Wedding planner at Vision and Veils, member of State Street Bridal Suites
If you have met with a wedding vendor before, then you have more than likely heard the term “preferred vendor.” These businesses are usually promoted with pomp and circumstance, touted as being the best-ofthe-best vendors, based on their own personal experience. What does that actually mean for you? The good news is that they can be a very helpful way to discover other high quality vendors you might not have known about. Usually these preferred vendors are well-vetted, with the experience and high ratings expected in the industry. Unfortunately, there are times when this isn’t true. These preferred vendor lists can be based on many other factors such as monetary kick-backs, friendships, and anything but professionalism. How can you be sure that the recommended vendors listed or given to you are ones you should trust? How
do you know if you are falling for a scam? The first thing you should do before hiring any vendor is to look for reviews. Is this a new business? How many years of experience do they have? Have these vendors actually worked together before? Vendors who work well together are worth their weight in gold. For example, The State Street Bridal Suites in Saginaw are able to work together seamlessly as they have almost 5+ years of working alongside each other. They know the needs and wants of each other, and there is absolutely no vendor competition between them. They work together as if they are one group, and have a shared expectation of putting their focus on the clients above all else. Another red flag to look out for is how many preferred vendors are listed. If they list eight different photographers, chances are they are not listed out of true faith in that business. Vendors who recommend
one to two vendors in any category are usually doing so out of true admiration for their talent and their dedication to the wedding day. Many times, if many vendors are listed that person is receiving a kick-back. They recommend many photographers or videographers because they have an agreement to share their fee with each other. Preferred vendors should be given because they know they will deliver a quality product or service, and not because they will earn a bonus. With the knowledge above, you should ask what exactly makes that business stand out to them. Feel free to ask questions, and inquire about their experiences. Listen carefully for true experiences and not a general statement. It is very easy to say “They are amazing. I like to work with them.” If they can not give you a reason, then you should be wary. When I recommend my preferred DJ, I tell brides how he saved the wedding cake without the bride ever find-
ing out there was a problem. Noticing that the top tier had fallen, he went out of his way to contact the cake maker to come and fix the issue before the guests arrived. This attention to detail, even when it has nothing to do with his own image, is why he will continue to be on my preferred vendor list. He is not just “amazing.” He has proven time and time again he cares about the day going well, and not just himself. So should you ignore preferred vendor lists? Absolutely not. With the knowledge from above, and knowing what to ask, you will be able to find the perfect vendors who will work together to make your wedding perfect. Experienced wedding vendors will be able to list others that consistently give quality service. If you follow these guidelines, you can be sure that the preferred vendors are listed truly for their mutual shared expectations of excellence, and not solely for personal reasons.
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