Do You Need To feed Your Vendors?
Absolutely!

The usual vendors that are with you all day or a large portion of your day are photographers, videographers, DJs, and Wedding Coordinators. Sometimes they may have assistants who will also need a meal or snack. If you are celebrating your Wedding with a full Ceremony, cocktail hour and evening dinner Reception, then you may need to include a traveling snack pack for the Vendors, as well as an evening meal.

Make sure to double check with your Vendors if providing a meal is part of the arrangement. You should have something in writing to this effect, as well as guidelines for non-alcoholic drinks only. Most professional Vendors will abstain from all alcohol, but it is worth checking.

A few years ago, I had a client who called one day to ask my opinion on "an awkward situation". This Bride had booked me and during one of our meetings, she wanted to know if I had any direct experience with a particular Wedding Vendor (non floral related).

I said I had and asked her why?

A discussion ensued whereby I was informed about how the Bride was getting cold feet for one of her Vendors and second guessing her choice. The Bride had already paid a deposit and felt that the customer service she was receiving was not up to par. The Wedding Vendor in question was not returning e-mails, was dismissive in telephone communications and seemed not interested.

Because I had nothing but respect and admiration for my colleague, it put me in a difficult situation, as I was privy to some personal information about the Vendor which may have been the reason they were acting less than professional. I advised the Bride to bring up her concerns in her next phone call and try to get to the source of the uneasiness. They ended up sorting it out and the Bride's day was beautiful!

If you are having an issue with a Wedding Vendor, make it a priority to sort it out sooner rather than later. Realize that Vendors are people too, and can have off days. Take extra time at the beginning of your organization process to do thorough research on your Vendors and comparison shop. And don't forget to ask for references of past Brides.

I have a request of my audience.....please e-mail me or make a comment with ANY ideas/questions you have regarding your wedding. I want to make sure that everyone knows I am approachable and willing to tailor my content as dictated by my membership. If you have any suggestions on areas of your Wedding day that you want me to explore, please let me know.

If what you want to know is un-related to Flowers at your Wedding Ceremony or Wedding Reception, I have loads of experience in all areas of planning your Wedding. JUST ASK!

If you don't feel comfortable adding a comment, then send an e-mail.

I also wanted to take a moment and thank all of you who have been watching and reading my blog. I am so happy to be getting the word out and helping so many of you.

Thanks also to all you RSS feed members.

Michelle

Next weekend, on Saturday, March 14th and Sunday, March 15th, BloomRoom is participating in "VEIL", a unique Bridal Show that is free for Brides. A small group of vendors get together for an informal visit with Brides. Come meet some of the best in the industry - we are here to answer your questions without all the usual Bridal Show hub bub.

March 14th, "VEIL" is at the studio of BloomRoom in North Vancouver, and
on March 15th, you can find us in Steveston at Gudrun Fromagerie. Each day has different vendors, so you are welcome to visit either day at the different locations.

I have included two invites below for the different days & locations.

Although the show is free, you must register by e-mail to
weddings@marlissproductions.com

Link: http://www.vignettesstudio.com/index.html

If you're looking for only the best, most creative designer for your wedding invitations, check out Lois Kelly at Vignettes Studio. Lois has been creating custom design work for Brides & Grooms for many years and has vast experience.

Vignettes offers expanded services to include place cards, menus, table numbers, thank-you cards, wine bottle labels and so much more. Your imagination can fly high and go places with Lois on your team.

If you are tired of seeing the same designs out there, and want to work with a professional that will help you design a unique and beautiful invitation that is a true reflection of you and your partner, look no further that Vignettes Studio.

Floral Designers: Studio Based vs. Retail Stores

There are many floral designers out there.
We usually fall into one of two categories; retail or studio based.

Here’s some positives and negatives of both...

Retail florists range from your corner store that provides flowers to go to the high end floral shop with all the latest trends and funk. Retailers can offer a vast array of flowers to “play” with in your first meeting. They have the blooms at their fingertips and in their coolers to show you what certain combinations look like. They usually deal in volume, so sometimes the costs can be less for wedding flowers. Add these plusses to their established and continual relationships to wholesalers, and it could be a winning combination for you.....But with floral designers that are retail based, know this - they can be BUSY, BUSY, BUSY with their regular store orders and walk-ins.

They may miss the finer details necessary for a fabulous show of flowers the day of your wedding. Retail florists may also have limited times they can meet. Some retail florists offer delivery only for wedding flowers and no set up or transfer from ceremony to reception of your flowers. If you are considering a retail florist to design your wedding flowers, make sure that they have vast experience in weddings - from on site set up, to transport of volume (vs. just one of arrangements), set up for weddings are a highly specialized skill.

Studio based floral designers usually have private, by-appointment only spaces where they meet with clients and create their designs. Some do not have regular flower stock to show you, and if they are a newer business with fewer years of established relations with wholesalers and growers, then you may not get the cheapest price. Many studio based floral designers are specialists in their niche (ie, special events &/or weddings only) and do not offer services or designs for walk-ins. This means they usually will have more time to spend with you - many will offer after hours and weekend meeting times - a BIG plus when you are planning your wedding. Another plus with a studio based designer is that they will most likely have vast “onsite” experience at different venues for weddings.

Let’s talk Bridezilla.

Bridezilla: I dislike the term, plain and simple.

It conjures up images of Brides running around like screaming mimis - yelling, pouting and bearing their “all about me attitude” in its most raw state. A couple of years ago there was a special TV documentary on Bridezillas. I tuned in and watched as vendors were put in their place, family members found themselves in the eye of the storm and the Brides went ballistic when the smallest of things went wrong. A bunch of spoiled brats and princesses darted across the screen. The whole premise of the show made me cringe so I promptly turned it off.

I have never met a Bridezilla (as depicted in the TV documentary) - I’m lucky - in close to 17 years I’ve had minimal moronic spastics as clients. But I'll be honest - there have been a few along the way that have worn on my patience.

I had a few quick conversations with other Wedding Vendors about this and here's what they came up with - five qualities that may suggest a "less-than-desirable-Bride".

In the broadest sense, Brides considered high maintenance are ones who exhibit the following behaviour(s);

1. They are always late to appointments...
This excuses the five or ten minute latecomers - I'm talking 20 minutes plus...

2. They have champagne tastes on a beer budget...
You have to start somewhere in your vision for your Wedding - but be realistic...if you know that a $ 10K budget for your Wedding Flowers is not possible, then don't expect the "Preston Bailey" over the top designer look...

3. They are inflexible
Allow yourself to think outside of the box and really listen to your vendor's suggestions - we are professionals and may have a great idea to save you time and money...

4. They demand alot of your time....
Remember that most Wedding Vendors have multiple clients and in order for us to best service all our clients, time is valuable....as is your time...

5. They can’t make up their mind on anything....
This usually happens to a small degree with most Brides, especially in the beginning stages of organizing - at some point you need to decide on things...

Of course all of us have exhibited some of these traits at some point in our lives, but the accumulation of this energy prevents us vendors of doing our absolute BEST for you Brides. There is an Art to bringing together your Vendors, style, vision and long list of wants for your Wedding, without it becoming a stressful exercise.