Why Customer Service Will Always be King

{Source}

Before I start introducing you to our vendors and explain why we chose them, I'm going to cut right to the chase: for me, nothing beats top-notch service.

I mean let's face it, planning a wedding is stressful enough.  Mix in a vendor that won't return your calls or who tries to push you into upgrading beyond your budget and you've got a recipe for disaster.  Not only is it an unnecessary headache, but frankly, it's something I refuse to tolerate.

That's why before I even consider a vendor, I check to see whether they're reviewed anywhere. WeddingWire, the Better Business Bureau, and word of mouth are all great ways to scope out prospective vendors.  Unsure of who to ask?  Hit up any of your old classmates who may have recently gotten married.  Or have your mom or dad ask around their workplace for referrals.  Check out your local forums on wedding planning sites and see if there are reviews.  Or if you've already booked a vendor you trust, ask whether there's anyone they'd recommend.  Photographers, caterers, florists, etc. interact with other vendors all the time and are bound to have great insider tips.

Still can't narrow it down?  Here's my advice:  If I'm trying to decide between two companies, I'll email both of them an inquiry regarding my date's availability and the packages they provide.  A prompt reply is a good sign, but it isn't the only factor to consider.  Ask follow-up questions - the more specific the better.  Does the package include xx, how do you define copyright release, what if I need to change my package after I've made a deposit, do you charge extra for xx, etc.  There were several vendors who were eager to show pictures of their work and were quick to warn that dates were filling up quickly!  However, after a few well-chosen questions I could definitely tell who was just trying to make a sale, and who was actually committed to providing good service.

I've used this strategy when booking all of our vendors so far, and even though it's still early in the game, I've got to say I'm pretty stoked about the team we've assembled.  There was more than one vendor that B and I were convinced would be perfect for us, based on their websites and advertisements.  After interacting with them at bridal shows and via email, however, I realized it just wasn't going to be a good fit.

I like to think I'm fairly good at reading people (I was a psyc major, what can I say?!), so if I'm getting a bad vibe from someone, I go with my gut, even if it means saying goodbye to my dream vendor.  The first time it happened, it was tough to let go of what I thought I wanted, but since then I've realized it's far better to cut my losses now than to regret the decision later.

Do you have any vendor horror stories?  What did you learn from them?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P.S. I'm aware that there is a lot of "I" and "me" in this post regarding the selection of vendors.  I'm usually very careful about this, because it's not "my" wedding, it's "ours" - however, the bulk of the vendor selection has been my responsibility.  B is a busy grad student, lives 900 miles away, and is not in a position to interact with our vendors.  He trusts me and my instincts.  We always discuss the options before booking anyone, but most of the leg work is handled by me.  So while this post may seem ego-centric, it's simply reflective of our situation. 

Just wanted to make that clear for the sake of keeping it real!