It’s the age old Bridal question – how does one choose one vendor over another?

Brides and Grooms agonize over decisions – and it’s really hard.

Let’s first start by talking about a few criteria that couple’s are using.  Then, we will talk about how I help my couple’s choose.

So, how do couples choose between vendors?

1.  Price – a big one.  With two vendors seeming pretty equal, they go with the cheaper one (price wise).

2.  Work ethic.  Couples will go with the one that seemingly will work harder for them

3.  Best Value – seemingly.  If photographer A gives 8 hours service for $4,000.00 and Photographer B offers 8 hours service, 1-8X10, 10-5X7’s, and 50-4X6’s for $4,000.00 – it’s not difficult to see who many couple’s would choose, no?

How Lisa Chooses between vendors

1.  Service – the biggest one.  I want someone who is going to treat me well – no matter how much I am spending.  I want someone who is going to respect me, my time, my wants and my needs.  If a vendor treats me poorly, you bet they are going to treat your guests poorly.

2.  Style.  It’s so important that style is similar between the client and prospective vendor.  Whether it be a florist, planner, designer, etc – they will be contributing to the day.  The style and vision must be spot on under no uncertain terms.  The couple must trust that things will be what they want.

3.  Quality of product.  Excuse the lack of professionalism here – if your pictures are messed up – you paid too much – no matter whether your package was $200.00 or $20,000.00.  Messed up wedding pictures and video totally suck.

4.  Personality – you need to have people that you can work with closely for the next 6 months to a year of your life.  More importantly, work with on the day of your wedding.  If you hate your photographer, reception site or planner – it’s going to be a very hard and long road.  Plus, it shows in your pictures.

5.  Integrity – If they are not honest, it’s a deal breaker!

So, when meeting with vendors, it’s important that you ask the questions on the list.  In addition, sit back and talk to them about whatever.  It will give you insight into their personality,  how hard they will work, how much they care about your wedding and what you want.

These are attributes that can only be quantified by the couple doing the interviewing.

Happy planning!

I have been on a photographer kick the last week, so I am going to go with it.

I wonder why that is?  Maybe it’s because your photographer will be an integral part of your day. He/she will be spending the entire day with you – taking pictures.  Plain and simple, It’s important that you love your photographer and you love his or her work.

I know I have said this many many times before, but I think it’s worth repeating.

Hire the photographer that you love.  Photography is an art – not a science.  Each photographer has his/her own style.  You are hiring the talent and personality.  It’s impossible for one photographer to emulate the work of another.  It just does not work.  So, if you think showing one photographer a picture and asking him/her to replicate it – in effort to save some dough.  Forgetaboutit.  It will never ever happen.  Keep searching for one in your budget – cause he or she is out there.  Or alternatively, maybe your budget was unrealistic?

Even with the same couple in front of the same staircase, photographer A’s picture will look completely different from photographer B.  Sometimes it is so vastly different, you find yourself wondering – is this the same couple in front of the same staircase?

Happy planning!