8 Steps To Contracting Kansas City Wedding Professionals
It’s safe to say that almost all of us could share an experience we’ve had with a contractor we’ve hired or product we’ve purchased that did not perform as promised. For the most part, we learn from those occurrences and vow never to let it happen again.
Truthfully, however, we also know that more times than not, had we been a bit more diligent in the first place, these unpleasant incidents could have been avoided. If we had only asked more questions, inquired deeper, been more specific as to what we wanted, actually checked references and read the small print contained in the contract or guarantee.
It is human nature for the vast majority of us to be trusting individuals. We want to be able to place faith in others that have displayed a propensity for being honest and forthright. But, sometimes good intentions can go terribly awry.
Couples planning their Kansas City wedding can often get caught up in the joy and excitement of the occasion. But, with the number of Wedding Professionals they will contract for their special day, they also become, in essence, the CEO of a small business. Although difficult, it is important to separate emotion from the business decisions that will need to be made.
Over 99.999% of Wedding Professionals are genuinely committed to assuring that your expectations are exceeded. Unfortunately, there is that very minute segment that operate more like a Vegas casino with only one purpose in mind…to take your money. The reality is that they can exist because they are able to take advantage of unsuspecting Brides and Grooms.
Here are 8, simple steps to help you contract the best Wedding Professional for your wedding and avoid disappointment. (Note: Be sure to add your own, wedding planning experiences in the comments section below.)
1. ) Always arrange a time to meet, personally, with the Wedding Professionals that most interest you to discuss your day before signing a contract. Make certain that you’ve also met with the individual that will be assigned to your event and require that a guarantee, ensuring their “participation,” is written into the agreement, even if it is the owner of the company.
2. ) Be cautious of any vendor that begins the conversation by telling you what they do before asking what you want. As you get into the planning stage of your wedding, you may find that their expertise is limited and they are unable to “deliver” in areas that are important to you.
3.) Beyond the request to see samples of previous work and posing the typical questions of “How long have you been in business?” and “Are you insured?”, ask questions that will bring out the skill level of the Wedding Professional. Ask about their most successful wedding and how they achieved it. But, also ask about their greatest wedding challenge or mistake and how they overcame it.
4.) If a fresh approach to your wedding is important to you, inquire about any ongoing training or education the Wedding Professional pursues or has achieved and to what professional associations they belong. In short, think back to your last job interview and what was asked of you in regards to your education and accomplishments.
5.) There’s no way you can predict every glitch, but consider what could go wrong and ask each Wedding Professional what they’ll do to prevent or respond to problems. As an example, if the DJ’s equipment should “crash,” will he/she have back-up equipment readily available? If the photographer should become suddenly incapacitated, do they have an equally skilled replacement that can take their place at a moment’s notice? Don’t over think it, just appreciate that Plan B can be just as relevant as Plan A. A true professional already does!
6.) Make sure you have a signed contract before writing a check for the retainer and make sure the contract addresses everything important to you, as well as the promises (especially “incentives”) offered by the vendor. Although you only get one shot at your wedding day and no amount of restitution can ever fully repair any “damage” caused, a contract is your only remedy in case something goes wrong.
7.) Besides insisting on a binding contract, always ask for a list of the Wedding Professional’s former clients. With so much information available on the internet, the step of speaking to references has become a lost art. Remember that anyone can say anything they want about a business on-line, rants and raves, while protected by the cloak of anonymity. In other words, don’t believe everything you read.
8.) When you contact past clients, go beyond the standard “were you happy” questions. Ask them things like, “What did they do to make you happy?” “Is there anything that could have been better or that you would have liked done differently?” And, “How quickly did they respond to your questions & needs?”
In general, do your “homework” just as you would (or should) do for any major investment you have made or will make in your life. It may take a bit longer, but the end result will be much more enjoyable.
Your comments, questions and experiences welcome!
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