Need advice...

Re: Need advice...

• thazenith

  

  July 2010 edited December 2011

  Wish I had more time to elaborate on this topic because it is HUGE in my bride's case. Day of Coordinator speaking here. I own a special events design & catering company, and am donating the food, design consulting, and accessories and decor. But not the pay in which I have to compensate my catering staff.  The bride will take care of this portion, understanding that this is a very generous gift I am offering and to ask of any more from someone who is donating, would be too much. But we are best friends and we are very comfortable communicating on this level, because I understand that this is her day and she realizes I have a small business to manage.

  
  

  In your case, consider all the factors. These guys are talented but they have a history of flaking. Ouch! Red flag waving in your face, and I wouldn't take risks on my wedding day. However, they own a legit business in which they have proven their skills and talents and will likely ask you to be their source of referral for future business clients. They will even ask you for a personal testimony of your experience working with them. But just because it is a free offer, doesn't mean all your expectations will be met, as you've already acknowledged.

  
  

  Bring this up to them, have them understand that this is a huge deal breaker for you, and if they want to use the work they did for you as a sample piece in their portfolio, they are going to have to treat you as they would any client on a professional level. If you feel you can not talk to them yourself, have your fiance or maid of honor, or DOC stress the fact of the importance this is to you and everyone else. Hell, I would do it if you need me to! I negotiate for a living. I am very clear and straight to the point with my vendors, I don't want any one to feel too comfortable with me, in thinking I might be lenient with them just because we happen to know each other.

  
  

  And if for some reason, you can't get a legit, legalized contract signed with them, by all means stick to your intuition, accept the facts and pay for what you need to. It would be devastating to have to look back on such a terrible experience where you had the ultimate control of it's outcome.

  
  

  And if you are strapped for cash, like my bride is. Understand, that there is so much help here. A great support system of understanding women, who have been through your struggles and stress while trying to plan a wedding of their own. We are all here for each other. I have great resources and advice on how to get sponsorship and donations, etc. This can save you several hundred to a couple thousand dollars. 

  
  

  E-mail me personally, if you would like any help. 

  
  

  Hope this info was useful. (I am kinda in a hurry, but type pretty fast.)

  
  

  Best of  Luck,

  Christina

  ventanainteriors@yahoo.com

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• kellster22

  

  July 2010 edited December 2011

  My 2 cents worth....
  A friend that wanted to expand into video filmed my brothers wedding. The professional photographer was ultra frustrated. He was always in the way - he used camera lighting which distorted the photog's pictures. You get what you pay for and in my brothers wedding, the video was OK and the pictures could have been better. Anything before the video guy showed up or when they were outside in the day light was perfect... in the recepiton hall, not good. On the other hand his wife had a friend do the cakes... she charged little to nothing and they were great....

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• Hawaiianpunch512

  

  July 2010 edited December 2011

  IGiven the flakiness, I wouldn't chance it.  I would just tell them that videography involves alot of hard work and that you would rather them enjoy their time as guests. 

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• twinksicle

  

  July 2010 edited December 2011

  It sounds like videography is a pretty big priority for you. Since that's the case, I would say don't take that risk. For us, it's a nice-to-do, so we're not even having it done.

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