Plan Your Central Florida Wedding

How to Find Your Perfect Vendor Team

June 03, 2020 Orange Blossom Bride Season 2 Episode 28
Plan Your Central Florida Wedding
How to Find Your Perfect Vendor Team
Show Notes Transcript

Weddings are unique in the fact that you will be hiring multi vendors in order to make you wedding day come together. This can get a little overwhelming and you may not know where to start or what to look for. In this episode, we are going to be talking with Beth McIntrye of Your Favorite Day on how to find your perfect vendor team.

spk_0:   0:00
they have to set up those things for their business. And to me, that shows that they care enough about their business and therefore they're going to care about you because it is their business and they've invested into it.

spk_1:   0:20
Welcome to the plan. Your Central Florida wedding podcasts. I'm your host. Manish Mint, editor of Greater Orlando's top wedding publication, Orange Blossom Bride. I'm sure when you said yes, you had no idea you were jumping on this roller coaster that is wedding planning goal of this podcast is to make the wedding planning process less stressful and more fun. We'll provide you with great tips and ideas, along with expert advice from some of the areas. Top wedding pros. So let's get started Planning your Central Florida wedding Weddings are unique in the fact that you will be hiring multiple vendors in order to make your wedding day come together. This can get a little overwhelming, and you might not know where to start or what to look for. In this episode, we're gonna be talking to Beth MacIntyre of Your Favorite Day about how to find your perfect vendor team. After 14 plus years in the Orlando hospitality and event industry. Beth created your favorite day, a wedding planning firm here in Orlando. This allowed her to follow her passion and create a flexible work life for herself and her growing family. A certified wedding planner through the bridal society, she empowers couples to plan their own wedding and recognize their unique vision. Your favorite day packages offer expert advice and tools along the way, plus professional assistance the day of to ensure you are able to fully enjoy your wedding day. So welcome, Beth. Hello. Thanks for having me so excited to have you because we're talking about something really important to make sure. You know, they have all this planning behind this wedding day, and we want to make sure it runs smoothly. And the vendors are key to that.

spk_0:   1:58
Yes, they are. I'm so glad you said that because I like to think of the vendors on and their service is that they provide They're really the pieces to the puzzle that come together to fit their vision. So if you have ah, this grand vision or maybe it's not so grand, but everyone has a vision. Uh, you really need professionals to fill in those of those pieces for you. Ah, and vendors are gonna be finding the right vendors are key to doing that.

spk_1:   2:28
Very true. And so what is the first thing that you recommend they do in that process?

spk_0:   2:34
Right. So when couples get newly engaged, I feel like they go through this. Um, well, just caught up in crazy time where, um I say pin, but it could be saving two collections or pinning or just overloading themselves with inspiration, which is actually not a bad first step. However it can get. That's when it can get overwhelming. And you have all these ideas. I encourage couples to do that at first, but then you really need to take a step back. And really, the number one step is everyone's least favorite word, which is budget. Um, but I'm gonna add something onto that which is really setting your budget priorities. You don't necessarily have to have that grand number, but you do need to know what things are gonna be most important to you. Um and also, let me just add that budget is not a bad word. Everybody hates the word budget. Every wedding has a budget even $100,000 wedding has a budget. It's $100,000 right? So it's not a bad word. It doesn't mean that you're not gonna be spending any money, and it doesn't mean I'm going to send me too much money. It's just something that you need to be aware of because it can get out of control. You know, it's spending can get out of control when you have such high emotions. You know, it's such an emotional, uh, decisions are emotional in the time is emotional. So, um, I'm really think that setting the priorities is is kind of your number one step after you get all of that that fun inspiration. So that means if photography, you know, you've seen all these pictures of these beautiful pictures of couples, and that's what you want for your wedding day. Put photography at the top of that list. Maybe you're a little different. Maybe it's that you I can't wait to have everyone from both sides of your family all together in the same place. So maybe your priority is having fun things for them to dio throughout the weekend. Or maybe it's just that night you really want to give them a top notch experience. So whatever it is, kind of you gotta do, like 1234 and see what it is that you're gonna be prioritizing while you're looking for your vendors.

spk_1:   4:58
And that is so important. And that's really why when you see, you know, on national blog's and stuff, they'll have, like, the breakdown, like, percentage wise. And that's not a blueprint. That's just to give you an idea of what the averages people spend cause people have different priorities for their wedding,

spk_0:   5:15
right? Exactly. So, um, once you set those priorities, you can kind of say Okay, well, I see that some people spend this much money on photography, but look, we just want someone to just be there and capture the moment. We're not looking for a full time, you know, photo shoot during our wedding day. So maybe that's where you can kind of put things in order and say but but we really want our guests to have great food and and great drinks all night long, So, yes, that is very important to us. So, um, it makes it it breaks it down a little bit, so it's not so overwhelming. You don't feel like you have to spend the max amount in each category

spk_1:   5:57
Now moving on Thio the style of the vendor Now, obviously with photography that that's a little bit more obvious because you want to like their photos style. But it it's truly across the board with all the vendors in liking their style as well,

spk_0:   6:13
right? And that kind of goes into, um, the next couple of steps when you're vetting them. But, you know, you're obviously going to do your research. Probably, you know, mostly online. Also imprint, of course, because we're all gonna look. It weren't awesome. Bride. Right? Uh, you're going to see you're gonna see vendors there. And like you said, photography is a big one. But, um and like you said, that's easy. So maybe you're looking for something like, you know, a photographer that has a light and airy feel versus dark and moody, dark and moody is kind of coming around, and that's very popular right now, so you know, that is important. But, um, just with everything you're gonna want to see what other things about their style matches your vision. So if it's not a photography, maybe it's a deejay company. Um, you know, maybe it's a wedding planner. Maybe it's a florist, but, um, really looking at their branding what sorts of couples that they're putting on their branding. Uh, you know, just seeing what that style looks like online and in print and then also to go. You know, we're gonna talk about this a little bit more later, but you're gonna probably social media stock them. I mean, that would be your due diligence, right? When you're finding someone. So see what kind of a personality you see come through there. Uh, maybe they are someone that that shares a lot about, you know, behind the scenes and their personal life. And if you like that, maybe there's someone that's really really polished. It's all professional, and it's all very business like and that's what you like to It's okay. Like, just see, you gotta really go with your gut on that one and see if you who you're getting the good vibes from and who you're getting that good feeling from

spk_1:   8:01
especially. I mean, they're certain vendor categories, like photographer and planner. You are gonna be with them all day long, you're gonna They're gonna be part of your day. So that is extremely important to get those good vibes with, um

spk_0:   8:14
So for example, I, uh there's a photography company that I know. And on their instagram feed, you won't find a lot of their professional photos that they take the day of. But what you will find is selfies that they take with their couples on the wedding day. So that kind of gives you an idea right there. Of what? You know what kind of experience you're gonna have on that day?

spk_1:   8:37
Yeah, very important. And that's what's so nice about social media like you kind of get to get a view that you didn't get to have, you know, 10 years ago. You know, really vet your vendors before you even talk to them. So when it comes Thio, you know the internet and everything. Now it's so easy to kind of get that behind the scenes before you ever talk to them. And that also comes with checking their reviews.

spk_0:   9:03
Yeah, absolutely. So, um, you do need to check reviews it. It gets a little tricky out there. I can tell you from my personal experience that, you know, a lot of couples will go to the big the big Web sites for their reviews. And I would you know, a lot of legitimate companies will have a good amount of reviews on there. However, I haven't When I'm done with the wedding and I send a request for a review to a couple, I don't always send them to those big sites because if they don't already have an account, they have to make an account just to write that review. And like they're trying to enjoy their, you know, they're they're newly married. They're trying to enjoy their time together, and you're asking them to do these extra steps. So those air good places to check, obviously, like wedding wire the knot but then also see where they might have a collection of other reviews. Is it their website? Is it, um, on Facebook? There's a lot of review options on Facebook. Is it an instagram story? Is it a highlight? Something along those lines. But wherever it is that you look somewhere, you should find some good reviews, and that will be key. Um, so yeah, definitely checked their reviews. And like you said, it is kind of, uh, it's a blessing and a curse because it's so. It's easy to get an INSTAGRAM account. It's easy to get a business instagram account. It's easy to get a business Facebook account, so you do have to really look at those social sites and and see what it is you're seeing. Um, some people or some some vendors are putting their energy into the social media and neglecting to even have or sometimes update their website for me. Personally, I think that, um, isn't a good direction ago. I want it. I feel like you should always have that landing page. Eso I encourage couples to look Look at their actual website. Do they have an actual website making sure that they dio What What types of things are on that website? Do you see, uh, that they're in Inc or the an LLC? Uh, what? What is legitimizing their business on that website? Um, also, what's their email? Was their email look like? Is it a company type female? Um, you know, there are some there definitely some vendors that have been around a really long time that have the you know at gmail dot com. They don't want to change it because that's their business. And that's what people are used to emailing. But for the most part, Ah, lot of businesses should have that kind of professional business email when that's what you should see.

spk_1:   11:47
Yeah, that's it. It is a little work on the front end, which is nice when you have a planner to help guide you through that process. So it's not so overwhelming.

spk_0:   11:56
Yeah, exactly like these are just things that I've learned to look out for. And, um, you don't always see that right away. When you get engaged, you're going to have a flood of recommendations from a lot of friends and family. Ah, and sometimes it's Oh, you should get you know, my Aunt Sally to make your your wedding cake. She did it. She did my nephews wedding. It was it was beautiful. Taste, Delicious boulevard, and that's fine. But does Aunt Sally have an actual business? Or, you know, is she making wedding cakes just kind of on the side to me? I think there's a difference, and you want to, um, she may make amazing cakes and she may, you know, make beautiful cakes. But working with the professional is going to be very important when it comes to putting all your vendors together and them working together and then putting in their pieces of your wedding day timeline. So, um, that's that's where some couples can run into problems. Aunt Sally might make you a beautiful cake, and it might taste delicious, but she may not have a way to get it to your venue. You know, that safe. And that's that. Had that experience of didn't of what a professional that does this every weekend would have.

spk_1:   13:13
Well, and to continue on that point with being insured. Sometimes if Aunt Sally's not ensure than the venue won't even allow her to go there.

spk_0:   13:24
Right? And so that is something that couples don't necessarily think of. Uh, when there planning all their you know, they're planning their cake with Aunt Sally. They're doing all this stuff, and then they get to some of their final meetings with their event with their venue, and their venue is going to say, All right, just have your you know, your photographer. Ah, your cake. Baker, Your wedding planner, have them send over their, you know, their proof of insurance. And we can We'll see you next week for your wedding, you know, type of thing. And if they don't have it, that that could definitely be an issue. Ah, lot of venues are getting, um, a little bit smarter about that these days. And there's a lot of, um, venues that are independently owned and operated. Think about all the barn venues that we have in Central Florida. Those those owners, you know, they are doing their due diligence to protect themselves and and also subsequently protect you. So having everybody be a legitimate business and have insurance is it is really important,

spk_1:   14:28
just in case. You know, insurance people don't always think of insurance. And we've talked about this before on the podcast. They don't think of insurance for their wedding. They think of it for everything else, but they're vetting. Their wedding needs to be insured, but their vendors need to be insured, just in case something happens because you don't want to be put in that situation.

spk_0:   14:45
Yeah, absolutely. Into me. It shows that your vendors are invested in their business to, um that means that they have to pay, you know, they have to pay for the insurance they have. Thio, um they have to set up those those things for their business. And to me, that shows that they care enough about their business and therefore they're going to care about you because it is their business and they've invested into it. And along those lines, when you're looking at their website, you should also see some sorts of indication of maybe an association that they're a part of within the wedding industry. Some certifications, maybe some badges that they've received for getting a number of reviews during the year s o. All of those things show that that they are, um, investing the amount of time in their business that you would want someone that you're paying your money for your wedding. Thio. It also shows that they're in tune with the wedding industry in their area as well,

spk_1:   15:48
which is really important because we are a community and we work together and you want to know that they're used to working with other people. It may not necessarily be your exact vendor team, but that they are a team player. Come the day off.

spk_0:   16:02
Yeah, absolutely. It's me. It's one of my favorite things, too. You know, every wedding's a little different. Sometimes I'm assisting finding certain vendors for a couple. Sometimes they found them on their own. But what I'm always doing is is doing these same things checking to see, um, what type of a business they are. And if they are truly, indeed a real business. Uh and then, um, you know, it's fun to see who you're couples find, and then you make new connections. And I love seeing that vendors that they found on their own have worked with vendors that I found them. And because it is a tight knit industry, uh, it's fun to have those connections. And then those vendors air. Like you said, they're gonna work better together because if they haven't worked together, at least there's they're all speaking the same language.

spk_1:   16:55
The last thing we're gonna touch on is when it comes to communication with your vendors and you had mentioned match communication. What? What exactly does that mean?

spk_0:   17:05
Sure. So, while you're while you were interviewing, let's say your potential vendors you should have ah, a number of exchanges with them. So from that point, you should be able to get a good idea of who you're going to be able to work with best throughout your process. So ah, potentially, you're emailing a lot back and forth. And if if you're a big email person and out that works for you, that's great, too. Maybe your phone call person. And maybe you've been asking this venture vendor to call you and they're they're not calling you. They prefer to email or text, as long as you can reach some sort of agreement before you have an agreement with them as their business. That's fine. But like, for example, for me, I like to talk. I like to talk a lot. However, it's not always the right time to talk. S, oh, my phone call my phone call brides and grooms and couples. I tell them, Call me, leave a message or send me a text and we will set up a time to call where I can have you can have my full attention on. We will talk this out. I have no problem with that. So getting a fuel for that and how you might be ableto work best with your vendor that working the way that they work and also the way that you prefer to have communication, I's gonna be key Also remember that wedding professionals work a lot on weekends. So if if you are trying to get responses on Monday morning, that might not be That might be their only day off that week. So keep that in mind. And hopefully your, uh, your vendors or your potential vendors will be forthcoming with that information with you say, Hey, you know, Monday's my I got a rest day. Tuesday is the day where I get on answer emails. We can set up a phone call, you know, whatever it is that you need, but you should be getting that from them. So you should be. They should be meeting you. You guys should be meeting in the middle. Basically toe have a good process for communication. Moving forward. I will say this. If it's an issue during booking, it will be an issue during the planning process, so make sure that it's working well to book them. And then after you book, it should be smooth sailing. Does that make sense?

spk_1:   19:25
Oh, absolutely. And that that is so true. Like if you feel that there are warning flags, they're not probably going to go away. It's just gonna compound with the stress of everything. So don't put yourself in that situation,

spk_0:   19:39
right? Exactly. Pay attention of those flags. Um And then also, let me give a little P s a two for all my vendors out there. If you are communicating with several vendors and one category and you do decide not to go with you no. You choosing one out of three, let's say please, Couples out there have the courtesy to just say no, thank you to the ones that you've been communicating and potentially working with and also maybe already had a consultation with. We're not gonna be offended. All of us aren't the right fit for everyone. We understand budgets. We understand priorities. We understand all of these aspects that go into booking. So if you can just do us the courtesy of saying, Hey, we went in another direction, I promise you, all of us will wish you well and wish you on your way too Happy wedding planning. I don't feel like it's awkward. Just let us know because then we won't. You know, be wondering what's going on or we won't be reaching out to you when you're already halfway done with your planning process.

spk_1:   20:46
Yeah, I think we could probably do a whole podcast episode on Ghostie because it it is. It's an issue because, you know, no, nobody wants to hurt somebody's feelings and say, Oh, I don't want to go with you But the fact of the matter is, if vendors holding a date in hopes of hearing back from you, they could be losing out on potential other clients who would want their service is so it's a little bit more than you know, just being, you know, route. Yeah, it's

spk_0:   21:15
it is, it's it's really important. And, uh, like I said, we're not going to be offended. It's not the right fit for everyone. And actually, you couldn't. You can make there, um, their business better if you have some friendly, nice, polite feedback on maybe why you went in another direction, especially if the vendor asks you, um, you know, you can tell them if this is something that a vendor is hearing constantly. Maybe they'll think about making some changes or just doing a checkup with other vendors in their same category to say like, Am I off base here? And you know, maybe it's been a while since they've evaluated something, and they really need to get more in line with everybody you know, with everybody else in the industry. So it's not a bad thing. It's all positive, open communication and and feedback and polite politeness.

spk_1:   22:10
The key? Yeah, very true. If couples were interested in, you know, getting in contact with you to see how you can make their day run more smoothly, how would they do so?

spk_0:   22:21
Yes, absolutely. So, um, my website is www dot your favorite day dot com are also on Facebook and instagram at this one's a little. This one's a little crazy because you know everybody takes the good tags. It's your why o ur favor f a V Day, dear. Why Florida F l. So that's a little wonky, but it's consistent for both platforms. So oh, if you find me and I also try to be good about putting my logo everywhere, and that's another thing you can look for with your vendors is that if you're wondering if Is this the same? Yeah, it's the same. You can tell right away. So, uh, if that's what you're looking for, um, that's That's an important thing to have this kind of that consistency. But yes. So there's an enquiry form on my website. You can reach out via Facebook or instagram. Um, I believe my phone number's on the website and it says Collar text. I really mean that Text me. I'm a big texter. Um, so and we'll connect and we'll set up a time to meet and discuss either in person or like to do Skype consultations as well. So, uh, yeah, we'll get together and see where you're at and how we can lessen any of the stress that you're feeling best far.

spk_1:   23:46
And Beth was such a sweetheart, so you will definitely love her. Oh, thank

spk_0:   23:50
you. I I honestly, I love, um I love what I do. And I love being part of the orange blossom bright community, too. I mean, it's it's such a good way to regularly connect with vendors that are investing in themselves and and the their business in the industry. So

spk_1:   24:07
well, thank you. And we absolutely love having you. So thank you so much for being part of this podcast. Yeah. Thank you so much.

spk_0:   24:15
I like I said, I like to talk, So if you want anything else, let me know.

spk_1:   24:19
Absolutely. So you may be seen a future episode with that. All right. Thank you so much for listening at this episode of the plane, your Central Florida wedding podcast. For more Orlando wedding inspiration and tips, head on over to orange blossom bride dot com. And if you're looking for amazing wedding pros to help bring your wedding day together, make sure to check out our wedding vendor directory until next time. Happy Planet.