During your wedding planning...did any of you take advantage of family/friends business connections???

WHat i mean is this......

I started looking for a florist..and someone in famliy says "Use Aunt Joe, she is incredible and will give you a great price" ...I say "why didn't you use her???"

I start looking for a dress..."You should try "jims" place, he will take care of you." ........ Me, "I don't know anyone who used them, how do we know it will be ok???"

To date three areas of my wedding have had the option to be handled by someone who is connected to fh and me in some way. My gut tells me to book a vendor that I have heard good things about, or who is a vendor with my Caterer..

Am I wrong??? Should I be more willing to give these people a chance??? I just feel like if I do not know anyone who used them, why should i trust them. But, on the flip side, since they know us, then wouldn't they probably go above and beyond, more so......

Does this make any sense??? Any thoughts???

Message edited 2/15/2006 8:10:03 PM.

Re: During your wedding planning...did any of you take advantage of family/friends business connections???

I think it depends on the vendor and who it's coming from.

The owner of the limo company we're using is very good friends w/ (and has been working with) FH's sister's boyfriend for almost 20 yrs. We booked them, but when I met with them I asked them all the questions I'd ask a non-related (non-"hook-up") vendor. I also went to or called 2 other limo companys and asked for the SAME thing I am getting from my lino place. The place I know someone at IS less and is doing things MOST others wouldn't.

Re: During your wedding planning...did any of you take advantage of family/friends business connections???

It makes sense totally, and. Coming from the other end an being in the wedding business, I can't stand when people ask for my suggestions and then don't even check them out. I'm not saying you must use them, but if I go out of my way to try to "hook you up" you should at least entertain the thought!

As far as who to use, check out your "connections" and see for yourself. You don't necessarily HAVE to use your caterers choices, they just give $$$ to the halls to recommend them anyway. Then go with whoever you feel the most comfortable with.

Re: During your wedding planning...did any of you take advantage of family/friends business connections???

Yes, I have actually spoken to one of my major vendors about this since I do business with them,

Sorry..don't know if I was making sense. What I meant is that I don't have family members or friends that have a connection with any vendors, I'm actually the one with the connection so I am trying to take some advantage of it and I hope it works.


Ok..I still did not answer the post.
I'm sorry..it's been a long day and I'm a little off.

Message edited 2/15/2006 7:53:29 PM.

Re: During your wedding planning...did any of you take advantage of family/friends business connections???

Yes. I used a few people that were recommended by family.

Re: During your wedding planning...did any of you take advantage of family/friends business connections???

IMO, for the important vendors (photog., florist, hall) I would not go through a friend or family member.

they might be able to give you a better price. but think of it this way, they "might" also take advantage of your relationship and lets say shmooz during your wedding and miss certain shots... just as an example.

Re: During your wedding planning...did any of you take advantage of family/friends business connections???

a vendor recommended by a hall just means they have to pay $$$ to get recommended. it doesn't mean that the hall loves their work!

do your research. pick who is the best and/or cheapest. be careful mixing friends/family with business

Re: During your wedding planning...did any of you take advantage of family/friends business connections???

I checked out the connections that people gave to me. In the end I didn't end up booking them. However I felt like I should at least give the recommended vendors a chance.

Re: During your wedding planning...did any of you take advantage of family/friends business connections???

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Posted by alioop4282

Yes, I have actually spoken to one of my major vendors about this since I do business with them,

Sorry..don't know if I was making sense. What I meant is that I don't have family members or friends that have a connection with any vendors, I'm actually the one with the connection so I am trying to take some advantage of it and I hope it works.


Ok..I still did not answer the post.
I'm sorry..it's been a long day and I'm a little off.

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Re: During your wedding planning...did any of you take advantage of family/friends business connections???

I would give them a chance- however, you still need everything in a contract, and you should thoroughly (sp?) check them out (ie BBB) before you sign. We are using FH's cousin for our DJ, he came highly recommended by family that has used him. But I still have a contract! And, he gave me a good deal! If we had more family members that could help us out, trust me, I'd take up on it!

Re: During your wedding planning...did any of you take advantage of family/friends business connections???

I had a few friends make recommendations. I checked them out. Ultimately, I did not book florist b/c I didn't like price or attitude, and I didn't book limo b/c of BBB rating. I did however take up another friend on her offer to decorate my ceremony location.

Re: During your wedding planning...did any of you take advantage of family/friends business connections???

I am only going with vendors that I personally know someone who used them and got excellent results. This day is too important and too expensive to just go with someone becuase they are a family friend...JMO

Re: During your wedding planning...did any of you take advantage of family/friends business connections???

I did, but they are known

Re: During your wedding planning...did any of you take advantage of family/friends business connections???

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Posted by dleeny

IMO, for the important vendors (photog., florist, hall) I would not go through a friend or family member.

they might be able to give you a better price. but think of it this way, they "might" also take advantage of your relationship and lets say shmooz during your wedding and miss certain shots... just as an example.

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Re: During your wedding planning...did any of you take advantage of family/friends business connections???

I teach a mommy and me gymnastics class and one of the mom's and I became friends... she is also trying to start up a photography business... I am totally using her for my photography... I know a friend will take special care of my photos. With the price of all the stuff you have to pay for, if you can get some deals and it's not going to destroy anything - go for it! It's all overpriced out there anyway!

Re: During your wedding planning...did any of you take advantage of family/friends business connections???

yes my flowers and decorations were all done by a friend

Re: During your wedding planning...did any of you take advantage of family/friends business connections???

I would say to give them a chance. We have used connections for the Reception Hall (Aunt and Uncle are good friends with the owner) which worked out well...

Also we are going to talk to a few florists that are either "family related" or Friends of the family. This is the time to pull strings and try to save money where you can without compromising anything. And TRUST ME - If they are "connections" the last thing they are going to do is not do a good job....

Re: During your wedding planning...did any of you take advantage of family/friends business connections???

Totally! I say if you can save a few bucks in the process then why not!!! We actually have a few "vendors" that were not only recommended but are family or friends! If they offer why not!!! And if it's someone you know... why would they "screw you" know what i mean.. I think they will hopefully take better care of you!

Re: During your wedding planning...did any of you take advantage of family/friends business connections???

Well, lets just say it was my MOH who recommended my first hair and makeup person, who worked in Jersy but was "willing to travel". If you remember, she wanted $1000 for hair for 5 people and makeup for 3 people. She did my makeup trial herself but later on said that she couldn't do my makeup the day of (wouldn't feel comfortable) and instead would hire out a professional makeup artist that would cost more $$$. In my gut I was always worried about this one vendor and wanted to go with someone from LI, especially someone recommended by you girls. Thankfully her outrageous price made the decision easy, and now I have a MU artist that is a LIWeddings vendor. Hopefully after next weekend, I"ll have a LIWeddings hair person as well. On a wedding board with so many people, the truth comes out and you get honest opinions about vendors. I like that, and use it towards my advantage. When I strayed from LIW, it only gave me trouble.

It's not bad to check out a vendor that someone recommends, but go with your GUT feeling. I met this woman and had a trial and something didn't feel right. I liked her work, but I didn't like how she ran her business. Luckily I got out while I could.

Re: During your wedding planning...did any of you take advantage of family/friends business connections???

They may give you a better deal so definitely check them out. You can meet with other people and compare prices and services - then you will know which person to go with. Good luck!

Re: During your wedding planning...did any of you take advantage of family/friends business connections???

For my wedding I did not use any family or friend to do business with. I went out and find my own vendors it did not matter to me what great price they would have offered to me.

Re: During your wedding planning...did any of you take advantage of family/friends business connections???

Then only one I took advantage of is my Dad since he's a florist

Other than that... we pretty much picked our own, with advice and great help from fellow LIW friends/brides.

Re: During your wedding planning...did any of you take advantage of family/friends business connections???

I did! My cousin went to high school with Lindsay Cress, James Cress's granddaughter so we used them as our florist and got a nice discount! James Cress Florist did our wedding and my at-home bridal shower...

Re: During your wedding planning...did any of you take advantage of family/friends business connections???

When we got engaged a close friend of mine worked at a popular catering hall. We went there and got quoted an insane deal for a Saturday night. But, ultimately we went elsewhere because I was not happy with the space we would have had to take because we have less than 100 people.

It's just as well, since now my friend no longer works there!!

The only other offer I might accept is my FBIL used to work as a florist, he keeps offering to do some part of the wedding. Since right now we have nothing for the ceremony, I might give him that to work on.

Re: During your wedding planning...did any of you take advantage of family/friends business connections???

Several of our vendors are coming from family or our personal friends. If you can get a better deal why not. Our DJ is a friend and we have seen him work before, so we know he is good. Limos are family and I'm really not that picky about that anyway, and finally our photographer is distant family, we are happy with our choices so far.