Hiring people you know...(a little long)

So since I started planning this wedding--people keep telling me 'OH I know so and so who does hair/music/photography/dj/etc. I'm sure they'd give you a great deal. You should Call!!'

So far I've only met with the Photographer who a long time family friend works with. She does weddings, but is only advertised by word of mouth. Her portfolio was nice, comparable to all the other mainstream photogs, but she didn't have any finished albums to show me. Her price was pretty good, but not jaw dropping, but she's willing to throw a bunch of stuff in.

My BMs boyfriend works for a DJ and my friend emailed him a request sheet for me. His base price is REALLY low ($900 for 4 hours) but I told her in the beginning that I didn't want her bf dj'ing because he would be a guest.

She called me yesterday and basically said that he can't come to the wedding because he'll have to work as a DJ at another party (apparently labor day weekend is their biggest weekend?!? I have trouble believing that...plus they've had a years notice!), so she would appreciate it if I let her bf (they've been together for 9 years) DJ the wedding so he can at least be there. I'm not sure why but this request annoyed me.

Is anyone hiring people they know as vendors?

I'm a little concerned about doing it because what if something goes wrong? Am I just supposed to forgive and forget because I have to deal with these people in everyday life?

How do you ladies feel about this?

Sorry so long!

I'm ok with using family for small things ONLY if you are comfortable with it. My FMIL is doing calligraphy for our invite, and I'll admit I'm a bit nervous. I am a big 'what-if'er.

As per your friends comment I think it was rude and sounds like she is just trying to drum up business JMHO.

well my FH's friend is a DJ and I will NOT allow him to DJ the wedding! Not only because he would not be a guest but because if something goes wrong I dont want us to be mad at him for it! He is more of a club DJ .. not a wedding DJ!
The DJ I am having at my wedding I am friends with.. not good good friends but friends and he is a wedding DJ so I know he is great. I have seen him DJ before!
So if I were you .. I would say no only to the fact what if something happens.. you dont want to start a fight.. but then there's a chance your friend might not go.. which is ridiculous that she cant go without him! I would go to a friends wedding without my FH if he couldn't come!!

She'll definitely come- she's in the bridal party. Its her Boyfriend that won't come.

If she's telling me now that he can't come- would it be wrong to invite her without a guest? Or should I just put his name on the invite.

I know she'll try to bring someone else (probably a girl we went to HS with) but I don't really want this person at my wedding.

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Posted by neener1211

well, if you want to still put him on the invite, then you put his name on the nvitation...NOT 'guest'...that makes it so that she is invited and if he can't come, she can't just bring any old guest...it has to be him or no one...

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sorry to crash.....I agree with this as far as still inviting him or not

As for using the bm bf as your dj....You just don't sound comfortable with it, and rule number one with booking any vendor (from what i've been told so far) is go with your gut. If you don't trust them don't book them. And it's not that you dont trust this guy, but there is something in your stomach questioning it...so do what you want!!!! A few extra dollars for a wedding dj will be worth it in the end if you are comfortable and can avoid the possibility of being upset with a friend

We are having catered by friend of FH she offered and we explained that we wanted her as a guest but she still wanted to do it, I kind of felt bad if we would have told her No
Also our DJ is a friend that offered his service for our wedding gift, he will still be there just doing what he loves to do.

I know (or my mom knows) everyone of my vendors excpet the limo company. By doing this i got amazing deals and i feel re-assured that i will get extra-special service since they know me (and know what a biatch i can be! )