in this economy how can you guarantee venders will still be there??
summerbridetobe
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in this economy how can you guarantee venders will still be there??
I'm meeting with some photographers today and monday. my FIL's mentioned that we should be careful with booking too early (wedding is july 2010) because so many businesses are closing down! They said we would easily lose our deposit and then be left without a vender. what do you think about this?? has anyone asked the venders about what would happen in this situation?? I don't know if its appropriate to ask them but I think its fair for them to give you a guarantee and almost expected that MANY wedding vender will be going out of business. I really dont want to wait on booking the major venders because they are booking up so quick for summer weddings, but it is scary to think about them going out of business before then!
GinaZ
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Re: in this economy how can you guarantee venders will still be there??
Just read your contracts very very carfully.
Mrs B to Be
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Re: in this economy how can you guarantee venders will still be there??
I think it is totally appropriate to ask what kind of return policy they have for your deposit should something happen to their business. Be sure to pay any deposits with a credit card or check so you have proof of how much you gave them. I'm sure their getting that same question from other brides as well.
Remember they need you, dont feel embarassed to ask any question. And of coarse you should look to book with a company that has been well established, granted thats not a guarentee it certainly cant help.
20mrsc10
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Re: in this economy how can you guarantee venders will still be there??
my FMIL has been telling me the same thing, and im getting nervous--do i book and take a chance with the economy, or wait and not have anyone? economy *****
JoanneAndJustin
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Re: in this economy how can you guarantee venders will still be there??
I booked a couple of major vendors before the economy really took a turn (church, RH, florist, DJ, and DOC) and I'm waiting until less than a year to go for the rest of them. There's so many out there even if I don't get my first choice I'll be bound to get someone I love.
MC127
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Re: in this economy how can you guarantee venders will still be there??
I have been going to appointments all week and my mom who is always with me asks this question very directly to the vendor. While I am happy that she does, because I am too afraid to, they do reference back to the contract. However, my feeling is when your bankrupt, a contract is like any other piece of paper....
coldasice217
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Re: in this economy how can you guarantee venders will still be there??
I would definitely recommend purchasing wedding insurance as well. God forbid something should happen, this can help recoup some of your money if not all.
sophisticat13
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Re: in this economy how can you guarantee venders will still be there??
The truth is that there are no real guarantees unfortunately...it helps to book established vendors (also check the BBB!! I checked all my vendors before booking simply bec I'm paranoid lol. I avoided a couple due to poor BBB records!) This s*cks for vendors who are trying to establish themselves in this eceonomy, but you have to protect yourself. You will also be able to confirm with them before your wedding and the final payments are usually due on your wedding day (we paid our officiant, DJ/MC; CH band; photographer; and aren't even done paying yet for our videographer) so I hope that makes you feel better Actually the only vendor that we paid off prior to the wedding is the RH and flowers only 2 days before. Make sure each vendor puts in your contract that final payments are due the day of, not earlier, and that the payments are evenly divided up too.
Re: in this economy how can you guarantee venders will still be there??
My photographer runs his business from his home, so I'm not too worried about him
As for the others I have no idea I'm just hoping they don't go belly up...
AdriandSteve
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Re: in this economy how can you guarantee venders will still be there??
ITA, go with reputable vendors who have already been around for a long time. If they have been around for 15 or even 10 + years chances are they'll survive just fine.
oldladybride
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Re: in this economy how can you guarantee venders will still be there??
this worry is especially true with florists. DH works for flower wholesaler and said some florists were really slow for Valentine's day . all the competition from Stop& Shop, BJ's King Kullen has made a dent in flower sales. so try to book these as close to the date as possible.
frescelena
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Re: in this economy how can you guarantee venders will still be there??
I feel the same way, it's very scary!
meara
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Re: in this economy how can you guarantee venders will still be there??
I honestly was scared about this but I think flowers are the best worry b/c they are suffering the most - things like photo, makeup etc who are independent prob won't have a problem b/c they don't have a lot of overhead where they would go out of business. and weddings seem to be the one thing that seems to not be AS affected by economy. . people are cutting back but not backing out so unless your RH is more of a restaurant or something - you should be okay there too- just don't pay anything ahead of time you don't have to. . we were going to pre-pay some of our RH but figure it's better safe than sorry!!
sykogodezz
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Re: in this economy how can you guarantee venders will still be there??
Posted by AdriandSteve
ITA, go with reputable vendors who have already been around for a long time. If they have been around for 15 or even 10 + years chances are they'll survive just fine.
Ahh thats what you would think but my cousin went with a reputable photog company with 20+ years under their belt and they went bankrupt right after the wedding. She thought she was never going to get her wedding pics or video. Only now like 2 years after the fact did they find her pics and video but she has to make her own albums and get the video edited on her own. THere was like a class action lawsuit against them. Scary. Because of that Im in a panic constantly.
SummerBride10
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Re: in this economy how can you guarantee venders will still be there??
It is scary...but try to go with vendors that have a good reputation and have been around for a long time and you should be fine!
Future Mrs H
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Re: in this economy how can you guarantee venders will still be there??
I would defiantely go with someone who has been around along time and also put the bare minimum down payment. If they do go out of business you dont loose that much
bubberflys
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Re: in this economy how can you guarantee venders will still be there??
Posted by Future Mrs H
I would defiantely go with someone who has been around along time and also put the bare minimum down payment. If they do go out of business you dont loose that much
I agree with this, but I did talk to various vendors at my appointments and at expos/showcases and they all had a similar statement. 'Yes the economy is going down the drain, but people are still getting married! People are still reserving and paying wedding vendors they are just cutting back on 'extras' and being engaged longer' If you have a vendor that is established and commonly chosen/recommended by brides they are most likely loosing some money due to us cutting back our budget but they still have continuous work to keep them afloat.
mcbride62009
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Re: in this economy how can you guarantee venders will still be there??
The ones that are booking really quickly, those are the vendors who prob. wont be going out.
MrsJuneB2B
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Re: in this economy how can you guarantee venders will still be there??
i have to agree that base it on how long they've been in business, their reputation and of course, just review the contract carefully. honestly, you could always have them put a clause in your contract that if they go out of business, you get your money back. i won't worry too much about it though. but i know, economy is really scary..
MrsInglima
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Re: in this economy how can you guarantee venders will still be there??
I would make sure you put something in the contract that says if they go out of business they are required to pay you back in full by a certain date. Like say one week after they inform you they've gone out of business or something.
