How important is a face to face meeting for you guys?
FH and I live in Manhattan so we really have no way of getting to LI to meet with vendors. We were talking last night about it and he's fine with booking based on recommendations and emails/phone calls back and forth. We're easy-going people, so we aren't hugely concerned with not meshing with someone based on one meeting.
Was this anyone else's experience or did you meet with everyone?
CaughtMyFish
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Re: Meeting Vendors
I met with everyone but I am local on LI. My recommendation would be to rent one of those zip-cars for a day, come out and meet as many vendors as you can. Even if you do this 2-3x, the cost wont be huge and you will have better peace of mind.
For example, flowers are something I would want to do in person purely bc you need to 'mesh' with the vendor, and hopefully they 'see' your vision etc.
DJ I would absolutely meet in person to get their 'vibe' and see some samples of what they have done. We met three and really disliked the first one. Over the phone though, I liked him a lot.
Limos? Sure you can do that over the phone esp if you arent booking specialty cars or need something unique.
Overall I would say come out once or twice w a rental car and make a day of it.
mara1017
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Re: Meeting Vendors
I met with all of my vendors in person but again I am local so there was no reason not to.
I think that there is no reason that you can not talk to the vendors on the phone and get a feel about whether you like them or not. Maybe also get quotes from them so that you eliminate any vendor that is out of your budget. Then pick a few days to come out and meet them and finalize.
Obviously some things I think are more important than others to meet in person. I actually think the photographer is one that you can probably do all on the phone/emails if he/she is able to email you samples of their work, etc.
For me the DJ is probably the most important one to see in action in a demonstration. Let me tell you, I saw a few DJs that people have positive things to say about but they were totally not what FH and I were looking for. Even just meeting them in person is not enough in my opinion!
lindseynaggle
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Re: Meeting Vendors
What about Skype? You could actually see them and get a feel for their personality without schleping to the island.
oct13bride
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Re: Meeting Vendors
We are in the same boat as you guys- we live in Queens & neither of us drive so we have been at the mercy of whoever can drive us to LI. I personally feel like I need to sit down with the vendors & get the feel of them. That's one of the reasons we are picking a photographer/videographer in Queens instead of LI. If you feel comfortable doing things over the phone & get a good vibe then do whatever you are comfortable with. Or maybe you can find some vendors in Manhattan, Queens, or Bklyn that won't charge extra for traveling time.
barbeik005
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Re: Meeting Vendors
I'm from upstate NY, so I understand how frustrating it is to do all the traveling to meet face and face. We tried the skype thing, I think it was okay per say, but I really feel like you get a better feel for vendors in person, and would encourage doing that if at all possible!
pixietina
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Re: Meeting Vendors
I live in the bronx and I drove out to all my vendors. One was almost on the complete otherside of long island and I still went out there. I think it depends on what the vendor is for instance Limos. You don't have to meet with them, but I think for photography it is important.
Rivera2be
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Re: Meeting Vendors
We live in Brooklyn so its a bit of a hike for us as well to LI, but we've met with all vendors in person. Personally I feel more comfortable handing over my money to someone after I've sat in their office and spoken to them face to face.
kerryums
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Re: Meeting Vendors
Posted by lindseynaggle
What about Skype? You could actually see them and get a feel for their personality without schleping to the island.
I was just thinking this!
SoontobeLT
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Re: Meeting Vendors
Thanks for all your help, girls!!
I agree that a DJ you'd definitely have to meet face to face, and we will. FH knows someone that we'll likely use, so it all works out.
