Choosing a vendor
How to tell if a business deserves your business
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Cape Fear Wedding Association
As you begin planning
your wedding, you’ll discover that many, many companies and individuals
are competing to get your business.
Elsewhere in this handbook, you’ll find specific advice
tailored to each type of business. Here are some general principles that
can help you to minimize surprises and ensure a good experience.
Simply put, you should expect business people to act
businesslike.
So keep several basic questions in mind when considering
any vendor.
Is it easy to get somebody on the phone? If you get a
recorded greeting, does it sound professional? When you leave a message,
is it returned promptly? Beware of a rushed or hard-to-understand greeting,
or a voice mailbox that has been allowed to fill up. Disorganization isn’t
what you want on your wedding day.
Do keep in mind that many wedding professionals, such as
photographers and musicians, don’t keep scheduled business hours. They may
have a “day job,” so may not be able to call you back until evening hours.
And they may be hard to reach on weekends, because that is when most weddings
are performed.
Does the vendor do what he says he’ll do? If you’re promised
a return telephone call, does he call? If you’re promised information by mail,
does it arrive promptly? Few qualities are more important than reliability
when you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Can the vendor offer you references? You may want to speak
to previous clients about their experiences.
Can you “get it in writing”? For your protection, as well
as the vendor’s, expect to see such essentials as price lists, descriptions
of services, and most important, contracts, in hard-copy or printable
electronic form.
However, you may not be able to get a 100 percent firm price
quote a year in advance. A caterer, for example, may not be able to predict
his food costs precisely until closer to your wedding date.
Legal standing
Many wedding vendors are small businesses. Even the smallest,
one-person operation should comply with licensing regulations, and collect and pay
sales taxes when required. But sometimes, whether out of ignorance or to try to
cut corners, a vendor may not meet the standards required of his more responsible
competitors.
If you have any doubts about vendor's legal standing, ask whether
he has a federal tax ID number and a state privilege license. Every business must
have a tax ID number (also called an employer ID), according to the IRS. And most
businesses in North Carolina are required to have a state Privilege License and
pay an annual fee ("franchise tax") to renew that license. A legitimate business
should be happy to provide you with those numbers.
It's also an excellent idea to know the specific legal entity you're
doing business with. Your legal rights, and your ability to enforce a contract, may
depend on whether the vendor is a sole proprietor, a partnership, a corporation, or an
LLC (Limited Liability Corporation.)
For tax reasons, most people in business have formed corporations or
LLCs, which are chartered by the state. You can check a corporation's status online. This
includes the most recent annual reports, which should include the corporation's current
officers and legal address.
Your comfort zone
Most important, don’t be afraid to trust your instincts. A
wedding professional who wants your business should be friendly and welcoming,
should have a positive attitude, and should welcome your questions.
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Bridal forum
Comments about this article
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 Brides, post a comment:
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Vendors, post a comment:
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Selecting a vendor
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***MUA***
"If anyone is looking for an awesome and affordable MUA who travels, contact Jacey Rogers at JSR Creations. The phone number is 910-616-4486.
I can't say enough about her! Give her a call and you will immediatly understand what I'm talking about! "
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Posted by:
Jasmine
of Leland
on: Wednesday, August 11, 2010
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photography
"Anyone know an INEXPENSIVE photographer in the area? I don't want any prints but rather just the pictures on cd and rights to print them. Hoping to get wedding, engagement and bridal pictures under $900. Found a few people who offer this but they are booked on my date. "
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Posted by:
Hannah
of rocky point
on: Monday, August 09, 2010
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Vendor Overview
"We recently had a wedding in Wilmington and a reception at Wrightsville Beach, so we
wanted to give a quick rundown of our vendors for anyone who is still in the planning
process:
KMI Photography: WONDERFUL! They were so easy to work with and the pictures are
beautiful. Highly recommended!
Salt Harbor Designs: Great wedding planners AND florist! They were great to work with
and were full of fantastic ideas. Loved them!
DJ Professionals & Video: Terrible. They disregarded our playlist for the reception and it
was nearly impossible to schedule a meeting with the DJ ahead of time. He called us the
day before our wedding to plan. The videographer called us the DAY OF our wedding to
plan. The video is mediocre -- no shots of bride/father walking down the aisle, no shots
of bride/groom, and they dubbed-over our pretty wedding music with trendy pop music.
Would never recommend these guys.
St. Thomas Preservation Hall: So great! A beautiful site for a wedding ceremony.
Bluewater: The perfect site for a wedding reception! Their event coordinator was a dream
to work with (Kristy) and the food was WONDERFUL!
"
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Posted by:
Vivian
of Mooresville
on: Sunday, August 08, 2010
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Catering
"We are getting married on Carolina Beach, in October 2011. Can anyone recommend a good cater? I'm also looking for suggestion on a place for a cake and rentals for tables and chairs, and a place to get our hair done. I feel like I'm asking for a lot. We live in Wisconsin so it's a bit harder to look at things online and try to choose. Thank you in advance and good luck and congrats on your own weddings!!!"
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Posted by:
Kamie
of Fond du Lac
on: Friday, August 06, 2010
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Band Recommendations
"I'm looking for a band recommendation for our reception in Wilmington next May. We're looking for a fun band (nothing cheesy) that will get our crowd dancing. Any recommendations?"
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Posted by:
Kristin
of Audubon
on: Monday, June 07, 2010
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RE: Catering
"Chris's Restaurant does catering. The website is- www.angiescatering.net I have been so some events that they have catered in the past and they make great food!
"
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Posted by:
Hannah
of rocky point
on: Wednesday, February 17, 2010
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RE: Catering
"Chris's Restaurant does catering. The website is- www.angiescatering.net I have been so some events that they have catered in the past and they make great food!
"
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Posted by:
Hannah
of rocky point
on: Wednesday, February 17, 2010
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Musician needed
"I am looking for someone to play acoustic guitar for our ceramony at Arile Gardens in Sept. Anyone have any suggestions?"
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Posted by:
Julia
of Chartlotte
on: Wednesday, December 16, 2009
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Needed Pagan Officiant for Handfasting
"We are trying to find a pagan officiant for a more traditional style handfasting. The must be able to work with a multitude of religious differences in the family."
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Posted by:
Cheyenne
of Wilington
on: Monday, August 03, 2009
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Re: make up artist
"Jennifer Banks would go there to meet you in wrightsville Beach - she's at http://jenniferbanksmakeup.com/ she is great to work with and does a great job!"
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Posted by:
Kelli
of Wilmington
on: Monday, July 20, 2009
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A perfect make up artist & photographer
"I was living out of town and had to call to find a photographer. With in the first 5 minutes of talking to Anne McGowan (http://annephoto.com) I knew I wanted to go with her. She was so easy to get a long with! I was living out of state and she was so helpful in every way. She helped me find an out door location (Fort Fisher - which was fantastic & cheap) and even a make up artist(get to her in a second).
Anne was incredibly professional and easy to work with. The day of the wedding she even let me know when a piece of my hair had come out and pined it back in for me. She also let me know when my lipstick started to ware off. I really appreciated her paying attention to the little details that would stick out in pictures!
As for the make up artist, Jennifer Banks (, http://annephoto.com/)Anne suggested I loved too. She is so talented and doesn't use a lot of heavy make up so you look natural. Plus it was pretty darn warm the day of the wedding and if she had used heavy make up it would have melted off. My make up lasted all night (minus lipstick - which is to be expected) and I am still getting complements from that day. Plus her pricing is uber reasonable.
I highly recommend either one, you'll love them!"
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Posted by:
Kelli
of Wilmington
on: Wednesday, July 15, 2009
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Wedding gown restoration
"It's not exactly local but Imperial Gown Restoration Company in Fairfax, VA is where I took my grandmother's dress to be restored, altered, and cleaned. The dress is almost finished and looks fantastic. If it is definitely a priority, then maybe you won't mind the 5 and a half hour drive from Wilmington. I love the work they've done and Maria the seamstress is my new hero! "
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Posted by:
Andrea
of Wilmington
on: Saturday, May 16, 2009
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Makeup Artist
"Does anyone know of a great makeup artist that will come to me in Wrightsville Beach for my wedding? I am looking for face makeup and also tattoo covering for one tattoo on my back. Thank you!!"
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Posted by:
Jessica
of Raleigh
on: Monday, May 04, 2009
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Did you get any replies?
"Did you get any replies that were helpful? I am also trying to restore a vintage wedding gown that was worn 50 years ago."
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Posted by:
Donna
of Cary
on: Wednesday, March 18, 2009
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On-Site Hair Stylist for Holden Beach Wedding
"Does anyone have any advice or recommendations for salons or stylists that will provide an on-site services for a wedding in Holden Beach? The wedding is May 9, 2009, Please Help!!"
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Posted by:
Catherine
of Powell
on: Tuesday, February 17, 2009
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3rd Generation Wedding Gown Needs Restyling. Help!
"I am the 5th woman in my family to wear my Grandmother's wedding gown first worn in 1942. It is in great condition but has had VERY few alterations made to it. I am interested in doing a nearly complete restyling of the dress above the waist and need an excellent seamstress with plenty of wedding gown experience capable of working with very delicate fabrics. I am willing to travel anywhere in NC, SC, VA and possibly GA if anyone has suggestions. Please help! Thanks!!"
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Posted by:
Andrea
of Wilmington
on: Sunday, October 12, 2008
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Alterations
"I need someone to add a French bustle to my gown and to shorten it a bit. Does anyone have a good seamstress they can recommend?"
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Posted by:
Stephanie
of Jacksonville
on: Wednesday, September 24, 2008
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Cakes.
"I have two places that I checked and liked ...
The Carolina Candy Company on Kerr in Wilmington. But since my wedding will be in Oak Island, I went with Cakes by the Norwoods for more reasons that not ... excellent cake, price, delivery and set-up, and just a wonderful experience overall. Even going to make a Tarheel groom cake."
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Posted by:
Monica
of Leland
on: Wednesday, September 17, 2008
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Hair salon in Wrightsville Beach
"I'm getting married in Wrightsville Beach but live in Cary and am looking for a good, middle-of-the-road in terms of price, hair salon for my bridesmaids and me. Any suggestions?!?! Thanks!"
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Posted by:
Jenny
of Cary
on: Tuesday, July 29, 2008
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Henrietta III Wedding & Reception
"Hello! We have planned our September 2008 wedding and reception aboard the Henrietta III riverboat. I was wondering if anyone else has done this (or knows anyone else who has) and what your experience was like? Was the food good? Was the staff friendly and accommodating? How did you handle transportation to and from the boat?
We have not yet booked a florist and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on places in Wilmington to get quality flowers on a small budget? Our ceremony will be held under the red awning on the 3rd deck of the boat and I'm not sure what kind of floral decorations to use - any suggestions??
Other vendors we are using: Sweet T's Cakes for the cake, Hypnotix Spalon for bridal hair and makeup, DJ Professionals for ceremony and reception music, Accent Photography by Ken Ramsauer for all photos. Anybody have any dealings with any of these vendors and what were your experiences like?"
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Posted by:
Elizabeth
of Rocky Mount
on: Wednesday, July 16, 2008
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