When A Vendor Fails You

Yesterday, I spoke with a September bride who is considering firing her florist and her planner. This made me think that maybe when failure happens, a couple really doesn't know how to go about this. So, let's talk about it.

First, let me explain some of the things you need to watch for when reading a contract. If you read something you don't understand- ASK. Don't just sign a contract for a venue that forces you to use their vendors. Don't sign a contract with a planner that states you must use the vendors they recommend. Don't sign a contract with a florist that insists you allow them to use their "discretion" in creating a vision. This is your day, your money. You should have the freedom to select your own vendors, to design a vision and to have a florist create it, to know that your planner is your advocate. And, if a planner, or any vendor tells you to "lean into the what another vendor wants, as opposed to what you want"- run!!! That is not a planner that has your best interests in the forefront. Your vendor team should be "leaning into" you. This is a total failure of trust.

When you hire a planner, you need to feel like that planner understands you, who you are, what you expect. That person is going to guide you through the process, be your voice on your wedding day. If you don't trust them, if you question their motives or their reasons for putting a clause in the contract about vendors, don't sign a contract or hand over any money. There are planners, venues, vendors who get a commission for recommendations. That is not ethical. And, it limits your ability to have a say in who makes up your team.

When a venue states you may only use their preferred list, that is because those people usually pay a fee to be on that list. Again, not an ethical way to conduct business, nor is it giving you the power over your own wedding. If you like a vendor on a list, great. They probably know the venue and can easily work with the policies. However, if you are not comfortable with a vendor, you should not be forced to use them.

If a florist or a designer states that their ideas or designs override your vision, or if they do not respect or understand your vision, do not sign a contract. Again, trust is broken in this scenario. And, if there is no trust, that little voice in your head is going to put a damper on your day.

Read your contracts, ask questions, be aware of the language. And, be quite sure that you can trust your vendors. Because a mistake is costly, it's emotionally depleting and it may ruin what should be the best day of your life. If you have questions about a contract, if you are unsure of the ethics of a vendor, if you feel you can't trust someone with your wedding- please reach out to me- just go to my homepage and click the "ask me anything" button. I am happy to talk it through with you. And, like with the bride yesterday, if you feel sure you need to move on, even if it costs a little money, it is better than being disappointed, or worse, devastated at the outcome on your wedding day.

If you need help- I've Got You!