You've reviewed the proposal and you either see the value of this vendor or you don't ... so you either want to hire them or you don't. Either way, please use common courtesy and notify the wedding vendor even if it's to say no. Leaving a consultation and proposal open and undecided {at least on the vendor's end} isn't nice.
If you want to move forward with them ~ let them know ASAP! Share your excitement with them and ask what you need to do to move forward. Chances are you'll need a non-refundable deposit to hold the date and to sign a contract. They should send this over in a timely fashion. Once you receive the contract, take the time to review it but keep in mind the following: a wedding vendor's contract is to protect the wedding vendor, not the client. If you don't understand a clause, ask for clarification. What you shouldn't do is mock up the contract in a way that benefits you, the client. The first thing I do when a prospective client calls me to clarify or change the contract, I go through their questions. Nine out of ten times, the changes they want would grossly change my contract in ways that as a business owner, I am just not comfortable with. So I always suggest purchasing wedding insurance. I've found that most concerns clients have with the contract can be dealt with by purchasing insurance in order to protect themselves. If that doesn't solve the issues they have with your contract, as a vendor, take them to your attorney. Hopefully the concerns / questions can be clarified but on rare occasions, what the client is asking for just isn't possible. If that turns out to be the case, be willing to work with the vendor and understand why their contract is the way it is. Aim to reach a contract version that ALL parties are happy with.
Next week: begin working together!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
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Agreed! I've done a couple a lot of trials that have gone really well, then she disappears off the face of the earth! And then my follow-up email gets ignored. It's odd. I generally come to the conclusion that she's eloped!
ReplyDeleteThis is so true! As a couple you should always be sure you understand what you are signing and as a vendor you need to be able to explain, in plain English, each clause in your contract so that couples can understand the reasons each on is in there.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for letting couples know it's ok to tell us you've picked someone else. And if you tell us why you went with someone else, it helps us improve our business in the long run. We always appreciate an honest answer.