Image Source: www.wirawanweb.com
J and I recently went down to North Carolina to meet with several vendors. We scheduled meetings with two florists, three bakeries, one bartender, one catering company, three restaurants, one DJ, and one photographer. This was over the two days we were down in NC. We had to cancel our meeting with the bartender and one of the florists because we lost track of time, but we felt very accomplished as we drove up to the DC area.
Perhaps it’s because our wedding is not local that we plan in spurts, but until we had met with these vendors, we hadn’t decided on anything other than our venue (and we had about 3 months til the wedding). Of course we had been looking online and comparing reviews and prices, but I realized through the experience that meeting with vendors is not the same as shopping. It’s not simply going to their shop and seeing if what they have to offer is what we’re looking for or okay with. Many times, the vendors start by sharing what they have typically done in the past, but it’s almost like hiring an independent contractor. They wanted to hear what we liked or were thinking of, and they began using their creativity to see what ideas they could come up with. It was almost like shopping with a personal shopping assistant.
I generally don’t like to speak with strangers, so I don’t think I would have enjoyed meeting and speaking with the vendors if I had to do it on my own. I know people are different, but this is one reason why I felt it was good that we met the vendors together. If either the bride or groom wants to meet a vendor on their own, then it isn’t an issue. But even if one person does all the talking and deciding, I think it’s comforting to have your significant other there. Many times, when you speak with a vendor, you get the sense that they are the professionals and they know what should be done, so when they offer suggestions, it would be very easy to just go along with them. It would be hard to diverge or present “out of the box” ideas. But it is easier when you’re not alone.
Overall, the experience was fun and I even thought of becoming a “Mystery Groom” on the side and setting up vendor meetings after I am married under the guise that I am engaged. Then I could write up reviews of my experience with different vendors and benefit from the free cake tastings and gifts that some places offer. But I guess I could even setup appointments as a blogger and tell them I wanted to do a piece on their shop and I wouldn’t have to disguise myself. But yes, I hope you can go together and have fun being Vendees!
