Vendors requesting too much

The vendor client relationship
The nature of a wedding is intimate so keeping relationships strictly business
can be a difficult task. It can be difficult not only for the bride but also for the vendors. One of the key aspects that a bride looks for when hiring a wedding
designer or coordinator, videographer or photographer is a personal connection. After all, she is going to share the most intimate moments with them but she needs to remember that she must keep the relationship professional. If a vendor does something less to be professional the bride does have the right to release the vendor from their contract. Also if the bride has expectations outside that contract that needs to be addressed early on. Remember you have the right to demand contract obligations but not the right to expect your vendor to turn coal into diamonds-unless it is specified in the contract.

What is a bride to do if she finds out that her vendor was not who they claimed they were or the vendor neglects to live up to said expectations?
Address that with the vendor. We all make mistakes and some vendors have really small shops (this is not a bad thing, it means a stronger personal connection). Even vendors have life altering issues that may interfere with day-to-day operations. That being said if your vendor fails to return multiple phone calls in a row you have the right to be concerned about their performance on a bride’s wedding day.

One month before her wedding a potential bride called me seeking our availability for her Charleston, SC wedding. I always ask why the quick planning because for a vendor what seems to be a really unorganized bride could mean a very needy bride. I have to make sure that I have the extra time that she will need. She told me that she fired her wedding coordinator in Chicago-who worked with her photographer husband. The coordinator became pregnant and expected the bride to pay airfare for the coordinator’s 65 year old parents to come help with the wedding. This was not in the contract that the bride signed and it is unreasonable for the coordinator to make this request. The bride had many reservations about firing her coordinator and photographer.
She felt bad but the vendor expected way too much and was out of line. No vendor should expect any bride to pay for this. With so many coordinators in the area of Charleston she could have hired help for the day. It really sounded like vendor was trying to get a family vacation out of it. That was unethical and out of line. All worked out she found a photographer and her florist was a talented wedding designer. Her wedding was beautiful and featured in a wedding magazine.
When dealing with a vendor that you have problems with put everything in writing and refer directly to the contract.
Keeping a paper trail will help to protect you if things end up going to court. Request that your vendor put everything in writing as well as your responses to it. Honesty is a huge attribute in a vendor or anyone for that matter. We have clients who have been less than honest thus know that can be a frustrating experience. Contracts are there to protect you and the vendor. Thus if you feel that a vendor is being less than honest you need to let your vendors know that you are unhappy when you are unhappy-don’t let it build up. On the other side a vendor should not be as aggressive with you. They are working with you and should be as accommodating as possible.