Vendor Wars

I often feel that couples pick vendors that speak to them and they never consider the fact that all these different types of vendors working together could be an issue.  There should never be an issue between vendors because they were all paid to do their job at the wedding and as long as they remain professional, the couple should be pleased. 


Though I've been noticing a ton of frustration from my social networking vendor friends about vendors working against each other instead of working together.  Seems like a lot of wasted energy that could be put towards making the couple's event successful. Being that we are in full wedding season, it has been back to back wedding, I've had the chance to see the good and the bad.  Great example of consideration was Kurt from Fun Factory DJ, saying he was going to play one more slow song to allow the photographer who had been banished to totally different room to eat his dinner, time to get back to photograph the father daughter dance. He could have continued with what was planned and never given it a second thought but he knew that the couple would miss out. The best part was that while I was fetching the photographer, no one knew that the DJ had planned one extra song. 


Now onto the bad, I had been given instructions by the family to make sure the vendors were able to eat throughout the event.  During a break in the line at the buffet station, the photographer quickly and quietly went through the line before the next table showed up.  Next before a new table went up, I sent the videographers through, (knowing they had been working with this family for close to 2 days of 10 plus hours, and needed to be fed). They went and sat on a rock outside the tent and ate quickly to ensure they could be back to work. Vendors quickly moved in and out never bothering a single guest.  Now our poor bartender who was hired by the family, and I WAS TOLD to make sure she eats before her shift ends is in line with guests all around her, and the catering manager YELLS at her that vendors shouldn't be in line with the guests. Talk about an awkward moment not just for the bartender but for the guests. 


As a planner, I attempt for vendors to get along, to remind them of the bigger picture.  Videographers and Photographers should work out a plan of attack when it comes to the wedding.  I loved hearing David from DL Video Productions once state that he tells photographers that take the first 30 seconds or minute of the first dance and then leave me the rest of the song to film them without flashes going off.  This way both vendors have shown off their talent, be professional and the couple WINS.


When you meet with your vendors (or have your planner do this) let them know you expect them to work together for the success of your wedding day!!