Choosing your wedding vendors usually start the same way.  As a bride, you may think to yourself, “I should probably start to look for a photographer” as your laptop screen pops up and you open your favorite search browser.  Nowadays, with the strike of the enter key, you can immediately see businesses that fit your search criteria the best. 

Flipping through websites, you browse portfolios, testimonials, and photographer bios in critical search for your perfect match.  With the great number of photographers out there, and yes there are quite a lot of us, you narrow it down to a few, and paste their e-mail address into a new message.

Sound familiar?  Whether it is a search for a photographer, DJ, florist, videographer, or whatever else you prioritize as a necessity for your special day, communicating through e-mail happens nearly every time.  It’s convenient and unobtrusive.

It’s also a way to quickly and efficiently spot red flags! Brides, use these tips to find out exactly how much the vendor is thinking about assisting you in your wedding planning.  These helpful tips can help reveal the extent of a person’s consideration and care for you, as their bride.

1)      The name of the e-mail address!

GOOD: theirname @ theircompany.com

BAD: superhotmama @ aol.com

2)      Reply Time

GOOD: Less than 24 hours

BAD: 2 or more days!

3)      Communication Skills

 GOOD: Mirroring your tone, energy, and length of the message

BAD: Answering questions and attaching documents that you did not request

4)      Reactions

GOOD:  Always saying “Thank you” and replying respectfully

BAD: Judging your budget and responding rudely or in a demeaning manner

5)      Follow Up

GOOD: Taking your contact information with the purpose to help you, not sell you

BAD: Not calling or e-mailing you the date or time they said they would

Brides, I hope this short list will help you distinguish between someone in the wedding industry who wants your money, and someone who wants you to have a wonderfully, unforgettable event.

Good luck and happy planning!

This information was taken from notes of Alan Berg’s Workshop. 

You can find more of Alan’s expertise at www.AlanBerg.com.