Vendor Selection by Significant Events of Texas
Meredith Commender, the business owner and event planner at Significant Events of Texas shares with us how she selects vendors for her clients. She also gives advice for couples who are in the process of selecting vendors for their wedding.
How do you select a vendor?
I start with a list of several vendors in each category that I like and have worked with before. I have worked with these vendors at some point and I know their working style. Our clients need vendors who are professional and able to adapt to the way any event plays out. I only pick the very best vendors, and I owe my vendors my success. They make me look good.
How do you help you couples choose their vendor?
I first have a meeting with the client to understand their vision, personality, budget, and schedule. A client's budget helps me narrow down the list of potential vendors for them. The client will then research them online and select two of them. Then, we schedule in person meetings with the vendors to understand their personality and see if they will be able to work together.
.. their vision, personality, budget, and schedule.
This is particularly important when choosing a photographer, as the clients will be spending a lot of time with their photographer. Finally we check to see whether the vendor will be able to meet and work in the client's schedule. This is important because some vendors don't work on certain days when the clients are free.
If something goes wrong with a vendor, how do you fix the problem?
My job is to play the gatekeeper. I handle mistakes before the client ever knows there was a problem in the first place. I always will have to resolve any problem or help come up with a solution. This is why I select my team of vendors very carefully because I can trust them to be professional and quickly solve the problem. After every event I do an evaluation, taking into account the client’s feedback and my own experience. This helps the vendors to improve and avoid mistakes in the future.
How should couples research vendors on their own?
Clients can start their research online. Gather all the information you can. Try and contact people who have worked with the vendor before. Do not depend on the references provided by the vendor. The goal is to get an unbiased view of the vendor's services and business practices. Sign a contract with the vendor before starting any work with them. Vendors should also have good liability insurance in case something goes wrong.
Meredith Commender, CSEP Creative, meticulous, personable, and straightforward are all words that accurately describe Significant Events of Texas’s founder. Meredith strongly feels that your event should be a true reflection of your personal preferences and style and can show you how to turn your vision into a reality through her vast amount of experience and trusted colleagues. She is constantly educating herself about the newest trends in order for your event to be fresh and innovative, Meredith will ensure that the most significant events in your life are also extremely successful.
Significant Events of Texas Experienced event coordinators at Significant Events of Texas, take the stress and planning out of your next social or corporate occasion. Weddings, parties, fundraising galas, and corporate conferences are just a few of the events that we coordinate and design, taking each individual client’s wishes and desires into consideration so that the end result is beautiful, memorable, and also affordable. They offer both Full Service, Partial Planning, and “Day Of” Event Coordination to fit your budget needs. Custom invitation and graphic design available as well!
John Christopher Photography