• Feed your vendors.  While it is not necessary to feed them the $60pp filet or salmon it is standard to provide food for your vendors. Also, be sure to provide drinks for your vendors (no alcohol necessary, but water, tea or soda is nice).
• Talk with your vendors.  Your wedding takes months to plan, and sometimes years.  Having the right vendors makes all of the difference, but you still have to inform your vendors.  Make a list of songs to play, photos to capture and serving rules.  You get the idea.
• Gift your vendors.  This may sound like a crazy idea- but why not include your vendor in the festivities.  Wedding vendors sometimes have 40-50 weddings a year, make yours standout by giving your vendor the same favor given to your guests or if there is a vendor you have make a connection with be sure to show it.  As a vendor I can say that even the smallest gifts mean so much.  One of my favorite brides gave me a beautiful broach that matched her dress- I will always treasure it.
• Thank your vendors.  Be sure to send a Thank You note to your vendors.  I know that as a new bride you have so many people to thank, but everyone raved about the cake, the DJ, the organization of your bridal consultant, etc it is only standard to send a handwritten thank you note.

There you have it.  Seriously it takes so little to say “Thank You” to your vendors and trust me- they appreciate it and it will show during your event.

Of course the best compliment is a referral.  Wedding and event vendors thrive on word of mouth advertising and sometimes it is the only form of advertising they have. That’s why I am adding this to my Love-It!! folder.