8 Questions To Ask At A Bridal Show | Soundwave DJ and Photo

01.22.15 | Buffalo NY Event Planning, Wedding Planning Tips

We are in the midst of another bridal show season and we felt it was time to give some of our best wedding show advice!

Most brides and grooms-to-be will attend these shows in hopes to save some hard earned dollars. While it’s true that most vendors have a deal or discount for their services, it’s also true that not all wedding service professionals are created equal.

There are many great DJs and photographers in the Buffalo area to choose from at bridal shows, but it’s important to stay sharp and ask a lot of questions to ensure you’re getting what you paid for.

Here are the top 8 questions to ask at a bridal show!

1 – Who is the ACTUAL person that will be working my wedding?

There are many companies in the area that will have a number of people who could potentially work with you on your wedding day – us included. Soundwave DJ and Photo will let you know who your wedding professional is that you will be working with from the beginning. Not only should you ask this question for DJs/Photographers, but it’s important to know this about your videographers and limo drivers as well! You should have all the names ahead of time Most tables at these bridal shows have the owners there to fill you in on important details. If you have a good feeling about the company, it’s most likely you will be happy with their services as well.

2 – Do you have a backup plan and/or backup equipment?

Although you wish for your wedding day to go perfectly, that may not always happen. Are you booking a solo wedding professional? What happens if they get sick? What happens is your wedding professional has an emergency to attend to? It’s important to make sure that you are protected if something does go array and that your wedding DJ or photographer has a back up plan.

3 – Are you insured?

This is a big deal. Vendors need insurance for many reasons but the biggest reason is to make sure the liability is off of you if something happened. It’s important to also realize that not all contracts are the same. For example, if your photographer drives across the golf course lawn for your ceremony, or a DJ blows out the venue’s sound system – do you know who’s liable?

4 – Why is your price higher (or lower) than the other vendors?

This is one question that does require an answer. At bridal shows, vendors are ready to do whatever it takes to get you to sign up for their services. The best way to decipher if you’re getting the best services at the best possible price is to trust your gut. You may notice someone has the “infomercial” scheme to “Sign up now! It’s the best deal you’ve ever seen!” – we’ll strongly advise to steer clear of this. When asking about price, the vendor should be able to give you a clear-cut reason as to why their prices are what they are.Always remember – if the deal is dirt cheap, are you really getting the best service possible? Probably not. You get what you pay for.

5 – How much experience do you have?

It’s important to remember that everyone has to start out somewhere, but you should decide if you want to be the guinea pig or not. We don’t need to remind you that it’s your big day and you should probably find out if it’s your wedding professional’s first rodeo. Luckily with most of the bridal shows in the area, there will be some experienced DJs and photographers that provide outstanding services that have testimonials to back them up.

6 – Do you have a contract?

This is simple. If there’s no contract, there’s no guarantee. Be sure ask what happens if you pay late? Or if there are due dates for payments? Know what the vendor’s payment policies are and if there are any consequences for not following through.

7 – Are there any hidden fees or extra charges?

Some people like surprises, but not necessarily when it means you have to pay more. Make sure to ask some of the following questions!

Is gratuity included?
Is there a travel charge?
Are there set-up fees?
How far is the wedding professional willing to travel?
Are there post production charges?
Etc….

8 – What do I need to do from a planning standpoint?

No matter what aspect of your wedding, you’re going to have to let the wedding professional know what your style is. This is very important in regards to music – we NEED to know what type of music you like! Of course we’ll assist you along the way, but it’s necessary to know what your taste is to ensure we can incorporate your style into the overall feel of the reception.Not only is it important for the DJ to know your taste in music, but your photographer should know what style photos you’re looking for. This will help them find the right locations to shoot at that match your needs for your wedding day.Different vendors have different takes on how to plan out the day so make sure that your planners are easy to understand.Next time you head out to a bridal show – you’re officially prepared with questions that can help make your wedding day one to remember. If you’re sick of bridal shows and just want to book a local DJ and Photographer, contact Soundwave DJ and Photo today!

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