Making the Cut – How To Get Onto Preferred Vendor Lists

By Shannon Underwood

1.  Stop Begging To Be Added To Wedding Venue’s Preferred Lists

The easiest way to be banned from working at a wedding venue is to look self-centered.  89% of wedding venue owners and 71% of wedding planners surveyed* mentioned that wedding professionals that consistently asked to be placed on a preferred list before actually getting to know the venue or planner were considered ‘unprofessional’, ‘annoying’ and ‘selfish’.

2.  Offer Your Services For Free

We all hate to offer our services at no cost but it might be the only way to actually get to know the professionals that we strive to do business with.

Ideas for comped services:

  • Décor for the venue’s bridal show booth
  • Photography of the venue
  • Lending wedding gowns (and mannequins) for an open house
  • Raffle items for a Instagram contest
  • Offering to help with open house set up or tear down

 

3.  Tag Venues On Social Media

We all love a positive review.  What if you send an email after you blogged, tweeted, or reviewed another wedding professional.

Your email would look something like this:

Hi Sabrina,

I wanted to send you the link on the review I just did on your bakery. The cupcakes you sampled at the bridal show I exhibited with you at were TO DIE FOR. I can’t wait to work together in the future.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/kreative-kupcakes-bakery-avondale-2

 

Have a great week,

Shannon Underwood

Or:

Good Morning Chris,

I am attaching a photo I took of your amazing venue at the last wedding we did together.   Your reception location is incredible and opulent.  Your staff, Sarah in particular, was such a dream to work with and helped show me where everything was.

Thank you again,

Shannon Underwood

 

*survey taken 2013 Wedding MBA attendee survey with 263 participants