Artisans are skilled craft workers that create or make things by hand that could be either functional or purely decorative. It’s safe to say that wedding photography falls into the more decorative side of things. We creative decorative pieces of art from your wedding day. In Orlando, there are so many wedding photographers. There’s even more wedding vendors. All of which are artisans. Being an artisan typically means that we are emotionally invested in our work. Here are a couple of tips to help when dealing with wedding vendors that are also artisans.
1. Remember that we work the weekends. Most of the world runs on a nine to five, Monday through Friday schedule. Most wedding vendors have Monday and Tuesday off. Weddings tend to fall on Friday, Saturday, or Sundays. The last thing that you would want us to do during your wedding would be to pick up a phone call or start sending out emails. That would just be rude If it’s the weekend, a Monday, or a Tuesday, then don’t expect an immediate response.
“Artisans aren’t these huge corporations where we have hundreds or thousands of people working around the clock to respond to every inquiry or question that comes in.”
2. Respond promptly. Artisans are highly invested in their work. There are so many things that go through our heads after we send out an email. It kills us after 24 hours of silence. Artisans aren’t these huge corporations where we have hundreds or thousands of people working around the clock to respond to every inquiry or question that comes in. We don’t have email response templates. We write everything out in response to each and every single inquiry that comes in.
3. Research your vendors and try to put together a list of people that really and truly interest you. I’ve talked about it before when dealing with photographers, but try to connect with your vendor. Create a short list of artisans. Try to find out what they’ve done. Have they worked in the venue that you want? Have a consultation with them and see if what you have in mind for your wedding is similar to what they have in mind.
4. Consider your budget. Every business is different. Some of us try to go ahead and control the amount of people that we work with. Some people take anything that comes in through the door. It’s is truly a Quality vs. Quantity issue. The prices that people have for their services or products are there for a reason. Understand that many artisans in the wedding industry don’t have another job. This is their job. This is what they do for a living. When you try to haggle a price down, you’re literally taking money out of their pocket. You’re literally taking food out of their children’s mouths.
5. Look online for referrals and reviews. There are so many websites out there. Go to WeddingWire and see the reviews people leave. Ask your friends that are married if they’re happy with the experience that they had with their vendor and whether or not they would recommend them. They have first hand experience with what the vendors do. Some artisans even have a referral program where they offer an incentive for being referred by a past bride or groom. It won’t hurt to ask.
“Artisans are creatives that constantly have their heads spinning over what to do next (creatively speaking).”
Extra Tip: Try to have as much information as possible in the inquiry that you’re going to send to your vendor. Try to include the wedding date, venue (if already had), and what you’re budget looks like for that service or product that they provide. The more information the better. Artisans are creatives that constantly have their heads spinning over what to do next (creatively speaking). Create an image of what you want in their head. Let them know exactly what you’re looking for from them. This way they’ll be able to help you find what you want.
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This is one of my favorite artisans in Orlando.
She’s a pretty awesome wedding photographer.
