If you’re planning a destination wedding, you may be thinking about hiring local wedding vendors (i.e. vendors who are local to your chosen venue). Although I work internationally myself, I can recognise there are certain advantages to hiring people based locally. For a vendor to do a good job, I don’t believe they need to have previous experience working in a particular location, but local knowledge is always a bonus. The same goes for speaking the local language. However, there are a few key questions you should ask before booking local vendors for your destination wedding.
Having clarity about the way you will be charged is key. Are they asking for a flat fee, a percentage or a combination of both? And are they working on a commission basis with other suppliers or the venue? The issue of commission can be a little contentious. There’s nothing wrong with working on a commission or referral fee basis per se, but as clients you have a right to transparency.
Personally, as an Elite Member of the UK Alliance of Wedding Planners (UKAWP), I follow their Code of Business Practice. This means I ensure our vendor search extends beyond those we’ve worked with previously, regardless of whether there’s a referral fee involved. I'm happy for you to put forward and book vendors you’ve sourced yourself and I always recommend the best vendors and creative partners based on your requirements. As well as protecting our reputation for professionalism and integrity, the quality and success of your event are of the utmost importance to us.
Although all-inclusive packages are designed to make planning from a distance easier, they can make it more challenging to create a wedding that’s unique and personal to you. To avoid that cookie-cutter feel, I recommend arranging virtual consultations with your vendors. Communicate what you want and ask them to describe how they’ll bring your vision to life. If you’re short on time, this is something Benessamy can do on your behalf.
Whether you’re getting married at home or overseas, photos will always give you the best sense of what a vendor can achieve. Studying their previous work can also help you confirm you’re all on the same page style-wise, especially for things like hair and makeup or wedding flowers. You never know, your idea of an elegant bouquet could be very different to theirs! It’s also a good idea to read reviews, and if they don’t have any, ask to speak to couples they’ve worked with in the past.
At Benessamy, we’re committed to removing the stress associated with long-distance wedding planning. We can source vendors, handle negotiations, assist your guests, confirm bookings and co-ordinate every aspect of your overseas wedding or elopement. Discover our Overseas Wedding Planning Services or get in touch to arrange a consultation.
Val xx
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