Vendors that work well together
There are a lot of wedding vendors out there, and a lot of choice for you based on style and price range. After you’ve considered all of those, there is one more thing to think about. Do your vendors get along? This may sound silly, or like it doesn’t really matter, but there are three (or at least two) vendors that need to work together. The three are your DJ/Band, Photographer, and Videographer. For the most part, the DJ or Band works well with anyone, but I have heard cases of some companies not liking to work with others, and will turn down a job because of this. The two important ones are your photographer and your videographer. Now if you happen to book a company that does both, then you are in luck and don’t really need to read the rest of this. But for everyone else, here is why I stress the importance of vendors that like each other.
My first experiance with a Photographer that I didn’t like was back in October. I would gladly tell you the name save the fact that she never told me her name. She didn’t seem interested in anything else aside from taking her photos. In fact, through out the reception, she would walk in front of my video camera. Not to sound like I am more important, but I am taking video, and I can’t stop. At the beginning of a reception, I have the camera rolling for 25 straight minutes from the introductions, first dance, toast and blessing. If someone walks in front of me, then my shot is now bad, no second chance. A good photographer knows this, and will either duck under or go behind someone who is taking video. This photographer also got upset when wedding guests were snapping photos of shots that she set up.
Photographers that I like to work with communicate well, and we discuss positioning before the ceremony to make sure that we are not in each others way. This not only makes both of our days easier, but will result in better pictures and video of your wedding day.
Here are a couple of ways to figure out if you have a good match of video and photo. When you are first looking around and you are their web site, look to see if they have a list of recommended vendors. For example, I just started a list that you can see on the left to both vendor listings and vendors that I have worked with. If someone, like myself, lists another vendor then chances are they have worked together and they work well together. This is a good place to start. Say you found a great photographer, then look at their list videographers that they have worked with, and pick the one that is right for you. The other thing is in your first meeting with a vendor. One of my questions is always who your other vendors are. I want to know if I have worked with them or not. I have never turned down a job based on who your other vendors are, but I know that some people do, so these are all things that you should know about ahead of time.