There is so much to do when it comes to choosing all of the vendors for your event, that by the time you've actually decided on one it can seem like your job is done. For the vendor however, this is not the case. There are contracts to sign and deposits to pay before the deal is official. So, even if you are 100% sure in your mind that you want Franco Falencia's Floral Design to create the decor for your event, Franco really has nothing to go on until it's official. (Don't bother googling Franco, he's not real. If he was though, I'm sure his work would be fabulous).
First things first. Don't ask for a contract if you don't intend to sign it. If you want to see what is in the contract before you make your final decision, ask for a sample. Most vendors will have one when you meet with them, or if you are booking remotely they can email or fax one. This will be a blank or one with sample information filled in. If you ask for a contract specifically for your event, the vendor assumes you intend to book with them and will be sending in a signed copy with a deposit. Which lead me to my next point...
Turn your contract around quickly. Especially if you have been extended any sort of discount off of the book rate for the services you will be receiving. It's a courtesy and it makes for a great working relationship with your people. From the vendor's standpoint nothing is worse than having a contract out in the world just stagnant. It is at this point that we start to wonder if you have changed your mind, found someone else, joined the circus or moved to South America. Trust me all sorts of scenarios run through our minds. Remember, this is how we make a living, your deposit is someone's paycheck. If something comes up that causes a delay on your end, be honest with your vendor. Chances are they will be willing to work with you, as long as they know what's up. If they aren't, well maybe they weren't the right people for you in the first place.
An open dialogue with your vendors is the best way to avoid any snag ups or confusion or worse yet losing them to someone who's more on top of things than you are. Read all contracts carefully and ask questions. If there is something in it you don't like, ask if it can be changed. At this point you are not obligated to anyone. If there is some information the vendor needs that you don't have, i.e. what you want the band to wear at you event, ask if that can be determined at a later date. Write in any extra information or considerations. I personally hate blank spaces in contracts. They leave room for questions, issues and last minute problems.
Communication is equally important if you have decided not to hire a specific vendor for one reason or another. The phone calls and emails you keep getting are coming in because you haven't answered them. A good vendor works their office diligently. Until they've heard a no, you are still a possible yes. (Of course anyone who keeps calling or emailing after you have clearly told them that you went with someone else, you have my full permission to pummel... verbally). Simply answer one phone call or email with a polite "thank you for your time, but we've decided to go with someone else." There's nothing personal here, it's not like avoiding phone calls from your ex, or your crazy Aunt Harriet, and we won't be offended if you've decided to go with someone else. It's a competitive field. There's just as much rejection as acceptance. Some vendors may ask what influenced your decision so that they can improve their service in the future. It's OK to be honest and you should be.
If you are still undecided, give vendors an idea of when your decision might be made, or tell them when to follow up with you. Always make sure your have your first choice vendor contracted before you blow off your second or third choices, you may end up needing them after all. If you take a long time to make decisions, your first choice may no longer be available by the time you get to booking them.
The key to all of it is communication and professionalism. The people you are dealing with are pros, treat them as such. They are there to help you through this process. Ask questions and be up front. You'll take a lot of stress out of the whole thing for both you and your vendors. If you find someone difficult to communicate with or unwilling to make any compromises, you may need to go back to the choosing stage and skip booking them altogether.
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