Your cousin Fred has a great camera. Your Aunt Mary loves to tell stories. Your Mom's clam dip is the hit of every party.
I know what you're thinking. Stop thinking it now. There are dozens of reasons not to pick a friend or relative to work as one of your wedding vendors. Here are a few of the most compelling.
1. They are not as good as a pro. No matter how cute the photos of your niece's first birthday, no matter how adorable the Ghostbuster cake was, they are not pros because, well, they are not wedding pros, capable of creating a one time event that can not be redone.
2. You cannot disagree or complain without YOU feeling guilty and THEM feeling betrayed. It's uncomfortable.
3. You still have to pay them, and any discussion of money is going to be weird.
4. They will not be able to be a 'vendor' and a 'guest' at the same time.
5. They will probably not be insured, and in any wedding venue (especially in NJ), they will need at least a million in liability insurance and possibly proof of workmans comp too.
6. If you're planning this far ahead and have a personal falling out, you'll be SOL.
7. They may not be as punctual with information, contracts, delivery.
8. They may not even HAVE a contract.
9. Enthusiasm is never a suitable substitute for actual wedding experience.
Find a pro, tell your friends and family their best 'job' on your wedding day is to be a guest. Problem solved.
I know what you're thinking. Stop thinking it now. There are dozens of reasons not to pick a friend or relative to work as one of your wedding vendors. Here are a few of the most compelling.
1. They are not as good as a pro. No matter how cute the photos of your niece's first birthday, no matter how adorable the Ghostbuster cake was, they are not pros because, well, they are not wedding pros, capable of creating a one time event that can not be redone.
2. You cannot disagree or complain without YOU feeling guilty and THEM feeling betrayed. It's uncomfortable.
3. You still have to pay them, and any discussion of money is going to be weird.
4. They will not be able to be a 'vendor' and a 'guest' at the same time.
5. They will probably not be insured, and in any wedding venue (especially in NJ), they will need at least a million in liability insurance and possibly proof of workmans comp too.
6. If you're planning this far ahead and have a personal falling out, you'll be SOL.
7. They may not be as punctual with information, contracts, delivery.
8. They may not even HAVE a contract.
9. Enthusiasm is never a suitable substitute for actual wedding experience.
Find a pro, tell your friends and family their best 'job' on your wedding day is to be a guest. Problem solved.