(And That DJ Who Only Plays the Chicken Dance Should Go With It)

Let’s talk about that dusty PDF of “preferred vendors” you’re sending to your couples. You know, the one with the photographer who hasn’t updated their portfolio since Mason jars were revolutionary, and the DJ who still thinks the Cupid Shuffle is fresh and exciting.

Why Your Vendor List Is Failing Everyone

Your Current List:

  • Hasn’t been updated since 2022
  • Includes vendors who’ve retired
  • Lists prices that are laughably outdated
  • Shows old style references
  • Mixes A-tier and C-tier vendors

And your couples? They’re either:

  • Ignoring it completely
  • Getting ghosted by unavailable vendors
  • Finding outdated pricing
  • Getting confused by mixed quality levels
  • Losing trust in your recommendations

The Real Problem With Preferred Lists

They’re not actually “preferred” – they’re just:

  • Vendors who gave you their info
  • People who worked there once
  • Names you collected over time
  • Random recommendations
  • Whoever asked to be listed

Let’s be honest: Some of these vendors are on your list because they bought you lunch that one time in 2019. (You know exactly who I’m talking about.)

Your List Is Actually Hurting Your Business

Every time a couple:

  • Gets outdated pricing from your list
  • Can’t reach a vendor who’s retired
  • Has a bad experience with a listed vendor
  • Finds better options elsewhere
  • Questions your recommendations

They’re losing trust in YOU. Not the vendor – YOU.

The Modern Vendor Partnership Approach

Smart venues are ditching the dusty lists for:

Curated Partnership Tiers:

  • True A-team vendor partners
  • Proven backup vendors
  • Style-matched creatives
  • Experienced pros only
  • Active relationships

Real Partnership Benefits:

  • Mutual referrals
  • Collaborative marketing
  • Shared styled shoots
  • Joint promotions
  • Active engagement

Creating True Vendor Partnerships

Instead of a random list, build:

A Core Dream Team:

  • Vendors who match your brand
  • Pros who understand your space
  • Creatives who elevate experiences
  • Partners who refer back
  • Teams who market together

Style-Specific Partners:

  • Boho-vibe vendors
  • Classic style pros
  • Modern minimalists
  • Luxury specialists
  • Cultural celebration experts

The New Vendor Partnership Model

Stop sending generic lists. Start creating:

Experience Portfolios:

  • Real wedding features
  • Vendor collaboration stories
  • Style-specific galleries
  • Team success stories
  • Partnership showcases

Actual Partnership Programs:

  • Mutual marketing agreements
  • Cross-promotion plans
  • Collaborative events
  • Shared content creation
  • Joint workshops

Making It Work For Your Venue

  1. Audit Your Current List:
  • Remove inactive vendors
  • Update all pricing
  • Verify current work
  • Check responsiveness
  • Confirm quality
  1. Create Partnership Tiers:
  • Elite partners
  • Specialty vendors
  • Backup teams
  • Style specialists
  • Cultural experts
  1. Build Real Relationships:
  • Regular meetups
  • Joint marketing
  • Shared goals
  • Active communication
  • Mutual support

The Revenue Impact

When you build real partnerships instead of lists:

  • Vendors actively refer you
  • Quality goes up
  • Couples trust you more
  • Planning gets easier
  • Revenue increases

Let’s Talk About Vendor Accountability

Here’s the tea: Vendors need you more than you need them. Your venue is hosting 30, 40, maybe 50+ weddings a year. That’s a lot of potential business for them. But what are they doing to earn it?

Signs It’s Time to Say “Bye”:

  • They never update their portfolio
  • Their response time is slower than your great-aunt typing an email
  • They keep sending you the same styled shoot from 2019
  • They ghost your couples but slide into your DMs asking for referrals
  • They’re not investing in their business (or your relationship)

Remember: Being on your vendor list is a privilege, not a right. If they’re:

  • Not showing up to venue open houses
  • Missing deadlines for collaborative content
  • Failing to support your social media
  • Delivering inconsistent quality
  • Making excuses instead of improvements

Then it’s time for them to go. There are plenty of hungry, talented vendors ready to step up and actually earn their spot on your list.

But What About Vendor Freedom?

Here’s the thing: You can have both.

  • Keep an open vendor policy
  • But showcase your true partners
  • Highlight successful collaborations
  • Share real results
  • Demonstrate value

The Bottom Line

Stop sending outdated vendor lists that undermine your credibility. Start building true partnerships that elevate everyone’s game.

Your venue deserves partners who:

  • Match your standards
  • Share your vision
  • Elevate experiences
  • Actively collaborate
  • Drive mutual success

Ready to ditch the dusty vendor list?

P.S. That vendor who’s been on your list since 2018 but hasn’t worked at your venue in two years? Yeah, it’s time to let them go. Trust me, they won’t even notice – they’re probably retired in Florida by now.