The right questions to ask your vendors before booking them for your event

There are many options of vendors for any given event. This includes live entertainment, DJ’s, catering, florists and more. But how do you choose the right one? What should you ask before booking them? Here are some questions that will undoubtedly help you decide!

“How long have you been in business?”

It is always a smart idea to hire a professional. These are people of any industry who are seasoned veterans and have been doing their job for many years. This question can be asked of any vendor and will help you understand how long they have been in business.

“Do you have a portfolio or website?”

Whether it is a physical portfolio or an online one, this is a very easy way to see the vendors passed work. This can be in the form of videos, photos or even a website. It is a great point of reference for you and an easy way to share the information with other members involved in planning your event.

“Do you have any references or testimonials?”

If they have been in the game for some time that usually means that they had to have been hired at some point. Our suggestion is to ask around or view online of any reviews for that vendor. This could help avoid a few vendors whose work may be subpar. Reviews go a long way; so if you enjoyed work by a passed vendor, make sure to leave them a nice comment to help them out!

“Can we see a sample of your performance?”

This question is especially important for live entertainment. Upon request, companies will send you to their website or provide you with links to events they have done on the past. It is a great way to also see various crowds reacting to their performance to help give you an idea if it is a fit for your event. We at Bongo & B pride ourselves on our live entertainment. We have tons of video showcasing our talented performers available on our website. Ask us for a consultation today!

“What are your rates?”As important it is to have a big luxurious event, it is just as important to ensure it fits your budget.  Different vendors will offer different rates, so it is very important to know where to allocate money when needed. For example, entertainment may be more valuable to one planner versus another person who may value catering more for their event. Know your event, budget accordingly and you will eliminate a need to have to choose between bargain and quality.