Questions to Ask a Wedding Decorating Company BEFORE You Consider Hiring Them
We have compiled a list of the most crucial questions to ask a wedding decorating company before you consider hiring them. Remember, you are interviewing this company for a potential job within your wedding, be sure to ask the right questions to get the information you need to make an informed decision on whether or not that company is the right company for you, your vision and your wedding day.
1) How long have you been in business?
(It takes plenty of experience to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully execute a fully decorated wedding as well as learn quality designs and develop the capabilities to pay attention to the little details. Every wedding, every venue and every couple are different and the amount of experience the company has dealing with these factors is very important. You will want to know exactly how experienced the decorating company you are considering hiring is).
2) Where can I find testimonials or reviews?
(Make sure to do extensive research on the decorating company you are considering hiring and read the reviews that are available to you, you want to ensure the décor company you are considering hiring is reputable and delivers what it promises, you also want to ensure they are easy to work with and easy to get into contact with. If there is a review that might not be in their favour, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are a “bad” company, after all it is nearly impossible to please everyone, as long as you can see they have done everything in their power to try to please this person and as long as there isn’t multiple complaints about the same issue.
3) Are the pictures on the website of your work?
(Newly established decorating companies might not be displaying their own work on their website because they do not have many images to display, It may be more of “this is what we can do vs. this is what we have done” which can be deceiving. It’s ok for a company to use a photo that isn’t theirs to display a product like a chair cover or vase for example, but they should NEVER be using a picture that isn’t theirs to show a service, a service will show their quality of their work (Head Table, Backdrop, Ceiling Drapery etc.). Ensure the pictures you like on their website are really decorated by the company you are considering hiring).
(It takes plenty of experience to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully execute a fully decorated wedding as well as learn quality designs and develop the capabilities to pay attention to the little details. Every wedding, every venue and every couple are different and the amount of experience the company has dealing with these factors is very important. You will want to know exactly how experienced the decorating company you are considering hiring is).
2) Where can I find testimonials or reviews?
(Make sure to do extensive research on the decorating company you are considering hiring and read the reviews that are available to you, you want to ensure the décor company you are considering hiring is reputable and delivers what it promises, you also want to ensure they are easy to work with and easy to get into contact with. If there is a review that might not be in their favour, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are a “bad” company, after all it is nearly impossible to please everyone, as long as you can see they have done everything in their power to try to please this person and as long as there isn’t multiple complaints about the same issue.
3) Are the pictures on the website of your work?
(Newly established decorating companies might not be displaying their own work on their website because they do not have many images to display, It may be more of “this is what we can do vs. this is what we have done” which can be deceiving. It’s ok for a company to use a photo that isn’t theirs to display a product like a chair cover or vase for example, but they should NEVER be using a picture that isn’t theirs to show a service, a service will show their quality of their work (Head Table, Backdrop, Ceiling Drapery etc.). Ensure the pictures you like on their website are really decorated by the company you are considering hiring).
4) How many events do you book on a particular day/weekend?
(You will want to know what type of attention you and your wedding will be receiving from the decorating company on the day of your wedding and even the few days preceding your wedding, if the decorating company has more than 1 wedding booked you may not receive the attention that you are expecting).
5) How many events do you book per year?
(Similar to the above question, this will give you an idea as to how busy the decorating company is and if you will receive the personalized services and attention you are expecting).
(Similar to the above question, this will give you an idea as to how busy the decorating company is and if you will receive the personalized services and attention you are expecting).
6) Do you do this full-time?
(You will want to know how invested the company is in their own company, if the company does not decorate full time you might expect a slower response time to emails and telephone calls and not the attention to detail that you may be expecting).
(You will want to know how invested the company is in their own company, if the company does not decorate full time you might expect a slower response time to emails and telephone calls and not the attention to detail that you may be expecting).
7) How many decorators will be setting up for my wedding?
(This question relates to question 1) How long have you been in business? The decorating company’s experience will play a crucial role in determining how many decorators need to be on site setting up on the day of your wedding to ensure everything is completed within the venue’s timeline).
(This question relates to question 1) How long have you been in business? The decorating company’s experience will play a crucial role in determining how many decorators need to be on site setting up on the day of your wedding to ensure everything is completed within the venue’s timeline).
8) Do you have insurance?
(This is a must, any company you work with must be insured, this will tell you if the decorating company is prepared for the unexpected).
(This is a must, any company you work with must be insured, this will tell you if the decorating company is prepared for the unexpected).
9) Have you worked at my venue?
(This is a fantastic question to ask, not necessarily a make or break kind of question, but always good to know. If the decorating company has been to your venue, they already know the ins and outs of working with that venue, their layout and space and their staff).
(This is a fantastic question to ask, not necessarily a make or break kind of question, but always good to know. If the decorating company has been to your venue, they already know the ins and outs of working with that venue, their layout and space and their staff).
10) Where can I find more example of your work (other than what is featured on your website)?
(It’s always a good idea to get a full picture of what the company you are considering hiring can do or has done, be sure to visit all of their accounts).
11) What do you do differently than other décor companies?
(There might be additional benefits to hiring that décor company vs. another that you may not know about unless you ask).
(There might be additional benefits to hiring that décor company vs. another that you may not know about unless you ask).
12) Why should I book with you?
(This is a key question! Be sure to ask it, and be sure you are satisfied with their response before choosing to book with them).
13) What happens if you were seriously injured or ill and are not able to set up our wedding?
(This has to be the single most important question you ask your decorating company or any company you’re working with on your wedding day, these types of companies do not have the ability to call in sick, ensure the decorating company you are considering hiring has adequate trained employees or has a back up plan in case a situation like that were to arise.
(This has to be the single most important question you ask your decorating company or any company you’re working with on your wedding day, these types of companies do not have the ability to call in sick, ensure the decorating company you are considering hiring has adequate trained employees or has a back up plan in case a situation like that were to arise.
Additional Key Points
- Although your budget is important, be wary of decorating companies priced too low
- Remember these important quotes “you get what you pay for” and “If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is”
- Always sign a contract, if it’s not in writing you have nothing protecting you and your deposit
- Be wary of businesses that have an email that look like this companyname@hotmail.com
- Most of these questions can and should be asked to any wedding professional you plan on hiring, not just the decorating company.
I hope by preparing and educating couples that they are more equipped to choose the right decorating company for them and their wedding day. – Krystle Barnes – Event Designer