I need food for thought. This is all speculative at this point, but its something my husband and I really need to decide on within the next few weeks before this meeting of the minds takes place.

We've recently met with an event decorator in the area who is a definite mover and shaker. She's got the contacts and knows the people you need to know to get "in" the small network of wedding vendors in this area (Austin). A couple days ago she met with the business owners of a reception facility and in her presentation she showed them some slides of our work - she said they were very impressed and want to see more.

Her goal is to become the exclusive decorater for their reception facility or at least a preferred vendor. In three weeks she finds out what their decision is regarding that. In the meantime, she has spoken to me a bit about the following:

When she returns to meet with them she'd like to present the option of bringing me in for a one on one meeting w/ the owners with the goal of being offered the opportunity to become the exclusive photographer(s) for their facility or at least a preferred vendor.

Now comes reality. The good vs. the bad of both situations and we've been brainstorming.

Exclusivity could mean:
1) guarantee at least 6 months of free dates to book at their venue or more
2) NEVER turn a job down - can be considered breach of contract = sue our butts
3) stability - They are booking full weekends and are slated to open a few more venues in the area in the next few years.
4) quicker name recognition in the industry to book w/ other venues

Preferred status is simply handing out our cards to their new clients and strongly suggesting they use our services, but its not required.

Believe me , we won't be signing anything without a lawyer and at this point its all speculative as I said before but I'd like to hear opinions on this. Is anyone in an exclusive relationship with a reception venue? What do you like/dislike about it?

Honestly, this is all overwhelming and exciting but our guard is up HIGH because we don't want to make the wrong decision. We have time to think about it and tell the vendor what we decided before she goes to her meeting and says we're either interested in one or the other.

So you big time wedding pros...any tips for us?!

#1 - Make sure that financially it is a good deal for you. Many time exclucivity means the venue sets the price and you will not make as much as you normally would.. you also probably won't be able to raise your prices. If you get a lot of clients it might be great for you... but depending on where you want to go in the future, make sure it is part of your goal.

#2 - Is it worth it for you time wise and turning down other clients if they contact you but you have to keep certain dates available?

#3 - Is it going to help your business with exclusivity?

#4 - Yes, preferred status is simply handing out a card; however, if you are good and the place sells you it could be very beneficial. I have a relationship with a venue like that and it is wonderful; however, the bad side is they just changed wedding coordinators and now I am not getting as many calls, because this wedding coordinator doesn't sell me as much... good and bad.

Good luck on your decision.

Exclusivity isn't always bad, but make sure it is going to benefit your company and the growth of your company.

P.S. I'm going to be in Austin for a wedding at the end of the month.. where are you located?

Right off the top of my head this is what stands out:



What happens if, for example, you book a client in January for Oct 20th. Then in February the venue comes to you and says they have a client for Oct 20th? Will you be in breach? Will they require you to drop your current client to take theirs on?

Or what if you're required to hold Oct 20th open for them and a client comes along and says "I want you to shoot my wedding in Paris!" and you have to turn them down?

And then if you don't book Oct 20th thru them and it's too late to book your own client, are they going to reimburse you for the loss of business if you've turned away other potential clients?

I dunno. I would never *want* to be the exclusive vendor of a facility. It's too much like being employed. And there are too many potential pitfalls.

Karen

Generally, we would not do a deal like that simply because we like going to different places and meeting different people. I would hate to tie myself to a certain venue for such a huge block of time because it might mean I'd have to give up that extremely cool wedding in Belize or on uncle Joes farm in the country.

Just a thought.

Good Luck!

Michael

Feeling obligated to shoot in the same place and take on up to three weddings a week would really wear on me VERY quickly. I like freedom, variety, knowing that I can pick and choose who hires me - I don't want to feel obligated to take everything that comes my way. I already feel terrible when a good friend or family member gets married and I can't photograph their wedding because I'm already booked!

My guess is that if you signed an exclusive deal with a site - you would need to make sure you have the staffing to support it so that you aren't there every day of every single weekend. Some people like predictability, knowing what to expect, having the comfort of not needing to work to find jobs, staying in a local area. You have to decide if that's the kind of person you are.

I have to be honest and say that if you become a required item with the booking of that venue - your value will actually decrease because it is no longer a CHOICE to have you, it is an obligation. I also think your name recognition would go DOWN because you aren't meeting and working with other vendors on a regular basis. Just my 2 pennies.

PS. I think preferred is a great option - because you can always say your date is already booked elsewhere, yet you have a strong recommendation.

Thank you all SOOOOO very much for your input. Your responses are very well thought and you have given me GREAT food for thought! Thank you for being honest and taking the time to answer.

First and foremost, I do NOT want to feel "employed" and that's the first thing that came to mind although I didn't list it. I want the freedom to accept and refuse jobs based on the connection I feel with my clients. I want the freedom and variety of shooting in new reception venues. I'm trying to see this 2 or 3 yrs down the road and wondering if I"ll be bored to tears shooting at the same venue over and over. Sure i'll have the brides or engagement session locations to change it up...but Anne you sound alot like me..I'm a free spirit

I'm also concerned about "breach of contract." This didn't come from the reception venues mouth, this was just tips the decorator was giving me..but I too wondered exactly what it could mean? Does that mean I can't book ANYTHING until I fill up my obligation to them?


And I also wondered how it could hurt us ...being an obligation vs. a choice. I would prefer the latter and can see how it would help book even more clients. We're noobs (just hit 2 yrs and slowly climbing) and of course this sounds like a "dream" but I prefer to live in reality and not walk into the lions den without considering everything on the line.

Sounds like I prefer "preferred" status already huh?

Another thing that the decorator mentioned was that it would most likely interfere with my religious schedule because I'd be booked on Sundays. I'm a christian..Sundays are for God. I may schedule a session when there's no other option, but I give all the praise to Him for what we've accomplished already. The thought of having to put $$$ before Him just bugs me already. Sure I want to be successful, but not at the cost of my faith. I wanna be like Chik-fil-A - closed on Sundays

Kimberly- I'm just south of Austin in Kyle.


I"m definitely sending everything from this thread to my husband. I'm sure he'll appreciate your input too.

Oh wow, don't think of it as putting $$$ before Him; think of the joy and happiness you're providing for the couple, if not the generations of that family, for years to come. Revel in the union of the couplie in God's eyes and embrace the joy that is certainly part of the day. Keep the "work" (editing, PPing, packaging) until later in the week. You probably won't have that many requests for Sunday weddings anyways.

So far, and I hope it never changes, the actual photographing of the wedding is not work for us, it's fun! Just a thought...

Michael

if you are not the exlusive photographer, will someone else be? if not now, are they looking for an exclusive photographer if not you?

if there is someone else (who is exlusive), why would they have a preferred list?

tough call, but i would find it hard to shoot the same place over and over again.
sorry, that doesn't really help, huh?

We do have alot of fun at weddings. What I meant was missing every Sunday service because I"m obligated to do a wedding. KWIM? I mean..that's a long shot that it would happen, but I don't want to give up too much for the sake of work.


Bellissima- I also asked the decorator if she knew their intentions. She said she wasn't sure, but she wanted me to be prepared for either scenario and choose which one I was most comfortable with. I suppose if they did go exclusive and we opted out of it then I won't be shooting there anyway, but I am silently hoping they go with a preferred list and put me on it!