Planning a big celebration—may it be a grand masquerade debut or a fairytale-like wedding, takes time and effort to find the best credible suppliers especially here in the Philippines. There are thousands of independent entrepreneurs and companies to choose from, hence it is important to determine those who are trustworthy and whom you could rely on for your special occasion.

Nowadays, the internet is our best friend. It makes everything easier and reachable. However doing an online transaction is risky since there are various fraudulent activities online; it’s just right for you to be cautious and do thorough research since we’re talking about time, money, effort, and of course, a once-in-a lifetime experience.

But the real question is, how would you know if you are booking a legit and credible supplier? Not to worry because here are four ways to verify your vendor or suppliers’ credibility just by using your phone or laptop!

Business Page

Facebook Page of Host Jam

You are probably following more than a hundred brands online. This includes retail, restaurants, online shops, and everything under the sun.

Thanks to the innovation of e-commerce, everything that you need is now available online. Businesses nowadays have their own Facebook page or Instagram account where you can view their past works, learn more about the brand, and communicate and transact with them. 

With the help of social media, you would also be able to determine if their work is the right match for you. For example, hiring a suitable photo and video team is tricky since each studio has their own style. To help you find the right one, visualize what kind of shoot do you want to have, what kind of photos are you aiming for – Is it rustic? Elegant? Light and bright? Having these elements will allow you to determine if you would be able to connect with your supplier based on their published works online. 

When it comes to hosting, you have a vast candidate of professional master of ceremonies who can make your event come to life and entertain your audience. What you must look for on their page are 1) sample videos and 2) games and other program inclusions.

Soon-to-wed tip: You can join Facebook groups when looking for a supplier. This is one of the efficient ways to find everything that you need in just one space. Simply post the kind of suppliers that you are looking for and they will reach out to you as soon as possible.

Co-supplier tip: To make your business page more credible, make sure to fill out all necessary information in the about section. Provide alternative ways for the client to reach you such as email address or contact number. When producing promotional materials, make sure that it is aligned to your brand and looks professional. Remember, everything that you post is a representation of your business.

Reviews and Testimonials

Finding a gem online is a jackpot and you can determine if they are trustworthy based on their review and testimonials. These are messages left by users who have been a client of that specific supplier.

Similar to online shopping, you have to check their reviews and testimonials to prove that they are tried and tested. These are commonly published on their Facebook Page Review Tab, you can find this at the left menu just below the page’s default picture. Some accounts also repost their client’s feedback similar to the image below.

NOTE: Be cautious when a supplier only has limited reviews and testimonials and if looks too scripted. It’s always better to look for reviews that are spontaneous, detailed, and seem to be coming from a real person and not a dummy account.

Referrals and Recommendations

Do you remember the last time that you asked a friend where he/she bought a specific thing? Well, it also applies when checking the credibility of a supplier.

What other testimony do you need if a friend referred to a specific supplier, right? Word-of-mouth and referrals are the most trusted feedback that you could get about a product or service. With that, you can ask your other friends who recently had an event for their list of suppliers to jumpstart your hunting. This will give you a headstart and just filter what you need or want as you go along. 

If you already booked a supplier, you may also ask them for recommendations on specific things that you need. May it be lights and sounds, florists, coordinator or etc. You can also start by checking their posts for tagged co-suppliers.

Customer Service

One way to prove their credibility is how well they accommodate their clients. So don’t hesitate to send your potential supplier all the possible inquiries you can raise. One of the most important things when booking a supplier is the client-supplier communication. Both of you must have a “heart” for one another. You will feel that your supplier cares if they make the effort to give you time, get to know you as a couple. Aside from that, having a good relationship will make working with one another feel more light and at ease. You don’t have to be a bride-zilla or groom-zilla on your wedding day!

Soon-to-wed tip: Provide inspirations or examples to your supplier when asking about their product or service. This will give you an idea if they will be able to deliver your desired output. It’s better to be clear than have an “expectation versus reality” experience!

Right Supplier for the Right Event  

Just like in life, right time, right opportunity, right person, and the right supplier. The stars must be aligned to make your event perfect and magical!

Scouring the internet takes a lot of time but it will definitely be worth it once your plan has come to life. Whether you are planning for a hometown wedding celebration, destination event in Tagaytay, or anywhere in the Philippines, you’ll be able to find the right supplier in just a tap. 

Want to know how you can make your celebration even extra special? Finding the best events host! Host Jam Team has a running 15-year record in the events industry with hundreds of events under her sleeve. Here’s an example of how she can make your celebration fun, organized, and even more memorable.