5 Marriage Firsts Every Couple Experiences

Photo: Courtesy of CNP Montrose

Friends seem to come out of the woodwork when you get engaged, offering everything from congratulations to questions about the when, where, and how of your wedding. One type of friend who could be more eager than most? A friend with a wedding-related talent (photography, makeup, invitation design, you name it).
But what if, for whatever reason, you've decided to hire someone else to provide a service for your wedding instead? Our experts let you know how to tell a friend you won't be hiring them for your big day.

Friendors can be a great asset to your wedding if the friend in question is a real pro with serious talent and a portfolio to prove it. But the situation can get sticky if you feel like your friendship might be at risk if you decide to go a different direction. If this friend of yours is close enough to make the guest list, you've got a built-in excuse. All it takes is a simple "I really want you to be able to enjoy the day and celebrate with us instead of working," and you should be in the clear.

If your friend may not make the guest list, it can be harder to explain that you'll be hiring someone else -- and even harder to make that choice if they're offering you a deal. Be sure to do the same due diligence you'd do for a vendor in a purely professional relationship, looking at their website or portfolio and getting references from past clients. Do they do great work that's simply to modern/rustic/formal/out there for your taste? Kindly tell them that it's not the style you're looking for -- but be sure to praise their talents all the while!

A friend who's offering a service that isn't their full-time profession is probably not one you want to test out on your wedding day. Even if you're still on the hunt for the professional you're hoping to work with, a little white lie that you're negotiating a contract with someone else should be enough to get you off the hook.

source: thehuffingtonpost