Proper etiquette for booking a vendor when you still have appointments with others?

Hey date twin! Agree with @Kate and @Olivia P. If you like the one you already met with I would book her so that date doesn't fill up. I learned in my planning that our date fills up very fast (at least where I am) so I would be hesitant to go much longer without booking someone!

Thanks ladies! So if I book her, is it super super super rude to then potentially cancel with her in a few weeks if I LOVE the other girl?!

@Jessica - Unless you give her a deposit, you're really not booking her.

And yes, that's rude. Why can't you just be upfront and tell her that you love her, but want to get a few other quotes and meetings in before you commit? You know, like, honesty?

Please be completely honest when interviewing vendors. We know you are shopping around. You're not going to hurt our feelings. At the same time the only thing that guarantees your date is a signed contract and paid retainer. We also greatly appreciate when you let us know that you'll be going with a different wedding pro. That way we're not hounding you with follow ups. Best wishes!

First, kudos for taking into account that vendors' time is valuable.

It's pretty normal for people to meet with more than one vendor of a type, and a week to sign a contract is kinda pushy, IMHO.

I wouldn't book with the idea that you might cancel. You could let her know you are not ready to make a decision and take the chance that she'll be open; in my experience, MUA's are one of the last vendors to be booked, so you're really in good shape time wise....

If you love her, book her. If you need to look around, look around.

It's not rude, it's just business. If you end up loving the other MUA please advise the original one and you'll simply forfeit your retainer. She's not left empty handed and you get the make up artist you want. Good luck.

Cait, because I have never done this and I am truly not sure what the proper protocol is, hence why I am here asking.

@HitchedbyMV, thank you so much! This is exactly what I was wondering!! Will do!!

To be a little more specific, there's two ways you can do it:

1) Book the first person you really like, knowing you will forfeit a deposit you give if you cancel on them. That's why vendors have deposits: they realize they will likely lose a percentage of clients to this sort of thing and it's a safeguard measure.

2) Let the first vendor know you really like her work, but you have a couple other meetings with other vendors and want to have those meetings before you book anyone. Any decent business person understand this, but you have to keep in mind that person may be booked on the date you want by the time you make a decision.

Just be honest with this HMUA and tell her you're still looking around. Of course she can't hold your date for you, but at least be honest. I feel like it's shitty to book a vendor and then cancel immediately when you find a better one. Do some shopping first, and then choose.