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Give them cash!
Yes, they are offering their service for free and that is extremely kind, but hard work deserves compensation. Imagine if you had to pay full price for the work they are giving to you for free. Give them a generous tip and make it clear that it is a gesture of gratitude, not payment.
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Referrals
A vendor who is offering their service for free is very confident in the quality of work they do, and they are sure that it will generate more business. Help them out and recommend them to family and friends who are also getting married or planning a party.
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Send a thank-you note and/or gift
A hand-written note gives a lovely personalised touch they’ll always remember. Let them know how much you appreciate their service. You can also send a nice gift that is relevant to the vendor – perhaps a massage appointment at the spa to relieve their stress, personalised phone cases or a good bottle of wine.
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Write a review or testimonial
A review on your social media account or blog will give them some exposure and they will be grateful for it. You can also send them a testimonial and give them permission to share it on their own social media accounts.
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Offer/agree to be a reference
Potential clients can call or email you to get firsthand information about the vendor’s service. If they did a good job, please be willing to give others the reassurance they need to go ahead. It is only fair that the vendor get returns on the investment they made in you.