Rude vendors?

Have you looked in Bristol or Kingsport? Johnson City is part of the tri-cities area which includes Kingsport, TN and Bristol, TN and Bristol, VA (same town split over two states). There should be ample options within the tri-cities area - Bristol is home to NASCAR, has a big country music scene, and has art galleries and nice restaurants, so I am sure there are wedding vendors that serve the tri-cities area specifically and you shouldn't need to resort to using vendors from Knoxville. You should ask your fiance and his family for advice since they know the area better than you do.

In my experience, everything is more expensive in urban centers, people tend to be more rude, and vendors don't want to travel as far because they don't have to (plenty of business right where they are). I would stick with the tri-cities area and hopefully you will find friendlier people more willing to help and provide you with information. I live in a rural area in New England and Boston is the closest big city to us (still a 2 hr drive) and we were able to source all of our vendors within a 20-30 mile radius (max 1 hr drive) from our venue, no problem.

Thank you so much for the advice!

I have asked his mom for help since my mom isn't around and she has been wonderful but wants to enlist friends to help with the wedding and I would really have professionals. She is coming to visit this weekend so hopefully our search will be more fruitful!

Ugh I feel you!

Iʻm currently bombarded by photographers telling me how reasonable they are and how outrageous other vendors are like thanks, I just want good work???

Ugh! like can you just let your work do the talking instead of bad mouthing everyone else.