How to Choose Your Wedding Vendors
Photo: @lenachristinephoto // Wedding planner: @daeventplanner @urleventsco
Congratulations! You just got engaged and started to plan your wedding. It’s an exciting time but as everyone knows, it takes a village to plan a wedding! And a huge factor of planning your wedding is finding the right wedding vendors! Which can be… stressful to say the least. Here are some tips and tricks for finding the best wedding vendors for your big day.
Figure Out the Date, Budget, and Venue First
Before even thinking about your wedding vendors - the first task is setting your date, wedding venue and budget. Solidifying these three things will help you avoid any vendor disappointments down the road. And, keep in mind that some wedding venues do have contracts with specific suppliers so be sure to check with your venue before setting your heart on a certain vendor.
Prioritize Key Vendors
Once your date, budget, and venue are set, you can begin to curate your wedding dream team. The first step is to create a list of key vendors who need to be booked sooner rather than later. Not all wedding vendors need to be booked at the same time but the most in-demand vendors that get booked include photographers, planners, and officiants.
Keep in mind your top priorities for your wedding, too. If music and gourmet food are most important to you, consider securing entertainment and catering first as well as allocating more of your budget to these vendors.
Consider Your Wants & Needs
Once you begin narrowing down your vendor list, think about what you’re looking for in each vendor. Make a list of requirements for each vendor that outline your specific wants and needs. Perhaps you want a photographer that specializes in candid images or a caterer that specializes in seafood. Knowing these requirements will help you streamline your research and expedite the process.
Don’t Rely on Just the Internet
While social media and blogs are a great way to find local vendors, asking friends and family can provide options you might not have found online or whom you previously thought of. And don’t forget the wedding expos and fairs! They’re also a great way to find your perfect wedding vendors!
Ask A Lot of Questions
Once you start reaching out to different wedding vendors, don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions! You may think you’re asking too many questions but it’s much better to ask too many questions than too few questions. Be upfront about your wants and needs - including your style, priorities, and budget. And, don’t forget to ask each vendor about their process and contract.
With the vendors you’ll be spending more time with - your photographer, planner or officiant - an initial consultation is the perfect idea. Choose vendors you get along with as you’ll feel more relaxed and comfortable throughout the whole process!
Trust the Process
Speaking of the whole process, once you found your dream wedding team, trust the process! Keep reminding yourself that these are experts and work with engaged couples for a living. And with the right wedding vendors by your side, your big day will be as stress-free as possible!