One of the most important decisions in the wedding planning process is choosing your vendor team! The people you chose to bring on to make your day special can make or break it, so it's crucial to make sure you are choosing vendors you love, and can't imagine your wedding without them! But how do you find the best vendors for your big day? How do you make sure they work well together and deliver your vision? Here are some tips to help you plan your wedding and choose your perfect vendor team.
Prioritize your vendors while creating your budget
Although it hurts, you DO have to work within your budget, and be realistic when choosing your vendors. Falling in love with a photographer that costs $10k, when your total wedding budget is $20k, is just going to have you disappointed and frustrated. Keep your expectations in check. and ask yourself these questions:
What is the maximum amount you can spend on your wedding?
How do you want to allocate your budget among different categories (e.g., venue, catering, photography, etc.)?
What are the must-haves and the nice-to-haves for your wedding?
What style of wedding are you hoping to have?
Once you have an idea of how much you want to spend per category, this helps narrow down the vendor list.
Do your research and get recommendations
Once you have a budget and a style in mind, you can start looking for vendors who fit your criteria. There are many ways to find potential vendors, such as online directories and websites that list and review local vendors, social media, wedding magazines, bridal shows, and of course word-of-mouth referrals from friends or family.
Red flags
When you are researching vendors, pay attention to their:
Availability and pricing
Experience and reputation
Quality and consistency of their work
Communication and customer service skills
Reviews and testimonials from previous clients
Does the person have recent reviews? Do all of their social media and website images seem legitimate? Are they active on social media platforms? Is their communication quick and friendly? Are you able to meet with them in person or virtually? Do they require you to sign a contract? A reputable vendor shouldn't have anything to hide, and if something seems off, trust your gut instinct!
Questions to ask during your vendor consult calls
We LOVE chatting to couples, hoping to learn more about our services. Most vendors want to make sure that we are a good fit for each other, so make sure to utilize those face to face discovery calls, whether in zoom or in person. This is your chance to get to know them better, ask questions, and see if they are a good fit for your wedding.
Some questions to ask your vendors are:
Are you available on our wedding date? (Although ideally you should know this prior to even jumping on a call!)
What are your packages and prices? What is included and what is extra?
How do you handle contracts, deposits, payments, and cancellations?
How do you communicate with clients and other vendors?
Do you have any references or samples of your work that we can see?
Do you have any questions for us?
Price reductions
On a side note - one thing NOT to do is haggle for pricing. Your vendors have priced themselves accordingly based on their skills and experience. If you truly want them to be a part of your wedding, but cannot fit them in your budget, think about choosing a lower service package from them, or review your budget to see if you can reduce spend in other areas. Asking point blank for discounts, expecting vendors to lower their prices drastically or compromise their quality will never go down well. This comes across as a devaluing their business, and not appreciating the amount of work and effort that goes into providing the best service for your day. Be honest, and talk openly to your vendors about your budget, they will most likely be able to help you in one way or another!
Understanding contracts
Most if not all vendors should have contracts to sign once you are ready to book them. Make sure you review your contracts thoroughly (or have your wedding planner assist). Ensure you understand the terms, payment schedules, cancellation policies, and what services are included. Don't hesitate to clarify any uncertainties.
Remember, clear communication, trust, and understanding are essential when working with your chosen vendors. Openly discuss your expectations, preferences, and any concerns throughout the planning process to ensure a smooth and successful collaboration.
Unfortunately, there are some horror stories out there of fraudulent vendors taking advantage of couples - so the lesson is, if it seems to good to be true, it probably is! Trust your gut, make sure you meet with the vendors once you short list them, and pick vendors that you vibe with the most. These people will be with you on one of the most important days in your relationship, and you want to look back on the day with happy memories of all the vendors involved! Hiring a wedding planner can alleviate the issues of finding your vendor team, so reach out to see how we can help you plan your dream day!
Photos by Deanna Rachel, Rose and Range Photography, The Nogues, and Corrina Walker Photography