Booked!
5 Tips for Booking Wedding Vendors
For most couples, finding the perfect venue is the biggest challenge, and everything after that is fairly straightforward. You’ve found the venue that lights you up and now it is time to lock in your help - but, where do you start?
Key Players
Consider which people can only attend one wedding at a time, and book those first. Your photographer will be with you for the duration of the event, and their photographs will be with you forever, so focus on locking in your behind-the-lens talent as soon as you secure your date. Other people who can only be in one place at the same time include your Officiant, band, hair & makeup artist, and DJ, so get them on your calendar, too!
Ask the experts
Most venues will have a Preferred Vendor list, whether they require you use their recommendations or not. These ‘Old Timers’ typically have a long-standing relationship with the venue, and are very comfortable working an event there. This insider knowledge will put you at ease during the planning phase, and it is usually easy to source references and photos of past work to give you ideas. Tip: don’t always rely on the Preferred Vendor list - ask your event coordinator for their favorite vendors. The professionals who oversee weddings on a regular basis will probably have strong opinions (and this includes your photographer and florist, etc!), and there may be new and upcoming vendors who haven’t yet made the ‘official list’, but bring fresh and exciting ideas, and lots of enthusiasm.
Do some digging
For those who like to do their own research, why not check out the venue’s Instagram for inspiration from past weddings? Usually all vendors are tagged so you can easily source the floral arrangement or cake that catches your eye. You might also direct message the person who posted the picture to ask for an informal recommendation, most people are happy to share their experiences of their special day! You can also expand your search to weddings nearby the venue you have picked to find vendors who are popular in the area.
Supporting Extras
As soon as you book your venue, you have the date and can start booking all of the other services for your big day. We’ve already mentioned how important it is to book the photographer/videographer, DJ, band, hair & makeup, and Officiant first. Next, you can secure the people who can feasibly cover more than one wedding in a day; the florist, cake & dessert vendor, and any decor vendors you might need, including specialty lighting, place-settings and furniture.
Have fun!
Remember that stressful as wedding planning can be, it will also be what you make of it. There has never been an easier time to plan a wedding; we are seeing more an more couples pulling off breath-taking events with only 3 or 4 month’s notice whereas a year used to be the norm. Since the pandemic hit, Elopement weddings are in high demand, and these are last minute events with minimal planning and no frills. Smaller weddings (of 20 or less) are also a trend, which makes elaborate decor seem a little unnecessary. Simple is the theme for weddings in 2021! With online helpers like Google, Yelp, Pinterest, and Instagram, sourcing vendors you love is easy. Just don’t forget to relax and have fun with it!