Choosing Your Wedding Vendors

Planning your wedding is an exciting time, but it can also mean months of frustration if you don't choose the right wedding vendors. These are the professionals who will make your special day a dream come true, but it is up to you to select the vendors who can create your dream wedding without a nightmare.

What Wedding Vendors Do You Need?

Every couple will work with several different vendors to create their special day from start to finish. While not every wedding will require every type of vendor depending on the size, scope and location of the event, the most common wedding vendors include…

• Coordinator or general organizer to bring all the details together
• Stationer to print wedding invitations, announcements and other items
• Jeweler for the wedding rings, including resizing, special designs or inscriptions
• Bridal shop with seamstress or dress designers for the wedding gown and bridesmaid dresses
• Tuxedo rental shop for the groom, groomsmen and other men in the wedding party
• Hairdresser and barber shop for wedding day hairstyles, cuts and color
• Makeup artist for the wedding party and possibly other close women, such as parents or siblings
• Caterer for wedding reception food and drinks, from appetizers to buffets to full dinners
• Bakery for the wedding cake and groom's cake, as well as additional dessert options
• Florist to create the wedding party flowers, ceremony decorations and reception arrangements
• Rental company for additional seating, linens, dishes and other accessories
• Photographer and videographer to record special moments throughout the event
• Musicians for the ceremony and reception, such as DJs, live performers or soloists
• Vehicle rentals such as a limousine or other luxury car, vintage cars or horse and carriage
• Officiant to conduct the wedding ceremony and exchange of vows

Depending on the type of wedding, there may be additional vendors to consider as well. Some couples enjoy butterfly or dove releases to celebrate their union, and they would need to contract a company to safely handle that wildlife. A couple whose family members and friends have young children may want to hire childcare for their reception. Some couples even envision fireworks as they leave their reception, and it is essential to hire the proper company to safely manage any pyrotechnics.

Choosing the Best Vendors for Your Wedding Day

It can seem overwhelming to need so many different vendors to create your wedding day. It is often best to decide where you would like to get married before choosing vendors, as some popular wedding locations require couples to work with an approved list of vendors who are aware of the venue's specific needs or restrictions. Even if the venue does not require specific vendors, they can often recommend different vendors who are familiar with the location and experienced with weddings in the area.

Another way to narrow down the list of vendors is through personal recommendations from friends and family members. Couples who have attended recent weddings should ask those newlyweds about their experiences and whether they'd recommend the vendors they used. If you truly love the work of one specific vendor, that vendor may also have recommendations about other professionals they've worked with previously.

Once you have a list of potential vendors, it is important to meet with each one to discuss wedding plans before committing to specific services. When meeting with vendors…

• Ask to see a comprehensive portfolio of their work. This will provide an overview of their style to see if it matches up with your ideas for a perfect day. Visit their website as well.
  
  
• Ask about their personal philosophy about a wedding and the service they provide. You will be more relaxed and comfortable working with a vendor who shares your philosophy.
  
  
• Share your vision of your wedding day, including specific requests that are meaningful to you, and note how willing the vendor is to accommodate anything unusual or extraordinary.
  
  
• Visit another wedding the vendor has worked on, if possible, to see their arrangements in action. This will give you an idea of how easy they are to work with on the big day.
  
  
• Discuss the budget, including how firm their price quote will be. Learn about cancelation or change fees or other costs that may come up through the planning process.
  
  
• Negotiate the deals of your wedding package, if possible. While you don't want to shortchange your vendors, they should be willing to help find reasonable ways to stay within your budget.

• Learn about their wedding specialties and whether they have any one area they prefer to focus on. If that specialty does not match your plans, you may want to look for a different vendor.
  
  
• Determine how many weddings the vendor works on at once, including how many events may be near your wedding date. If a vendor's attention is divided, additional problems could arise.
  
  
• Discuss what the vendor's staff is like, including how they are trained, what experience they have and whether any additional staff is typically outsourced for a wedding.

You may be excited for your wedding day to arrive, but it is important to take your time when choosing your wedding vendors. These are the people you will be working with to plan the most important day in your relationship, and you want to have experienced, qualified professionals to help make your wedding dreams come true.