5 things to remember when choosing your vendors

YAY! You’re engaged. Congratulations! Now the fun really begins. You’ve decided on a budget and now you’re ready to begin hiring your vendor team. Regardless of your date, style or budget, there are a few super important things to keep in mind as you choose who you will hire to execute your day. Who you hire for your wedding will determine how smoothly your day does or doesn’t go, so decisions regarding any vendor really needs to be given serious thought.

1) Make sure you get a contract

Okay, so you’re having your neighbor’s brother’s bestfriend from college do your photography for a killer deal (this doesn’t sound like the best idea but if you love their work, go for it), make sure you get a contract. I have personally had to save couples last minute for their cake, photographer, makeup artist etc, because they did not have a contract binding their services. Even if you know your vendor personally, get a contract. If they are cutting you a deal, make sure it is stated in your contract. You will save yourself from so many headaches and heartache. Also, pro tip- NO professional wedding vendor would provide services or accept payment without a contract, I promise.

2) Things to look for in that contract

Make sure you understand your contract. It should outline exactly what is provided (amount of product or number of hours of service), payment plan, what happens if said vendor has an emergency and cannot attend (super important for photographers, DJs, planners). There should be a line mentioning requiring a meal (yes, feeding some of your vendors is standard). And finally, make sure you understand the cancellation policy- do they offer refunds? Will this vendor allow you to transfer your date?

3) Are they familiar with your venue or other vendors?

It’s super helpful if your vendors have worked together before but it is not necessarily a make it or break it deal. However, for vendors such as planner/coordinator and caterer, it is very helpful that they conduct a walk through to familiarize themselves with your venue.

4) Insurance, insurance, insurance

This is a MUST. ALL your vendors need to have insurance. In fact, your venue may even require they provide insurance prior to your wedding day. This protects you if anything happens on your wedding day at fault of your vendors (food poisoning from the cake, electrical first from the DJ equipment) these may sound like super unlikely scenarios but with how large of an investment your are making in your day, insurance is IMPORTANT.

5) It’s all in the energy

Last but definitely not least, do you mesh well with your vendors? If you walk away from an initial meeting feeling any negative way about the personality of your vendor- you may want to look elsewhere. Some of your wedding vendors (especially your photographer and coordinator) spend a lot of time with you on your wedding day. You want to make sure your personalities are a match which is why meeting in person or at least over the phone is so important.

This is definitely not an exhaustive list of everthing to look for with every vendor but it is a place to start. If you’d like help choosing and deciding on vendors, reach out to us for coordination and planning services.