Who doesn’t want their dream wedding to be perfectly planned and look amazing? I could scroll and Pin ideas all day long to create my vision, but without the wedding vendors behind the scenes nothing can come together as desired. So how do you find all of the weddings vendors you want? I’ve created the ultimate guide to help you get those wedding vendors and have your dream wedding!
Make a Checklist of all Vendors You Need
My dream wedding most likely isn’t the same vision you have for your big day. No matter what picture we have in mind the majority of all weddings require the same types of vendors to execute the wedding day. Let’s start with creating a checklist of the vendors you know for sure you need, and I have some other’s listed that you may not have thought about yet. Here is a link to a FREE printable Wedding Vendors Checklist you can download and get to work!
Potentially needed wedding vendors:
Wedding Planner
Day of Coordinator
Wedding Venue
Reception Venue
Accommodations
Jeweler
Officiant
Florist
Caterer
Baker
Live Musicians
DJ
Photographer
Videographer
Hair Stylist
Makeup Artist
Transportation
Bartender
Entertainment – Photo booth, Live Painter, Caricature Illustrator
Rental Company – Linens, tent, chairs, decorations
Bridal Gown Shop and Alterations
Bridesmaid Dress Shop
Groom and Groomsmen Attire Shop - Rented/Purchased
Wedding Invitations and Save the Dates Publisher
Signage and Photo Décor
Make Your Budget
Just because all of these vendors are listed doesn’t mean you NEED them all. There are several aspects of a wedding that can be done by family and friends or DIY projects to save money. Sometimes I prefer to DIY certain things so I know they are exactly how I want them. Planning those elements to be done in time for the wedding day is definitely a priority for the wedding planning timeline.
Choosing the vendors you value most and want to spend a larger portion of your budget on from the beginning will help you stay in your price range and on budget. These are my recommendations I give each of my brides for most important areas to spend your budget:
Yourself: Your hair, makeup, and dress. You are the star of the show. Look and feel your absolute best.
Photographer: After the day is done and the party is over, the only thing you have left to look back on are the photos. Of course you are the focus of those photos as well.
Food: Guests may never remember the small details you put so much effort into just because they were important to you. Most guests forget to take the party favors. And I myself (who usually always has an eye for details) never really remember the flowers or table center pieces. But everyone remembers the food! How it tasted, was there enough for everyone, and how it was presented.
Keep track of costs using an excel spreadsheet or my EXPENSE TRACKER from my printable or digital download Wedding Planner for Every Bride.
Preferred Vendors List
When you are choosing your venue, or if you’ve already checked that off your list, you will want to ask them if they have a preferred vendors list. Almost every established wedding venue has created a list of wedding vendors they have had come to their venue to work or has worked well with other vendors who have been there. These vendors are typically chosen by their professionalism, price point, and recommendation by previous brides.
Also, check with any vendors you already have booked to see if they have recommendations of any other vendors you still need. As a professional hair and makeup artist I end up working with a lot of photographers and videographers during the wedding day and have some of my favorites whose work I love and who have wonderful personalities to have around.
Facebook Groups and Friends
Facebook is flooded with so many groups for weddings. From rental décor to officiants for hire and everything in between, you can ask the group and someone is bound to have a suggestion for you to book the wedding vendors you want. Vendors are also a part of the same wedding groups and will sometimes promote their businesses or respond to any inquiries about needing to book a vendor.
Your friends who have been previously married can give you their advice on anyone they used and like or anyone they didn’t like. I’ve had the pleasure of working with several brides who have been bridesmaids in other weddings I’ve done, or who were referred to me from a bride I did hair and makeup for in the past. Referrals, as they say, are the highest form of flattery!
Websites like TheKnot and Wedding Wire have a huge database of wedding vendors local to your venue. They have portfolios and reviews listed on each vendor to really be able to check into each one before sending a message to ask about availability and pricing, or any other questions you may have in mind.
Put Your Deposit Down
Wedding vendors typically require a deposit to book your reservation. Even if you have asked if they are available and they say yes, and you’ve been in communication with them about questions or concerns, but you haven’t put down your deposit and signed any contract they may have, you technically are not booked with them. The most popular wedding vendors are usually booked a year or more in advance for the peak season dates of the year. If you have your eye on particular vendors who are in high demand, I strongly suggest submitting your deposit to get them for your wedding day!
Tag Your Vendors
As you book your wedding vendors get excited about it and share a post, story, or reel and tag them in it! Not only does this help link you to see their content and keep up with all of the cool things they do (and could possibly give you some great inspiration or ideas for your wedding) but it also gives them the publicity to help others find the wedding vendors they want! For future reference also tag them in photos and posts you make after your wedding day, paying it forward and giving credit where credit is due.
In Conclusion
This ultimate guide to getting the wedding vendors you want is packed full of such useful information. If you want more information about booking your honeymoon or destination wedding check out some of these great posts below!
