Planning a wedding alone can be a daunting task. That’s why it’s so important for wedding-planning couples to assemble their dream team of vendors from the get-go. Hiring vendors early sets you up for a more enjoyable, stress-free planning experience. They not only save you time sorting out details you might be unfamiliar with but also offer invaluable advice and suggestions backed by expertise. Ultimately, you invest in professionals for a reason. So trust in their knowledge to help seamlessly bring your wedding vision to life.
If you’re still in the process of hiring your team of vendors, we’ve got you covered. Get ready for a head start with some insider tips, tricks, and advice straight from the vendors themselves. Here’s the lowdown on everything wedding vendors wish you knew.
1. Don’t Be Afraid to Be Extra
Brittany Ford encourages couples to “Be extra.” Don’t be afraid to “show your personalities in details throughout your day. Remember that it’s your day. Not your bestfriends, not your parents, not your 2nd cousin’s, not your aunt Sally’s. Do not allow anyone to give you an opinion on any of your plans unless they are footing the bill. It’s all about you and the celebration; make it exactly how you want!”
2. Don’t Ghost Potential Vendors
When you’re searching for vendors, it’s common to reach out to several that catch your eye. Once you’ve contacted wedding planners, photographers, florists, and others, you’ll likely receive many responses. Your email will be filled with information from these vendors who have taken the time to answer your questions and outline their services. It’s essential not to ghost them. Respectfully let them know if you’ve chosen to work with a different vendor so they don’t have to worry about tracking you down later on.
3. Budget Realistically
There’s nothing worse than underestimating wedding expenses. Unrealistic price expectations when meeting and booking vendors will result in coughing up more money or rearranging funds to cover unexpected costs. That’s why wedding vendors wish you knew that it’s crucial to do ample research and create a realistic wedding budget from the start.
Once you and your partner have settled on a comfortable overall budget, you can decide how much you will spend on each wedding detail, like flowers, fashion, etc. The vendor’s expertise will come in handy for those unsure of the magic number they’ll need for each category. Contact potential vendors with your vision and discuss pricing and package options. Remember, budget transparency is key.
4. Wedding Vendors Wish You Knew: Don’t Expect a Response 24/7
When planning an event that’s this special, we know it takes top priority. That being said, it’s understandable that couples get frustrated when emails or phone calls aren’t responded to immediately. But it’s important to respect your vendor’s time and business hours.
KAZ Events emphasizes the importance of patience, especially when requisitioning quotes from vendors. “When your planner starts requesting quotes, some vendors reply fast, and others take a week or more, especially if it is high season.” While your wedding is important, just remember that vendors “have a life too and family, and will sometimes require a day. In some cases, they don’t reply fast. Sometimes, they will have events during the week.”
5. Remember Pricing Reflects Behind-the-Scenes Work
Many couples are shocked when they see realistic wedding prices. This includes hiring key vendors like a photographer. But it’s important to remember that “in terms of pricing, wedding photography isn’t just showing up the day of and shooting. Prices reflect photographers’ many services, including location scouting (for engagement sessions), timeline and wedding planning services, editing, etc. You’re not just booking for a day. You’re gaining many services provided to help make your day the best it can be,” says photographer Catie Eovaldi.
Recommended reading: Wedding Photographer Cost, Hiring Schedule, And…Everything Else
6. Prioritize Quality Photographers Over Cheap
While there are many ways to save money on your big day, vendors shouldn’t be one of those. This is especially true when it comes to your photographer. Brittany Ford reminds couples to “not cheap out on photography. You want to make sure you hire someone that you relate to, trust with your life and who will be willing to roll with the punches. You want to find someone who has years of experience and will know what choice to make when things go awry to ensure that you are not at all stressed out. Someone who will also be able to understand your body language to know when you and your new husband/wife are done with photos.”
“You only get this day once, so you want to make sure you hire someone that you can trust will hold up their end of the contract and deliver your photos to you in a timely, professional manner. Wedding days are no joke; they are stressful, and you need to make sure you hire vendors who are reputable and have your best interests at heart, no matter what.” So before you go with the cheaper option, truly sit down and consider what matters most.
7. Don’t Be Afraid to Speak Up With Vendors
Videographer Gaetano Di Giacomo finds it important to ensure couples know that “transparency is key, so make sure to check in with your vendors prior to the wedding day. After investing so much in your wedding day, it’s important to ensure you love the services you’re receiving. If you’re not thrilled with the samples or during a trial, speak up! Be honest with your vendors and ask to see different types of examples, such as flowers, table settings, wedding films, or pictures. Building trust with your suppliers and partnering with them is essential. They will be a big part of your day, and you want them to fit seamlessly with your celebration.”
While this is important during the planning period, it’s equally important after your big day. “If your wedding day doesn’t go exactly as planned, communicate your thoughts with your suppliers. Remember, we are all human, and mistakes can happen. It’s important to be clear and work together as a team.”
8. Be Familiar With What You Don’t Like
When searching Pinterest for inspiration, odds are you’re saving all the ideas that catch your eye. While vendors love it when couples are familiar with what they like, knowing what they don’t like is just as important. Being transparent with both ends of the spectrum will give vendors an idea of what you want and allow them to better tailor their advice and suggestions specifically to you.
9. Wedding Vendors Wish You Knew to Consider a Weekday Wedding
Your dream wedding doesn’t have to drain your bank account. For those searching for cheaper venue alternatives, KAZ Events recommends couples consider a weekday wedding. While it all depends on the location and venue preference, typically, “getting married during the week can be a bit cheaper than the weekend.”
10. Once You’ve Made A Decision, Stick With It
Once you’ve made a decision, stick with it. Once you check an item off your checklist, don’t consistently revisit it. Although you pay for vendors’ services, making last-minute changes can sometimes be impractical or inconsiderate. Making changes every week closer to your wedding is a hassle for vendors, especially if they’ve already sorted out the details with other wedding professionals.
11. Don’t Hold Back Emotions During Your Ceremony
“The ceremony is this moment of the wedding, is perhaps the most beautiful, emotional, and above all, one of the main highlights,” which is why photographer Josep Maria Garrido puts 500% of their energy into it. And when it comes to this special moment, there are a few things to keep in mind to fully soak up the occasion and make for some stunning images.
“When walking down the aisle, enter slowly. Nerves sometimes play tricks, and you may go too fast. And let yourselves be carried away by your emotions. If you feel like crying, cry, and if you want to laugh, laugh without fear!” Remember, this is all about you. So focus on one another, “hold hands, look at each other, kiss each other’s shoulders, caress each other, don’t be shy!”
12. Don’t Use Rice for Ceremony Exit
Throwing rice during the ceremony exit has been a wedding tradition we’ve seen time and time again. But photographer Josep Maria Garrido reminds couples, “Above all, do not give rice to anyone. It hurts, it’s annoying, and it stains. Instead, use petals or paper cannons (confetti), which give a super cool touch and exit with euphoria and enthusiasm. Plus, the photos turn out very fun!”
13. You Don’t Need a Full Wedding Itinerary
Many assume you need to have a jam-packed itinerary full of activities. Well, photographer Matlai Photography is helping debunk that theory. She says, “You don’t have to plan lists of activities! Your wedding or elopement day doesn’t have to be back-to-back with events – in fact, giving yourself intentional downtime to be present is probably the best gift you can give yourself. Also, your guests will appreciate it!”
14. Always Have a Plan B
“Whether you’re eloping or have a more traditional wedding, always be ready for a Plan B scenario.” Matlai Photography reminds clients that “accommodating for weather or other circumstances can sometimes throw your day for a bit of a loop, but if you are 100% on board with your backup plan (which you should have!), then it won’t be a stressful game-day decision.”
15. Stick With Your Partner All Day
Snapping pictures, catching up with loved ones, hitting the dance floor—there are a million things going on during your wedding. While it’s standard for the nearlyweds to stay separate while getting ready, that doesn’t have to be the case for the entire event. After the ceremony, photographer Brittany Ford recommends you “stick together. Some couples split up, causing different memories of the night. Although that may sound like a good idea in hindsight, you don’t have any shared memories of the best day of your life to look back on together.”
16. Plan Extra Getting Ready Time
Junebug videographer and photographer Grand Jour reminds couples to “plan extra time for getting ready, especially for larger wedding parties.” He has captured “many weddings where the getting ready process took much longer than planned, and from there it’s just a stressful day for everyone, running against the clock. Also, plan a 30-minute window of absolutely nothing just before the ceremony, which allows you to catch up with the timeline if the getting ready process goes too long, and if not, it’s a nice wind-down and calm before the storm for the couple.”
Knowing your wedding is in good hands is key to a smooth planning process. While keeping all these things vendors wish you knew in mind is crucial, ensuring you’re hiring experienced wedding professionals is equally important. For those just starting their vendor search, check out our vendor directory, filled with Junebug-approved vendors from around the globe. From florists to photographers, you’ll find all the wedding experts needed to turn your vision into a stunning reality.
Keep reading for our list of budget-friendly reception decor items. Image by Nicole Leever
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