Planning a wedding can be stressful. Between getting an accurate attendee count and organizing food, flowers, and other aspects, selecting vendors for wedding ceremonies and receptions can make or break your special day.
To ensure you select the best vendors, we provide tips below on choosing the perfect vendors for your wedding. Check out our other resources for a city hall marriage in San Francisco.
1. Get a Wedding Planner
A wedding planner helps you save time, money, and unnecessary stress by organizing your wedding on your behalf. Wedding planners have connections to the most popular vendors and can make personalized recommendations to simplify the selection process. Your wedding planner also works with your financial limitations.
By getting a wedding planner before you select vendors, you’ll streamline the process. Your wedding planner should be honest regarding budget limitations and other aspects of planning your wedding. We recommend choosing a wedding planner who is attentive to your needs and wants, communicates often, and gets along well with you and your partner.
2. Create a Budget for Your Wedding
You should decide on a budget for how much you wish to spend on your wedding. Establishing a budget requires you to determine your priorities.
Your budget depends on the vendors you choose. Think about your wants and needs, and focus more on the necessities. Decide on the most crucial vendors for things like food, flowers, and entertainment, then determine which less necessary vendors you want for additional elements to bring your final budget together. Stick to your budget in the event of emergencies or extra fees.
3. Get References From Clients
Some vendors are less honest about pricing and service to secure your business. However, past clients have some of the best insight into whether a vendor is worth the money. Get references from these individuals for the most honest feedback.
We recommend asking friends and family who they recommend as their vendors for wedding ceremonies and receptions. Alternatively, online reviews are an excellent way to determine whether a vendor is worthwhile. Check on vendor websites and social media to learn more before making a final decision.
4. Schedule Most In-Demand Vendors First
Vendors for wedding receptions are highly in demand. Plan far ahead of time to ensure the vendors of your choosing can fit your wedding into their schedule and have adequate time to prepare their offerings. Discuss with multiple florists, photographers, and other vendors to find ones with the most availability, the best pricing, and that can meet your needs.
You should schedule the most in-demand vendors first. Last-minute scheduling creates more stress for you, your partner, and vendors. Working with your wedding planner to find vendors well ahead of time will simplify the planning process.
5. Choose Personable, Honest, Reliable Vendors
The last thing you want is to choose vendors that are hard to work with or dishonest. Select vendors who are friendly, state their prices and other information transparently and have good reviews indicating their reliability. Considering you’ll be working with them for a significant period, they’ll need to have the same vision as you or be willing to bring your ideas to life.
Don’t opt for vendors who aren’t willing to meet your needs. As you’ll be paying for their services, you should get what you deserve. Whether the vendor is for your wedding venue or another element of your special day, they must be trustworthy and communicative, reducing your stress and not adding to it.
6. Seek Referrals
On top of getting a marriage license and other preparatory elements, it can be difficult to find excellent vendors with so many options available. Referrals are an excellent way to find more vendors for your wedding. Ask your wedding planner who they recommend, or ask vendors who they suggest if they are too busy to provide service for your wedding.
Alternatively, seek referrals from past clients. Ask vendors if they can release the necessary information for you to speak to previous clients. Individuals with a history regarding photography, music, and catering can help you save money by recommending someone cheaper who still provides excellent quality.
7. Negotiate High Prices
If you have a limited budget or only require certain services, you can save money further by negotiating with your wedding vendors. Many vendors provide packages with specific offerings. Determine your exact needs and discuss with vendors to ensure you aren’t paying for more than the necessities.
You can potentially reduce the costs of services by getting bundled services versus individual offerings. On the other hand, bundled packages may include services or elements that you don’t need.
8. Get All Costs and Plans in Writing
It’s crucial to get all expenses and vendor plans in writing before continuing with your selections. All vendors for wedding ceremonies and receptions should provide you with an exact quote.
We recommend speaking with your wedding photographer, makeup artist, and other vendors to confirm what you’ll receive when working with them. You’ll avoid hidden fees and unexpected charges that extend your wedding budget past its limit.
9. Ensure Your Wedding Venue Allows Your Chosen Vendors
The last thing you want to do is spend money on something you can’t enjoy on your special day. Some wedding venues require you to use their in-house or partnered vendors. Be sure before scheduling and paying for your vendors that your venue allows these entities.
10. Be Wary of Discounts and Cheap Costs
Some prices are too good to be true. You can avoid poor service by going through the list of wedding vendors and determining if their offerings are worth their cost. Refer to client testimonials and vendor websites to avoid paying for less than your necessities.
City Hall Wedding is your go-to place for tips on how to get married and select vendors for wedding ceremonies and reception parties. Are you looking for specific answers? Visit our other blog posts to learn more, or contact us for individualized assistance.