3 Wedding Vendors to Book First
You are engaged!!! Congratulations!!! You've called your parents, cried with your best friend and changed your status on Facebook! Let the wedding planning commence, but wait- where do you start???
Of course, being an event planner I will be a little bit biases here. If you have the busy schedule already or you know that you are going to want an event coordinator that is your very first step in the whole planning process. Click below on my top 10 reasons why a wedding planner is helpful.
However, if that is not the path you want to take there are the vendors I suggest you go to first:
1. Venue- You will want to hammer out the where first, especially if that is going to dictate the date of the wedding. The venue(s) are where everything is going to happen and also where all of your vendors are going to need to travel too and that may also help you decide whom you decide to hire for other vendors. When you do choose a venue make sure you discuss with them exactly what they do and do not include in their prices as well as any stipulations that you need to be aware of.
2. Photographer- Typically the photographer that you have at your wedding, is also the one who will do your engagement photos (if you have them). Therefore, your photographer is apart of the wedding process almost from beginning to end and you may form a special bond with them as well. Additionally, photographers are going to be capturing the still moments of your big day- these are going to be the pictures your children, grandchildren, loved ones are going to look at to see what that day was like. These are the pictures that will come out on your 50th anniversary and most likely will hang on the walls of your home, so you want to know that you have made a wise choice when booking a photographer.
3. Caterer/Bakery: The Food in General- Caterers and bakeries book up fast and are often a year or more out with their schedule. Additionally, a good caterer should be able to help you fill in any spots that the venue may not include, such as: linens, rentals, dishes, heating/cooling, etc. The process with your caterer is also a lengthy one as you choose a menu, update it as RSVP's come in and other factors. If you know you are going to want a plated dinner, you will want to have menu choices made before you send out the invites because the RSVP card is where your guest should select their dinner option.
Obviously there are plenty of other vendors that you will want to meet with: Florists, Entertainment, Officiants, Wedding Attire, Stationary Elements, Other Rentals, Transportation and Lodging, just to name a few. And if you haven't already- do not forget to seriously consider hiring a wedding coordinator to help you out on your big day!
Of course, being an event planner I will be a little bit biases here. If you have the busy schedule already or you know that you are going to want an event coordinator that is your very first step in the whole planning process. Click below on my top 10 reasons why a wedding planner is helpful.
However, if that is not the path you want to take there are the vendors I suggest you go to first:
1. Venue- You will want to hammer out the where first, especially if that is going to dictate the date of the wedding. The venue(s) are where everything is going to happen and also where all of your vendors are going to need to travel too and that may also help you decide whom you decide to hire for other vendors. When you do choose a venue make sure you discuss with them exactly what they do and do not include in their prices as well as any stipulations that you need to be aware of.
2. Photographer- Typically the photographer that you have at your wedding, is also the one who will do your engagement photos (if you have them). Therefore, your photographer is apart of the wedding process almost from beginning to end and you may form a special bond with them as well. Additionally, photographers are going to be capturing the still moments of your big day- these are going to be the pictures your children, grandchildren, loved ones are going to look at to see what that day was like. These are the pictures that will come out on your 50th anniversary and most likely will hang on the walls of your home, so you want to know that you have made a wise choice when booking a photographer.
3. Caterer/Bakery: The Food in General- Caterers and bakeries book up fast and are often a year or more out with their schedule. Additionally, a good caterer should be able to help you fill in any spots that the venue may not include, such as: linens, rentals, dishes, heating/cooling, etc. The process with your caterer is also a lengthy one as you choose a menu, update it as RSVP's come in and other factors. If you know you are going to want a plated dinner, you will want to have menu choices made before you send out the invites because the RSVP card is where your guest should select their dinner option.
Obviously there are plenty of other vendors that you will want to meet with: Florists, Entertainment, Officiants, Wedding Attire, Stationary Elements, Other Rentals, Transportation and Lodging, just to name a few. And if you haven't already- do not forget to seriously consider hiring a wedding coordinator to help you out on your big day!
