Tips for finding your wedding vendors in the right order for a stress-free planning process
Hiring wedding vendors can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Today at Laural Mill, we want to share our advice on which order to hire your wedding vendors. Following this general order will help to keep you on budget and create a more calm planning process. As a general rule, we recommend inquiring with each vendor 12-9 months in advance of your wedding date. From there, feel free to follow our guide on what order to hire your wedding vendors:
1. Wedding Planner and Designer
Not everyone hires a Wedding Planner, but we always recommend it for a truly relaxing experience if it fits your budget. They can help you find the perfect venue, vendors, and accommodations. They can also help you stay on budget and make sure that your wedding day runs smoothly. Particularly in the final few months leading up to the big day, excellent Wedding Planners will minimize your stress immensely. If you aren’t sure how to make the big day look the way that you want, we also recommend a Wedding Designer to creative a cohesive design plan.
2. Venue
The venue is the foundation of your wedding, so it’s important to book it first if you do not hire a Planner first. This will give you a starting point for booking other vendors, such as caterers, photographers, and florists. Ensuring a desirable date in your preferred season will be most directly effected by your Venue’s availability. Not sure what season you would most like to be married at your venue? Ask to see wedding albums from each season to get a clear idea of what it looks like at any time of year.
3. Photographer
The photographer will capture the memories of your wedding day, so it’s important to find someone who has a style that you love. Photographers often book quickly and far in advance, so we always recommend reaching out to your favorites as soon as your date is secured. Be sure to meet with multiple photographers, they will spend the majority of your wedding day with you, so you should love their work and their personality.
4. Catering and Bakery
Once you have a venue, you can start looking for a caterer. The caterer will provide the food for your wedding, so it’s important to find someone who can accommodate your dietary restrictions and budget. Deciding the quality and quantity of served food will also help to hone in the scale of your guest list the most directly.
5. Videographer
The videographer will capture the audio and video of your wedding day, so just as with photography, it’s important to find someone with a style you love. Be sure to get quotes from several videographers before making a decision.
6. Florist
The florist will be key in making your aesthetic vision come to life. Once you have inquired with the vendors above, contact florists whose style you enjoy. In the case that they or any other vendors aren’t available, always ask them for recommendations. This will keep you within reach of other trusted vendors who will have a similar style.
7. DJ or Band
The DJ or band will provide the music for your wedding, so it’s important to find someone who can play the type of music that you and your guests enjoy. Be sure to get quotes from several DJs or bands before making a decision.
Here are some additional tips for hiring wedding vendors:
- Get recommendations from your favorite vendors from this list. Wedding professionals are always happy to share recommendations for other vendors whom they have seen provide excellent service before. Here at Laural Mill, we have a fantastic list of preferred vendors that we are happy to share with our couples!
- Read online reviews, and don’t be afraid to ask many questions during consultations.
- Interview several vendors before making a decision.
- Get everything in writing, including the price, services, and cancellation policies.
By following these tips, you can easily hire the right wedding vendors for your special day at Laural Mill.