Choosing Your Wedding Vendors

establish a strong connection and ensure they grasp your vision

Ah, the quest for the perfect vendors for your wedding day! It’s a daunting thought when first you write out your list of what you need isn’t it?

You’ll soon be on the lookout for a florist who can make magic with flowers, a photographer who can freeze time, a celebrant who gets your vibe and maybe even a cake designer who can defy gravity.

It doesn’t have to be that scary! Just follow your instincts, and trust me, the right vendors will turn your special day into an unforgettable adventure that leaves you and your guests with memories to treasure (and laugh about) for a lifetime.

Finding those vendors can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.

But never fear!

I’m here to share some tips that will help you find and choose the vendors who are going to bring your wedding vision to life and keep things running smoothly on the day

booking your vendors solely based on price isn’t always best

Research

When making a purchase or booking a wedding vendor, I’ve become tech savvy at researching.

I mean, thank goodness for Google, right?

I can’t even imagine how we managed to find vendors before the internet came along.

And what if you had to do it with the Yellow Pages (does anyone remember them?)

Anyway, my research process for finding wedding vendors usually starts with asking around in my circle of family and friends.

Although having social media at our fingertips is brilliant for recommendations, too.

I’m not slow in asking, “Does anyone “know a wedding vendor good at making wedding cakes?” for instance (and I know a few now if you want some recommendations)

Once I have a few leads from my pals or stumble upon online suggestions, I’m ready for the next crucial step: checking the vendor out.

So, how do you know who’s a good cake maker?

Well, for me, it’s about reading what other people have to say about them and then the connection you get when you speak to them.

Are the reviews raving about the product or service, or are they screaming blue murder?

If they have reviews, these can be enlightening, entertaining, or downright bizarre. It’s like reading a treasure trove of opinions and takes time.

And not every vendor suits every person; we’re all different in personality and skills.

If I’ve read all the reviews and I’m still scratching my head, I won’t hesitate to unleash my mighty weapon—the email.

I would like to send an email first to see if they have my date and to judge the tone of the reply. Do they sound interested and excited about talking to me more about my cake?

Customer service is vital to any business I do.

I always start my research with local vendors. I want to support local businesses if I can. They’re the soul of our communities, so if I can give them a chance, I will.

Once I’ve conducted my Sherlock Holmes-worthy investigation, decided, and confirmed it with the vendor, it’s time to take the plunge.

Now, if you’re anything like me, if you have to make a decision between a couple of things when you’re buying something, there’s that nagging doubt of, “Did I choose the right one?”

But hey, I’ve learned to trust my gut instinct. It’s rarely wrong—unless it was that time I bought those trousers that the woman said, “One size fits all,” but we won’t talk about that.

So, once you commit to a vendor, embrace it wholeheartedly. No second-guessing.

Remember, you did your research, you followed your instincts, and now it’s time sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of your decision-making powers.

Wedding Exhibitions

Ah, wedding exhibitions, the Disneyland of vendors!

It’s like a magical wonderland where you can meet a gazillion vendors all in one swoop.

But be warned, you’ll come home with your head spinning faster than a roller coaster ride.

So buckle up and take a notebook—it’s gonna be a wild ride of wedding vendors!

Picture this: you stroll through the exhibition, dazzled by a sea of vendor booths.

It’s a sensory overload, so, be prepared to take notes. Whip out that trusty notebook of yours and scribble down important details.

Because let’s face it, after speaking to a dozen vendors, they all start to blur together and it becomes hard to remember who was who.

Now, here’s a tip: pick up those vendor cards ad if theres space put a wee note, likey or no likey.

Trust me, you don’t want to play a guessing game later, trying to remember who was who.

Take their cards and jot down some wee notes right there and then in your notebook or your phone. It’s like a cheat sheet for your overwhelmed brain.

But hud your horses, you can’t speak to them all on the same day.

So, before you start throwing your wedding budget around like confetti, do some research first.

Most of these exhibitions are kind enough to post a list of attending vendors. It’s like a treasure map of wedding vendors. So, check out that list, then check out their websites.

That way, you’ll have a game plan and know exactly who to seek out amidst the sea of vendors.

This way, when you meet them at the exhibition, you’ll already understand what they’re all about.

Now, here’s the fun part—conversation!

Engage in some good old-fashioned chit-chat with the vendors. Get a feel for their personalities, energy, and knowledge.

After all, you’re about to embark on a journey with them, so you better ensure you’re on the same wavelength.

So, my dear soon-to-be-wedded friend, take on that wedding exhibition like a boss. Armed with your notebook, your card-collecting skills, and a dash of pre-exhibition research, you’re bound to find the right vendor for you.

Embrace the chaos, enjoy the conversations, and remember to have a wee bit of fun along the way.

Contracts

Now that you’ve found your dream team, it’s time to take the next step.

Cue dramatic music

First things first, you need to make sure they have your date available. I mean, imagine the horror of booking a vendor only to realize they’re already booked for another wedding on the same day.

So double-check that they’ve got your date circled in their calendar like it’s a national holiday.

Once you’ve confirmed the date, it’s time to seal the deal.

And how do you make it official? That’ll be through the mystical power of contracts!

But hud the horses. Before you sign your life away, there are a few things you’ll want to inspect in that contract of theirs.

You’re gonna need a bunch of highlighters for this bit.

First up, payment terms and schedule.

How much money are we talking about, and when do you need to hand it over? Is it a deposit now and the final payment later?

Keep those payment details clear and avoid any unexpected financial shocks.

Next on the contract journey is the cancellation and refund policy.

Hey, life happens, and sometimes wedding plans take unexpected twists and turns. So what’s the plan if they have to bail on you?

Or, heaven forbid, if you have to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances.

You want to know your options and whether your entitled to a refund.

Now, let’s talk liability and insurance. Accidents happen, even on the happiest day of your life.

So you want to make sure your vendors have got your back.

Whats the stance if your 5 year old neice accidentally knocks over the wedding cake before the ceremony starts?

Make sure their insurance details are up to date and leave no room for unexpected financial disasters.

So go forth, check those dates, dot those I’s, cross those T’s, and secure your vendors.

May your wedding day be filled with laughter, love, and contracts as foolproof as your love for each other.

And there you have it—your vendor-hunting tips in a nutshell!

Sure, it might feel like hard work, but trust me, it’s worth every second of research, every marathon wedding exhibition, and every page of fine print.

Just remember: while you’re out there checking calendars, collecting business cards, and sorting out contracts, don’t forget to enjoy the experience to.

You’ll meet some amazing vendors along the way who want you to have exactly what you need to make your day special.

And whilst these are the hardest bits, wedding planning can still be fun (Okay, maybe not all the time, but that’s why wine and chocolate exists!)

Hopefully, these tips will help you find your vendor’s dream team and make some hilarious memories along the way!

And if you’re looking for your wedding celebrant, pop over for a chat and see if I’m the fit you’re looking for.